so, who all pratices catch & release?

[trimlc]

I do C&R all the time as well...however, when times were tight, as they sometimes get, even in freshwater, I will bring home a meal or two with no guilt whatsoever.
I definately believe in releasing gamefish in the ocean....there is this myth that because the ocean is so huge that its resources are inexhaustable. Its kind of like stealing from a huge Walmart, instead of a little mom & pop store...because you think the WalMart store won't notice it as much as ma & pa...its still stealing and no matter how its justified its going to have an effect.
That said, I have never caught a large Striper in the surf....the first one I catch over 40" I'm gonna get mounted and loan it to this local Nature center in Westminster, MD (they have mounts of a lot of other freshwater fish in MD...but no Stripers!!), camp Hashawa, with the understanding they will tell the kids about Stripers and how to conserve them. After that I'll release pretty much everything.
I'm with Coop....kingfish are da' bomb on my dinner table.....so any sizeable ones I keep.
I have my B.S in Fisheries Science from Va Tech, and I feel pretty confident that I'm a descent conservationist.....I just love surf fishin. I have to admit I'm a little unaware about current "hot topics" out there...any web sites to check out?
Thanks for listening to my rambling. Mark Coleman

[Randy Stinchcomb]

Thanks for your input Mark
now on the subjest of Fish Mounts? most places Do Not do Skin Mounts anymore and just use a flberglass mold to duplicate a fish, so no need to waste a fish anymore for the purpose of a display.

I think Alltackle sells pre-fabbed (for lack of a better term) mounts of any species of fish you would like

[esoxangler]

Let me add that if you catch a fish that is legal and in season I have no problems with anyone keeping it. It's just that some of our limits are way too liberal in my view.


Where I fish at Little Seneca a legal tiger muskie is 36". Now to some that is a big fish. But it is a small muskie and should be protected in my view. I would like to see it bumped up to at least 42-44 inches.

[trimlc]

okay....so if I catch a biggun', I need to do what to get the replica of it....take measurements and a snapshot?? Any thing else that is iimpostant foe the "mounter"? Thanks

[Coop]

Originally Posted by trimlc

That said, I have never caught a large Striper in the surf....the first one I catch over 40" I'm gonna get mounted and loan it to this local Nature center in Westminster, MD (they have mounts of a lot of other freshwater fish in MD...but no Stripers!!), camp Hashawa, with the understanding they will tell the kids about Stripers and how to conserve them. After that I'll release pretty much everything. Mark Coleman

Mark, not to get off topic, but when I heard Camp Hashawa, brought back memories. I think that would be a good idea. Stayed there in middle school (grew up in Eldersburg)l for a week. Alot of fun and learned about the environment. My parents had a home on John Owens Road. Nice piece of country, just outside of Westminster. For some reason, Mark Coleman rings a bell...grew up in Carroll County?

[sandcaster]

We keep legal rock fish, and then return over catch. We always keep tuna, dolphin to eat or share with the neighbors. My neighbor goes to buy fish, I always tell him his fish is too cheap, ours costs at least 150.00 a pound if you take everything into consideration. It isn't about the price, it is about the hunter gathering in our blood.

[trimlc]

No....i was a Howard County boy...I've only been a Carroll County hillbilly for about six years now. Its great out here in Hampstead, and I lived in Westminster for a while, close to westminster high....Is still is a little too far from the beach however!!!

[alltackle]

For stripers, I like to release most, unless there are newbies on board that want the fish. I will, however, also keep one for dinner from time to time.

I released a nice 39" slot fish on monday and felt great about it.

Offshore, I like to release most blue fin tuna, but keep most of the yellowfins, mahi, wahoo. Of course, all billfish go back unless we are in a tournament, and the fish is leadboard quality.

[Randy Stinchcomb]

....as I sunk to a new low yesterday as I had to release a 38" "DEAD" Striper
it swallowed the whole lure and started pumping out blood as soon as it hit the deck, I did my best to get the hooks out abd try and save this fish but it blead-out in minutes and it sickens me that I had to let it go................ dead

Stupid MD/DNR regs

[buxtonboy]

Catch and Release all the way. If you keep too many of those big boys, you won't have any little boys.

[pwf]

Considering most of what I get is too small to keep... I'll eat the first keeper of the season though. I like watching them swim off better than taking them out.

[Dixie719]

I pratice C&R regularly, but I also make a few exceptions during the year.

First, I love fish!

Second, my 6 year old son, 3 year old daughter will tear up some fresh fish so they get their share throughout the year.

There are times when I will fill up my freezer with meat, then slowly eat it all and start over again. I usually keep my limit of grey trout in the spring one 1 trip then 1/2 limit on the next (if I should be so lucky), after that they all go back.

By then I usually score a Ho ride for some togging action. Again I'll keep some, but usually toss the females back due to they are full of eggs and only try to keep males 16+". I may or may not keep my limit (usually not).

Flounder, heck with the new regs (18 1/2"), I will be lucky to catch a legal one this year from the surf, so if I do he may become lunch. Usually all flounder are tagged and released.

I have never and don't see myself ever keeping a red or black drum. All pups are tagged and released period! I'll wait till they grow up and catch them when they are monsters!

Stripers I will keep a few, but again plenty of days where evrything goes back!

Blues, Spot, Croaker, well all usually go back unless I need fresh bait or someone I know asks if I can keep a few for them. I have a lady at work that loves Blues, so I will keep a limit for her on an occasion.

Good topic to discuss!

[DumBbaSS]

I am a Fisherman !! I eat what I want!! THere for I am