Have you had the chance to keep a 10+lb bass?

Auggie Dog · Post by **Auggie Dog** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 9:54 am

In light of the recent thread and the great debate on keeping a 10 +lb bass for whatever reason

, I was wondering how many have even had the chance? There seems to be two very different sides on this issue but it doesn't really matter unless you have had to make the decision so please chime in if you have caught one in the past and what did you do when faced with the decision to keep it or let it go.

I'll be first and say in 10 yrs of bass fishing, I have numerous fish over 9 lb but am yet to break the magic number. But I know when of if it does happen, the camera will get a good workout and she will be swimmin' once again!

Auggie Dog

Gator · Post by **Gator** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:10 am

I would definitely release her after lots of pics and measurements for a replica mount.

g-man · Post by **g-man** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:18 am

That girl would be going right back in the drink. Of course after pics, and measurements.

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:25 am

In the 20 years we lived at Clearlake, and the 5 years we have lived here at Don Pedro; We have had many chances to keep/eat/mount a 10lb plus Bass...........Why. I just can not for the life of me figure out why I would. I learned years ago, kill the biggest buck in the woods and you will have all small bucks in the future. Keep the biggest fish in the river, you will go back someday to catch all small fish, and so on............I guess the bottom line is we elect not to. Its your decission.

Jigs..................ya'll notice no caps today !!!!!!

Timber_Effects · Post by **Timber_Effects** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:26 am

I have not had the pleasure of joining the 10 pound club YET, but I am very sure when that time comes....(and it will) she will be set free (after pics are taken) so my kids can have a chance at her as well.

just my .02

green_monster · Post by **green_monster** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:27 am

I caught my first and only fish over 10lbs in Nov. 2006 and she weighed in at 10 lbs 2 oz. I didn't think twice about releasing her as I guess I have been programmed enough about C/R that I thought that was the only thing you would do with a bass of that size. In the rush of the excitement of taking pictures and all I regret not taking any girth measurements. I have since thought about trying to get a replica done but have opted not to and to use that as more motivation to catch a bigger 10+. One thing that made it extra special was it was my second ever swimbait fish. Since then I have had the swimbait bug and have caught many more in the 3-8 lb class but have yet to break the 10 lb barrier a second time but have no doubt it will happen many more times in the future.

Auggie Dog · Post by **Auggie Dog** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:29 am

Jigs......I didn't know you were waiting all this time for someone to show you where that caps lock button was.

Sorry brother, I would have shown you long ago if I had only known.....

Auggie Dog

Auggie Dog · Post by **Auggie Dog** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:30 am

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:31 am

haha----ha ha-----ha ha-----

EP · Post by EP » Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:41 am

I have caught several in the 10 plus range being from So Cal, all have went back.

Sean Graf · Post by **Sean Graf** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:53 am

It would be too big for my grill, so I guess I'd release it

green_monster · Post by **green_monster** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:57 am

ha ha ha .....thats great Sean....It would cost to much to buy a bigger grill....

g-man · Post by **g-man** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 11:10 am

Ok, who voted for the BBq. Lets get him!!!!

JK. I bet it was Sean.....

Sean Graf · Post by **Sean Graf** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 11:15 am

Actually GMAn, I forgot to vote, LOL.

That fish I put on the grill is your beast from the Pines.

Since YOU BBq'd it , I'm suprised you didn't recognize it.

g-man · Post by **g-man** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 11:20 am

I didn't bbq nothing. Is that really my fish? I can't tell from the angle.

swimbait · Post by **swimbait** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 11:20 am

If you've ever debated it in your mind, read this article:

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

That's just one small example of how catch and release works on big fish. I have more than a dozen more comparison shots on my computer of fish that I've caught and released and then seen caught again, either by myself or by someone else.

Two years ago I caught two 10lbers on morning, a 10.2 and a 10.95. A week later I went to that same spot and caught BOTH fish again. Not on beds, just casting swimbaits and jigs. This kind of stuff happens way more often than people realize because the number of double digit bass in any given lake is much lower than people really think.

Be a part of the catch and release deal. You'll feel so good about it in the long run, and odds are if you fish for the big ones enough, you'll catch those same big bass year after year.

tadams · Post by **tadams** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 11:47 am

This is my first posting and I think this is the perfect post to respond to. I have over the years seen countless pics of DD Bass( most of them from SuperMatt) and have dreamed of the day I enter this special group. Taking pics and measurements is all I need to make me happy, besides there is something about holding a fish in your hands just before it swims off into the distance. It's the last step to completeing a job well done. Then I would look forward to the next dance

John Barron · Post by **John Barron** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 12:22 pm

From 10# even to 14.98# (personal best) but not until after several pictures were taken. I will continue to release the big ones. Maybe one day should I be lucky enough to catch another large fish I might have a replica made.
jb

thejerbs · Post by **thejerbs** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 1:09 pm

I have been fortunate enough to catch three DDs this past month. I have released everyone and every time I release another the feeling of releasing a monster bass only gets better. I have a feeling that the same bass that won me some cash in a recent float tube tourney was caught by me only three days earlier. Catch and release of the big mamas should be common sense. Do you want to let that big mama pass on those genes or do you want to catch just dinks in the future? I think there should be a slot limit. I know that the idea has been talked about at some bay area lakes. Don't some of the so-cal lakes have slot limits?

I'm new to bass fishing so I'm no expert on the ecology of bass, but I do know that releasing a monster bass feels great!

John Barron · Post by **John Barron** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 1:20 pm

None of the So Cal lakes have a slot limit that I know of. There are some lakes with 15" and 18" length limits namely Diamond Valley, Silverwood and Castaic not sure on some of the San Diego lakes.
jb

Clark · Post by **Clark** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 1:32 pm

Last year I had to BBQ a 5+ lber. It was almost too big for the grill and was 2 dinners for my family of 3. Unfortunately, the fish was gut hooked and died in my livewell, which is why I took it home to eat. In my head I know its legal and not morally irresponsible to keep a big fish that would otherwise live, but in my heart I can't do it.

Measurements, pics, and maybe a replica would do it for me.

Take care,
Mike

SABP · Post by **SABP** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 1:44 pm

My BBQ will do about 50 lbs of meat but bass is never going to be one of them.

I have three fish over 10lbs since moving here 7 years ago and they are all still swimming around out there.

Come to think of it they should all be about 12-13 lbs by now. It's nice to know I might get the chance to catch them again.

Unless they were eaten or stuffed, that is.

flipit · Post by **flipit** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 2:18 pm

Ive caught many, and one day had 4 over 10. Never even considered keeping one. I dont keep any at all. I prefer to release so they get bigger for next year. If I want fish to eat it'll be a striper or something from the ocean.

Matt Moreau · Post by **Matt Moreau** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 3:03 pm

YOU HAVE A *PM*

Auggie Dog · Post by **Auggie Dog** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 3:29 pm

Mark,

Will you hang it next to your "jackalope" trophy...or will it go proudly next to the velvet painting of 5 dogs playing poker?!?!?!?

Auggie Dog

bassrippin365 · Post by **bassrippin365** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 3:39 pm

10-14 and it's on the wall.my next target is one in the teens

Ryan L · Post by **Ryan L** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 3:51 pm

i will always release all bass caught. and for that 10+ i will catch i will take pics and measurments then say see you soon

Bob Simard · Post by **Bob Simard** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 4:00 pm

I believe that if you catch the fish, it's your's to do with as you see fit.

(Accept for take a picture of yourself holding it's rigermortis-ridden body whist standing in your grimy shower - the HORROR of that image still haunts me!)

Nor would I look down on someone for keeping one for a wallmount. Personal choice. You catch it - you decide.

I caught a 10 even and a 9.8 at Clearlake years ago on my first trip in my brand new, first bass boat. Bob Myskey weighed them for me. At that point I was dumb enough to think I could do it over and over - didn't even get a pic.... DOH! Since then I've weighed a 9.56, and caught several over 10 in practice. Never thought about keeping them.

I will tell you my team partner, Al Welch - stud!, caught a 13.3 that we weighed in a Wonbass tourney last fall. I got the privilege of letting her go while Al got my truck and I must say watching that big ol lady get her bearings, then swim off was something to see.

Still - it's a personal choice.... you catch her, you decide. Long as it's legal, it's your business what you do with her (as long as a shower isn't involved!)

Regards,

Bob Simard

bassindon69 · Post by **bassindon69** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 4:40 pm

Well.... I do have one over 10 on the wall

. I do wish I could release her now. In my first 20 years of bass fishing I only had 3 over 10 lbs
Now the meaning of catching a 10 lb bass in size has gone away for me. I try for big ones but I guess it is the teen that is tough to get to me. In less then two years now I have caught 18 over 10 with two teens. Now days when I get a 10, 11, 12 its just another nice one LOL!! I had two trips with 3 over 10 and 0ne trip with two over 10. I had my best day ever PB this year with my best 5 going 53.0 lbs. (pics not posted yet) It was a Awesome day, maybe one day I will hit it right on tourney day. I will have to catch more teens to beat that weight for sure LOL!! All go back free after pics. If I caught a 19 or even 20+ lber it would go back too. I eat my fish @ Long John Silvers

Don.

leatherneck77 · Post by **leatherneck77** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 5:12 pm

Release. Pictures are forever.

Jerry · Post by **Jerry** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 5:47 pm

C and R boys, C and R!!!

photon · Post by **photon** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 6:02 pm

.....If it was the new world record. No way I'm going to catch it (leagally) and then put up with all the crap if I can't prove it with an actual body.

And please don't harp about removing a good source from the gene pool, that sucker would have had 10+ seasons to contribute!!!

leatherneck77 · Post by **leatherneck77** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 6:25 pm

You have got to be kidding. Your livewell would keep the fish alive for you to get it to a certified scale. get it verified by responsible authority and get it back into the water. If you saw any of the recent BASS Clear Lake event, almost all of those 10# fish were 8-10 years old and there is no way to tell how long they maintain in the gene pool.

Gunzen · Post by **Gunzen** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 7:08 pm

why would you do that? So some other guy can catch him/her a year later and break the record. This is mute cause it aint gonna happen, but I will be donating it to a local bass pro shops alive orit goes on my wall. I would hate to see some other guy/girl catch my fish. By the way, the next ten pounder I get goes on the wall, none before, and none after.

CN · Post by CN » Wed Apr 04, 2007 8:00 pm

I think that shower picture was more discusting than anything i have ever seen.Yea why keep a fish like that but MAN dude please clean the shower not the fish.

Ok class can we spell GROSE

medfish · Post by **medfish** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 11:36 pm

Yes, have gotten a few over 10 and every time back in the water, quickly. Boat doesn't have a livewell so that makes it easier. Always forget the camera, don't have a digital, film would go bad on the others. Phone has been used on the last 3. One time in the keys at clear lake I yelled and made such a fuss someone came out and took pictures for me and e-mailed them to me. Not much into the wall hanging thing. But pics are cool. Just got to buy less useless tackle and one useful camera. Heck it took all I had to buy a scale years ago..........medfish

Auggie Dog · Post by **Auggie Dog** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 3:18 pm

So...I wonder who the 5 are that will or have killed Moby Bass?!?!?!?!?

Auggie Dog

What did or will you do when you catch your first 10+ lb bass?

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