JB134 Loc: Montana

Ok, the entire topic of catch & release has been debated for decades, including here. Everybody has their opinion and position on this, and I’m NOT trying to influence anyone. But that being said, I thought I would share some personal observation from my last fishing trip.
Last Sunday, caught approx 25 plus bass in the 2-4 lb range (up here, a 5-6 lb bass is a really good fish). Of interest, that out of the 25 fish, there was clear evidence that 7 of those bass had been recently caught and also released. That’s 7 nice fish I enjoyed as a result of someone before me releasing it.
Only been fishing these Montana lakes for 2 years now, so I speak with little experience here. But I have been fishing for bass now approx 50 years so I do have some overall experience on the water. What I do know is that these are smaller higher elevation lakes. From what I’ve seen so far, they don’t hold large quantity of bass, but the quality is pretty good considering they live under frozen ice for 4 months. Plus there’s really not a lot of bait and forage for them. Even more interesting in this discussion is that these lakes are NOT heavily pressured up here for bass, as most folks here target trout & salmon. I almost seldom see another bass fisherman EVER while fishing. Sunday was no exception, yet I caught 7 good fish that had recently been caught and obviously survived the previous release. I have NOT seen a single dead fish anywhere. Floating or shoreline. But if some do die, Mother Nature either from the air, water or shore will consume it.
Anyway, found it interesting and thought I would share. Tight lines to all

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

I agree. I do keep Stripers and Halibut when we catch keeper size fish. However, we release WAY more fish than we keep.🤠👍

Jarheadfishnfool Loc: Woodlake/Tulare ,Ca.

Always! JB you do what you do ,Thanks for Caring enough to put it in words ,but you or I owe nobody anything, it's always the better than though fishers that seem to have a need for their input, so be it ,your a Fine Fisherman and a Gentleman, Thanks For All your posts and photos! Take care🤙🙏✌️

Jarheadfishnfool Loc: Woodlake/Tulare ,Ca.

Better than Thou ,,

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

I feel the same way JB. We do have a lot of pressure on Bass at most of our lakes, and most of the ones I catch show evidence of previous battles. I don't see any dead fish either, except panfish.

Jeremy Loc: America

exactly

mbrillhart1957 Loc: Southeast Wyoming

I totally agree with you JB. This week I fished for a couple of hours. Caught around 10 smallmouth. Seven were smaller fish. The three larger ones that were all over 14"+. One of them had a noticeable scare from being caught before. Released all 10 to catch again. Hopefully the next time there caught they will be much bigger.

About 10 years ago I started releasing all my smallmouth. I realized that I enjoyed fishing more after I started releasing the fish.

Whitey Loc: Southeast ohio

I agree JB 👍 Taking some out I don't believe hurts anything The state biologist is smarter than I am that helps you set the state regulations 🤪

Papa Jack Loc: Indianapolis

I release 95% of what I catch and have see evidence that many of the fish I catch have been caught before

OldBassGuy Loc: Temecula, CA

Agree with all of the others who have responded so far. Most people on here know that I am a CPR fisherman. I have only kept one fish in the last 5 years or so. Stumbled on to a 4.5lb Rainbow earlier this season. Was a great meal. We have tremendous pressure here on our lakes, and I have seen a few floaters. Also, have caught a few that still had plastic worms inside. Good topic JB

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

Interesting observation. I’ll bet not many of us pay attention that close. I release a heck of a lot of fish but it’s because I’ve set limits for myself. I do like eating fresh fish and they’re way more healthy than store bought garbage we can get now. My opinion is we should be able to fish how we want as long as it’s legal but I also believe we, as anglers, have a responsibility to preserve the fish populations and that’s what you’re doing. I target fish I like to eat but still release quite a few. I keep what I can consume if they fall in my limit slot and nothing more. I fished two times for salmon this year and caught two. Didn’t need any more so I didn’t go any more. One thing that I don’t like to see is charter trips where people post plastic totes full of slain fish all bloody and gross looking and brag about what an ethical fisherman they are. The good thing is those guys couldn’t catch a fish if they didn’t go on a guided trip so they don’t post many pictures of fish they’ve caught because they haven’t caught any. That’s a good thing. The “hook em and eat em” mentality doesn’t show a sportsman like attitude. I like your style and you’re fishing the way you’ve chosen to fish and it’s a good style. Plus I enjoy your pictures and that great big ole smile you have😂😂

Whitey Loc: Southeast ohio

Haha JB does have a pretty smile don't he Cat 😁

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

My take on this, is do what you want if it is legal and makes you happy. Also let others do what they want without being vilified. If you have an issue with a reg. Don't just complain or put others down. Instead, take the time and effort to go to the state meetings regarding fishing regulations and put your two sense worth in to someone who can make a difference. Just remember, if the majority of the people want something different than you want, that should be the way things should be. That is how a democratic Republic under our constitution works. The people with the drive to make change are the ones who get change. (of course, everything has its flaws), As for myself, I take what I want within the law and release the rest. I never give fish away over releasing them, And I never waist fish. Even the carcasses end up as crab bait.

hacksaw Loc: Pasadena, Texas

Thanks JB. I agree with your observations. I used to keep all legal size Crappie and limit I caught and then one day a light bulb went off and I realized I didn’t need all those fish. I decided to only keep ten and toss the others back according to size caught. Our limit is 25 per day and there’s a lot of pressure on the Crappie, plus 50 filets. I gave more fish away than I ate so common sense says I don’t need that many every time I went. Thanks again Brother. Tight lines.
Hack 🇺🇸🍺🇺🇦

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

We’d all love to see some pictures of all the fish you catch 👍