ozark trout fisher Posted March 21, 2009 Posted March 21, 2009 Beeson summed it up pretty well. I keep a few once in a blue moon. The best tasting ones are approx. 10 in. long. I only keep them when I cook them the same day, not to freeze. Mostly do that on camp trip fish frys. I let all my big ones go. Just think of how many others released that big fish just so I had my chance at it. Take pics and make replicas instead on the big ones. Don Just to clear this up, I think it is a great ethic to release large trout, bass etc., and I have released the majority that I have caught. I just don't think I should be judged for keeping the occasional brown trout over the length limit. I don't keep any fish in the fragile streams such as the Meramec, Little Piney, the Current below the park, because those are streams that could be adversely affected. But trout parks, the White River, Taneycomo, and urban trout lakes are places I go to have a lot of fun catching and releasing trout, yes, keep a few fish, maybe even a nice sized one. If it's legal, it's my choice. The law doesn't leave much ambiguity on that issue. And I don't think there is anything unethical about keeping a legal brown trout once or twice every year. If you kept a legal brown every week, then you might be getting into the territory of being unethical. Of course this is all relative. And I tip my hat to everyone here that releases every fish they catch. That is great, and I will respect you for it, so long as you don't force it on me.
Leonard Posted March 21, 2009 Posted March 21, 2009 Ok... There is alot of opinions about this... As Ive said before.. Most people rather someone release a fish 22in or bigger... GREAT!! someone else can catch.. But take into factor.. If you catch a fish on 7x tippet that is say 8lb (say close to 25/26inches long).. Most of us will take a picture and turn it loose and brag about it later... WHERES THE FISH.... more then likely you fought that fish to death and it is DEAD on the bottom of the lake somewheres.. When it comes to keep and take.. or catch and release.. If your gonna release the fish make sure it "WILL" survive and not end up dead on the bottom... those are the fish I reather see taken out... dont care about the size (as long as its legal) Like a few years back.. Was down there night fishing.. some guy caught a big pig of a brown (we measured her at 28 1/4in)... He caught her around the big rock just below 2.. landed her.. brought her up to the pavillion.. take about a dozen picture and then (OH... THIS PARTS GOOD!) Then tried to release her... A he was quit surprized when she didnt make it... hmmmmm?? darn if I know... this one puzzles me too!! I really dont care about the fishes size... if it over 20 inches and you dont think it will make it.. take it!! (But try to give the fish a chance.. it could take a minute or 2 to recover.. or it could take a half an hour.. http://www.taneycomonights.com
Bman Posted March 21, 2009 Posted March 21, 2009 "But try to give the fish a chance.. it could take a minute or 2 to recover.. or it could take a half an hour.. " Well put Leonard, I couldn't agree more! Bman The only good line is a tight line
drew03cmc Posted March 21, 2009 Posted March 21, 2009 Saluki, you mentioned smallmouth's problems, and personally, in a few waterways, their major problem is trout. I have no problem keeping a big fish. That is my legal right, and nobody can sway me either way. If I caught a 20 pound brown, the fish would be photo'd, and taken to a taxidermist. Andy
laker67 Posted March 22, 2009 Posted March 22, 2009 Saluki, you mentioned smallmouth's problems, and personally, in a few waterways, their major problem is trout. I have no problem keeping a big fish. That is my legal right, and nobody can sway me either way. If I caught a 20 pound brown, the fish would be photo'd, and taken to a taxidermist. I hope I'm there to take your picture, Drew. In the trout parks, here is a problem that is getting increasingly worse. Let's say you have just caught a lunker, revived it, and turned it back. Most times you turn it loose in shallow water, the fish will lay there and gulp air until it feels good enough to move on. Along comes a "Salem Snagger" and "slingshots" the fish and hauls him down to the park office for his lunker patch, and then off to the local bar to brag. You should always put one back in a protected area such as a deeper pool and especially away from the crowd. I usually stand over one until he moves off on his own.
drew03cmc Posted March 22, 2009 Posted March 22, 2009 I hope I'm there to take your picture, Drew. In the trout parks, here is a problem that is getting increasingly worse. Let's say you have just caught a lunker, revived it, and turned it back. Most times you turn it loose in shallow water, the fish will lay there and gulp air until it feels good enough to move on. Along comes a "Salem Snagger" and "slingshots" the fish and hauls him down to the park office for his lunker patch, and then off to the local bar to brag. You should always put one back in a protected area such as a deeper pool and especially away from the crowd. I usually stand over one until he moves off on his own. I hope I have a good photographer there too. Nobody would believe a 1wt fish weighed 20#. Anyway, those people who come along like that need to be ticketed for poaching. When I release a fish, I keep hold on his tail until he pulls out from my grasp. Andy
DoveTail Posted March 22, 2009 Posted March 22, 2009 I caught a big rainbow in another stream and it went belly up. It was a quick release and a very quick photo out of the water. The pool I caught it in and released it back in was calm. I was able to get it off the bottom of the pool and move it to some swift water where it was shallow. Probably held it about 5 minutes? Let go and belly up again! Finally I just stood there with it between my boots, gently holding it. I could see the gills were going, so I thought it would make it. After a couple of times letting go, it maintained right side up. When I let it go, it just sat on the bottom in the swift water - then swam away. So I'm confident it made a recovery.
Fly_Guy Posted March 23, 2009 Author Posted March 23, 2009 I always wait for the fish to pull out of my grasp when I hold its tail. I never catch trout big enough to matter anyway Aren't fishermen great? I'd like to see a hunter shoot a deer, run over, stop the bleeding by applying gauze and pressure, load the deer in a truck, take it to the vet, hold it's hoof while the vet does surgery to take out the bullet, and read it Bambi as it recovers. Yep, we fishermen care, that's for sure! It's true though - it may seem silly to some, but there is nothing more heartbreaking than a big fish that won't revive. I have, as well as others, gone to great lengths to make sure they swim away. Thank's for everyone's input - I feel the same most of y'all do - it feels wong, though it isn't, to keep a big trout if they can swim away. The "silver bullets" are tasty - no doubt. I guess when MDC puts the trout in, it's not a crime to take em. Even in the 'trophy area'. I won't keep a smallmouth bass - no problem with those who will, but I won't. I've eaten largemouth, and I'll take the taste of crappie over bass any day - especially when crappie are in abundance at any of the big lakes around here. Thinking of going down to RR this wednesday for some food fish actually - I'll keep an eye out for a big gasping fish in shallow water, and I'll keep a #1/2 treble hook ready
laker67 Posted March 23, 2009 Posted March 23, 2009 Thinking of going down to RR this wednesday for some food fish actually - I'll keep an eye out for a big gasping fish in shallow water, and I'll keep a #1/2 treble hook ready Good luck at RR, and use that treble hook on the guy trying to slingshot the gasping fish.
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