Catch and Release Fishing

[TLA]

Due to our many discussions of how we can improve fishing I put this article up about catch and release fishing. If you absolutley have to have proof of the fish you caught then practice CPR. Catch, photograph and release.

If you include something of a known size or even a ruler next to the fish a good taxidermist should be able to make you a replica. Then you have the best of both worlds. You have a mount of a big fish you caught but the fish was caught, photographed and released.

I seldom bother to take a pic of any fish I catch but just throw them back. Catch and release isn't the total answer, IMO, but it is a start in the right direction. BTW, I have caught the same fish more than once so if I hadn't let it go I wouldn't have had the fun of catching it the second time.

[Smarty]

That's the beauty of fishing.  I just like to catch something.  Don't have a problem throwing it back.  How many times has a deer hunter wished he could throw back the little one that he thought was bigger? His hunt is over.  We can keep fishing.  What a blast!

[fit2bebit]

its unfortunate that not everyone plays by the same rules. The guy who is religious about CPR throws back a whopper and the next guy keeps it. it'd be nice if certain trophy lakes were CPR only to maintain the fishery.

just my 2 cents

[Kilroy]

There was a day when I would have kept them. Some of the best fish I have ever caught have been up in Canada, just not so lucky down here I guess. Up yonder the lakes we fish are mostly what they call quality managment lakes, so the big ones all go back. I would much rather take the pictures and measure the fish and turn them loose for the next time myself. Last time I was up I caught an old girl that was 45" long and weighed right at 27 pounds. I am just waiting to afford a replica. Some guys I know caught a 50" pike the day after I caught mine, I am hoping to catch her soon,lol.

I like to keep limits I catch down here of eater size fish.........if I catch a limit, because I love eating fish, but the big ones are going back for somebody else. I don't hold it against anybody for keeping a big one at all tho, it is a personal choice.

Kilroy

[sparky]

   This subject just gets beat to death.  I like eating fresh caught fish , I have the right to keep fish as long as I abide by the limits and size restrictions. 

  What gives everyone else the right to impose your beliefs on me?  This is still a free country , we enjoy freedoms no-one else in the world can match. 

  So my question is , why do I have do defend my right to legaly participate in a rite of passage?  Why do you feel the need to impose your beliefs on me?  I say if catch and release does so much good , why hasn't the GFP lowered harvest limits?  Why havent they made certain lakes strictly catch and release?  How many of these fish you catch and then release die later from being handled ?  What do you do with deep-hooked fish?
 
 I have never cleaned a walleye over 24" , I also have never harassed anyone for doing this or for keeping his limit.  I live for walleye fishing , especially in the summer from the boat and am sick and tired of people giving me a lecture when I bring a limit of fish in for cleaning.

    Right now there is a bag of 6 crappies left in my freezer from a trip up north a couple weeks ago.  I do give some fish away , especially to an older fisherman who just cant get out anymore.   Mostly my fish never sees the freezer , its best within 24 hours of fileting.

   People who say I am ruing a fishery have yet to show me proof !  I am just participating legally in an outdoor activity that has survived for hundreds of years.

[yeti]

Sparky - sounds like others have beaten you up pretty badly, simply for keeping the fish you catch.  That's a shame.

As I read this thread and the article the TLA posted, I don't feel like others are trying to impose beliefs on me ... they're just giving another option.

So, I agree with you ... but can understand the CPR view point as well.  God's given us the right to enjoy and use (but not abuse or needlessly destroy) the world around us (uh oh ... who invited God into the fishing conversation?  )

Sounds to me like you're a responsible sportsman ... good for you.

[TLA]

High Sparky, to bad Gomer couldn't Pyle on too.

No one said you couldn't eat the fish you caught. No one said it last year either.

Who EVERYONE ELSE? Considering the member numbers are in the 1600 and no one has jumped on you, in this incarnation, what are you bitching about?

Where did anyone impose their beliefs on you? Can you read? You obviously didn't read the articlle because most of your questions are answered in it.

Geez, don't tell me you argue with ignorant people at boat docks. Why bother, ignore them and walk away.

[sparky]

   I am not arguing with ignorant people on boat docks , just ignorant people who run public forums.   You would think a self-proclaimed fishing expert would know better than to start such a controversial topic.   You said you believed in the right to post your opinion so I did. I guess you didnt like it ...

[greebs]

geez, calm down.  It's a nice article giving tips on how to practice catch and release if one chooses to do that.  Nobody is telling you that you can't keep the fish you catch if you want.  Go ahead and keep them if you like to eat them and don't feel bad about it as it sounds like you aren't wasting the resource.  As long as you don't keep more than your possession limit at any time, you aren't doing anything wrong.  And if you don't like getting criticized for keeping your fish, don't get all defensive and criticize the author for giving good tips on how to properly catch and release for those that choose to do that method.

[bo]

Yep TLA never claimed to be an expert at any point in his articles he is simply stating facts and opinions from his learnings and at no point was he attacking anybody.  You are very much over reacting.  This is a friendly forum for interested individuals you dont like it go elsewhere.  Bo