12-19-2009, 04:37 AM
I understand what you are saying, but it is not everyone who is releasing fish that are doing this. For 80% of the fish I release I reach down with my forcepts and pop the jig out without ever touching the fish. No tearing or ripped gill plates. The other 20% I take out for a quick picture.
I think it is more about educating people on how to carefully release fish without beating the crud out of them.
I do keep fish that are deep hooked or gill hooked. Those are the ones I keep for dinner. I guess this is another reason I jig fish in the winter rather than using treble hooks and bait. Most of my fish are caught right in the jaw just like a fly.
There will always be idiots who hold up their fish for pictures by the gill plate and then release the fish. Hopefully they are in the minority.
Anyway good reminder to be careful with our fish. Just don't throw all of the anglers on this board under the bus.
Windriver
[signature]
I think it is more about educating people on how to carefully release fish without beating the crud out of them.
I do keep fish that are deep hooked or gill hooked. Those are the ones I keep for dinner. I guess this is another reason I jig fish in the winter rather than using treble hooks and bait. Most of my fish are caught right in the jaw just like a fly.
There will always be idiots who hold up their fish for pictures by the gill plate and then release the fish. Hopefully they are in the minority.
Anyway good reminder to be careful with our fish. Just don't throw all of the anglers on this board under the bus.
Windriver
[signature]