What Do You Consider To Be A "catch"?

[John W Kelly]

When someone says "I caught 8 fish today", do they mean:

1. I had 8 fish bite at my fly/bait.

2. I had 8 fish hooked, but some got away.

or

3. I landed 8 fish in my net.

I started fly fishing this year and have discovered that each stage is a real challenge; to the point that if I don't land them in my net, then I can't say that I "caught" them. I've observed other fishermen who get the fish close to their net just to have them escape, so I wonder if they consider that to be a "catch".

So, what do you consider to be a "catch"?

I realize that the more experienced angler might prefer to not net their fish and 'let' them escape. It is less trouble and less stress on the fish, but is it still considered to be a "catch"?

[Mitch f]

3

[Flysmallie]

I've heard guys say that if you touched the leader it was a catch. But I don't buy into that. To me catch means to possess. If I had to physically release the fish, then I caught it.

[ozarkgunner]

Igfa rules state a lead touch means a catch. The theory being if you touch the leader you could gaff the fish. This rule encourages catch and release.

[ozarkgunner]

Igfa rules state a lead touch means a catch. The theory being if you touch the leader you could gaff the fish. This rule encourages catch and release.

[Flysmallie]

Yeah but some of us think the IGFA are a bunch of douche bags.

Besides we don't need gaffs in Missouri. I'll try this next time (if ever) I fish a tournament.

[Greasy B]

I don't count, don't measure, don't care.

[Feathers and Fins]

Depending on species, All freshwater and most Saltwater a catch is when I have the fish in possession. Exception is Billfish and Sharks at that point the catch is when I put a tag in it.

Fully disagree with IGFA on leader touch as some leaders are as much as 20ft and a lot of bad things can happen in 20ft. The Tag stick is the same length generally as a gaff maxing at 8 to 10ft so I would call a catch either in possession ( held or boated ) or Tagged.

[Old plug]

When the fish is landed and released. I only keep a few crappie in a year or a bass if it get the hook in a place i cannot remove it cleanly.

[Mitch f]

Yeah but some of us think the IGFA are a bunch of douche bags.

Besides we don't need gaffs in Missouri. I'll try this next time (if ever) I fish a tournament.

LOL, Ditto