Catch and release. WHY?

[Applejack]

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the only time I know of where you have catch and release is in a fishing tornament. My husband has all kinds of citations from being in a lot of salt water turnaments and they always had to release the fish unless it died before they could get it up to the boat to tag it. Then they kept it. when he was just out fishing, everything went into the freezer.
AJ

[jezcruzen]

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If I have a passion, its salt water fishing. Unfortunately, access is at least 4.5 hours away, so I don't get to go very often. I wouldn't hesitate to keep everything I caught in salt water if the bite was steady and I felt I would catch enough for a 'mess'.

The only means to assuage my passion here at home is to float the James River and fish for smallmouth. I can sometimes catch 100 a day, mostly "dinks". But I'm not eating anything that comes out of that river up this high! Even though its a lot cleaner than it used to be, hearing all my life about that "dirty river" is still in my mind.

I envy those of you so close to salt water. Make the most of it!

[Applejack]

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If I have a passion, its salt water fishing. Unfortunately, access is at least 4.5 hours away, so I don't get to go very often. I wouldn't hesitate to keep everything I caught in salt water if the bite was steady and I felt I would catch enough for a 'mess'.

The only means to assuage my passion here at home is to float the James River and fish for smallmouth. I can sometimes catch 100 a day, mostly "dinks". But I'm not eating anything that comes out of that river up this high! Even though its a lot cleaner than it used to be, hearing all my life about that "dirty river" is still in my mind.

I envy those of you so close to salt water. Make the most of it!

I'm with you on the James River we won't eat anything on this end of the james either. Hubby always went to nags head NC to fish salt water about 2 hours away.
AJ

[Morgan101]

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Even though I am not a fisherman I believe in the concept. As you mentioned catching something that is undersized, and limits for how much you can take are good reasons. I would question whether or not fish get scared. Some would say all animals have emotions, but I am really not in that camp.

There are places where hunters do the same thing. They are called "Green Safaris" in Africa. You go out with a guide and hunt whatever game you choose. Carry guns et al, but when you shoot; you tranquilize the animal. While it is down, you have your Kodak moment, and souvenir to take home. The animal wakes up with a little hangover, but is none the worse for wear. To me this seems a little more humane than just taking a trophy.

[TheLastMountainMan]

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When I catch something too small, by law I release. If my catches of the day is not worth taking home and clean, I release. JMO

[mtnlioness]

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I haven't been fishing for quite a while but trying to stay legal.....I would release to keep the Game Wardens off my butt. Its tough to stop yourself when the smelts are running well. Deep sea fishing is my favorite too. It is nice to be able to get down a couple of hundred feet at least to get Hake or Haddock as Cod can to often be wormy from being in the warmer higher waters. For those who don't know.........filet out the cod.......hold the filet up to the light (you can see through it) and look for dark round spots. They are the worms. Most old time fishermen will just cut out the round spots and cook away. I have taken to looking at the cod we buy in the store the same way. Just in case. Haven't seen any yet.

[Iron mike]

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I am a awful fisherman so catch and release isnt a problem for a fish to get on my hook he would have to be very depressed and want to get eaten or just the most unluckey fish in the lake but if you must catch and release I guess you could think of it as pratice for when you need to do it to survive.