Am I a Asshole?

[biteme]

Had to do some work on the truck today and I skipped out on fishing. My buddy and his family went out to Folsom. My buddy called me saying he just cought a 4lber. I was like cool. We've been out about four times on my boat and he hasn't cought a fish. So he calls me just now and says guess what that fish had in the stomach? He then said a eight inch trought crawdad and a robo worm. I was like wow they are hungry. I said it must be cause it was spawned out. He said nope, its full of eggs! I LOST it! I said you took a fish with eggs! He said there was plenty of fish in that lake. I said yeah? Well Im not taking you fishing anymore. The eggs from that fish would have produced many more fish. He said he'll just go by himself then and catch them from the shore. I said go for it! Thats if you can catch em. Keep in mind we've been friends for a long time. I dont know if Im just pissed right now or what. But I think Im going to make a rule, no keeping fish when fishing out of my boat. Is that wrong?

[Sean Graf]

I agree, you're acting like a ####.

Make it a rule for your boat, I agree 100% with you.

Don't let it bother you if your buddy keeps a fish here or there, it's not worth ending a friendship over.

As a matter of fact, ask him if theres enough fish to feed you and your amily also, then you guys can enjoy the fruits of his labor together.

[Smile_n_Jax]

I understand how you feel. Personally, I would never keep a female with eggs. But then again, that's your buddy's choice. And I would imagine catching a 4lb'er is a big deal for him.

But I would hope you won't let one fish tear your friendship apart. Don't be angry with him. Instead, try to sit down with him and explain how the ecosystem works. Help him to understand there are many fish to catch and keep, but at this time of year, let the females go. By doing this there will be many more to catch in the future.

I hope you and your buddy can overcome this and become better friends.

Jax

[Rod Martin]

Before I write anything. I practice C&R. I dont keep fish! But there's a reason those fish have so many eggs. Its already in the plan that many fish will not survive. So if someone wants to eat a few and stays within the law be sure and have Hushpuppies & fries with that fried fish

[biteme]

We've had many talks about C&R. But he just doesnt see it. He gets it from his dad. So I guess its just the way he was raised. I catch a lot of fish every time we go out. I turn em back and he asks to keep em. I go over the whole thing with him. I want there to be plenty of fish in the lakes when our kids go fishing. Up until now it hasnt been a problem. Because he hasnt been catching anything. But hes starting to listen to me when I tell him what baits to use.
I dont think it will hurt our friendship. But this is something I feel strong about. If you want to keep fish keep something thats planted. I have no problem with that. For now I think Ill just fish alone or find someone else to fish with. Theres other thing we both like. So we can just keep it at that.

[Bill kizer]

Everyone I take out knows my rules. If it's a big fish it gets released. If they want dinner I don't have a problem with keeping a few THEY caught if right at the keeper size or below slot limits.

If they go out by themselves I feel it's their decision. But they all know never to tell me they kept a big spawner cause they know I'd be pissed like yourself.

Ending a friendship because of that..............never. Educate him.

[froteur]

We've had many talks about C&R. But he just doesnt see it. He gets it from his dad. So I guess its just the way he was raised. I catch a lot of fish every time we go out. I turn em back and he asks to keep em. I go over the whole thing with him. I want there to be plenty of fish in the lakes when our kids go fishing. Up until now it hasnt been a problem. Because he hasnt been catching anything. But hes starting to listen to me when I tell him what baits to use.
I dont think it will hurt our friendship. But this is something I feel strong about. If you want to keep fish keep something thats planted. I have no problem with that. For now I think Ill just fish alone or find someone else to fish with. Theres other thing we both like. So we can just keep it at that.

i'm one of those that straddles the line with this.

i release everything that is over three pounds; however, i will occassionally keep a few 1 - 2 1/2 pound bass to eat. i think no less an expert than ray scott has said that he keeps some small bass to eat (especially out of his pond).

in any case, i'm not sure when the bass in that lake was planted but they WERE planted. bass are not native to this area. i know that you are referring to trout, etc. but what i am trying to say is this: when the bass were planted, was it with c&r in mind or was it the belief by the dfg at that time that some of these fish would be eaten?

anyway, please don't let this break up a friendship.

-perry-

[Calistar]

friendships are very important. I've been fortunate to gain a lot of new friends over the last few years and I really value those relationships. But I've also lost a couple of friendships that I really regret and if I could have turned back time and done things differently I definitely would have.

Although I am fully in support of C&R, one fish is certainly not worth losing a buddy over. If I were you, I would contact this guy and let him know that you over-reacted (if that is how you feel) and let him know you regret your actions. My bet is that you'll be glad you made that call.

[Kelly Ripa]

I had a similar yet different experience just this fall. I took out our lake biologist and his father. I'd never met him before but he was having his boat worked on and I volunteered to take them out and put them on fish for the day. Spooning was a new technique to them ( at least the way I do it ). They had a good time stuck twenty bucks in my pocket and that was the end of our day on the water. The next week I found him floating around the lake and not doing to well. I told them what was different and added that I knew where the crappie were nonstop. They asked so I showed them the spot by putting a marker bouy on it. I had another person ( another guy I met here online ) with me that day that I was showing my spoon technique to and he remarked that he thought that they were keeping the fish. We haven't had a good crappie population in years so it was a little upsetting but I don't begrudge someone taking a fish here and there so I pulled my bouy and kept fishing. The following week I got an e-mail from this Biologist. He was standing in his front yard with a 9 pounder that he'd caught and taken home for the freezer. His e-mail included all kinds of retoric and excusses for his taking of the fish. That's when I snapped . I sent him an e-mail back telling him what a jerk he was. His e-mail had listed three excusses for his taking of the fish. I told him it was not justified and I was sorry he couldn't see past the lemon wedge and tarter sauce whenever he reeled in a fish and not to bother ever trying to contact me again. I was really upset until it dawned on me that I had not killed the fish but rather my instruction had led to it's demise. Upon further soul searching it became apparent that if this was so was I not leading other fish to an early demise by posting on the reports page? I was really in a funk until I realised that Denny Brauer or KVD must have way more blood on their hands than I and we have to let all anglers develop and mature on their own. It was easier for me to cut and run from this guy as we had no personal history but I understand your pain. You have taken someone to the next level and perhaps broadened their horizens only to get bit in the a$$ in doing it in your opinion. You have every right to keep your boat as a catch and release only vessel and if you explain the reasons prior to your day it will not be an issue. Your friend has not committed a crime yet you are upset because it was presumed by you that your take on our sport was the same as your friends. Since this was not the case you can elect to keep him out of your boat and no foul will have been commited by you. It is a tough call but I'm sure you'll come to a higher plateau once your settled down and reason out your feelings. You feel you've been betrayed by this person and your friend just doesn't get it. If your friend evolves to the next level he will understand your feelings and if he doesn't then he'll always have the bank to fish from and memories of boat trips past... Trust me some of us understand your philosophy and principles so as the days go by you'll find this a bit easier to swallow and deal with. If you truely were friends it will be weathered by you both and you'll just have to agree to disagree on this point. I hope this helps in some way and your Spring is full of big green fish ...

Rip

[mac (Doyle McEwen)]

This whole thread is like comparing liberalism to consevatism or socialism to capitalism..Both have their good points and both have their bad points..Is there anything really wrong about keeping any legally caught fish, absolutely not..Is there anything wrong with releasing that same fish, once again the answer is the same..But there is something wrong with trying to force your ideas on someone else..Now explaining your whys and why nots, isn't forcing anyone to do anything..But I can assure you if every fish caught were to be released it would not be overly long before the fishery would be overloaded..I have seen some that would gladly catch and keep every crappie they caught, yet they would yell at anyone keeping a legally caught bass..Until bass are equipped with external sex organs or the fisherman is equipped with X-ray vision I would really like to know a 100% sure way of determining if the small bass I decide to keep is male or female..Or would you have been equally upset if it were a male bass..

I can see to some degree with being concerned with that loss of one breeding female, but truthfully it isn't worth losing a friend over..

mac

[biteme]

We've had many talks about C&R. But he just doesnt see it. He gets it from his dad. So I guess its just the way he was raised. I catch a lot of fish every time we go out. I turn em back and he asks to keep em. I go over the whole thing with him. I want there to be plenty of fish in the lakes when our kids go fishing. Up until now it hasnt been a problem. Because he hasnt been catching anything. But hes starting to listen to me when I tell him what baits to use.
I dont think it will hurt our friendship. But this is something I feel strong about. If you want to keep fish keep something thats planted. I have no problem with that. For now I think Ill just fish alone or find someone else to fish with. Theres other thing we both like. So we can just keep it at that.

i'm one of those that straddles the line with this.

i release everything that is over three pounds; however, i will occassionally keep a few 1 - 2 1/2 pound bass to eat. i think no less an expert than ray scott has said that he keeps some small bass to eat (especially out of his pond).

in any case, i'm not sure when the bass in that lake was planted but they WERE planted. bass are not native to this area. i know that you are referring to trout, etc. but what i am trying to say is this: when the bass were planted, was it with c&r in mind or was it the belief by the dfg at that time that some of these fish would be eaten?

anyway, please don't let this break up a friendship.

-perry-

I agree they were planted. But they dont get planted as much other fish and that was my point.

I had a similar yet different experience just this fall. I took out our lake biologist and his father. I'd never met him before but he was having his boat worked on and I volunteered to take them out and put them on fish for the day. Spooning was a new technique to them ( at least the way I do it ). They had a good time stuck twenty bucks in my pocket and that was the end of our day on the water. The next week I found him floating around the lake and not doing to well. I told them what was different and added that I knew where the crappie were nonstop. They asked so I showed them the spot by putting a marker bouy on it. I had another person ( another guy I met here online ) with me that day that I was showing my spoon technique to and he remarked that he thought that they were keeping the fish. We haven't had a good crappie population in years so it was a little upsetting but I don't begrudge someone taking a fish here and there so I pulled my bouy and kept fishing. The following week I got an e-mail from this Biologist. He was standing in his front yard with a 9 pounder that he'd caught and taken home for the freezer. His e-mail included all kinds of retoric and excusses for his taking of the fish. That's when I snapped Mad . I sent him an e-mail back telling him what a jerk he was. His e-mail had listed three excusses for his taking of the fish. I told him it was not justified and I was sorry he couldn't see past the lemon wedge and tarter sauce whenever he reeled in a fish and not to bother ever trying to contact me again. I was really upset until it dawned on me that I had not killed the fish but rather my instruction had led to it's demise. Upon further soul searching it became apparent that if this was so was I not leading other fish to an early demise by posting on the reports page? I was really in a funk until I realised that Denny Brauer or KVD must have way more blood on their hands than I and we have to let all anglers develop and mature on their own. It was easier for me to cut and run from this guy as we had no personal history but I understand your pain. You have taken someone to the next level and perhaps broadened their horizens only to get bit in the a$$ in doing it in your opinion. You have every right to keep your boat as a catch and release only vessel and if you explain the reasons prior to your day it will not be an issue. Your friend has not committed a crime yet you are upset because it was presumed by you that your take on our sport was the same as your friends. Since this was not the case you can elect to keep him out of your boat and no foul will have been commited by you. It is a tough call but I'm sure you'll come to a higher plateau once your settled down and reason out your feelings. You feel you've been betrayed by this person and your friend just doesn't get it. If your friend evolves to the next level he will understand your feelings and if he doesn't then he'll always have the bank to fish from and memories of boat trips past... Wink Trust me some of us understand your philosophy and principles so as the days go by you'll find this a bit easier to swallow and deal with. If you truely were friends it will be weathered by you both and you'll just have to agree to disagree on this point. I hope this helps in some way and your Spring is full of big green fish Mr. Green ...

Thanks for the post.
I dont mind a fish or two. But its when you take more then you really need. We both have enough money to stop by long john silver's on the way home if he really wants fish.
Thanks guys. This is something Ill have to sleep on.

[Marty]

Biteme,

I don’t know you so it is easy for me to say this, so please keep that I mind as you read this and also you asked. If you don’t want to know then don’t ask!

A friend is a person that is more important then any non-human to include Bass. In fact you are more important to me then a Bass and we don’t even now each other. A friend is a person you hang round with even when they don’t see things the way you do. He can be stronger or weaker, in body or in character but you are friends. I hang around with Liberals all the time.

Look at it this way your buddy chose to call you of all people to tell of his joy and what did you do? Just maybe you’re thinking of friends is different then the way I see friends? To each is own!

I do believe a lot of anglers take this catch and release just to seriously! It is a fish that the good Lord gave us to eat and we turn it into a sport. A sport for are own enjoyment. I just don’t understand how we can eat perch, catfish, and stripers for that matter a cow then turn around and lose it because someone eats a Bass. Then we say it is for the children and they can have something to fish for in the future! Are we saying they won’t need to fish for perch, catfish, or stripers in the future? Who are we to decide what is to be fished in the future? Or even better I only take them under 3 lbs which in itself is saying you’re not against eating a Bass. So what is the reason for catch and release?

It must be to fill are own gratifications because if it is not for the survival of the species, then we are all hypocrite. I know why I release big Bass and it is not for their survival, it is to come back and catch it again – my own self gratification and I will not end a friendship over my own self gratification of doing better in a sport.

[froteur]

biteme wrote: I agree they were planted. But they dont get planted as much other fish and that was my point.


biteme ---oh, i understand your point.

i wonder if the dfg would plant more bass if they didn't sustain themselves so well. i'm no fish bioligist but i'm guessing the trout get planted because they cannot self-sustain. i know that my local reservoir, lafayette, planted some bass last year but, unlike trout, they don't really make that public knowledge. i just got to talking to one of the rangers there and he told me about it since he know that my son and i were bass fishermen. he also knew that we pretty much catch and release.

i wonder if other lakes plant bass on occassion and just don't say anything, or are the bass hardy enough and reproduce well enough that that is generally not needed?

[biteme]

Guys please dont misunderstand. Ill be keeping him as a friend, we've always been there for each other. We just dont see eye to eye on this. Because of that we'll just do the other hobbies we do together.
We all have our likes and dislikes.

[biteme]

biteme wrote: I agree they were planted. But they dont get planted as much other fish and that was my point.


biteme ---oh, i understand your point.

i wonder if the dfg would plant more bass if they didn't sustain themselves so well. i'm no fish bioligist but i'm guessing the trout get planted because they cannot self-sustain. i know that my local reservoir, lafayette, planted some bass last year but, unlike trout, they don't really make that public knowledge. i just got to talking to one of the rangers there and he told me about it since he know that my son and i were bass fishermen. he also knew that we pretty much catch and release.

i wonder if other lakes plant bass on occassion and just don't say anything, or are the bass hardy enough and reproduce well enough that that is generally not needed?

I also wonder that. I dunno if its the fact that trout cant self sustain them selfs or most trout fisherman keep their catch. How many trout fisherman do you know that release their catch?

[froteur]

Biteme,

I don’t know you so it is easy for me to say this, so please keep that I mind as you read this and also you asked. If you don’t want to know then don’t ask!

A friend is a person that is more important then any non-human to include Bass. In fact you are more important to me then a Bass and we don’t even now each other. A friend is a person you hang round with even when they don’t see things the way you do. He can be stronger or weaker, in body or in character but you are friends. I hang around with Liberals all the time.

Look at it this way your buddy chose to call you of all people to tell of his joy and what did you do? Just maybe you’re thinking of friends is different then the way I see friends? To each is own!

I do believe a lot of anglers take this catch and release just to seriously! It is a fish that the good Lord gave us to eat and we turn it into a sport. A sport for are own enjoyment. I just don’t understand how we can eat perch, catfish, and stripers for that matter a cow then turn around and lose it because someone eats a Bass. Then we say it is for the children and they can have something to fish for in the future! Are we saying they won’t need to fish for perch, catfish, or stripers in the future? Who are we to decide what is to be fished in the future? Or even better I only take them under 3 lbs which in itself is saying you’re not against eating a Bass. So what is the reason for catch and release?

It must be to fill are own gratifications because if it is not for the survival of the species, then we are all hypocrite. I know why I release big Bass and it is not for their survival, it is to come back and catch it again – my own self gratification and I will not end a friendship over my own self gratification of doing better in a sport.

marty -- i think you hit the nail on the head. bass fishing is a sport and the reason we catch and release is to sustain the SPORT. when i catch and release it is for the selfish reason that i want to see that fish caught again or make other babies that my friends and i can catch. i have the arbitrary 3 lb limit for releasing the fish. the reason for this is that 1) hopefully they have some big fish genes that they can pass on and 2) they don't taste as good as the little ones.

once again, i release MOST of my fish (i'm talking about keeping maybe two or three fish every couple of months) cuz i'm selfish and want to come back and catch them again. that's how this whole catch and release thing came about anyway. if anyone looks at the pictures of the old bassmasters tournaments, they killed A LOT of fish. by catching and releasing they were able to help the SPORT - plus they pi--ed off the locals less.

if c&r didn't help our sport, i don't think we'd give nearly the hoot that we do.

[Fish Chris]

A few thoughts come to mind....

First off, it's better to kill a 4 lb'er than a 14....... although a couple of 2's would probably make for better eating. In fact, a couple 2 lb Spots would probably be better yet.

The other thing that often strikes me is, when people will emphasise, as you did 'biteme', that "the fish was full of eggs". But the fact of the matter is, whether you kill a bass in March of 07' when it's full of eggs, or June of 07' when its completely spawned out, either way, it won't spawn in 08', or 09', or 10', etc. One less spawn, out of a fish that might have spawned 10 more times, is rather inconsequential.

In any case biteme, I don't think I would go so far as to say you were a ####, I'd just say you haven't been around this block as many times as I have.

Education is where it's at,
Peace,
Fish

[biteme]

A few thoughts come to mind....

First off, it's better to kill a 4 lb'er than a 14....... although a couple of 2's would probably make for better eating. In fact, a couple 2 lb Spots would probably be better yet.

The other thing that often strikes me is, when people will emphasise, as you did 'biteme', that "the fish was full of eggs". But the fact of the matter is, whether you kill a bass in March of 07' when it's full of eggs, or June of 07' when its completely spawned out, either way, it won't spawn in 08', or 09', or 10', etc. One less spawn, out of a fish that might have spawned 10 more times, is rather inconsequential.

In any case biteme, I don't think I would go so far as to say you were a ####, I'd just say you haven't been around this block as many times as I have.

Education is where it's at,
Peace,
Fish

Thats the problem, whats going to happen if he catches a double digit? Im getting big into the swimbait thing. Once I catch a double then Im sure he's going to want to follow.
Either way I dont keep my fish, so to me it doesnt matter what month it is.

[Jim Conlow Sr.]

If he doesnt like your rules he can either fish from the bank, buy a boat or fish with some one else
Also a lot depends on how much you value his friendship.

No matter what you decide I dont think it makes you a bad guy.

[leachman90]

I have ran into the same problem up here on the Columbia.I enjoy teaching people how to catch smallies.The problem is that it has becomes a trust issue for me now.There have been more than couple times that I have helped people to catch fish and at the time I try and teach them about C&R while we are fishing.It usally seems like it go's over well with them,BUT then a few days later I will run into them only to find them keeping loads of smallies including some very large ones on the technics I have shown them.This makes me VERY upset and mad.It has been said up here that I think that all the smallies belong to me and that I just let people borrow them for alittle while.Well I do feel that way so when I see people yarding out 4lb+ fish it really gets me going.I still want to teach and help people to do the thing I most enjoy in life(away from my family)but it has become about reading people and trusting again.I do have a rule as well that I do not take folks out with me that want to keep fish no matter the size(just my gig).Well it is a new season and I pray that the next person I trust helps put the faith back into me.God Bless...Jim

[Jon]

Freinds don't aire bad feelings n public.
Jon

[biteme]

Freinds don't aire bad feelings n public.
Jon

We'll I guess Im not a friend.
I dont fish with many people and I wanted to know how others felt about this. I didnt mention any names, did I?

[markscolwell]

I don't keep/eat any of the fish I catch. That being said it is actually good to keep some smaller fish every once in awhile. Ask any expert in game management, a few less fish competing for a limited food supply lets the bigger fish eat more. A ton of small fish doesn't always equal big fish down the road!!

[Brian]

If eatin a little 4#er is the worst thing your friend ever does to piss you off, you have it made. Hell my kids piss me off worse then that everyday. If he is really eating the fish and they are not going to waste, I dont see what the big deal is. Now if he is keeping fish and they are going to waste then that is another issue alltogether.

[froteur]

biteme wrote: I agree they were planted. But they dont get planted as much other fish and that was my point.


biteme ---oh, i understand your point.

i wonder if the dfg would plant more bass if they didn't sustain themselves so well. i'm no fish bioligist but i'm guessing the trout get planted because they cannot self-sustain. i know that my local reservoir, lafayette, planted some bass last year but, unlike trout, they don't really make that public knowledge. i just got to talking to one of the rangers there and he told me about it since he know that my son and i were bass fishermen. he also knew that we pretty much catch and release.

i wonder if other lakes plant bass on occassion and just don't say anything, or are the bass hardy enough and reproduce well enough that that is generally not needed?

I also wonder that. I dunno if its the fact that trout cant self sustain them selfs or most trout fisherman keep their catch. How many trout fisherman do you know that release their catch?

i normally release the trout i catch ---- that's cuz it's usually caught by accident.

[froteur]

A few thoughts come to mind....

First off, it's better to kill a 4 lb'er than a 14....... although a couple of 2's would probably make for better eating. In fact, a couple 2 lb Spots would probably be better yet.

The other thing that often strikes me is, when people will emphasise, as you did 'biteme', that "the fish was full of eggs". But the fact of the matter is, whether you kill a bass in March of 07' when it's full of eggs, or June of 07' when its completely spawned out, either way, it won't spawn in 08', or 09', or 10', etc. One less spawn, out of a fish that might have spawned 10 more times, is rather inconsequential.

In any case biteme, I don't think I would go so far as to say you were a ####, I'd just say you haven't been around this block as many times as I have.

Education is where it's at,
Peace,
Fish

fish --- that's what i was saying. 4 lb bass don't taste as good as 2 lb bass (pure speculation as i've never eaten a 4 lb bass).

and just how many times around this block HAVE you gone?

[froteur]

I don't keep/eat any of the fish I catch. That being said it is actually good to keep some smaller fish every once in awhile. Ask any expert in game management, a few less fish competing for a limited food supply lets the bigger fish eat more. A ton of small fish doesn't always equal big fish down the road!!

heck ... ask ray scott. he's pretty much the one that started the whole c&r philosphy and he says he keeps and eats the little ones. in fact, he says you can't harvest enough of them (at least in his pond anyway). let's the bigger fish get bigger cuz the little fish are faster and hog up the food.

[jack morris]

First off trout do not survive well after being caught and handled , most of them will die if they are not handled very carefully. Add to that most trout are planted are of catchable size , at that point a lot of them will die even if they are not caught. Bass on the other hand have a very good survivel rate as they are a lot stronger fish. Yes I eat a bass now and then. Do think I hurt the population? No. Now then, the striper numbers are way ,way down , do we play c and r with them?? Most people do not. Would I risk losing a buddy over some fish, no way in hades would I let that happen. By the way the bass I eat are 1 to 2 lbs, no big fish. Just my thoughts Jack , jackbasssr @yahoo.com

[Fish Chris]

Hey biteme, again, education is where it's at.

Tell him to read these two articles:

http://www.trophybassonly.com/id50.htm

http://www.trophybassonly.com/id143.htm

If he still insists on killing a big one, ask him which part of these articles he doesn't understand.

I mean, if he doesn't care about catching a big bass, and wants to do whatever he can to reduce his own chances in the future, well that would explain his attitude towards keeping a big fish. Otherwise, he needs to understand that his actions directly affect his own future chances.....

Peace,
Fish

[ash]

I agree with that, and you probably know it to or you wouldnt have posted this. The truth is non of us started fishing releasing fish, well maybe some(as I never did like the taste of fish) but I have fried myself some fish over my life. C&R comes from educating not reacting or lecturing, it sounds to me like this guy needs more time with you on your boat not less as he will pass on the lessons you share with him to others.

When I go fishing with family and friends who want to catch fish I remind myself that means eat em too. When we hook up to a fish over 3.5 + I encourage them to take pics and release for better stock and that we will catch our limit of 1.5-2lb fish for a fry at the end of the day. Sometimes I still throw fish back and have guys look at my like I am an alien for throwing away "dinner."

This hobby is about sharing time, memories, and experiances on the water. If it is becoming more then that perhaps we need to take a step back and remeber what it was like for us when we first went fishing.....

[Andy Giannini]

You can't make someone release the fish.

You can try to teach the merits C+R.

You can take pride in your own conservation efforts, while participating in the sport.

Getting pissed isn't helping your friendship, or promoting Catch and release.

A.G.

P.S. It ok to keep a fish and eat it, go too far on the C+R extreme and a guy ends up sounding like a PETAphile.

[Blue_R70]

I also wonder that. I dunno if its the fact that trout cant self sustain them selfs or most trout fisherman keep their catch. How many trout fisherman do you know that release their catch?

It was actually the TROUT crowd who popularized catch and release fishing (for wild fish)...

[Blue_R70]

I have seen some that would gladly catch and keep every crappie they caught, yet they would yell at anyone keeping a legally caught bass.

Yup, and many of the same guys who would harangue some newbie fisherman for keeping a two pound bass are also the ones who think nothing of keeping/killing/eating a big striper (and these "conservation minded" bassers really could not care less that the state of our striper fishery aint in too good a shape)...

[froteur]

I also wonder that. I dunno if its the fact that trout cant self sustain them selfs or most trout fisherman keep their catch. How many trout fisherman do you know that release their catch?

It was actually the TROUT crowd who popularized catch and release fishing (for wild fish)...

oh yeah

[L Dub]

Biteme,

I know and feel your passion/ pain about bass full of eggs. I even started a thread about it a couple months ago. I generally release all my fish, but on occasion I have people ask me for a fish (ie: I'm trying to impress my GFs mom).

Bottom line to me is, people are going to keep fish. I try to do my part by sharing my knowledge with the people I take fishing with me with the hopes that they'll also find that they love this sport as much as we do. If you message sinks in, they'll get it.

I recently went out with one buddy and had a great day on the water where we caught almost two limits of SMB. He only had one keeper so I gave him a couple of mine to take home to his wife. The next week, he tells me that the fish didn't even taste that good. Lesson learned? Yup. Everytime we go out now, he keeps the trout but puts the bass back.

I don't think you were wrong about being mad about your friend keeping the fish, but he has his rights as long as he has his licence. Now if he doesn't or he takes more than 5, that's a problem.

Don't let this get in the way of a long standing friendship. If he's a true friend, he'll come around to your way of thinking. Otherwise tell him 'good luck' as you leave him on the shore.

[Paul W]

People always keep Salmon and other fish that are full of roe and nobody really seems to care, but when it comes to Bass there is always a big debate. I agree with you though, that a Bass (or ANY fish) full of eggs should always be released promptly.

Paul W

[Sean Graf]

Hey Biteme you #### ######, how did you handle the situation?

[DeltaDan]

People always keep Salmon and other fish that are full of roe and nobody really seems to care, but when it comes to Bass there is always a big debate. I agree with you though, that a Bass (or ANY fish) full of eggs should always be released promptly.

...... And I am to keep catching Salmon with hand cured roe on the upper sac how then for boondoggling? And using what is left over for Sturegon fishing the following spring ??


Dude- IT IS LEGAL --And no one has any legal say in what what is correctly harvested within the CA DFG Laws.

Mute point. --Mac and Marty already answered your question honestly and full of knowlage.......


I will say this...... NO Abalone is worth risking your life for in the spring. Stay out of the water till it is 80% safe and have some partners/buddy systems in place fully working! The Ab's this month so far have claimed 4 lives in just 21 days of the season that I have read.

-- And yes-- Those souls were not diving to just look at Abalone in the wild......


I can honestly say I have not ate a bass other than a striper....(and a Chilean Sea Bass from Costco) ...And I will not feed even a stiped bass to my family that is over 12-14 pounds just for the Mercury content alone. Yes we LOVE Halibut most of all and can possibly live a shortened life from eating a 30+ pounder. --We will live.......or meet our maker sooner. Reguardless eating Halibut off the bbq with grilled asparagus and honey drizzled garlic couscous with fresh basil/chive with black pepper is the way to go !!