big fish

[SinOrSwim]

We used to go with an outfitter (who was the best one we have ever had) that said he wouldn't even post a picture of a big fish being held vertically. Said they should be held horizontally and explained about organs etc moving and it can kill the fish. Not completely sure if all that is true but he instituted his own conservation rules on his fly-in lakes and the fishing is amazing every single year.

[Freytown]

Originally Posted by bigwillies

I have been watchin these message boards for to long and I can't take it anymore.

Stop watching then....problem solved.

[v-bay gord]

Originally Posted by SinOrSwim

We used to go with an outfitter (who was the best one we have ever had) that said he wouldn't even post a picture of a big fish being held vertically. Said they should be held horizontally and explained about organs etc moving and it can kill the fish. Not completely sure if all that is true but he instituted his own conservation rules on his fly-in lakes and the fishing is amazing every single year.

That's true.....plus very large heavy fish do not have a spine designed to support all that weight in a vertical position and out of the water. Imagine someone grabbing you by the jaw and lifting you around for a few pictures. Supporting a fish horizontally under the belly will help to minimize this problem.

[RyanK1]

Originally Posted by SinOrSwim

This same debate is going on in the general discussion area but those people who think "their fish..they caught it" mentality don't understand someone else probably caught that fish and released it allowing them to catch "their fish". Now that they took it home nobody else gets a chance to catch that big fish. The fewer big ole fish the less chance anyone has to catch them.

Take a picture in the boat and let it go. Only thing that changes is the background of your garage or the background of the lake. But, they probably have to show their buddies.

I never keep a large fish if I don't have to. I'm just trying to say that you can't attack a person for keeping his legal catch. Do I agree with it? No but I won't be angered to much if someone put all that money in and wanted to keep his prize.

[1860Angler]

Keep big fish or don't keep big fish, Mercury vs. Yamaha, Lund vs. Ranger, Humminbird vs. Lowrance. We all make different decisions and have different views on what's the "best", how boring would it be if we were all the same!! Do what you want to as long as it's within the limits of the law and have fun doing it!!

[MrSimon]

Originally Posted by RyanK1

I never keep a large fish if I don't have to. I'm just trying to say that you can't attack a person for keeping his legal catch.

I agree with this 100%. Its their right to keep any legal fish they want.

Originally Posted by RyanK1

Do I agree with it? No but I won't be angered to much if someone put all that money in and wanted to keep his prize.

You are right, no point in getting angry - life is too short for that ........ but, the mentality of "Keeping his prize" is what we need to get past. Unless the fish is dead (it happens, but can usually be avoided), then there is absolutely no valid reason to keep a trophy fish.

So to the people who say "I paid my money and I'll keep whatever I catch", I'll say, "Ok, but why?"

[Just One More Cast]

Originally Posted by v-bay gord

Imagine someone grabbing you by the jaw and lifting you around for a few pictures. Supporting a fish horizontally under the belly will help to minimize this problem.

HaaaH...I can imagine somebody trying to support me by my belly It'll take more then one of ya especially since I'm ticklish

Originally Posted by MrSimon

Unless the fish is dead (it happens, but can usually be avoided), then there is absolutely no valid reason to keep a trophy fish.

There is ONE valid reason.....because the angler WANTS to. That is enough reason for me.

My brother-in-law caught a 28.5" walleye this summer and when I netted and measured it, the first thing he said was "I want to keep it". He is 57yrs old and it was his biggest ever. I filleted it and cooked it on the grill, and it was an excellent meal for 4 adults. I can not fault him for that. He has killed EVERY walleye over 27" he has ever caught.......all ONE of them. Killing that fish was not a negative.

[SinOrSwim]

This post sort of makes my point. It took him 57 years to catch a fish that big and now nobody else has the chance to catch that fish and take that memory home. Catching a fish that big is not that common for most people and it's certainly a lasting memory for those that have. Why take that away from someone else when I'm sure it's a story he tells time and time again.

My biggest was right at 30" about 8 or 9 years ago and I can remember the whole process in the boat. Went from thinking it was a fish to thinking it was a snag or log and then it went on a huge run. I released it after taking pictures and I had a replica made. I still caught it and now after 9 years maybe a few more people have had a chance to experience the same thing I did.

Originally Posted by anon

There is ONE valid reason.....because the angler WANTS to. That is enough reason for me.

My brother-in-law caught a 28.5" walleye this summer and when I netted and measured it, the first thing he said was "I want to keep it". He is 57yrs old and it was his biggest ever. I filleted it and cooked it on the grill, and it was an excellent meal for 4 adults. I can not fault him for that. He has killed EVERY walleye over 27" he has ever caught.......all ONE of them. Killing that fish was not a negative.

Keeping on the Canada subject, it's clear that the best fishing is in the lakes on which the outfitter has mandatory catch and release for trophys. Keeping a big fish is selfish, plain and simple. I've released dozens of walleyes over 28" and 5 over 30", and never kept one larger than the low 20's. There's no reason to do it. Does the once in a lifetime thing validate the decision? No, it doesn't. It's true that you're having a smaller impact on the fishery, but it's a negative impact nonetheless. Should you be strung up from the nearest tall oak for it? Of course not! But don't tell me it's OK because you only did it once. You're lucky the guy before you released that fish. He could have kept it, you know, just that one time.