ElginFishing
7/20/2018 10:34:49 PMNice looking fish you have there!
$e@hawk
7/21/2018 4:51:37 PMoutdoorchris
7/22/2018 8:02:16 AMHope that helps!!
greenrowboat
7/25/2018 4:53:10 PMto or greater than the minimum size are
counted as part of the daily limit whether
kept or released.' from pp 3 of 4, here; https://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01998/2018-19_statewide_freshwater.pdf And once you handle 9dry hand) a fish it removes some of the protective coating (slime left on your net) that protects them from disease to die in the near future; http://troutster.com/catch-and-release/ I wish we could pick and choose, all mine would be the bigger ones, lol. G.
outdoorchris
7/26/2018 8:14:05 PMThe rule is a good one and is in place because when using bait, such as a worm, eggs, powerbait or some other form of boat like that, when left on a loose line on a bobber or on the bottom, fish can and do swallow the bait. I absolutely agree, those fish should all be kept because there is no way a fisherman can get the hook out of a fish when its imbedded in the throut or gut without dooming the fish to die. Even a hook that is in the upper inside part of a fish's mouth could cause death from internal bleeding as there are many blood vessels in that part of the mouth of a fish.
Having said that, when trolling with spoons, such as the gods tooth, the fish are almost always just barely hooked on the edge of the lip of the mouth, much the same way as they get hooked from fly fishing. When we get a fish that is to be released, it is brought to the side of the boat in a net, unhooked with a hemostat used for a hook remover. The fish is never touched by human hands and is out of the water for maybe a few seconds, then released. There is no handling of the fish, (although if one has to handle a fish to be released, wet your hands before handling the fish). From the way the fish hit the lure while trolling, and being hooked so lightly on the edge of the mouth, many times we have netted a fish and the hook comes loose, making for an easier release. There are times though when even trolling, a fish will really hit the lure hard and may be bleeding or hooked back in the mouth, those we always keep and count as our limit, no matter what the size.
I agree that some folks do handle fish the wrong way. For example, taking a picture of a fish, then releasing it. With trout, that can be a very iffy thing to do when well being for the fish is in mind. Or I have seen folks drag a fish up on the bank, then release it...aaarrgggg!!
But I do really appreciate your comment as we need more folks like you in the know to try and teach other folks!!
Tight Lines!
greenrowboat
7/30/2018 2:20:36 PMUsing scent or bit of worm is "bait"- otherwise a "Lure" without "bait" is fine to catch/release for the bigger ones.
"Where use of bait is prohibited, or where lures
or flies are used voluntarily, Game Fish may
be caught and released until the daily limit is
retained. " from pp. 2/4 of my first link.
Bait; Anything that attracts fish or shellfish by
scent and/or flavor. This includes any device
made of feathers, hair, fiber, wood, metal, glass,
cork, leather, rubber, or plastic, which uses scent
and/or flavoring to attract fish or wildlife
Lure: A manufactured article, complete with
hooks, constructed of feathers, hair, fiber, wood,
metal, glass, cork, leather, rubber, or plastic,
which does not use scent and/or flavoring to
attract fish.
From pp. 10-11/12, here; https://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01998/2018-19_general_information.pdf