Keeping A Trophy Fish

[hookedahawg]

Yesterday was a great day for me, I consistsntly caught decent fish all day long, at the end of the day I noticed a very big female tucked up against the bank. I tossed a chatterbait past her and slow rolled it back to me, on the sencond cast she slammed it. I barley got her on the bank, I really could have used a net. After weighing her she was 11.6lbs. My new PB, my buddy was as excited as I was and was adiment about me keeping it, im a strict catch and release angler. My question is, how big would a fish have to be before you would keep it?I've been fishing seriously for about 8 years and have never had a double digit bass. But even so I think I would have felt bad keeping her. Thanks!

[GaBankFisher]

I think you'd be right either way with a bass that big. I probably would have kept it and suffered some guilt. Or, take photos and measurements and have one of those high-quality replicas made.

[AK-Jax86]

I would have taken pictures and a video of the fish got all it measurements and got a replica made of that beast 11.6 pounder! I would have released her as well. But I don't see no shame if someone wanted to keep a fish of that size

[hookedahawg]

I hear ya, I gotta admit I kinda feel like that was my "once in a lifetime fish". I caught her in a pond that'd only about 2 acres big. So its not like I couldn't do it again.

[Fish Chris]

Hooked > I personally don't kill "big, trophy sized bass". The bigger it is, the more important it is for me to release it unharmed...

 

And here's why > Because by killing a huge fish, I will have single handedly reduced my own odds of catching a monster (that same monster) in the future ! Don't think it can happen ??? I have caught, released, and re-caught and released multiple big bass, sometimes a year or two later > with photo proof. And I've done this in huge res. of 20,000 acres or more ! {big bass can be very territorial}

The first time this happened, we thought it was just the most amazing, long-shot thing that could possibly happen ! Then it happed again.... and again.... and again ! Nowadays we don't even trip when we re-catch and re-release a big fish. If you C/R enough big fish, it starts to happen on a regular basis.

 

Bottom line; If I C/R a big fish, then you catch it, and it becomes your new PB, that's awesome ! Congrats ! Now you can do whatever you want with it. But I'll be honest, my primary reason for releasing that fish was to increase my own odds of catching a big bass in the future, not yours.

 

IMPO, "well done" replicas, look better / last longer, anyway..... along with a beautiful enlarged photo of the actual fish, hanging right beside it

 

Peace,

Fish

 

PS, I always have to laugh, when some guy hundreds or thousands of miles away from me, catches and keeps a big bass, from some random lake that 99.9% of us will never fish in, then some goofball gets his panties in a knot, over it  LOL  Hey, if that guy wants to "hurt his own odds" of catching big bass in the future, who am I to argue ?

 

Releasing big bass, is just one of many reasons, that I've caught a bunch of big bass.

[Basswhippa]

You are in luck. lake fork taxidermy sell a 11.5 they keep on hand for cheap. Just know tournament fisherman kill far more trophy bass than a guy who keeps a pb. It is

looking at floating 5-10 pounder around goose pond at guntersville. weighed in then released... dead. Post spawn tournies kill tons of bass...Don't let anyone tell you they don't.

[Basswhippa]

Dont be so sure you will catch it again. .. even ib a pond.

[hookedahawg]

Fish, I agree 100%. I hope someone else has a chance at it one day. I don't hold a grudge if somone was to keep it. I just feel like if I did id be taking a truly special catch out of existence lol. I know it sounds weird I just think around here in small ponds she was a monster, and id feel better knowing she's still out there.

[WRB]

Hooked > I personally don't kill "big, trophy sized bass". The bigger it is, the more important it is for me to release it unharmed...

 

And here's why > Because by killing a huge fish, I will have single handedly reduced my own odds of catching a monster (that same monster) in the future ! Don't think it can happen ??? I have caught, released, and re-caught and released multiple big bass, sometimes a year or two later > with photo proof. And I've done this in huge res. of 20,000 acres or more ! {big bass can be very territorial}

The first time this happened, we thought it was just the most amazing, long-shot thing that could possibly happen ! Then it happed again.... and again.... and again ! Nowadays we don't even trip when we re-catch and re-release a big fish. If you C/R enough big fish, it starts to happen on a regular basis.

 

Bottom line; If I C/R a big fish, then you catch it, and it becomes your new PB, that's awesome ! Congrats ! Now you can do whatever you want with it. But I'll be honest, my primary reason for releasing that fish was to increase my own odds of catching a big bass in the future, not yours.

 

IMPO, "well done" replicas, look better / last longer, anyway..... along with a beautiful enlarged photo of the actual fish, hanging right beside it

 

Peace,

Fish

 

PS, I always have to laugh, when some guy hundreds or thousands of miles away from me, catches and keeps a big bass, from some random lake that 99.9% of us will never fish in, then some goofball gets his panties in a knot, over it  LOL  Hey, if that guy wants to "hurt his own odds" of catching big bass in the future, who am I to argue ?

 

Releasing big bass, is just one of many reasons, that I've caught a bunch of big bass.

+1

Keep in mind these big bass are fragile in regards to being poorly handled. Try to keep the bass wet, in the water as much as possible between taking photos and measurements, no more than a minute at a time.

The isn't a reason to kill a trophy to enjoy it. The exception would be a record class fish, unfortunately to properly document a record the fish needs to be authenicated beyond doubt.

Congratulations with your first DD bass.

Tom

[jignfule]

Congrats on a nice fish. I C/R all my PB's and appreciate those that do the same. I really can admire someone who catches a record and returns it safe after  weighting it.

[AK-Jax86]

I hear ya, I gotta admit I kinda feel like that was my "once in a lifetime fish". I caught her in a pond that'd only about 2 acres big. So its not like I couldn't do it again.

Yea that is basically a once in a lifetime fish in waiting on mine lol and there will be a replica of it on my wall!

But if u manage to catch that fish again that would be crazy. It didn't get that big for no reason it will be even more cautious now

[pbrussell]

Man. I can't even think about being a positive contributor to this thread because all I can think about is catching my own dd bass.

[pbrussell]

And pleassssseeeee show us pics of that beast.

[Felix77]

IMO CPR (catch, photo and release) on Lunkers is the way to go. Take extra pictures and get a replica made from them. Let the big one make other potential big ones.

[Oregon Native]

Ya dud good. Take a pic and release and get a replica done. Believe memories will be a touch sweeter if ya know she's still swimming. (save the lure too with pic)

More tight lines

[Loop_Dad]

Good Job, hookedahawg. If you'd kept it, your special memory would had been ruined because you would be feeling guilty. Congrats on PB.

 

BTW, those of you suggested replica, which companies are good ones? I would like to check them out and know what they need for making one.

[slonezp]

Trophy is a relative term around the country. While a 6 or 7lb bass up north is considered a trophy, in the south it may be table fare.

[Grizzn N Bassin]

Big fish equals good genes... IMO let her go get a replica... I have hears they last longer anyway... so you get a nice replica and your not hurting the fishing. For you or for some else.. and hopefully they do the same thing.. read my quote I have under my post you'll under stand. BTW congrats thats nice pic. Photos!!

[Bluebasser86]

You are well within your rights to keep a big fish to get a skin mount. With that being said, if I were to catch another DD fish I'd get a couple quick pictures, measurements, and let her go. Then whenever I can save the money up I'll get a replica.  A fish that size has beaten incredible odds to reach that size and deserves to live out it's days doing what they're designed to do. Plus, a replica will look better for far longer than a skin mount. I do have one skin mount of a bass that went belly up as soon as I tried to turn her loose. While the guy did a great job on the mount and I've done my best keeping it looking good it's already showing signs of aging after just 10 years. 

[Mattlures]

Yep a lot of good advise, Especaily agree with Fish Chris. The question was how big is big enough? I will let every big fish go except 1. If I was to catch the world record I would keep it. Any lake or state record or new PB gets released without even thinking about keeping it.

[roadwarrior]

Congratulations!

 

 

 

 

[Fish Chris]

Yep a lot of good advise, Especaily agree with Fish Chris. The question was how big is big enough? I will let every big fish go except 1. If I was to catch the world record I would keep it. Any lake or state record or new PB gets released without even thinking about keeping it.

 

Thanks Matt.

 

BTW, I'd try my darndest to keep a WR LMB alive..... but it would likely be donated to a testing tank, somewhere that it could be studied, and possibly used to make a "bunch more" just like it

 

Fish

[WRB]

Chris, Matt,

A state record for us will more than likely be a world record to exceed the 22.06 Crupi bass.

I looked into keeping a potential WR bass alive during the 90's when I really thought It was a good possibility.

Contacted the Filmore F & G (hatchery) and had their phone number to call and bring a transport truck to pick up the bass and they agreed to do this! The problem is in CA we can't legally transport a bass away from the lake it was caught and the violation would void the catch...catch 22!

I did a poor job of validating the PB bass and weighing at the Mini Mart or Corner market with Polaroid photos or some bystander photo wasn't a good plan. Today with cell phones it would be easier.

My advice is document your catch properly, you can't do it over after the bass has been released.

Tom

[Fish Chris]

WRB, true.

 

BTW, have I asked you before where you got your replica done, for your 19 ? That mount looks fantastic !

 

Fish

[angler1]

Catch and release is the only option for me. When you keep the huge ones, you take their huge genes out of the mix. My pb did not survive after i caught her, not for lack of trying, i tried to resusitate her for probably 30 minutes, she just kept floating up to the surface and going belly up. I was totally frantic that she would not just give me a tail kick and disappear. Long story short, she died and i felt devestated, still feel bad about it to this day.