I am a “catch and release” advocate simply because for me, it all about catching fish. We will take a legal fish home from time to time, but 90% of the time, every fish goes back healthy and kicking into the water. Twice last year, we took three grandchildren and four adults fishing and caught fish the entire time we were out. On the first trip, NO fish went home and on the second trip, we took three legal reds home for a friend. All my grandchildren know the rules and regulations and how to handle fish properly as I want them to enjoy this resource for as long as possible. I have no problem with anyone taking their daily legal limit of fish if that is their thing. I like to eat fish from time to time, but the catching, taking photos, and releasing the fish back in the water is pure enjoyment to me. Hell, just being on the water is really enough. Catching fish is a great bonus. And, I beleive the current limits are plenty fair and SCDNR has done a great job of bringing back the reds, which is my primary target. As the other thread was already at record numbers, I thought I would start another one for discussion, if there is anything left to say, LOL!
Well said.
Thank you for passing on the importance of our fishery to the next generation.
“OH LORD”
BOB
Good on you for being a good steward of the resources. Just don’t look down on the rest of us who keep fish within the regulations.
A wise man once said “Do as I say not as I do” Good advice when I tell you that.
Well said, and I KNOW the vast majority of the folks on this site agree with you. I enjoy fresh fish EVERY week as it is a part of a weekly meal selection that my family really looks forward to, but in the typical evolution of an angler, fishing becomes much more than the amount of meat put in the FREEZER.
Thank you and as stated above, I have NO problem with folks keeping a legal daily limit. To each his own, within the law.
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Originally posted by oops_lostGood on you for being a good steward of the resources. Just don’t look down on the rest of us who keep fish within the regulations.
A wise man once said “Do as I say not as I do” Good advice when I tell you that.
That sums up exactly the way I feel. I release almost all the fish I catch and have no problem with anyone keeping their legal limit. I actually think its a great way to feed the family and reduce your grocery bill.
I keep every scale I can…
the releasing part is easy, the catching part is hard
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Originally posted by RADDADDYWell said, and I KNOW the vast majority of the folks on this site agree with you. I enjoy fresh fish EVERY week as it is a part of a weekly meal selection that my family really looks forward to, but in the typical evolution of an angler, fishing becomes much more than the amount of meat put in the FREEZER.
I took the Hunter Education course led by SCDNR. In the class they talked about the evolution of the sportsman over their lifetime. It goes from learning to a limit-out mentality and eventually to a mentor mentality all about preserving resources and teaching the next generation. I think that portion of the class had a real impact on my thinking. While I do keep fish to eat, I really enjoy releasing fish and teaching folks how to fish now.
I have no problem with anyone keeping their limit, BTW.
Semper Fi
18’ Sterling
115 Yamaha
Big Ugly Homemade Blue Push Pole
I’m a 99% C n R fisherman and while I don’t have a problem with someone keeping legal fish, it does bother me when people keep fish that they don’t know what they’re going to do with. Loading a freezer and then throwing a bunch of it away because it doesn’t get eaten, gets freezer burn or whatever is a waste.
I think a lot of us (me included) have been guilty of this at one time or another. As Hoof stated, it’s part of the evolution of a Sportsman. I was lucky enough to have some great older mentors early on that made a huge point of only taking what they KNEW they would consume. Throwing out freezer burned game is always a shame.
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Originally posted by bonecrusherI’m a 99% C n R fisherman and while I don’t have a problem with someone keeping legal fish, it does bother me when people keep fish that they don’t know what they’re going to do with. Loading a freezer and then throwing a bunch of it away because it doesn’t get eaten, gets freezer burn or whatever is a waste.
Inshore I am 90% C&R. I will keep a few spots or sheep from time to time, but most fish never even leave the water for a picture.
Offshore I am 100% meat fishing. And we do our best to eat everything we catch.
Rad - as for the evolution of the Sportsman: All of that is good to a point. But there is a line some sportsman cross - its when they think that their personal style of fishing is all that should be allowed, and that others are to be looked down on or “educated”. Its when they feel the need to tell law abiding anglers what to do, how to do it and when to do it. Those people need to go away.
Jughead- I hope this is not what you’ve gathered about me from my posts. Keep your limit of whatever you like. That’s your business and right as long as you stay within the bounds of the law.
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Originally posted by jughedInshore I am 90% C&R. I will keep a few spots or sheep from time to time, but most fish never even leave the water for a picture.
Offshore I am 100% meat fishing. And we do our best to eat everything we catch.
Rad - as for the evolution of the Sportsman: All of that is good to a point. But there is a line some sportsman cross - its when they think that their personal style of fishing is all that should be allowed, and that others are to be looked down on or “educated”. Its when they feel the need to tell law abiding anglers what to do, how to do it and when to do it. Those people need to go away.
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Originally posted by RADDADDYJughead- I hope this is not what you’ve gathered about me from my posts. Keep your limit of whatever you like. That’s your business and right as long as you stay within the bounds of the law.
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Originally posted by jughedInshore I am 90% C&R. I will keep a few spots or sheep from time to time, but most fish never even leave the water for a picture.
Offshore I am 100% meat fishing. And we do our best to eat everything we catch.
Rad - as for the evolution of the Sportsman: All of that is good to a point. But there is a line some sportsman cross - its when they think that their personal style of fishing is all that should be allowed, and that others are to be looked down on or “educated”. Its when they feel the need to tell law abiding anglers what to do, how to do it and when to do it. Those people need to go away.
No - not you or anyone here for that matter. But it happens - its a natural progression and the internet allows said people to spread their personal agendas. I’ve seen it just about destroy message boards…
Wow! Isn’t this sweet? Now there is no problem with keeping your limit and how you catch that limit legally is fine. That is exactly how it should be.Paint blend ,as usual, seems to tell things as they are. I have learned a lot from posts on this forum and hope to learnmore.Thanks to all you honest respectful guys!
Shrimp baiters have to be the worst. They’ll keep a whole dang cooler only culling the little ones and keeping the biggest ones! UGH hahaha
I have read through a good portion of the other thread and all of this one. It seems there is no lack of opinions about our fishery. But, I can tell you this from experience: When I was younger, the redfish population was at an all-time low. Now, the redfish population has rebounded better than epected. It is not uncommon for me to go flounder gigging and see 200 plus redfish in a few hours while flounder gigging these days. All of that is thanks to scientific facts about the redfish. We now know the redfish breeds later in its life cycle…somewhere around the 27" mark or so. That is why we put all the big ones back. As I have gotten older, I am glad the limits are on the redfish now. Besides, those big redfish are not as good as the smaller ones anyway. BUT, I will keep my share of redfish while lettingsome go as well. Sometimes I let them go, and sometimes I take them home. The honest truth is I usually take fish home when I am having an exceptional day fishing. For example, one of those days when I have 10 trout and three redfish in the boat. You can bet they are going home with me. On an off day, I usually let most of them go. It all depends on my mood at that particular moment. One thing is for sure, you will never find me with an illegal fish on my boat.
I have not been home in three years. Reading this forum has me concern about coming back to a river full of inconsiderate people. I don’t know about you guys, but when I am out on the water, the last thing I want is anyone other than the person in my boat with me to say or do anything around me. Fishing is my therapy. I leave others alone, and I expect to be left alone. If you were not there first, find another spot to fish or wait your turn. For the most part, the only people I have ever had trouble with are teenagers on jetskis and morons in kayaks. I have no idea why someone would want to go 70mph past me in a tiny creek in the middle of nowhere on a jetski. Hope you enjoy the 4oz egg sinker that knocks you off the dang thin
quote:OMG! I cannot believe anyone would actually kept those rat reds! There is not a meal between them. Jeez Lousie what a friggin' shame. I have caught a hundred like those and every one went back to grow up. Just (**()!:angry: - Originally posted by redfish4sure
Originally posted by redfish4sureThank you and as stated above, I have NO</font id=“size5”> problem with folks keeping a legal daily limit.</font id=“size2”> To each his own, within the law.
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Originally posted by oops_lostGood on you for being a good steward of the resources. Just don’t look down on the rest of us who keep fish within the regulations.
A wise man once said “Do as I say not as I do” Good advice when I tell you that.
http://old.charlestonfishing.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=100554
HA, iFly, that’s perfect. good memory, that’s from four years ago.