Fritz was the guy holding the fish ok?
Nice work getting it to the boat. My .02…They look much better when they’re wet, still in the water with sun shining on them, as opposed to dried out with doodoo all over.
Not that this affects most of us (I hope), but on June 13 SC legislation was passed where only a fish over 77" may be killed (length in accordance with weight algorithm being well over current state record). It was the best that could be done in short order. Look for no kill or removal legislation next year.
I didn’t know that people keeping tarpon was a big enough problem for the state legislature to start passing new laws about them. I don’t personally know of anyone who would keep one, except the guys that made the news last year from Gaston, I don’t see it as a problem. They are fun and challenging to catch, but nobody’s going to eat one,… at least not much of one anyway.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
That’s a good catch!
SCDNR has a nice award (certificate) for the catch and release of any size tarpon caught in SC waters. Only stipulation is that you have to prove the catch with a photo that shows the fish still in the water.
Nice! Congrats
quote:The 77" rule was the best that dnr would do in short term. The ultimate goal for legislation is to mirror florida by keeping them in the water therefore not beating the fish up. Granted SC doesn't catch significant numbers of em to necessitate it, but pretty much every picture that surfaces of them around here is awful. How would y'all like to run 10miles, have someone bend you over the gunwale, and put you under water for 3minutes? They're a rare catch and very memorable, might as well have some respect for em.
Originally posted by tigerfinI didn’t know that people keeping tarpon was a big enough problem for the state legislature to start passing new laws about them. I don’t personally know of anyone who would keep one, except the guys that made the news last year from Gaston, I don’t see it as a problem. They are fun and challenging to catch, but nobody’s going to eat one,… at least not much of one anyway.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
The last I checked, tarpon are air breathers. I’m sure their bodies aren’t meant to hold up their own weight out of water, though. I just think the legislature has more important things to worry about right now. I personally don’t have an issue with Fritz holding up a fish to take a picture of it, as long as they took the time to revive it.Carching a fish that big is a great accomplishmet. I just hope he doesn’t let it go to his head.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
quote:
Originally posted by CH Allenquote:The 77" rule was the best that dnr would do in short term. The ultimate goal for legislation is to mirror florida by keeping them in the water therefore not beating the fish up. Granted SC doesn't catch significant numbers of em to necessitate it, but pretty much every picture that surfaces of them around here is awful. How would y'all like to run 10miles, have someone bend you over the gunwale, and put you under water for 3minutes? They're a rare catch and very memorable, might as well have some respect for em.
Originally posted by tigerfinI didn’t know that people keeping tarpon was a big enough problem for the state legislature to start passing new laws about them. I don’t personally know of anyone who would keep one, except the guys that made the news last year from Gaston, I don’t see it as a problem. They are fun and challenging to catch, but nobody’s going to eat one,… at least not much of one anyway.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
At some point we need to stop pretending that any of what we do is good for any fish… We use a fish (pogie) with a hook stuck in its back to catch another fish, fight that fish for up to an hour, yanking it by its mouth all over the place - typically just for our pleasure. And the pogie (or any bait) isn’t “less” of a fish than the tarpon, nor is the mudminnow…
As long as we all fish responsibly, follow the laws in place, C&R responsibly whenever possible - we will never hurt a species.
Holding up a lifetime Trophy for a picture, or keeping a few to eat from time to time is just fine…
“And the pogie (or any bait) isn’t “less” of a fish than the tarpon, nor is the mudminnow…”
Really!? C’mon people
In a PATHFINDER in rolling seas you can slide the fish right over the side and onto the back deck if you know what you are doing without “bending it over the gunwale”, some of my other handling “tactics” could have been better, but like my new motto in life, It is what it is!
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“I have tomorrow open!”
Nice job.
Nice catch!
Champion 202 Bass and Bay
Fritz
I did not have a problem with they way you were holding the fish. It just odd that the last one you caught years ago you were holding the same way. I personally prefer the lip gaff. I am for a total ban of killing them. I have taken pictures of everyone I have ever caught out of the water except one that whacked me with his tail in the leg and came off the gaff and was back in the water. He was the only one who didn’t swim off with vigor and I almost went in the water after him, but after a few meandering swims he swam off well. Congratz you are the tarpon king of 2013 for a few moments.
for gods sake it is a fish. i really hope that all of you preaching the responsible handling techniques do not ever put a fish in the cooler to eat.
Why can’t we all just get along. I love the bashing that goes on.(NOT) Even the ones thinking they are tasteful are just backed handed complements at best. How bout do as the old saying, says. If you cant say something nice or actually educate on better fishing practices. DON’T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL!!!
The man caught a incredible fish and I don’t think this is his first fish he ever caught. Thus, I am sure he took care in keeping it healthy and getting it back in the water. He said he released it and I assume as his job is fishing, he knows how to handle a fish for release.
Now his picture skills might need some improving, but I can’t blame a man for holding a 5 foot live slick tarpon a little wrong. If I ever catch one in my Kayak the picture is not going to be pretty 
Now if Mr Tarpon King could just tell me where and how I can catch this baby in the kayak I would be set and we could have a real fool to pick on. 
I wonder how many boats are gonna be out there tomorrow?
Where did all these Bill Dances or Jose Wejebes come from haha. Seriously keep doing what you’re doing Fitz. Nice job.
Scout '282
tidewater '21
Oscar '10
quote:why do we need to mirror what Florida is doing? Saw you cleaning fish this afternoon, poor things must not have met the criteria for protection from you. :)
Originally posted by CH Allenquote:The 77" rule was the best that dnr would do in short term. The ultimate goal for legislation is to mirror florida by keeping them in the water therefore not beating the fish up. Granted SC doesn't catch significant numbers of em to necessitate it, but pretty much every picture that surfaces of them around here is awful. How would y'all like to run 10miles, have someone bend you over the gunwale, and put you under water for 3minutes? They're a rare catch and very memorable, might as well have some respect for em.
Originally posted by tigerfinI didn’t know that people keeping tarpon was a big enough problem for the state legislature to start passing new laws about them. I don’t personally know of anyone who would keep one, except the guys that made the news last year from Gaston, I don’t see it as a problem. They are fun and challenging to catch, but nobody’s going to eat one,… at least not much of one anyway.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
www.advoutdoors.com
“I have tomorrow open!”
Whether you are a guide or a regular fisherman that fish is too valuable to take all the way out of the water. Protect the resource. A guide should know this more than anyone. A tarpon is way more valuable than most other fish.
More Tarpon are killed by Hammerheads in Florida then knuckleheads in Charleston I would be willing to bet. Maybe Florida should stop fishing for them since when they are on the hook they are easier prey.
www.advoutdoors.com
“I have tomorrow open!”