What is your opinion on keeping "trophy fish" to eat?
Aug 7, 2020 21:06:04 #
In my opinion, I believe that if a fish is big enough I will not eat it. I have nothing against people who do eat these bigger fish but I was just wanting to know what everyone's opinion on this is.
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by TylerVlogs_YT
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by TylerVlogs_YT
Aug 7, 2020 21:06:10 #
I have donated just about every trophy pelagic I have ever caught to a university or the NOAA. I just dont want chemical posioning or ciguatera. I have had a couple trophy bluefin and stuff but honestly I prefer schoolies. If i can release them, I will. But a lot of the time they kill themselves
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by a6
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by a6
Aug 7, 2020 21:06:17 #
Aug 7, 2020 21:06:22 #
My .02c... Modern taxidermist don't need the actual fish to mount a trophy. Just detailed photos, weight, girth, length, description etc... The fish on your wall can still be swimming. Also when certain species get big enough, the fight can wear them out to the point of no survival. So weather you eat them or not the fish would still die. Lastly I've heard a lot of people talk about big fish getting rough or fishy or soft but I firmly believe there is a right way to clean, preserve and prepare every meat and failure to do so will result in less favorable flavor..
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by hunt_fish_love_420
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by hunt_fish_love_420
Aug 7, 2020 21:06:25 #
I 100% agree with you there is a right way to do all those things. However, I am still learning how to do that haha. But everything you just said makes a ton of sense.
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by TylerVlogs_YT
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by TylerVlogs_YT
Aug 7, 2020 21:06:29 #
I fish for food or fish for bait to catch fish for food. I don't care about trophies. Sure it is fun to hook up on a shark or gar every now and then but I'd rather catch a speckled trout or catfish. I'll eat a "trophy" bass in a heartbeat (don't worry, I rarely catch one over 14" for everyone freaking out right now). Gotta make room for the new crop of fish. I have also fished to help manage private ponds, but the end goal was to produce fish big enough to harvest for food.
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by kcinnick1982
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by kcinnick1982
Aug 7, 2020 21:06:33 #
Aug 7, 2020 21:06:37 #
I try to release most trophy fish. Big females lay bigger and more eggs, that’s just fact. If you want to keep the population healthy you have to release the big girls. A lot of places are making “slot” size limits for a lot of fish. This ensures that the small ones go back to grow and the big ones go back to spawn.
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by davycrockpot43
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by davycrockpot43
Aug 7, 2020 21:06:44 #
I am not a fan, and honestly, I judge people that do it a bit. Knowing what, say, a huge marlin had to overcome to get truly massive, only to die so some goon on a boat can stroke himself off about his conquest is just sad. Especially when everyone and their grandmother has a camera and camcorder in their pockets.
If you like to eat fish, I get it. But keep something more average, for the species' sake and yours. Big specimens typically do not taste very good, and are better utilized by the fishery making more big fish.
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by J0hnnyHammerst1cks
If you like to eat fish, I get it. But keep something more average, for the species' sake and yours. Big specimens typically do not taste very good, and are better utilized by the fishery making more big fish.
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by J0hnnyHammerst1cks
Aug 7, 2020 21:51:24 #
J.R. Sloan
Loc: Inland Northwest (WA, OR, ID)
Barely feel qualified to comment, in view of the huge numbers of trophy fish I ever caught (hint: NONE!)
That being said, I have 29 kids, grandkids and great-grand kids for whom I share some responsibility, some of whom will never catch any fish at all, what with regulations, reported shortages, emotional non-fisher opinions, and general non-participation by the public in general. On behalf of the little boys and girls, I vote (as if I had one) for the survivor trophies, so that they can go back, form a far bigger pool of smaller-fish candidates for my grandkids to learn about, catch if they wish, cook and eat if they wish--but most of all learn to respect as part of the world where they live and participate as understanding humans.
That being said, I have 29 kids, grandkids and great-grand kids for whom I share some responsibility, some of whom will never catch any fish at all, what with regulations, reported shortages, emotional non-fisher opinions, and general non-participation by the public in general. On behalf of the little boys and girls, I vote (as if I had one) for the survivor trophies, so that they can go back, form a far bigger pool of smaller-fish candidates for my grandkids to learn about, catch if they wish, cook and eat if they wish--but most of all learn to respect as part of the world where they live and participate as understanding humans.
Aug 7, 2020 21:53:12 #
E.pa.al
Loc: Martin's Creek
People fish for different reasons, relaxation,sport,food or just another way to spend time w family & friends
I personally dont judge another angler
I personally dont judge another angler
Aug 7, 2020 22:02:00 #
Me personally, I release the all the fish I catch when my freezer is stocked, but even on days where I'm fishing for food I'd release trophy fish to grow bigger and possibly bring joy to someone else who catches it, hoping they keep that trend going!!
Aug 7, 2020 23:13:22 #
Jwid
Loc: Lake Killarney, Ironton, MO
I live on a 60 acre lake. I release everything. That makes enjoying the sport sustainable. I don’t mind eating a medium sized fish. But that’s just me. Enjoy the sport anyway you can. Just don’t waste them.
Aug 7, 2020 23:17:24 #
Big TC
Loc: Raytown, MO.
FS Digest wrote:
I try to release most trophy fish. Big females lay bigger and more eggs, that’s just fact. If you want to keep the population healthy you have to release the big girls. A lot of places are making “slot” size limits for a lot of fish. This ensures that the small ones go back to grow and the big ones go back to spawn.
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by davycrockpot43
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by davycrockpot43
What is slot size? How do you know when you got a female fish? I know, stupid questions. But I'm really new at this. Also what is girth size?
Aug 8, 2020 07:41:29 #
T Croft wrote:
What is slot size? How do you know when you got a female fish? I know, stupid questions. But I'm really new at this. Also what is girth size?
Morning T, a slot length is a minimum /maximum length for keeping a fish. For instance our Striper slot is 28-35 inches. Must be 28"min. But no bigger than 35" to keep. Anything over or under must be released. Girth is the circumference of the fish at its widest point. You wrap your tape measure around the fish,usually around the belly at its largest point. Female fish grow larger than males in most fish, and IN bass they normally grow fatter. Females have the bigger gut,males are leaner looking. I hope this helps you buddy. Tight Lines!
Another version is Protected slot length. We have this on a few "Bass Management "lakes. Slot 12-16 inches 5fish limit,only 1 can be over 16in. So you can keep smaller fish, and 1 big one.
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