Releasing a record

[LiLBro]

There was a question asked in Outdoor News, "Would you release a new state record, or would you have it registered?" In my opinion, I would have it registered and then try to release it, what would you do?

[upnorth]

I don't know if any fish would be that hardy to survive something like that. I know most weigh ins for tournies claim high fish survival, but for the most part they have fish out of the water for only minutes and then back in the drink.

For me and I mean only my opinion for the fish I catch, if it goes in the live well it is going on the table too or on the wall.

[This message has been edited by upnorth (edited 05-31-2003).]

[Surface Tension]

Oh a can of worms

Ive been releasing large walleyes for my own reasons long before C&R was the Politicly Correct thing to do. I sure wouldn't feel bad killing a record fish or a Trophy to mount. Ya Ya I know theres replicas, and anyone can BUY one. After all how often does someone take a trohpy or record fish to mount? Certainly not enough to have any effect on the present and future fish populations. If you dont feel comfortably keeping a Trophy then you have the right to throw it back. Thats your decission!
Dont all fish eventually spawn?

[huskminn]

Interesting thing to think about.

When fishing Mille Lacs after the bass season closes, I've often wondered....okay, when I hook that 8.5# smallie (like that's ever going to happen!), how can I prove it was the state record? I can't even keep it in the live well for 30 seconds.

Under normal circumstances (open season), if I knew a fish was a state record by checking it on my questionably accurate scale, I would keep it.

If it was just close to a record, I would have a decision to make. I don't personally care so much for mounted fish or game heads for that matter, but if it was big enough....maybe.

Let's all hope that we are presented with this dilemma someday, huh?

[Lunker]

I support catch and release a lot, but do keep some fish for dinner, as long as they meet my standards for size and specie, but I would definetley keep a state record. Sure, it's a big ol fish, but for an occasion like that I think I could let myself keep it. I won't keep trophy fish at any other times, but that would be my execption.

[Dave B]

I only eat a few fish a year, everything else goes back. But if I get a state record, or anything close to it...consider it DEAD!

Those things are worth a ton of money. Line, rod, reel, lure, story if it is a gamefish are all worth $$$$. Also-record fish are older fish and no longer prime breeders. The only reason to release is to give someone else the opportunity to catch it again.

[Crawlerman]

It's a paradox for a couple of reasons: 1. In order to get it registered as a state record, it would need to be measured and weighed by a REGISTERED faclitly. Since it's illegal to transport live fish now in MN.. it could not be released after it was weighed.

2. If you did manage to get in and out of that facilty and release it without getting caught; when word spreads that a state record was caught and released in a certain lake.. all the idiots are gonna be coming flocking in droves trying to catch the record fish themselves. Thus depleting the fishery of that lake within a few years.

If I caught a state record I hate to say but I would prally keep it and get a real mount made out of it, just so people don't panic over that fish being in a certian body of water again and further depleting the fishery. Sides... I want my name in the record books longer than a few months

[Walleye_GFA]

Record the record then eat it...

Wally

[Steve Foss]

If it's a state record carp, I throw it back.

If it's a state record game fish, I keep it. Sort of the fisherman's version of winning the Powerball lottery.

Sorry to make it about the money, but a fish that's a record, as someone else mentioned, has probably spawned nearly all its useful spawning years already.

I've released walleyes up to about 9 pounds (only one kept was an 8-11, mounted), I release any pike over 5, have released a number of bass over 5, and any catfish over 3 pounds. I also don't kill crappies over about 14 inches, and try to keep the 6-8 inch sunnies for food and let the big ones go.

If I caught a state record of any of those species, it's a dead fish.

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"Worry less, fish more."
Steve Foss
[email protected]

[Guest]

I would keep a state record of anything just to say i got a state record fish.
Yes like someone else said, a fish that is a state record is probably all spawned out and its sucessful years are over.
For me, I will most likely mount one: Walleye over 30", Pike over 40", Smallie over 6lbs, Crappie over 15" or 16", and a record size Sunfish. Them are just my goals and if one of them falls into a record size fish then I'll keep it and mount it.
I too like to keep smaller fish b/c they taste better, im not a big fan of eating huge fish.

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times ticken so start fishing

[John19]

Just wondering;
Is a 30" walleye & 40" pike, what most people consider a "trophy" for these species?

[Lunker]

I think carp are a worthy adversary for rod and line, and catching a carp bigger than the record 55lber would be awesome. But yes, any record fish I catch is goin in the books!

[Guest]

I think that you can have the scale you keep in your boat certified (if it's the right quality) so if you were to catch a record, all you would need is a witness, and then you could release it, and own the record.

Has anyone else heard of this?

[LiLBro]

If you have a fishin' buddy that you can trust, then it might be alright to let the fish go, as long as you take a couple pictures first.

[Guest]

u know richard, thats a good question. the way i figure, i would reister it then release it in the small man-made lake in my backyard, that way, i can keep on catching it...over and over again.

-A fat guy

[LiLBro]

Nate, you don't have a small mna-made lake, it is called a bath tub. Nice idea though.

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-A Fatter Guy

[Guest]

"Is a 30" walleye & 40" pike, what most people consider a "trophy" for these species?"

I'd say yes on the walleye and lower the Pike to 38." Those lengths are roughly equivalent to a 10lb Eye and 20lb class Pike. A 38" Pike will most likely be from 18-22lbs depending on girth. Pike have varied body shapes.

[Crawlerman]

Man... I can't imagine what it would be like hooking into a 60lb fish... I don't care what it is, it'd be a battle to pull in...

Maybe I'll get my chance here come December. I'm going deep sea fishin in Maui! Swheet....

[This message has been edited by Crawlerman (edited 06-03-2003).]

[Guest]

John, "Is a 30" walleye & 40" pike, what most people consider a "trophy" for these species?"

Id say Yes. Really a 28" is a trophy walleye but I would rather strive for the bigger fish. A 28" Walleye weighs about 8 to 8 1/2 lbs. A 30" weighs approx. 10 lbs.
A trophy pike in my eyes is a 40" anything under is just too small. A 38" Pike Weighs about 14 to 16lbs and a 40" weighs about 18 to 20 lbs.

Last summer I caught a 28" Walleye and a 38" Pike. I released both fish. The Pike weighed about 15lbs and both fish were nice and healthy.

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times ticken so start fishing

[Steve Foss]

Yeah, you really need a 42" pike to be confident it's a true 20 pounder. They vary based on girth, of course, but it's a rare pike under 40 inches that weighs 20 pounds.

Pike just seem to look bigger than they are. Must be that big head and shoulders. After catching and seeing lots in the teens and thinking they were near 20, only to learn they were 14s, I've learned to knock off those pounds when I estimate.

Best field estimate for most species is still length X girth X girth divided by 800, with length and girth measured in inches.

Easiest way to be sure of those measurements, especially girth, is to bring a seamstress tape measure, which is flexible fabric or plastic and can be had for cheap in fabric stores.

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"Worry less, fish more."
Steve Foss
[email protected]

[Chad711]

http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?postid=287723#post287723

Definetly the next Record Bass..............

[united jigsticker]

L x L x L / 2608 equals weight of Walleye.

Nice fish @ 28 inches, better @ 30.

[jegerjack]

I cannot remember the name of the site, there they show 10+ lbs eye's. In a few of the pictures you will see someone with 3 to 4 of these fish. I guess I might take it to personally but it kind of makes me mad. I do think anyone has the right to mount a trophy if they want but do you really need to mount 4 of them at once? Maybe you do, I just feel that I would not. Mad may not be the right choice of words, maybe disappointed is better. I am no nature frufru, I like to let the big ones go (I think the smaller eyes taste better). Great, now everyone will think I am some nature nut......

JegerJack

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"What did the old man trade for these guys, a used puck bag?"