Catch And Release Vrs Catch And Keep

[djw2112]

I dont like to eat the fish I catch but I love fishing and catching fish, so I have always caught and released.  Sometimes they are hooked so bad that there is no way to get the hook out, in those cases I usually cut the line or the hook and set them free, the hook should rust and fall out eventually.  But sometimes the hook gets them in a place where they wont survive regardless.  Rather than put them back to die and float I usually keep those and give those away to someone else who wants them. 


Just wanted to see how many of you release and how many of you keep all legal catches.

I was also curious if someone catches a fish that is too small but the fish is damanged and will die, do you keep them or release them anyway? 

Are there any states that require you to keep all legal catches?

[phil-t]

If I want a meal of fresh fish, I keep it, otherwise they are released.  In NY, if an undersize fish is caught, regardless of hoe badly it is hooked/damaged, it must be released - according to the fishing regs.  It will feed another predatory fish, or other animal.
Don't know of any regulations where a legal catch must be kept.

[JackL]

In the summer I live on a native and stocked trout stream,  but gave up fishing many years ago just for the reason that I hated hurting the fish.
 In the winter we live in Key Largo and love to cruise the mangroves and flats on our paddle boards in the crystal clear water and view the fish. Just yesterday in one place we were surrounded by about a hundred or more 15" long sea trout

jack L

[Ernie n Tara]

I kept the first trout I caught (four years old) and one larger bass, from the pond in my front yard, that I had mounted.  None of the thousands of others.

Ernie

[Oldgator73]

If I am going to eat the fish and it is legal I keep them. Otherwise they are released. I have kept some fish to cut up for bait.

[Alpena Jeff]

I'm a meat fisherman. I target mostly walleye and sometimes yellow perch. I keep and eat those of legal size, everything else goes back. All of this takes place on the lake in north Michigan that we live on. I faithfully contribute yearly to the lake association for dam maintenance and our fish stocking program.
We also fish Lake Huron, one of the Great Lakes and target salmon.

[UTTransplant]

There are a few waters I have fished on that require all fish of a certain species  not be released. You are free to eat them or throw them away in the trash, but you can’t return them to the water. These include various overstocked or invasive species, and it isn’t common. As for regular fishing, the only fish I keep are trout because they are easy to clean! My favorite to fish for are small mouth bass and bluegills though - so much fight on a 2-4 pound line! They always go back into the water.

[Broke Boater]

We love eating the fish species that we target. Also love having a great day catching, so we throw many back to keep fishing during the day. Also if there is a size limit and the fish must be returned to the water, even if it'll die, fear not, nature will make sure it enters the food chain, so its never really wasted. Also the percentage of fish returned to the water injured and dying is so so small in comparison to the Bio mass. Fish onward folks, and take a kid fishing to pass on the Heritage and to introduce the future custodians of our wildlife,,,gregg

[Roy M]

I release except for the ones that are going to be eaten that day. All my hooks are single barbless which makes landing more of a challenge but that is the fun of it. Occasionally a fish will swallow a small fly, if it is legal I keep it but undersize I cut the line and it goes back. I mostly fish for rainbow trout but am not averse to a nice char.

[jackiemac]

Well, we don't manage to catch that many but small ones go back in and any decent sized ones we have for our dinner.  We did have one that we struggled to get the hook out of and it died.  A bald eagle swooped down and took it out of the water....

[djw2112]

Well, we don't manage to catch that many but small ones go back in and any decent sized ones we have for our dinner.  We did have one that we struggled to get the hook out of and it died.  A bald eagle swooped down and took it out of the water....

I hope he said thank you     such beautiful animals, we did right by making them our national emblem.

[Hanr3]

I fish for food and tournaments. Most the lakes around me have size limits. Some days I keep everything legal, and others I release everything.

There are a variety of videos on youtube on how to remove a gullet hooked fish. Below is just one of them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14Y7gUWJN_M

[djw2112]

I fish for food and tournaments. Most the lakes around me have size limits. Some days I keep everything legal, and others I release everything.

There are a variety of videos on youtube on how to remove a gullet hooked fish. Below is just one of them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14Y7gUWJN_M

Thanks for sharing ill have to get me one of those hook remover tools...

[Roy M]

Well, we don't manage to catch that many but small ones go back in and any decent sized ones we have for our dinner.  We did have one that we struggled to get the hook out of and it died.  A bald eagle swooped down and took it out of the water....

That is something to watch! It doesn't take them long to learn hanging around people fishing pays off.

[djw2112]

I have heard that seaguls are really aggressive, not sure if that is true or not.     I know some birds are very territorial, we had birds on the golf course in Clovis New Mexico years back that attacked you on several holes, but they are protected and you cant hurt them.  They took my hat off and got me off balance several times. 

[jackiemac]

Eagles and ospreys are incredible to watch, the eagles are much lazier and will often steal a fish from an osprey.

Seagulls can be very aggressive especially when there is food around. If you are ag the seaside in the UK trying to eat your fish and chips be on the lookout for poachers!

Also the gulls attack you when nesting so you need to be aware of that if you are anywhere near a nest.

[NMDriver]

Catch and release. I use a barbless hook and sight fish for carp. Very rarely hook one other than in the lip. Like the OP I fish for the strike and fight not for the table. Carp get pretty big and put up a good fight.

[Broke Boater]

Catch and release. I use a barbless hook and sight fish for carp. Very rarely hook one other than in the lip. Like the OP I fish for the strike and fight not for the table. Carp get pretty big and put up a good fight.

I have a good recipe for Carp,,,,,,,,,
Salt the fish and pack red clay around the fish
cook on a hot open fire for 3hrs
break the clay apart and remove the fish
throw the fish away and eat the clay
your welcome,,,gregg

[djw2112]

I was watching a game warden show the other day and it was soooo funny, this guy was fishing with no license and when the GW asked him about it the guy said "oh i was not wanting to catch anything i was just checking"  LMAO  he had his line in the water but was not fishing, it was halarious.

[J32952]

Sometimes I keep (mostly offshore), most often I practice catch & release inshore.  I also participate in tagging efforts offshore.
I love to eat fresh fish - tonight Tripletail - hopefully tomorrow mahi or tuna (or both).  I also release.
If a fish is injured when landed (unless out of season or out of size) I bring it home.  But if out of season, out of size, I release expecting it will become part of the food chain.
Eagles and Ospreys.  It happens they will take your catch.   Dolphin (the mammal) are a much bigger problem in Florida.  They will follow your boat and eat everything you release. 
  Tight Lines.

[JackL]

Is this catch and release ?
 My wife and I were standing in the crystal clear waters of our secret natural salt water jacuzzi hidden in the middle of a Florida Keys mangrove island and were feeding the tropical fish that surrounded us. We were using bits of bread crusts from our sandwiches and holding them in our open palms just below the water surface. I was absolutely amazed when a beautiful seven inch long Gray Snapper ignored the crumbs and tried for my gold wedding band. It had a lip which was very soft on each side of it, and I never felt any teeth.
 Maybe they should start making gold colored fishing hooks for you fisherman !
Jack L

[djw2112]

Is this catch and release ?
 My wife and I were standing in the crystal clear waters of our secret natural salt water jacuzzi hidden in the middle of a Florida Keys mangrove island and were feeding the tropical fish that surrounded us. We were using bits of bread crusts from our sandwiches and holding them in our open palms just below the water surface. I was absolutely amazed when a beautiful seven inch long Gray Snapper ignored the crumbs and tried for my gold wedding band. It had a lip which was very soft on each side of it, and I never felt any teeth.
 Maybe they should start making gold colored fishing hooks for you fisherman !
Jack L

Thats all we need, high maintenance fish! LMAO

[NMDriver]

I have a good recipe for Carp,,,,,,,,,
Salt the fish and pack red clay around the fish
cook on a hot open fire for 3hrs
break the clay apart and remove the fish
throw the fish away and eat the clay
your welcome,,,gregg

to each his own. I don't eat dirt myself but I know there are people so poor that it would be an attractive meal for them.

[Deano2002]

 

I have a good recipe for Carp,,,,,,,,,
Salt the fish and pack red clay around the fish
cook on a hot open fire for 3hrs
break the clay apart and remove the fish
throw the fish away and eat the clay
your welcome,,,gregg

[Deano2002]

to each his own. I don't eat dirt myself but I know there are people so poor that it would be an attractive meal for them.

i hope you knew this was a joke

[jymbee]

Just wanted to see how many of you release and how many of you keep all legal catches.

I really enjoy fishing-- watching people fish that is. Been years since I've fished myself as it was always the "catch" part of catch & release that I never was very good at. Tried to rationalize my approach as "pre-release" but my fisherperson friends didn't buy it.

[Oldgator73]

I really enjoy fishing-- watching people fish that is. Been years since I've fished myself as it was always the "catch" part of catch & release that I never was very good at. Tried to rationalize my approach as "pre-release" but my fisherperson friends didn't buy it.

I fish like I play golf; not very well. I usually don’t call it golf or fishing, I call them both “Oh Crap”. I tell my wife i’m Going to go Oh Crap she realizes it’s either golf or fishing only by what gear I load in the car.

[Old Bill]

I use a small pliers to bend the barb of the hook down toward the shaft of the hook, thereby making it 'barbless'.  This lets me release the fish without tearing it up... unless it actually swallowed the whole thing.

[jymbee]

I fish like I play golf; not very well. I usually don’t call it golf or fishing, I call them both “Oh Crap”. I tell my wife i’m Going to go Oh Crap she realizes it’s either golf or fishing only by what gear I load in the car.

I can relate. Years ago were someone to happen upon me near a lake which you had to shoot over on a local golf course, they would have a hard time deciding whether I was fishing or golfing-- if you know what I mean...

[dave54]

...
I was also curious if someone catches a fish that is too small but the fish is damanged and will die, do you keep them or release them anyway?  ...

In Cali you must release all undersized or illegal fish even if it is obvious they will die.  I would guess most states are similar.

[djw2112]

I fish like I play golf; not very well. I usually don’t call it golf or fishing, I call them both “Oh Crap”. I tell my wife i’m Going to go Oh Crap she realizes it’s either golf or fishing only by what gear I load in the car.

LOL so what do you call it when you have to stink up the RV?  OH JOY lol

In my younger days my mission was to be a golf pro, not a tour pro - the kind on tour, but the kind in the clubhouse.  I was good and held my own on rules and playing the game honorably and correctly. However as much as i wanted it, there was a born talent that i did not have and so i was not able to achieve the score required, i was close but close does not cut it.  However i did teach golf privately for a while and did quite well at that, but other things called to me in life.

[Oldgator73]

LOL so what do you call it when you have to stink up the RV?  OH JOY lol

In my younger days my mission was to be a golf pro, not a tour pro - the kind on tour, but the kind in the clubhouse.  I was good and held my own on rules and playing the game honorably and correctly. However as much as i wanted it, there was a born talent that i did not have and so i was not able to achieve the score required, i was close but close does not cut it.

When I stink up the RV I call it RELIEF.  There are only two actions that close cuts it; grenades and horseshoes (there’s actually more but that’s how the saying goes).

[magothy1]

If you fish with bait look into circle hooks if you want to release fish. Or, as several folks said, flatten the barb, and/or cut one or two hooks off the treble hooks, flatten the barb on the other one. Fish have it all, local, renewable, sustainable, etc etc etc.  You can eat seafood or pond food.

( Can you tell I was a commercial fisherman? )

[Pugapooh]

We still struggle with the “catch” part.

[captsteve]

I don't always fish, but when I do, I practice fillet and release!!!

[blw2]

this is one of those questions I have struggled with in the past... badly or fatally injuring a fish that I'm not going to eat.

and the other thing.... if I cut the line leaving the hook to "rust out", what happens to the bigger fish that ends up eating the now injured fish with a hook in it?...

[Memtb]

   We don’t fish as much as we should, as we both love to eat fish. So, for us, “a legal fish hooked....is a legal fish cooked”!   

[dcrbtt]

Love to fish Hate the taste of fresh water fish.

I find someone who wants to eat them then catch put directly on ice and give them away, if no one wants them I catch and release, but never touch the body of the fish.

[Utclmjmpr]

 That's a neat trick,,, how can you remove a hook with out touching the fish??>>>Dan

[Hanr3]

For those worried about killing the fish, don't. Other fish need to eat too. Toss it back. Something will eat it. Bigger fish, turtles, birds, snakes, etc. When cruising from spot to spot the birds will follow me. They are fishing in my wake. If my boat/motor hits/kills a fish they birds will swoop down and pluck it up for dinner. Seen it happen hundreds of times. A little fishing trick, watch the birds. They have an advantage being above the water and can see the bait/fish swimming below the surface. The birds will hang out where the food is. If you see them following boats, there are fish in the area. When they break off from the boat, there are no more fish in the area.