Whatever happened to “Catch and Release”?

[Squibby17]

I kept 4 bass this year and probably released over 100. My father always gets mad at me for putting so many back because after all some of my gear he bought years ago, at this point I lie to him and tell him i got skunked even if I caught 4 "keepers"

One night this year my friend and I went out and caught 4-5 nice fish and released all of them. On our ride back in I caught a 22 inch fish that completely swallowed my jig. Even with my nice pliers I had a hard time getting the hook out and the fish was bleeding profusely. There was absolutley no way this fish was going to survive and I did attempt to revive it. You know what I did? I put it in the cooler and took it home. The only undersized fish I have ever taken. I know its illegal but in this situation I took my chances with the law because the image of a little bass floating upside down seemed a great waste to me. I may raise some eye brows with this story but we are entitled to our own opinions. I agree with what most have said here I would rather keep a 28" than a cow. That little bass was the best striper I ever ate in my life although the circumstances were not something I would like to face again.

[JoeyM]

here's a little bit about weighing your trophy with your boga and then releasing it (this was for muskies, but i think a lot of it applies here):

The Risks of Vertical Holds:

1. Muskies lifted by a gaff or suspended for weighing from the tip of the lower jaw risk internal separation of the connection between the two halves of the lower jaw (it is a two piece bone) and this will prevent effective feeding after its release.

2. It has been reported that big largemouth bass when held unsupported by an exaggerated lip lock have suffered jaw damage. Now consider a 15 to 40 pound muskellunge - its jaw and associated muscles and ligaments were not constructed to support that weight under the influence of gravity.

3. The V-shaped connective tissue on the underside of the head comes under significant stress (stretched and distended) when absorbing the unrelenting weight of the fish's torso. This are is attached to the gill arches and delicate vascular tissue which, if damaged could result in the death of the fish minutes after release.

4. The cervical vertebrae (the sections of the spine connected to the skull) are subjected to enormous strain making likely nerve damage. Under the influence of the weight of the body, it will bend backward and twist in unnatural ways. A thrashing muskie will strain the delicate nerves in a range of directions,

5. Another fairly evident problem with vertical holds is organ slippage. Within the abdominal cavity, the liver, kidneys, heart, gonads, and GI tract are held in place by membranous connective tissues. Within a vertically held muskie, the force exerted by some of these heavier organs will result in these tissues stretching and tearing as the organs slide back toward the pelvic fins.

6. Any time a fish is lifted vertically, there is a greater chance that the it will be accidentally dropped. The result is a fish banging around the bottom of the boat. The consequences of this include internal injuries as well as loss of the protective mucous and damage to the cells that produce it.

the other side to this is, what somebody else said: that the released fish still has a better chance than if it was in your fishbox. also, all of this is basically anecdotal. havent seen a good well designed study yet. meaning there is no real statistical evidence that these things are true. the study maybe out there, but i didnt find it.

despite all that, i can probably believe holding big fish vertically isnt good.

[vineyardblues]

Hi DZ

I can't fish off the beach at lunch because of where I live.
So if I am on the island or cape cod for a weekend and I am lucky to catch a striper I do keep it. Yes I fish alot,,,do I catch alot .? NOT

My friends expect fish every time I come home ...lol

My personal best striper from the shore was let go to live another day. The day before the MV derby started, I thought for sure I would catch him again in the next 30 days!....lol

I sold many stripers in the late 80s and 90s , last time was in 1992
and still buy my license every year, just "because"

Besides I think Tuna is better eating fish

Have a great New Year

VB

[GBOUTDOORS]

The law here in Mass. says you can keep 2 fish 28 + inches. If this is what you do please do not feel bad about it so long as they make it to yours or a friends table. If you feel so stronge about not keeping bass as food then why fish for them at all?????????????????? because the law says you can right? So please do not tell me you are trying to conserve the fish this to me would mean not to fish at all as some would like to see!!!!!! I do keep 15 to 20 fish per year for the table and like the smaller fish for food. But to you that say let the big ones go to breed I have asked this many times of the experts in the field and have been told every time that the larger the fish the more likly they will not be around in a few years but that a 28" fish will be for many years to come so you do more harm by keeping those 30# and under than the large fish as far as the breeding gos. This makes sence to me even thought I do release most large fish I get.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by GBOUTDOORS

But to you that say let the big ones go to breed I have asked this many times of the experts in the field and have been told every time that the larger the fish the more likly they will not be around in a few years but that a 28" fish will be for many years to come so you do more harm by keeping those 30# and under than the large fish as far as the breeding gos. This makes sence to me even thought I do release most large fish I get.

Who are these experts? I just have trouble believing that. A 30# fish could be around for another 5 to 10, maybe more years.

I believe in the idea (and plenty of unbiased scientists support it) that we are changing the gene pool in heavily harvested fish species by focusing on taking the larger fish. To me, a 30# plus fish is likely a genetically superior fish. She survived when her school mates haven't. Maybe she's smarter, faster, stronger, bigger, etc. What happens when you take that breeding fish out? Un-natural selection. Now maybe this fish is past it's breeding prime (less and lower quality eggs), but it's still dropping genetically superior eggs if it is in fact breeding.

[Labrador1]

Just thought I'd chime in on a couple side issues. I know that many people say that big fish should go back because they don't taste as good. Just felt the need to mention that I agree that they taste (texture) different, but wouldn't agree that they don't taste good. Keep in mind that some people can't stand bluefish while others think of them as prized table fair. I killed one big fish on the Cape two years ago that fed my dad, brother and I for the entire trip.

Second - I can't say that I agree that no one should keep two fish per day. If I decide to keep fish on a particular day, I will usually keep a limit - I figure if I'm going to the trouble of icing, cleaning, packaging etc. I might as well keep my limit. I'd much rather spend most of my days letting fish go. In other words I generally kill no fish, but if I do, its usually two.

Having said all that, I never kept a single fish this year. Most years I do keep a few, but just never wanted to kill any this year. Just thought I'd mention that since the above might make me sound like a fish hog. And it has become harder for me to kill a big fish. Just a personal thing - but I look at 'em and figure they've beat the odds - I don't like being the one ending that streak.