Keeping Bass?

[Tin-Can]

I've read all the comments related to your post. IMHO, as long as you are abiding by the rules of the state for whatever fishery you catch fish at, then don't pay any attention to the "haters" opinions.  

For LMB specifically, I don't really consider Utah (especially north of Powell or Sand Hollow) a great warm water fishery state. Species like LMB are here in several places, that's for sure. But after fishing in south Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, where we rated LMB and other fish by weight not length.  When I first got here and read the fishing proclamation and it said something like I could only keep a certain number of LMB, and only one LMB that was over 15 inches,  I was stunned to think anyone would want to keep ANY LMB that was 15 inches or less. 

Anyway, follow the state rules as you seem to have been, release what you want if it's not mortally wounded, keep what you want and what you are legally allowed. 

As to eating LMB. I've eaten many LMB, quite a few Peacock Bass (in Panama) lots of SMB, Wiper (that I had never heard of before getting here) quite a few Walleye, and many, many Channel Cats.   I have liked them all.