04-29-2010, 01:57 PM
Wind, I am going to start off with you saying that a fellow fisher questioned your intent. Fiberglass molds in my opinion are sooo much better looking and better for display. Plus they can even correct small flaws.
BUT, it was definitely not his business, and how dare he.
I was on the other end. I had just landed a 36" around 20lb Hybrid Cutt. Measured, got a couple pictures all the way around (for the fiberglass mold) and let her go.
My whole party was hollering at me "What were you thinking?"
I was thinking, we just got to this lake for a week long stay....where would I store this fish and what would it look like after storing.
That fish (according to Damen) would not survive the winter. In other words, it was it's last year more than likely...So I returned to home.
Big fish really don't taste good, but smoked...not bad.
I have also seen fish caught that should have been kept. Grabbing by the gills, blood (even if a little)..grabbing big fish by the tail and lifting (displacing there inners).
If you are going to keep the fish, then do what you want. If you are not or plan on being selective, then HANDLE ALL IN THE C&R TRADITION.
Try not to remove from water, but if you need to, hold your breath.
Cradle the whole fish. And maybe try debarbing your hooks, or go circle hooks.
That is my take.
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BUT, it was definitely not his business, and how dare he.
I was on the other end. I had just landed a 36" around 20lb Hybrid Cutt. Measured, got a couple pictures all the way around (for the fiberglass mold) and let her go.
My whole party was hollering at me "What were you thinking?"
I was thinking, we just got to this lake for a week long stay....where would I store this fish and what would it look like after storing.
That fish (according to Damen) would not survive the winter. In other words, it was it's last year more than likely...So I returned to home.
Big fish really don't taste good, but smoked...not bad.
I have also seen fish caught that should have been kept. Grabbing by the gills, blood (even if a little)..grabbing big fish by the tail and lifting (displacing there inners).
If you are going to keep the fish, then do what you want. If you are not or plan on being selective, then HANDLE ALL IN THE C&R TRADITION.
Try not to remove from water, but if you need to, hold your breath.
Cradle the whole fish. And maybe try debarbing your hooks, or go circle hooks.
That is my take.
[signature]