UNDER SIZE BASS ! WHAT CAN I DO?

Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 9:00 am

That's why sites like this are invaluable to people who want to take up sea fishing or have just taken it up. I can't see that anybody who is a member of this site taking under sized fish due to the knowledge gained from here.
I think that amateurs taking under sized fish are possibly people who have taken up fishing in complete ignorance without researching the size limits, use of shockleader etc. (the basics) Anybody who simply doesn't care should be promptly filleted as let's face it - it ain't rocket science to realise when a fish is properly undersized.

Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 9:15 am

Absolutely, couldnt agree more. I actually carry a tape measure in my tackle bag (i know, sad but true) but the daft thing is, i've never actually used it because as you say you can tell by looking. I am also well in agreeance with those that said about returning the big ones, 10lb etc, back as well (to catch one that big first would be great). Lets face it how could you honestly take that home with the intention of cooking and eating it and not wasting it. Not unless you have a family of 15 or something! But the real reason is of course as mentioned about their spawning purposes. This site has been an insight for me and am learning more each day, so keep it coming. Cheers.

Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 9:37 am

I don't think it's at all sad to carry a tape measure when fishing simply because I do lol. But I'll definately carry scales from now on.

Guest

mulletman wrote:

Absolutely, couldnt agree more. I actually carry a tape measure in my tackle bag (i know, sad but true) but the daft thing is, i've never actually used it because as you say you can tell by looking. I am also well in agreeance with those that said about returning the big ones, 10lb etc, back as well (to catch one that big first would be great). Lets face it how could you honestly take that home with the intention of cooking and eating it and not wasting it. Not unless you have a family of 15 or something! But the real reason is of course as mentioned about their spawning purposes. This site has been an insight for me and am learning more each day, so keep it coming. Cheers.

See the problem here for me is , I dont know if I would put a 10lb + fish back? the reason is I've never caught a 10lber, fish of a life time! I would suggest alot of people feel the same way, but I'm trying to be honest and give a slightly different angle to this topic.

As for wastng it, no way, what I cannot use in one sitting, would be filleted cut into stakes and frozen down, same as I do with cod.

I'm not one of these people that likes to feed the whole street, sod that, let them go catch their own.

For sure I would only ever keep what I could use so for example if lady luck was with me and I caught 2 10lb fish in the same session, (DREAMER), I'd like to think for me one would go back and one for the pot.

When you take into account the years I have been fishing and the amount of large fish in that time I have had, it really would be a spec in the ocean and for me morally would feel ok to take a fish over 10lb every now and then!

Tin Helmet firmly in place. Let me have it!!! big grin

Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 10:47 am

Good luck matey winking

Guest

I put all my 5 ten pound plus bass back happy

Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 11:20 am

Yeah to be fair soleman that is a good call about freezing the fillets etc as i catch a lot of mullet and always have 2 or 3 in the fridge or freezer etc. And i am still only dreaming of the day i catch a 10 pounder+ ! When i do everyone will know!

Guest

Ok me personally, as I have never caught a fish over 10lb, would keep it . Its a `man the hairy hunter` thing. However I have to say if (like Soleman) I was lucky enough to have a few then yes they would start going back. I can only say that the best fish I`ve had wasnt much under 10lb and that was a roker that ended up on the BBQ. Also the best session I have had (at Orford) I caught several codling around 3-4lb mark where I kept a few as a couple of meals for my family and after that, they were returned.
Its a common sense thing. I would never take anything unless it was well over the size limit anyway.
I too have seen people take fish well undersize and I feel the need for action againsed this happening. I do however think it is a minority of people perhaps not in the `know` and not regular hobby anglers.
As for taking fish for the table - well hell YES !! Lets face it, it dosnt happen very often. Just take what you need for a couple of meals. Otherwise we all may as well take up pond fishing !!

Occasional Joined: Apr 20, 2007 Posts: 188 Location: Kent

whenever i catch a big fish i put it in the net with a bit of bait then lower it in the water so it can eat it, after all it did put up a hell of a fight, it's a bit sad i know crying

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 9:15 pm

.............then you savagely dispatch it with an iron bar. happy

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 11:10 pm

FatherJack wrote:

.............then you savagely dispatch it with an iron bar. happy

Yes, act more like a trawler man and let it suffocate to death eh? winking

Member Joined: Sep 19, 2007 Posts: 51

Luckily i dont have this problem because i dont like fish (to eat), therfore idf it isnt a mackeral for bait it comes out, gets photo's (at this stage in my fishing adventure ill photo anything i catch - because i aint caught much). then put it back.

Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 8:31 pm

logi6260 wrote:

Luckily i dont have this problem because i dont like fish (to eat), therfore idf it isnt a mackeral for bait it comes out, gets photo's (at this stage in my fishing adventure ill photo anything i catch - because i aint caught much). then put it back.

Sounds like a great start compared to me, I don't have a camera!