A 19 pound LMB for dinner?

[SoFlaBassAddict]

The 1932 world record bass became dinner also.

I don't think that record was correctly weighed/verified....

Whether or not you agree with it being weighed correctly or not, it still is the record (tied).  It was still eaten for dinner, etc etc.

[Randall]

Getting involved in any emotional debate is like discussing religion or politics...it's a no win.

Catch & Release can be good or bad for a fishery, depending on the fishery. The value of big bass is different, nearly every angler knows their personal best catch weight. Big bass are a big part of bass fishing, a high value fish.

George Perry fished at a time when fish were eaten, so he ate his catch. The 18 1/2 lb bass caught in Georgia would have been far more valuable to Otis if he kept it alive and not eaten it.

I have never known any bass fishery to produce only one giant bass. The conditions must be good for several giants to grow in that lake. My question is; why hasn't anyone else caught a giant from that area? There should be several 12lb to 15lb+ bass living there!

WRB

There have been several 15lb+ fish caught. Here is a link to Fort Stewarts lakes. http://www.stewart.army.mil/DPW/fish/FISH%20CONCL2.htm One guy has several 15s. I know of a few not reported to anyone that were over sixteen. I know of only one eighteen that wasn't reported that came from a very reliable source. Some people here just don't want the hassle that comes with telling someone you caught a huge fish. 15lbs seems to be where most of the big fish here top out at now though. GA fish just don't get fat enough shape now to get over 15 in most cases. Length is no problem. Once you get into our few lakes that have any trout or good amounts forage left you have mostly northern strain bass. Most of our lakes have spotted bass as well now. Biggest reason you don't see any real giants here is the huge amount of hybrids or spots stocked in the lakes that have the most potential to produce one.

[Wayne P.]

Something to consider, is those who are not enthralled with bass and seek other species would not hesitate to use a big bass for cut-bait, food, or chum and it's value is nothing more. It's all in one's perspective.

[Bass_Akwards]

I hope they burned dinner.

It is his choice though.

Agreed.  That's why I never said what he did was right or wrong.  To me it's just plain and simple selfishness.  It's that simple. I don't hate the guy or anything, nor do I say he's a "bad person."  For all I know he's the nicest guy on the planet.

The point is, that huge bass was a noble creature and in my OPINION shouldn't be eaten unless you're pretty much dying of starvation or the pond NEEDS to have some big bass taken out for it's health.   

What he did was obviously legal and the guy had a right to eat the fish, or take it home and feed it to his cats, or just kill it for fun in his backyard. To me, all are a complete wasteof an absolutely awesome animal, by what I consider to be a very selfish, ignorant angler. 

Right or wrong, it's just lame.  Take home a big bag of 4 pounders if you want and do with them what you will, but an 18+ pounder?  Weak!

[Turtle.]

Caught legally its his right to do whatever he wants with the fish.

GET OVER IT

[brushhoggin]

I hope they burned dinner.

It is his choice though.

Agreed. That's why I never said what he did was right or wrong. To me it's just plain and simple selfishness. It's that simple. I don't hate the guy or anything, nor do I say he's a "bad person." For all I know he's the nicest guy on the planet.

The point is, that huge bass was a noble creature and in my OPINION shouldn't be eaten unless you're pretty much dying of starvation or the pond NEEDS to have some big bass taken out for it's health.

What he did was obviously legal and the guy had a right to eat the fish, or take it home and feed it to his cats, or just kill it for fun in his backyard. To me, all are a complete wasteof an absolutely awesome animal, by what I consider to be a very selfish, ignorant angler.

Right or wrong, it's just lame. Take home a big bag of 4 pounders if you want and do with them what you will, but an 18+ pounder? Weak!

is shooting and eating a deer a waste of an absolutely awesome animal?

[jb7725]

nothing we can do about it now but it is a disgrace

[Stasher1]

Personally, I'd rather see a big bass like that wind up as a meal (or three) than see it mounted on a board hanging over someone's fireplace.

I would've released it, but it wasn't my call to make.

[NewAngler]

First and foremost, Bass Akwards has some great posts. Now my take on it;

He was fishing for food, he could have been starving, lost his job, "insert sappy story here." We don't know the guy, but it IS his right to do so. I wouldn't take one for myself unless the fishery needed me to, but i can't fault someone for doing so. I was fishing once and caught a fish and gave it to a group of guys that were fishing with coke bottles, line, a hook and worms. I kind of feel bad that i did that, but they were obviously fishing for food. Oh, and it was like a seventy pound bass! (aka 3 lbs.....)

[Thai]

First and foremost, Bass Akwards has some great posts. Now my take on it;

He was fishing for food, he could have been starving, lost his job, "insert sappy story here." We don't know the guy, but it IS his right to do so. I wouldn't take one for myself unless the fishery needed me to, but i can't fault someone for doing so. I was fishing once and caught a fish and gave it to a group of guys that were fishing with coke bottles, line, a hook and worms. I kind of feel bad that i did that, but they were obviously fishing for food. Oh, and it was like a seventy pound bass! (aka 3 lbs.....)

I remember that...shame on you Josh for giving your PB away to those guys...they didnt even respect the fish enough to put it in some water or kill it immediately

[Drich5]

He caught the fish, he can do whatever he wants to do with it.

[b.Lee]

Yeah I feel like if he caught it to feed his family than so be it. 

[StingerJon11]

To me, all are a complete wasteof an absolutely awesome animal, by what I consider to be a very selfish, ignorant angler.

That's why unicorns are no more.  :'(

In seriousness, not all people view bass as members of a forum based on bass fishing. It is all in the context, really. To play devil's advocate, I know a lot of carp fishermen who absolutely only catch and release. I think that those fish aren't good for the fishery and should be taken to a woodchopper. The mindset is different, however, as they think that those fish are magnificent.

What i'm saying is that to most, a bass is just another fish. I am personally indifferent.

[SirSnookalot]

Most on this forum seem to be fishing enthusiasts  and sportsman, I myself strictly catch and release.  Where I fish the majority of people never heard of B.R., wouldn't spend $500 on a rod and reel and are fishing to feed their families.  What they do with a legally caught fish is their business.  The object of fishing is to catch, then one has the option to keep or release, I don't condemn nor condone.

[flechero]

His boat, trolling motor and battery would buy a lot of groceries if his family was actually going hungry. On the other hand, fish and game were originally put on this earth to feed us- so anyone who really gets upset about it needs to consider that we don't know much about the big picture.

Oh and isn't it interesting that the truely giant fish keep coming from places that are not "trophy managed"?? I know we like to play bioligist and conservationists but I haven't seen a giant fish come from any managed lakes or ponds. Kind of like hunters always taking the best bucks... and "somehow" they keep growing bigger bucks.

And yes, I know some of the monster cali bass have been caught over and over... but that's the same fish. Why haven't those "great genetics" produced other monsters? I like C & R but I think we get way to focused on the wrong details sometimes.  I hoope it was the best fish he ever cooked- to burn it would actually have been a waste. 

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I think Fish Chris made a great point about this very topic in a previous thread.

While he didnt like to see a big fish killed, he didnt particulary care unless it would be from waters where he fishes.  If this guy caught it from a pond that you had access to, I would say you would have a miniscule right to complain (given the guy followed all laws and whatnot).

Seeing as though the OP lives in Colorado and this was caught in a private pond in GA, does it really matter?  That fish will NEVER affect the gene pool of the areas you are fishing.

No big deal, IMO.

[J Francho]

I know guys that catch and kill just about everything that's legal size. I went trout fishing with a dude that said at the launch, "I'll have my limit by 10 am, and by 11 am I'll be back in bed." My jaw hit the ground. Dude is a good fisherman, too. Its a different mentality. Fishing and hunting to him are his way of life. He has a good job, wears a suit to work. Drives a nice car, you get the drill. To him, responsible harvest is a freezer full of meat. Not all catch and kill guys are in need of the meat to feed their family. Fishing for food is part of our culture, and as much as I hate to see trophies on a rope, I'd hate the alternative - no fishing or hunting.

[midnighthrasher]

First and foremost as a person who loves fishing i find it a shame to see such a nice bass go to waste.

but fishing is part of our heritage and it is what it is. As long as someone practices responsible fishing and NEVER exceeds his or her limit in my mind its ok. I have never eaten a bass but up in canada alot of people fish for walleye and perch and they generally take home enough to eat. I dont know why its politically correct for people to take home crappy, perch, walleye and many other fish but its not ok for bass.I dont take any fish home to eat and i never have but thats me and i respect other peoples view on the subject and agree that fishing and hunting to eat is part of our heritage and is a big part of the history of canada and the united states.

[D4u2s0t]

How do you guys feel about the peta people saying that it's not right to fish?  there's all points of view in the world.  Some people are vegetarians because they don't think it's right to kill animals for food.  Some people think it's not right to fish.  Some people think it's ok to fish.  There's all different views, and nobody wants the other side to judge them.  I just think everyone should accept the fact that we are allowed to think of it how we want, and as long as we're not breaking any laws, it's our own personal decision to choose what we do.  I know I hate it when a vegetarian gives me a lecture about eating a steak.  Moral of the story is, don't be so quick to pass judgement, because you wouldn't like it if you were the one having the judgement passed.

[grimlin]

I know guys that catch and kill just about everything that's legal size. I went trout fishing with a dude that said at the launch, "I'll have my limit by 10 am, and by 11 am I'll be back in bed." My jaw hit the ground. Dude is a good fisherman, too. Its a different mentality. Fishing and hunting to him are his way of life. He has a good job, wears a suit to work. Drives a nice car, you get the drill. To him, responsible harvest is a freezer full of meat. Not all catch and kill guys are in need of the meat to feed their family. Fishing for food is part of our culture, and as much as I hate to see trophies on a rope, I'd hate the alternative - no fishing or hunting.

You'd be surprise how many people like that here too.

I watch a little canoe with 2 guys drag a couple of trophy 3-4 pound smallmouth bass on a stringer.My mouth just dropped.

[cart7t]

Been discussed ad nauseum here.

Old news

It still sucks!!!! And why is that cat biting your hand!!?? :-?

This thread and my avatar go hand in hand. 

[WRB]

Getting involved in any emotional debate is like discussing religion or politics...it's a no win.

Catch & Release can be good or bad for a fishery, depending on the fishery. The value of big bass is different, nearly every angler knows their personal best catch weight. Big bass are a big part of bass fishing, a high value fish.

George Perry fished at a time when fish were eaten, so he ate his catch. The 18 1/2 lb bass caught in Georgia would have been far more valuable to Otis if he kept it alive and not eaten it.

I have never known any bass fishery to produce only one giant bass. The conditions must be good for several giants to grow in that lake. My question is; why hasn't anyone else caught a giant from that area? There should be several 12lb to 15lb+ bass living there!

WRB

There have been several 15lb+ fish caught. Here is a link to Fort Stewarts lakes. http://www.stewart.army.mil/DPW/fish/FISH%20CONCL2.htm One guy has several 15s. I know of a few not reported to anyone that were over sixteen. I know of only one eighteen that wasn't reported that came from a very reliable source. Some people here just don't want the hassle that comes with telling someone you caught a huge fish. 15lbs seems to be where most of the big fish here top out at now though. GA fish just don't get fat enough shape now to get over 15 in most cases. Length is no problem. Once you get into our few lakes that have any trout or good amounts forage left you have mostly northern strain bass. Most of our lakes have spotted bass as well now. Biggest reason you don't see any real giants here is the huge amount of hybrids or spots stocked in the lakes that have the most potential to produce one.

It's obvious from the pictures that C & R isn't working for trophy bass in Fort Stewart lakes, the vast majority of those bass have been taken home. Over harvesting is common practice, it's hard for most anglers to release their personal best or first trophy bass and the same thing happens in California's bass lakes.

Proves my point; there is always more giant bass where one came from. Looks like that year class is quickly becoming history.

The thinking it only matters when it's in my back yard is the problem. The photo's clearly show why giant  bass are rare, sometimes cooked, fish.

WRB

PS; take a picture, measure the length and girth and release the bass as quickly as possible and someone else can enjoy catching the same bass. If you over handle the bass and it rolls over, you might as well keep it or feed it to the turtles.