FS Digest

Haven't fished since I was young, now in my 30s and wanting to get back into it. But I'm having a bit of an ethical dilemma around catch and release.

When we were kids my dad would take us out and we caught to eat only taking what we needed for the meal then going home. We wouldnt throw something back unless it was under the legal limit or something we didnt eat. (Shark, eel)

I live a bit more inland now though and want to give freshwater fishing a try but struggle with the idea that it's mostly catch and release.

In my mind fighting a fish and causing it trauma and potentially damage only to then just put it back seems kinda unnecessarily cruel.

I'm probably wrong but at least when we caught to eat the fish died to feed our family but with catch and release a lot of people risk the fish dying just because....?

I've heard the reason that if everyone kept every fish they caught there would be no fish left but wouldn't not going out and trying to catch fish just to let them go achieve the same goal?

Can someone explain this to me please?

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

I fish almost exclusively for trout with barbless hooks. That makes it much more easy to release them effectively. Trout are not very hardy fish though, and occasionally they will submit just from the fight alone. I still release them usually - they make good meals for the ospreys and eagles. And the crawfish. Unless I'm fishing somewhere that C&R is required by law, I just don't worry about it much. And, in my opinion, there's absolutely nothing wrong with taking your catch home and eating it yourself or giving it to someone you know who will. Most states that stock fish do it for that very reason, so you can harvest them.

DC Loc: Washington state

I usually keep most of the fish I catch and all the fish that are bleeding if they are reasonable size and legal to keep. If you are using artificial bait such as lure or fly with barbless hooks releasing the fish unharmed is usually not a problem. If using bait such as worms, or power bait then there is a greater chance of the fish swallowing the hook even if using circle hooks, which makes the fish survival rate lower. For that reason out here every fish caught using bait is counted as part of your daily limit, if other wise they would have been a legal catch, if you keep it or not and once you reach that limit you are done for the day . While salmon fishing where you could only keep 1 hatchery salmon a day after catching and releasing several wild salmon before finally catching 1 hatchery salmon I could keep I concluded this rule was counter productive since at least 50% of the wild that I released were bleeding and most likely did not survive the catch. It seems it would be better to say 1 fish and you are done wild or hatchery which would limit the amount of wild caught and released with low survival rate before finally catching a hatchery salmon that one could keep.

Sinker Rig Loc: Tampa area

I welcome all to join my organization, I'm founder and CEO of Catch and Filet. Annual membership fees are 2 Snook filets, 2 Mangrove Snapper filets, and a case of Corona Extra

DC Loc: Washington state

never seen or caught a Snook or mangrove snapper and drink mostly milkshakes so I guess I will have to join the "kill and grill" organization instead but will support your organization as a non-member in principle.

Sinker Rig Loc: Tampa area

Nice.....a solid satellite organization with strong leadership

JB134 Loc: Montana

I’m a catch & release angler. I completely respect any and all anglers that want to take their catch home and eat it. I say enjoy your dinner. But many fish are very slow to grow, and many take a few years before they are capable to breed. For me, I fish almost exclusively for bass. I can guarantee the author of this post that practically every fish I release survives. Learn how to carefully handle fish. Some have protective slim on their scales, so don’t touch or lay on the deck. Release at water level. Many have weak jaw structures so know how to properly hold them before damaging it. If your hook is deep, cut it off before damage is done. Trust me, the hook will eventually rust out or naturally passed. I fish every week, for almost 50 years. Since retiring, I now fish 2-3 times per week. That would be an enormous amount of fish to eat, and I don’t know that many people to even give it to. But in closing, keep as many fish that you intend to eat and enjoy. Release the rest. Thanks for reading… just my 2 cents.

Jeremy Loc: America

I already have the same type Non-Profit on the West Coast. Modelo is expensive. I have never had any extra money after Fishing or Hunting. Its a real NON PROFIT......not like Goodwill and other Corporations...tip of iceberg. There is a whole bunch that have Billions that claim to be Non Profit. I have found good beer and good fishing gear ...licensing etc has never been profitable.

Jeremy Loc: America

I agree 100%

I C/R Bass and Trout. Salmon that are illegal to keep. Cut the line if hook is deep for sure. I am joking along with Sinker Rig on my Non Profit but I definitely release a lot of fish. If a trout is bleeding I take it home.

Sinker Rig Loc: Tampa area

Me too Jeremy, when the macks are thick I can catch 60+ but keep a couple for my smoker, release the rest. It's just fun to catch so many fish

Jeremy Loc: America

Sounds like fun. When do they run? I want to take a cruise and fish with FSers all over the country. I hope to go to the M/G.

Jeremy Loc: America

YUP.

Most states that stock fish do it for that very reason, so you can harvest them.

Sinker Rig Loc: Tampa area

We're looking at mid Oct thru Dec. I like to fish the fronts from the NW when the wind is howling and all the wimps stay home

Jeremy Loc: America

I see. You think you will go to Kansas in May?

agatemaggot Loc: iowa

A little blood doesan't mean death, I have caught many fish that were very healthy that appear to have been almost bitten in half when younger. If you don't release the fish I guarentee it's sure not gonna live, give it the benifit of the doubt !