Your thoughts on releasing large stripers

[Sea Flat]

I agree - One fish is fine to keep, but to me I think the size should be raised a little bit too. Unfortunately, by the time anyone decides to change the regulations it may be a bit late.

One of the hardest things I have ever done while fishing was throwing back two consecutive personal best fish last season. I got one good picture and feel great that I was able to do it. My suggestion to anyone that has their doubts as to whether or not they can throw it back is to buy a camera, something simple and keep it in a water tight bag in your plug bag. I always knew that if I caught a large fish that I would struggle with letting her go so I got the camera and I was able to pull it off.

[Slipknot]

Originally Posted by Sea Flat

I agree - One fish is fine to keep, but to me I think the size should be raised a little bit too. Unfortunately, by the time anyone decides to change the regulations it may be a bit late. Let's hope not

One of the hardest things I have ever done while fishing was throwing back two consecutive personal best fish last season.Thank you
I got one good picture and feel great that I was able to do it. My suggestion to anyone that has their doubts as to whether or not they can throw it back is to buy a camera, something simple and keep it in a water tight bag in your plug bag. I always knew that if I caught a large fish that I would struggle with letting her go so I got the camera and I was able to pull it off.

good idea
but sometimes I swear the camera jinxes me

[numbskull]

I let them go so I can feel morally superior and compensate for being short (and ugly).

[Backbeach Jake]

I keep as many as will feed Jenn and myself through the Winter, maybe one meal a week through the Winter. If I caught a 40 it would probably be the only fish kept that Season. Maybe the last time that I went surfcasting that Season as well. I don't like catching and releasing, it's too much like playing with the fish, putting them at risk needlessly. They aren't toys. I release shorts , but in the persuit of keepers. Just me, I guess.

[Ed B]

Originally Posted by Backbeach Jake

I keep as many as will feed Jenn and myself through the Winter, maybe one meal a week through the Winter. If I caught a 40 it would probably be the only fish kept that Season. Maybe the last time that I went surfcasting that Season as well. I don't like catching and releasing, it's too much like playing with the fish, putting them at risk needlessly. They aren't toys. I release shorts , but in the persuit of keepers. Just me, I guess.

I agree with you Jake, it's not just you. Fish are not toys and that's something to think about.

Getting out in the surf, catching a few fish and taking one home to eat is OK in my book. Trying to catch dozens and dozens knowing that there is always some C&R mortality leaves me scratching my head.

Ed

[BostonFisher]

I usually release my keepers assuming I think they'll make it. Once in a while I'll keep one to eat, especially if we are having a family BBQ or something like that. When I keep a healthy bass I try and make it under 35" and almost always let the larger ones go. Often I have friends on the boat that want to keep their limit and I have to convince them to let the larger ones go. I've found if I refuse to fillet it for the green horns they will often let it go since they have no idea what to do...

[sokinwet]

I'll never be morally superior....I'm tall and I'm good looking (so says my dog)....so in the box they go! Oh yea...I also release all shorts.

[stiff tip]

Originally Posted by numbskull

I let them go so I can feel morally superior and compensate for being short (and ugly).

nummie...... dont ever forget it.......the thrill is in the SELL , not the release......imo the rec guys take way more than they should.....lots of glory pigs.....look at me i,m great....let the big ones go . do it for your kids.......

[numbskull]

Dave, you should keep them all. Any fish you catch is going to die from humiliation anyways.

[Clogston29]

Originally Posted by numbskull

I let them go so I can feel morally superior and compensate for being short (and ugly).

its also alot easier to lie about how big they were if you let them go.

i pretty much fall in line with what backbeach and redlite posted.

if you really want to do what is best for the bass, just stay home. your essentially making their lives miserable for your own enjoyment every time you catch one.

[JohnR]

The short version is every legal group really should be taking less fish and every illegal group should be paraded before a judge.

Let a seasons' best go last night. It hasn't been an earth shattering season (but it has been fun).

Numby, not everyone can be hung like Bullwinkle, some people need to give Rocky a run for the money too.

[Vogt]

Originally Posted by Clogston29

your essentially making their lives miserable for your own enjoyment every time you catch one.

Good thing they dont have emotions...

[fishpoopoo]

ah, for me, stripers taste like muddy cardboard.

i haven't kept one in a while.