Help Me Understand Why........

[Gatorjet]

"Powerbait is for fat kids and old people."

OK, I'm old, fat, and act like a kid! Now I have to leave all my jigs in my bag and just fish Powerbait again.

Did I misinterpret what Phil said in the "Rest of the story article? The hatchery manager said the fish could not be consumed or taken to the taxidermist until the paperwork was completed. I assumed this would be any record, so the fish would have to be kept to be certified as the state record.

28+ pounds of fish on 4lb line deserves respect regardless what bait was used.

[laker67]

Did I misinterpret what Phil said in the "Rest of the story article? The hatchery manager said the fish could not be consumed or taken to the taxidermist until the paperwork was completed. I assumed this would be any record, so the fish would have to be kept to be certified as the state record.

28+ pounds of fish on 4lb line deserves respect regardless what bait was used.

This is pretty much correct on any record certification, whether it be state, igfa, or national freshwater hall of fame. Weigh=in , length and girth has to be witnessed, and scales must go through a certification test. Plus a biologist has to determine the species. All of this certification also has to be notorized. The fish, especially an old fish, is pretty much dead meat after this lengthy process. As far as I am aware, no one recognizes a state or world record under C and R. They don't like to rely on the formula method. In the case of my fish, the formula was over 2 pounds off the actual weight.

[Chief Grey Bear]

As far as I am aware, no one recognizes a state or world record under C and R. They don't like to rely on the formula method. In the case of my fish, the formula was over 2 pounds off the actual weight.

I questioned that in my mind also when I saw that posted. I saw a huge opening for those that are a little less than honest.

[mosouthpaw]

i guess i cant go dig out a pond, fill it and stock it with bass to fall under some special pretentious club of catching wild native fish....

puh-leaze....

[ness]

Wait a minute there mosouthpaw, it's ok to dig a pond and stock it with bass, as long as there's a 2/3 majority of the club members and 100 percent agreement as to the species, and they've got to be wild but not necessarily native bass (without a red eye). Trout of any kind are ok, excepting of course for sea trout, which aren't really trout whether they're native and/or wild. But, you could probably get an ok if they're stream bred, but that ain't gonna happen if there sea trout, see? Blue gill are ok. Green sunnies or any of the lesser fish are right out banned. Dry flies only, 100 percent C&R, but that really goes without saying.

Hope this helps.

[troutgnat]

I agree with what others have said. Near the end of its life cycle=Yes! Knowing that, would I personally have kept it for a mount?, well, probably so. Let's consider this: What is your reason for catch and release????? Really, think about. Do you release so someone else behind may joy in the catching of that fish? Do you release because you believe that releasing fish will help sustain the fishery for others? Do you release because you believe from a biological stand point that your are putting brood stock back so they further procreate their species? Depending on your reason I bet would highly factor what you would do in that situation.

Here is my opinion and my only. After asking myself why I catch and release I came up with the following conclusion of what I would have done if I was in his shoes. I tend to look at catch and release more from a biological stand point. SO, I know this fish was near the end of its life cycle. I also know that he was well beyond his prime "brooding" years. Your best "brood" fish are those 4-7# and up healthy feisty trout. So, chances are that fish could have past on much more of his genetics were probably slim. Trust me, this fellow has passed on plenty of genes in Taneycomo.

I have one 8lb + largemouth on the wall. One in my entire 30+ years of hardcore fishing! Do I feel guilty for that?, NO! Because I know I have released dozens of 3-6lbr's to go back and procreate their species.

Also, have I ever caught a trout close to that big?, Hell No! How often do trout this big get caught out of Taneycomo?, Not very often! Would I have probably kept that fish?, well yeah probably so.

[FishinCricket]

What is your reason for catch and release????? Really, think about. Do you release so someone else behind may joy in the catching of that fish? Do you release because you believe that releasing fish will help sustain the fishery for others? Do you release because you believe from a biological stand point that your are putting brood stock back so they further procreate their species? Depending on your reason I bet would highly factor what you would do in that situation.

good points, man.. I catch and release mainly, and for every single one of these reasons (as do most of you)

I would have kept the fish.

[Wayne SW/MO]

and on lakes like Taney and even more ridiculous places like Busch Wildlife it's definitely like shooting fish in a barrell,

That may well be true, but I don't know about Busch, but there are a lot of misses on Taney. Did you really mean to imply that Taney was ridicules Eric?

[drew03cmc]

I guess in Kansas that limits you to Green Sunfish and Bullheads

Wrench, you have forgotten many game fish species, but, yes, in a creek, a big green sunfish is fun. In fact, Kansas has native black bass of all three predominant species, but hey...green sunfish are it