Catch and Release

[Vyron]

I like ur honesty.

Congrats , tight lines!!!!

[Fish Chris]

First off, that is a really nice trophy bass there tmwadswo. Congrats !

And about the guys getting all bent out of shape about keeping it, Geeez ! It was "your" fish... Who cares what they think, right ?

Okay, lets just forget about everybody else, and hold that mindset for just a bit. "You" like to catch big bass, as evidenced by the fact that you proudly (and rightfully so) displayed this one on the World Wide Web. An 11 lb'er is a big bass to be sure. There might only be a handful of them that big, in the areas you fish. In fact, this 11 lb'er might have been "the only one" that big, on the rout you typically fish on that lake, and since most bass, especially the largest ones, are very territorial, you might not even be fishing past an 11 lb'er each trip now, as you probably had been, until you finally caught this one.

What I'm trying to say is, "Heck yea', there will always be some guys out there (maybe jellous guys ?) trying to tell YOU what YOU should do with YOUR own fish.... But ya' know what ? To heck with them !!! Instead, think about yourself ! If YOU like to catch big fish, then I think it might be a great idea, to do whatever you can to increase your own odds at sticking an even bigger bass in the future ! If the C/R of a big bass happens to increase the odds, for the anglers around you, to stick a big bass, well.... lucky them, huh ? But do it for YOU !

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All of this said, my buddies and I continue to re-catch monster bass that we have previously C/R'd. Not even a very big deal to us anymore.

Two days ago a good trophy bass buddy of mine called to tell me he had stuck a 29", 12-4 bass ! Geez, that's a long one huh ? And in August no less. He didn't even bother to say what he caught it on... So that means the Hud ;-)

Anyway, I remind him of a REALLY long, completely spawned out bass that I caught on the same exact point, earlier this year....... and we both get to thinking..... How many 29" bass are using that same point year round ??? So anyway, he hasn't gotten his (funky ol') film developed yet, so we can compare photos, but we are already 90% sure it will end up being the same fish. Again, we wouldn't get all tripped out like we did several years ago, but still, its kind of cool to know that a big one that I caught a few months ago, is still alive and kicking :-)

Oh, also of course I'd like to pat myself on the back a little bit, for allowing a good buddy to add yet another big one to his list, but I wouldn't kid him, or anyone else..... I let the big ones go, first and foremost FOR MYSELF !!!! :-)

Peace,

Fish

PS, This very same buddy (the guy is a big bass stick !) caught my 18.4 lb PB bass, almost two years after I caught her, and it then became his PB as well. Unfortunately (for him.... but lucky for me, since I still have the lake record :-) she was on the old age decline, and was only a 'little ol' 17.2 lb'er when he caught her ;-) Anyway, I know it might sound cocky to say... "Thanks to me".... but could it be more true ???

Oh, and I absolutely love my 18.4 lb replica ! Best job I have ever seen !

[Keithscatch]

Chris,

I wish to God more anglers thought like that as we all might be able to land fish like you do. I think you would agree that California probably has the highest C&R rate for trophy bass. That might explain why it is so common for people to catch 18lbers there. (common as in a couple a year not like one every trip )18lbers are hard to come by in most states because so many refuse to let them go when they are 10lbs, 11lbs, 12lbs, 13lbs,14lbs etc...

That is why I like the Stick Marsh as it is totally catch and release and when I move there in a month I will be sticking some big fish there too. ONLY because the meat hunters can't hurt that lake.

[Fish Chris]

Yes.... Of course every year, without exception, somebody (or several) will end up sticking a big old 15 plus Cali hawg, then post the garage, kitchen, or bait store shot of it, and the threads are always SO predictable. Ususally a couple of, "Wow ! Nice Catch ! What a hawg" posts.... meanwhile, the world holds its breath :-) Finally somebody says, "That's a hawg, no doubt....... but...... and then "IT" hits the fan :-) Actually pretty entertaining sometimes. Of course you have to stop and think about it...... If the angler knew very much about big bass in the first place, they would already know the outcome of a post like this in the first place, and then they would either not make the post at all, or lie about it, and say the fish was released unharmed, and say that the lake is right there on the "other side of that fence" :-)

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One more thought on this subject does come to mind though;

People (and I 'used to be' in this boat too) will often get bent out of shape about somebody catching and killing a big bass, in a place that they personally will never fish ! Huh ? Why should this bother them ? If a guy wants to single handedly reduce his own odds at catching big bass in his own waters, well, as strange and as foreign as this seems to me, that's his own perogitive I guess, but it's quite simply not my problem.

Ya' know, I had said that my reasoning for releasing the big(gest) bass is primarily selfish. I do it for ME. However, when I take the time to do a post like this, it is totally for the benefit of others. Chances are good, I'll never fish 99% of the lakes I read about on the internet anyway.

But the way I see it is, it's a Karma thing. I try to help people to do everything possible to increase their chances of catching big fish, because I honestly believe that what goes around, comes around. I'm sure that I have helped a lot of guys to catch big bass (going by their e-mails) and I have also caught a lot of big bass myself. So I guess it's working :-)

Peace,

Fish

[Mattlures]

I hate to see a trohy fish killed for any reason especialy to be mounted . but its his right. However if more people were edcated on how superior replicas are to skin mounts I think less big fish would be kept/mounted. tmwadswo cant understand why a replica is a better choice. Let me explain. I was a taxidermist and I can tell you that a replica looks more like your actual fish than the actual skin mount. A replica is more anatomicaly corect. It looks more like a real fish than a skin mount. It is superior in ever possible way. A lot of people dont understand this. Here is why. A replica is a mold of an actual fish, in a natural state. a skin mount is just that, a skin. You take a skin and stretch it over a foam manican. Ther are many places that you have to buid up the manican to replace the flesh that has been removed. If the skin is not put on perfectly it will look wrong. Skin mounts almost always have the mouths set in an unnatural way. Usualy over extended and the gill rakers pushed up into the throught. Fins and tails are usualy over extended and look like overstretched fans. I have seen bodies with a very unnatural bend to them. A skin mount has so much potential for human error. 95% of all skin mounts that I have seen I can pick them apart with mistakes by the taxidermist. Most of them are very obvious. A replica eliminates those before you ever start. Now its up to the paint job.  A good artist can paint a replica as good as any skin mount. Something else that is a huge thing to consider is a skin mount is a rottng warping distorting piece of skin. Over a little time it will yellow and crack and twist and warp and distort. A replica wont! You can match a replica to your fishes measurements. check your measure ments on a skin mount and you will see they are not the same as when you caght the fish. Why? because of all the sretching and shrinking and every other negative thing that happens with skin mounts.

Another thing to consider is tmwadswo said he didnt like the fins looking to perfect. Any good taxidermist who does replicas can match the inperfections of your fishes fins. Just give them some pictures and request it.

As a former taxidermist it is my opinion that there is no reason to get a skin mount. They are junk compaired to a quality replica. Replicas are more natural, more durable and most importantly they are more correct as far as the fish itsself.

I have seen a few decent skin mounts. they do exist. unfortunatly only extremly good (skin mounting) taxidermist can do this. most just say they can but they are not that good. I have seen hundreds of mounts done by "profesional taxidermist with many yearts of experiance" that look like junk. at least with a replica all you have to worry about is the paint job. Most of the best Taxidemist in the country wont even do a skin mount for all of ther reasons I have stated above.

Guys do your self a favor, when you catch a big fish take a length and a girth measurements. Take some pictures of the whole fish and any identifying marks that you want on your mount. Then dont settle on the cheapest taxidermist. find the best one you can aford. In Taxidermy you ABSOLUTLY GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!!!!!!  and the best part is you can release your trophy fish and maybe catch it again.

[senko_77]

Man what a nice fish.  Shame that you kept it so that you could display it to everyone but it's entirely your choice and I dont think badly about you because of it.  This question is not only geared toward you, but to anyone that would keep a trophy bass.  Its not an attack, just a question.  Why keep a trophy bass.  Why.  It has survived that many years so let it live longer.  Get a replica and get some pictures.  My biggest fish is 14.7lbs which would have put me in second place for the junior all tackle world record, but if I had of gotten it official, my fish would have died.  The thought absolutely never crossed my mind to keep it.  Not once.  I cannot bring myself to kill an animal of that beauty just so I can say well my name is in some book in ink, and so that I can show it off to my freinds.  It makes me sick to see when people keep such a fish.  There is absolutely no reason for it unless the fish has died by the time it has reached your hands.  A replica is just as good and has more benefits than a live mount.  

But once again, just stating my opinion and askin questions.  No attack on anyone.

Bring on the bashin!!

Ryan

[Glenn]

Well folks, this topic is often debated here.  The end result is that the devout C&R fans don't change their minds, and folks who keep a few every now and then don't change theirs.

A little education may be in order here, however.  I highly suggest to anyone to read the many, many "limit", "harvest", and lake management articles we have here: http://bassresource.com/fish_biology/about.html#fish

The surprising fact to some die-hard C&R folks is that releasing all bass does more damage than keeping a few every now and then - and this includes trophy-sized bass.

If you read no other article, at least read this: http://bassresource.com/fishing/catch_and_release_bass.html

I'm not saying we should all start keeping bass.  But keeping a few every now and then, for a mount or otherwise, is actually healthy for the fishery.

Now, if ethically/morally you feel obligated to let the big 'uns go, then by all means do so.  Just don't get on somebody's case if they choose not too.

And again, as I've always stated before and I'll state again here:  You're completely entitled to state your opinions here, so long as you remain respectful and courteous to others.  

The little jabs and digs I've seen here are pushing the envelope too much.  It's time for a few people to step off their soapbox.

'nuff said.

[janalon]

1st off, I am catch and release 100%

But if someone else wants to keep a fish, no matter how big it may be, it is really none of my affair.

It is the State's.

And as long as they have paid for their license like I did and it is legal, it's not anyone's.

Make it your affair, it becomes everyone's affair.

And that includes those whom do not think we should be hooking them in the first place.

Now that's a can a worms to open up, is it not?

[Troutfisher]

The surprising fact to some die-hard C&R folks is that releasing all bass does more damage than keeping a few every now and then - and this includes trophy-sized bass.

Amen to that!

[Fish Chris]

this is kind of an interesting subject for me, because as much of a far left, fanatical, fish-headed whacko as I am in so many other areas, this is one of the few subjects I can see a reason for moderation with.

You had said > The surprising fact to some die-hard C&R folks is that releasing all bass does more damage than keeping a few every now and then <

Yes, of course selective harvest can be a good thing "in certain lakes" which have a problem with over-recruitment, and stunted populations. Of course every lake is different, and some other lakes would be absolutely best off, with 100% C/R in place. This is where study and research of your particular waters are in order.

But when you said >and this includes trophy-sized bass. < I'm sorry, but I completely disagree with this statement. I think it's safe to say that you, myself, and every other angler reading this, would like to be able to catch a big bass some day. Removing even one big bass quite simply reduces anyone who fishes that body of waters, chances. If I remove a hawg from the waters you fish, you won't catch that fish later ! And that is a 100% gaurantee ! If I release that hawg, you might catch her..... and their is a better chance of this than most people might believe.

Bottom line is, I have never heard of a lake which had "too many giant bass" to where it was causing a problem for the fishery as a whole (and believe me, I have serarched high and low, for the last 10 years)........ But if you know of such a lake, please let me know, because I'm moving there right away ! :-)

BTW, I have read the article by Debra Dean, that you posted the link for, and she makes some good points, but she is also mistaken about it being okay to kill a giant. I e-mailed her a few years ago and told her so too. For this reason, I think my article(s) on C/R and / or / Selective harvest are better than hers. So I'd have to say, if these guys only read one or two articles on this subject, they ought to read mine ;-)

Peace,

Fish

PS, Whoa ! I just went back and read that article again ! Turns out, it wasn't Debra Dean who said "big fish need to be removed" ! It was this other guy, "Key Puckett". I'm going to try to track this guy down right away. I feel totally compelled now, to tell him, "There is NO SUCH THING as a fish which is TOO SMART to be caught. Difficult ? Sure. But impossible ? No way.

I'd like this guy to e-mail my buddy (who caught my 18.4 lb'er, 2 years later, when it still went 17.2 lbs) and tell him why it would have been better for me to have kept that fish !

[FL_fisher]

I agree with chris.

[Guest bigtex]

There is some excellent information in this post.  Enjoy

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1149422475

[Rattlinrogue]

I'm a catch and release bassman also,but I think it's each particular angler's choice..and business what he does with the fish.Nice catch ! Hope you catch many more.

[Keithscatch]

The surprising fact to some die-hard C&R folks is that releasing all bass does more damage than keeping a few every now and then - and this includes trophy-sized bass.

Agreed and COMPLETELY DISAGREE.

I agree with the first part of this sentence. Harvesting of smaller fish is indeed a great philosophy to develop large bass in abundance. (Then again C&R lakes such as the Stick Marsh keep getting in the way of this philosophy) The second portion of this statement is what I have a problem with.

Citing people's articles as if it is a fact is no evidence that keeping bass over 10lbs is a good thing for the lake. Like Chris, I cannot swallow that pill as I believe it to be utterly false with absolutely no proof or evidence to back that claim up.

[Matt Fly]

Was part of this thread deleted or did it start on another thread?   Wheres the picture?

And Big Tex, In my honest opinion, its sad to see a nice bass end up skin mounted.    Replicas last longer and look better if you go to the right person.

What if the genetics in that bass was meant to be the next state record?   It just needed to meet the right male down the road.    Oh well, we will never know.

Hookem

Matt.

[Fish Chris]

of course we are pretty much on the same page anyway, so it's not my intent to preach to the quior here...

But ya' know honestly, my primary reason for releasing the biggest fish "used to be" to keep the genetics of that fish in the lake.... and for that fish to make as many babies as possible, etc. However, while I still believe this to be one important aspect, I have really shifted my focus to "that exact big fish in question" ! Oh sure, it may, or may not produce one, or several offspring which get as big as it has..... But that one giant fish "has already beat the odds". A guy doesn't have to wait 15 years to see if this fishes offspring will get to be huge like this one...... He can simply go out and C/R the same exact giant that some well informed angler C/R'd the week before ! Or, wait a couple years and catch it again when its even bigger !

Anyway, in a nut-shell, I think the odds of a giant fish being C/R'd, then re-C/R'd, are way greater, than for that giant to produce offspring, which eventually become giants themselves, which are then caught 12 to 15 years later.

I probably should update my article "The Importance of Releasing the Biggest Fish" to reflect my shifting opinions on the subject.

Peace,

Fish

[Keithscatch]

Matt,

I didn't start this thread but it was started for me by Glenn.  I agree with that as we can discuss this on our own thread.

[CoRy]

yes, great fish.  that would be a state record here  :-[ .  If i ran across a bass like that i'd try to keep the fish alive as well as possible to get it legally registered as a record then get it released.  I do agree about C&R, but that fish is a fish of a life time unless you live in cali.  there is nothing anybody can do to bring that bass back to life, especially since its probly already been digested.....  ;D i respect that you only keep a few bass a year and i do believe that helps a fishery.  i don't keep any fish but i know others people that fish the lakes do so it all balances out in a way.  If i would keep fish it'd be bluegill, catfish, or crappies.  thanks for sharing the picture of YOUR hog!  

[Captain Cali]

As far as I can tell "the" thread was split up into 2 threads. If you look at the original thread, Glenn moved all off topic replies here.