Catch and Release bass fishing

[Kevin K]

Hi all,

I have noticed that there are a significant number of comments regarding catch and release after reports where people show pictures of the bass they apparently kept. So, just out of curiousity, I am wondering how many of you practice only catch and release bass fishing versus those who catch and keep. I am strictly a catch and release bass guy, but can understand keeping some if you plan on eating them; especially, in light of the fact that selective retention has been shown to improve fisheries where the fish are stunted due to overpopulation.


P.S. I am aware that this issue has been addressed in a prior thread, but it was more of a general discussion regarding catch and release in general versus strictly bass fishing.

[Rizzla]

truthfully ive never caught and released because they were way too small or too big. if i could i would always keep. but i never waste, i always eat every fish i catch. it is a waste not to. also for all of those who catch and release bull gills or pan fish dont bother because they are probably goin to die unless you hook just rite. also the same with trout for some reason. i would practice catch and release but unlike some ppl we dont always have the luxury of that. if we dont keep we probably aint eatin dinner so we keep every little blue gill or perch.....watever is hooked is probably dinner.

[Drewp]

I know that there are regs, and they allow you to keep fish. As long as you are conforming the rules, I don't have a problem with what you're doing. That being said, I definitely don't condone keeping bass, especially on the westside of the mountains. There are not many lakes around here (westside) that are overpopulated with bass, if any, and for the sake of future generations.....well, I'll just leave it at that. Fish have enough natural predators, and I have grocery stores. I know, I know, nothing beats fresh fish, so I hear. But bass? come on, not exactly a delicacy or anything in the first place. If you have to, eat perch instead - they taste better and there's bizillions of them out there. If you let that ten pounder go that's outside of the slot limit and legal to keep, I might get to catch it. And allowing someone else the experience of catching that fish will always beat the taste of it, hands down.

[Kevin K]

I agree with you Drewp, at least with respect to the fish over 17". As I said in my post, I am strictly catch and release for bass. However, some people do really enjoy the taste of bass, both largemouth and smallmouth, and I have yet to see a store carry either. Anyway, my post was more out of curiousity than anything else.

[Drewp]

I think stores don't carry them cuz they don't taste very good, or at least the demand for them isn't there (which it might be if they actually tasted good). And I know, some people do like the taste, so as long as they are keeping legal fish, to each their own.

I ain't hatin' on the player or the game.

[CK14]

also for all of those who catch and release bull gills or pan fish dont bother because they are probably goin to die unless you hook just rite.

i strongly disagree with that.

i C&R all my bass, mostly because they don't taste good compared to perch & crappie.

[A9]

Yea bluegills/panfish/perch are pretty tough to kill...

I CnR all my bass...I can't imagine how bad the meat would taste...

[Nik]

I've never kept a largemouth bass. I have kept the occasional smallmouth when camping on Roosevelt if we didn't catch enough walleye for shore dinner; it seems like that lake is carpeted with smallies. but I gave that up a few years ago. I haven't kept a fish of any kind in over 2 years.

[fishnislife]

C & R always!



fishnislife

[Anonymous]

[quote="Nik"]I've never kept a largemouth bass. I have kept the occasional smallmouth when camping on Roosevelt if we didn't catch enough walleye for shore dinner]

Hey Nik,
Sounds like your a recovering bass eater. Good for you. One day at a time, right buddy. LOL :d/


fishnislife

[ChrisB]

I catch and release about 99% of my bass. Every now and again I will keep a smallmouth or two under 12 inchs on Lake WA and let my dad eat them. Its the least I could do, he did co-sign on my boat loan But I'm a strong catch and release bass fisherman. Some of the biologists will say to keep the smaller fish out of certain lakes because they are really populated and I think thats ok. Its just the people who don't know the rules and keep that 15 inch bass that tick me off.

[bigastrout]

I release all the bass I catch. But I do believe it is true that keeping some if the lake is stunted is a good thing. I don't know that I have ever fish a stunted lake though.

[Jacob]

i always release my bass, but i have eaten one that a buddy of mine kept a few years ago and i thought it tasted good, pretty much just like any other white meat fish

[skimpy]

I always release my bass. They don't taste good enough to keep.

[skeeter bassin]

Everything goes back. There are enough people taking legal bass out of the lakes (which I don't have a problem with), and unfortunately too many people taking illegal sized or numbers of bass.

Now if I catch Walleye while prefishing, guaranteed it will be on the grill as soon as I get back in =p~.

[Roc]

C&R to C&R another day.

Ryan

[Basshunter046]

I catch and release Bass also. My Sister and alot of my friends just can't understand why. I can't even remember the last time I keep a Bass to eat. With all the panfish (+ now I've really got into the walleye fishing), There's plenty of snacken to do right there =p~ . I guess it all has to do when I used to fish tournaments in the 80's and 90's. Now days it's not so much of the catching fish part, its the solitude of just getting away from it all.

[bpm2000]

C&R 100% of all my bass so far, but I plan on keeping one this year to try it (shhhhhh!).

Also, that statement about panfish going to die anyways, totally disagree. You must be late on your hooksets or something.

[nwbass]

I C&R all my bass. Used to eat them when I was a kid and they were good. Some don't like salmon, or any fish for that matter. Personal preference. I agree with the above about keeping what is legal, I don't have a problem with that. What burns my a** is when people keep them in the slot. Either they don't know or don't care. But, in my opinion, there are lakes that are overrun with bass on the west side. I don't know of a lake in Mason or Kitsap counties that does not have bass. Pierce and King is probably like that too. Never mind mind what the books say...I have caught bass where it says there are none. Even told biologists and they just scratch their heads. Just my .02

[YellowBear]

I am a selective harvest kind of guy.
Bass are good eaters as long as they are not to big. Once they hit say around 3 lbs they tend to be a little strong tasting to me. I have no trouble keeping them round the 12 inch mark. It really depends on the type of meal we are planing. Chowders and fancey dishes, I like a big fillet but for fish and chips I like the smaller ones that fry up nice and crispy.