Re: Targeting bedding fish...yea or nay?

Joe Haubenreich wrote:
"Chuck B." <cbachmann@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:SJOXf.52307$bn3.43879@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Chuck asked....
Do you eat the bass you catch or just throw them back in miles from
their bed? If you are eating the fish you catch I can see your point.
You are trying to survive. If you are playing at being a sportsman, then
I think you should leave the spawning bass alone. How sporting is it to
snare a fish just to take a picture of it or take it to some weigh-in in
the hopes of winning a few bucks. Enuff said. Chuck B.

-----------------------------
Some bass I eat, but most I throw back. Some I release moments after I catch them, in which case they probably return to their nest. Others, I take away from their home territory and release at the tournament weigh-in. Often I hold them up for a quick photo, too.

"Playing at being a sportsman..."? Interesting you should put it that way, Chuck. Your position seems to be that it is not "sporting" (whatever that is) to:
1. Catch spawning bass.
2. Catch bass just to take a photograph.
3. Catch bass to weigh them in during a tournament.

According to you, Chuck, under what circumstances WOULD it be "sporting" (do you mean ethical?) to catch fish? Your line of reasoning eventually leads to the conclusion that it is always wrong to catch fish since doing so disturbs or can even damage them in order to satisfy the angler's personal desire -- whether that be a wall mount, photograph, good memory, thrill of accomplishment, tournament prize, or a fish dinner.

I do not hold that view. I think that our practices, as sportsfishermen, should be consistent with sound wildlife management principles, which are rooted in ecology, biology, and societies values and goals -- not fuzzy, emotional notions. Sloppy thinking and poor science are powerful weapons in PETA's arsenal. Sportsmen should counter them with logic and sound scientific facts.

Joe


I don't know what a PETA is. My only problem is taking fish off the bed. They usually will not hit a worm or lure. The method of snagging them is not fair or ethical. I love to fish and I figure the fish has a choice. He can take the worm or not. His choice. The same reason I would not use cherry bombs or nets to catch a "game" fish.
Here in Florida we are cautioned not to eat very many bass or catfish. They are loaded with mercury. Therefore I return all fish right away.
Again, my only concern is taking bass off the bed. Just doesn't seem right. Chuck
.

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