03-04-2011, 11:39 AM
First off, let me welcome you largemouth_kid. It is always nice to see more people on the forum.
I am a harvest fisherman meaning I like to keep some fish for the table. I keep virtually every striper I catch on Mead and sometimes have to give some away to neighbors so it doesn't go to waste... ahh the good days [fishin].
I do this for this fish cuz as I understand it, it helps the lake as the stripers are overpopulated.
Other species I am much more careful how I harvest them, and never do I harvest fish when they are spawning. It's not that I'm squeamish about harvesting a fish when it's spawning, it's just that imo it's the worst time to harvest a fish.
The spawn is really hard on them and I think they suffer. The best example of this is the trout I have caught over the years... during the spawn their meat turns whitish and sorta mushy like a stocker, again imo. The rest of the year their meat is a nice pink and much better table fare.
Trout are the most visual example, but most fish I have caught during spawns are definately a little "beat-up" lookin'. I do keep black bass occaissionally, though usually out of waters that are really cold. I usually only keep black bass from waters cold 'nough for trout to live in. For whatever reason, I find the colder waters help the texture, if not taste of the fish.
All this is to say, you were totally right in harvesting your fish. We all pay for our fees and have that right. I just figured I'd post a couple of things to consider.
Later,
Mark
[signature]
I am a harvest fisherman meaning I like to keep some fish for the table. I keep virtually every striper I catch on Mead and sometimes have to give some away to neighbors so it doesn't go to waste... ahh the good days [fishin].
I do this for this fish cuz as I understand it, it helps the lake as the stripers are overpopulated.
Other species I am much more careful how I harvest them, and never do I harvest fish when they are spawning. It's not that I'm squeamish about harvesting a fish when it's spawning, it's just that imo it's the worst time to harvest a fish.
The spawn is really hard on them and I think they suffer. The best example of this is the trout I have caught over the years... during the spawn their meat turns whitish and sorta mushy like a stocker, again imo. The rest of the year their meat is a nice pink and much better table fare.
Trout are the most visual example, but most fish I have caught during spawns are definately a little "beat-up" lookin'. I do keep black bass occaissionally, though usually out of waters that are really cold. I usually only keep black bass from waters cold 'nough for trout to live in. For whatever reason, I find the colder waters help the texture, if not taste of the fish.
All this is to say, you were totally right in harvesting your fish. We all pay for our fees and have that right. I just figured I'd post a couple of things to consider.
Later,
Mark
[signature]