Keeping Big Bass

[panfisher]

thats also the problem with the (gotta have to mount it euphoria). only to have it's quality diminsh in the freezer. i'll admit it's happened to me. most do not know how to properly prepare one for freezing and even then the longer its frozen the more likely it would not be a quality skin to mount mainly from being (freezer burnt), or broken fins, etc. from being moved around. a waste of the fish as it would then not be very edible. all this and to find out that to do the fish justice you may have to miss a few car payments. or meals#-o to afford it. the digital age with very affordable camera's has made me want to C&R most any trophy sized fish.

[Slick_Rick]

All you have to do is measure length,girth and take a picture,they can accuratly find out weight and reproduce exact replica,and you can release the lunker to fight another day! The bass up here take alot longer to get any size to them compared to the lower states.I know of a couple of lakes that do have state and possibly world records.Plus it's a good feeling knowing it can get even bigger!!

[Anonymous]

I think for many people it's a process. We learn by trial and error for many things in life. We do something and regret it after the fact. It's the human condition. Or put another way - "there's book-smarts and living-smarts". Like basser90 intimated, his learning moment came from the results of his actions, not something he read. It just took a tipping point to change his perspective. So these conversations are good because they serve to help people to that "tipping point" where they feel for themselves, in their gut, that C&R of trophy fish is the right thing to do for them. That's when true change happens.

[BassDood]

Very well put, Mike

[spindog]

I think for many people it's a process. We learn by trial and error for many things in life. We do something and regret it after the fact. It's the human condition. Or put another way - "there's book-smarts and living-smarts". Like basser90 intimated, his learning moment came from the results of his actions, not something he read. It just took a tipping point to change his perspective. So these conversations are good because they serve to help people to that "tipping point" where they feel for themselves, in their gut, that C&R of trophy fish is the right thing to do for them. That's when true change happens.

Nicely put Mike, this is really good stuff!

[basser90]

Yes, well put Mike, I believe it is a process. At least for me. I felt guilty for years. I've got several pictures, used a crappy scale from a lake home owner, so I put a tape on it, 23"x 22 1/2" girth. And then stuffed it in my sisters freezer for 8 years. I havn't even seen it for about 5. ( hope she hasn't thrown it out) Like Panfisher said what a waste of a good fish. Now that I've had time to think about it, I wish I would have let it go. Even if it were to die that year, I would rather see the crawdads get it. Like Mike said that was my 'tipping point'. But, if It ever happens again, will I release it . I sure as hell hope I can, because it's taken this long to get the demons out of my head from that last pig. To hold a largie that big over the side of your boat will certainly test your inner strength. And yes, there are monster largies on this side.

[lemagoat]

I only C&R, I agree with the regs with the under 12' bass But in the past few years it seems all the bass i've seen kept have been in the 1.8 to 3.8 range which is what? 13 to 17 inches? Not the right size to be kept, I think there needs to be more education on the rules or more wardens out there ticketing these people. I feel bad bec. there is a youth lake down here and this kid caught a 2.8 bass and was so excited, it was prob 15 inches long, me being the jerk i am told the kid it was not legal to keep, and talked him into letting it go. I know now to just suck it up and keep my mouth shut.

[Anonymous]

.......or more wardens out there ticketing these people.

Even just on patrol would be fine. In the four years I have been back up here I have seen one, yes one game warden. (and I fish at least once a week) And he told me he is the only one for this entire area on the Kitsap Pen. Seriously, so how effective can he be. Half his day is probably spent driving around between waters.
And yes, education is the key and this is a pretty good avenue for anglers to learn from. With how much traffic this site gets, my hope is at least one person learns something new from all this. And without having to go through the trial and error process.






fishnislife

[hookorcrook]

I only C&R, I agree with the regs with the under 12' bass But in the past few years it seems all the bass i've seen kept have been in the 1.8 to 3.8 range which is what? 13 to 17 inches? Not the right size to be kept, I think there needs to be more education on the rules or more wardens out there ticketing these people. I feel bad bec. there is a youth lake down here and this kid caught a 2.8 bass and was so excited, it was prob 15 inches long, me being the jerk i am told the kid it was not legal to keep, and talked him into letting it go. I know now to just suck it up and keep my mouth shut.

I don't think you were being a jerk. You were just teaching him the regulations. I think that's a fine line though. Like I'd probably tell a kid, but I'd think twice before telling a 6'4" 240 lb guy that.

Anyway, if you come across an illegal situation should the person be taught/reminded? I haven't had that experience. What about the rest of you, what do you do?

[hookorcrook]

Very well put, Mike

Suck up =d>

[BassDood]

LOL

[spindog]

Anyway, if you come across an illegal situation should the person be taught/reminded? I haven't had that experience. What about the rest of you, what do you do?

Be diplomatic and try not to intimidate the person. Explain what the rules and regulations are and why and if it gets ugly
1-800-POACHER! There's a number in the regs I would not hesitate to use if witnessing the taking of any illegal sized or bag limits in excess of game fish of any species! Size restrictions and limits are in place for a reason and I wont take a back seat and watch people harvest illegal sized fish or fish over their bag limit. Have not had to go there, but would if necessary.

[Kfisherman]

I keep some but release most. I will only keep two max and their always under the 12" min. I find that there are plenty under the 12" and it is a good eating size. Realizing most fish grow slowly, I think larger bass have a higher survival rate. (There bigger and harder for other fish to eat)

The reason I only keep two is because I usually will cook them that night. It's just the right amount for dinner. I don't keep any for the freezer.

[jbball50]

You harvest what you can legally and hope it helps the native fish of this State. I've said it before and I'll say it again, keep as many smallies as you are legally allowed if you are so inclined. They are better suited to our waters and will overrun a lake in a relatively short amount of time. There is a reason the limit was upped to 10 fish a couple of years ago. Keeping what you catch is not a bad thing as long as it falls within the letter of the law. And IMO smallies fry up just as nice as perch.

Yeah when we go over to Potholes and were walleye fishing, sometimes well keep 1 or 2 smallies we catch. I think part of the reason they up it to 10 in some areas is because they are truly prominent. Like at Potholes, there's way way many Smallies over there. Whenever we fish over here on the westside lakes and catch bass we release them.

[basspro]

I have enjoyed watching the comments about C & R and see most of us release thm which is great but like some of you guys I take one home every now and then to cook for dinner. I have practiced C&R for close to 35 years and when there is lake like St Clair or Roosevelt I will intentionaly spelling my bad manage the herd a little by keeping some.

Russ