GIVE and TAKE

[Sea Dangles]

I feel as though tournament fishing took some of the fun away from fishing this year in particular. In the future I am undecided as to participating in the Striper Cup. The Red Top and Back Eddy were a lot of fun because they come and go quickly. Once again I witnessed how ugly and petty people get when it comes to spots and it lasted all season. Although I feel I can always compete with the field and win some nice gear, the shine has worn off at this point. I am also like Back Beach in that I target large specifically. It has been a while since I looked at birds and tried to fish under them.
I think a saltwater license will be a good way of giving back also, if the money goes back to our fishery.
TDF, I have taken the scouts to the local pond before and have enjoyed the smiles and tangles.

[Bill L]

I try to scale my tackle and technique towards larger fish. Acres of blitzing schoolies to me usually means a bunch of them will be floating belly up due to puncture wounds and deep hookings as a result of people "padding their numbers". Sure, you can use barbless singles and the like, but I prefer to just leave them be. Same thing goes for over wintering fish too. I leave them alone.

This stinks of hypocrisy. You've killed ten 30# fish just to get a "slip" in case somebody doesn't believe you, not to mention the potential mortality of the 100's of keepers, some of which may have had an eel hook in the gullet.

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by toonoc

This stinks of hypocrisy. You've killed ten 30# fish just to get a "slip" in case somebody doesn't believe you, not to mention the potential mortality of the 100's of keepers, some of which may have had an eel hook in the gullet.

The 30# thing was used as an example. As for the slips, they're for me, not anyone else and I don't apologize for taking a few fish. I've documented my big fish catches since day 1.
For clarification, the fish are consumed by my self/family/friends. They're not thrown away or killed just for a slip, which would be a travesty no doubt.
Regardless of the fish's size, you must no doubt assume some will not make it after releasing them. In my experience though, I've seen more floaters when it comes to small fish. Many of the bigger fish come on eels, but many on rubber too.
In my earlier days, I would have taken the 2 fish a day or whatever was legal to posess.
Keeping in line with Chris's question here, I release practically everything I catch.

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by Sea Dangles

I feel as though tournament fishing took some of the fun away from fishing this year in particular. In the future I am undecided as to participating in the Striper Cup.

Me too. You begin to feel as though you're fishing just for the tourney after a while.

[Nebe]

who is worse? the guy who is C&R 100% and has multiple 100 fish days or the solitary cow hunter who fishes big fish tactics to release 1 30 lber and keep a 35?

[Sea Dangles]

I think 5% of the anglers catch 95% of the fish. Differences in philosophy do no harm at all because the intent is there to help the fishery. Everything is not black and white. I do know BB killed a lot of eels this season and eels are fish too, I think. Others do their part in deforestation but they are entitled to all the AYC they want. Even if their burps smell like the flach of flap.

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by Nebe

who is worse? the guy who is C&R 100% and has multiple 100 fish days or the solitary cow hunter who fishes big fish tactics to release 1 30 lber and keep a 35?

My research indicates the smalls are more fragile than the big ones. Bottom line is regardless of your intentions or goals you contribute to the mortality of the stocks if you hook a fish. Period.
Releasing what you don't really need=giving back.(the crux of my first response)

As for eels, I got 11 big fish one night this fall on one eel(not rigged), so give me a break Chris..... The old BB would have needed a dozen to accomplish the same thing....

[Striperknight]

Teach a newbie or a kid how to fish and respect the resource.

[BatesBCheatin]

I've ratted out my fair share of poachers this year and will continue to do so for the good of the resource. I feel no guilt about that as poachers suck. I believe that if your ignoring what these aholes are doing you're not any better than they are.

I've also released more good fish than I ever thought I would the past couple seasons. In fact it's actually a little tougher to keep any fish now even though I love to eat them. Odd.

I've also begun to bitch to people about leaving trash all over the place. Where I can def improve is to actually start carrying out others trash that they leave behind. I'm not there yet.

[Nebe]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

Bottom line is regardless of your intentions or goals you contribute to the mortality of the stocks if you hook a fish. Period.

That was my point.

personally, my biggest gripe is with those who feel that they are entitled to sell fish illegally and keep more than their legal limit. Poachers suck..

[MAKAI]

SOMETIMES PUT THE ROD DOWN,FEEL THE SURF AGAINST YOU,SMELL THE SALT OF THE SEA , STARE AT THE STARS ABOVE AND REMEMBER WHY YOU REALLY LIKE TO FISH.

[Crafty Angler]

What Piemma said

It may sound strange, but my beliefs are pretty much like those of the Narragansetts - the real locals.

Respect your prey, use the resource wisely by taking only as much as you can use and keep your eyes on the #*$@*# WASPs who are gonna try to keep you from fishing the best spots by claiming they 'own' the land.

Hey, it works for me.