Hook startegies to save the small fall run fish

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by jkjnp

Back Beach-
I don't know you personally, and I've been more of a lurker here than anything else for the past few years so I apologize if I'm writing out of turn here, but... this post makes you sound like a bit of a fishing snob.
I don't see how there is any true difference between fishing for small fish or large. When you fish you are putting a hook in a fishes mouth. You very well MAY kill it. If you don't like that then don't fish.
You prefer to target big fish. You only fish at night, from mid-may blah blah blah...
Me, I like to fish. Period. I love the ocean and don't care if I catch a thing. I'm a huge supporter of conservation and release nearly all of the bass I catch, but come on don't tell me how to fish.

I think with smaller fish its more likely you can get into big numbers of them and inflict damage on a greater number of fish. Past experience tells me this is true.

For many years I sometimes took dozens of small fish in a single outing using methods targeted at the small stuff. Despite utilizing less lethal methods(single hooks), I put back way too many bleeders for my own comfort, so I avoid numbers fishing for small fish nowadays. Just about all my fishing now is single hook fishing with larger stuff being the target... for whatever that's worth...the fish stocks are quite safe too as I'm lucky to catch a single fish for every three times out.

If targeting sea robins on topwater plugs makes me a snob, then I proudly pledge my allegiance to Numbskull Nation.