02-26-2014, 03:14 AM
[quote jacksonlaker]If you really, really care about the fish then don't go fishing... you don't know if that fish you released is going to live... Catch and release guys always think they don't kill any fish... but even if you had a 5 percent mortality rate... I rarely kill any fish, but wonder how many die anyway ??[/quote]
I'll start with your last statement -- you rarely kill any fish? After all you said previously are you serious? I get it, you rarely intentionally kill any fish.
Well news flash -- all fish will die with or without human intervention so we can all breathe easier knowing that. You are correct that no matter what, I can never KNOW for SURE if the fish I release will live but I know dang sure that 100% of the fish that I don't release will die and I'm reasonably sure that any fish I tear the gills out of or drop kick or roll around in the dirt or "admire" for 5+ minutes, etc. etc. etc won't be worth releasing back into it's environment to "live" another day. The person releasing a fish that has been poorly handled I'm sure gets a nice warm fuzzy feeling but he/she didn't do the fish any favors. I figure 5% mortality would be great for C&R but the guy's in question here are likely pushing the 85%+ mortality rate. I know of numerous fish my friends and I have caught multiple times due to obvious and destinct markings so I know it works when anglers are reasonably careful with the fish they catch. Yep I acknowledge I certainly kill a few but I do everything I can, short ot quiting this addiction, to assure the health of the fish I release. I take that back, I do quit fishing certain waters that may be too warm to release cold water species effectively. If he won't live, I eat him or find someone who will.
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I'll start with your last statement -- you rarely kill any fish? After all you said previously are you serious? I get it, you rarely intentionally kill any fish.
Well news flash -- all fish will die with or without human intervention so we can all breathe easier knowing that. You are correct that no matter what, I can never KNOW for SURE if the fish I release will live but I know dang sure that 100% of the fish that I don't release will die and I'm reasonably sure that any fish I tear the gills out of or drop kick or roll around in the dirt or "admire" for 5+ minutes, etc. etc. etc won't be worth releasing back into it's environment to "live" another day. The person releasing a fish that has been poorly handled I'm sure gets a nice warm fuzzy feeling but he/she didn't do the fish any favors. I figure 5% mortality would be great for C&R but the guy's in question here are likely pushing the 85%+ mortality rate. I know of numerous fish my friends and I have caught multiple times due to obvious and destinct markings so I know it works when anglers are reasonably careful with the fish they catch. Yep I acknowledge I certainly kill a few but I do everything I can, short ot quiting this addiction, to assure the health of the fish I release. I take that back, I do quit fishing certain waters that may be too warm to release cold water species effectively. If he won't live, I eat him or find someone who will.
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