10-07-2007, 09:35 PM
[cool][#0000ff]Great response. Having worked with the paying public, both in retail and on fishing boats, I sympathize with your plight. You are always in the middle between the need to generate an income and the desire to protect your resources...the fish. The fishing public tends to think that once they have contracted your services and paid your fee that they own your soul and can dictate ALL the rules. And, they can sometimes be SO unreasonable. You probably ask yourself at times..."Is it really worth the hassle?"[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Your observations on the netmarks clearly visible on repeat catches would lend credibility to the toughness of at least some macks. I suspect that larger fish are not quite as susceptible to some of the skin ailments of the younger fish. Still, it is desirable to avoid damaging them if at all possible.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have not had any particular need or motivation to research large nets, so I have no suggestions in that area. You mentioned that you had considered cradle nets. I know that a lot of muskie and big pike anglers favor those, for controlling and handling these large fish...and they are known for being wimpy and tough to handle without mortality. It would seem that if you could purchase or make a cradle net with the rubber mesh it would be a partial solution.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Good luck with the "reeducation" program...convincing hard core fishermen that they do not need pictures of their big fish. It is tough enough to get them to settle for pictures of LIVE fish, and then releasing the fish. The "average" angler wants both the pictures and the carcasses of the dead fish to show off to the goobers back home. Never mind that the fish has lived several decades and will take as long to replace in the system. As long as they get theirs, they don't care about the next guy...or the next generation.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have an idea. How about pushing the angler into the water to swim alongside his trophy while you get video? You may need more than a lip gripper to get the spluttering client back into the boat.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Your observations on the netmarks clearly visible on repeat catches would lend credibility to the toughness of at least some macks. I suspect that larger fish are not quite as susceptible to some of the skin ailments of the younger fish. Still, it is desirable to avoid damaging them if at all possible.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have not had any particular need or motivation to research large nets, so I have no suggestions in that area. You mentioned that you had considered cradle nets. I know that a lot of muskie and big pike anglers favor those, for controlling and handling these large fish...and they are known for being wimpy and tough to handle without mortality. It would seem that if you could purchase or make a cradle net with the rubber mesh it would be a partial solution.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Good luck with the "reeducation" program...convincing hard core fishermen that they do not need pictures of their big fish. It is tough enough to get them to settle for pictures of LIVE fish, and then releasing the fish. The "average" angler wants both the pictures and the carcasses of the dead fish to show off to the goobers back home. Never mind that the fish has lived several decades and will take as long to replace in the system. As long as they get theirs, they don't care about the next guy...or the next generation.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have an idea. How about pushing the angler into the water to swim alongside his trophy while you get video? You may need more than a lip gripper to get the spluttering client back into the boat.[/#0000ff]
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