Bigger Fish

[Sea Draggin]

I would just like to see folks take care of the fish they plan on releasing a little better.

Pulling a 150lb-200lb fish onto the deck with a gaff placed somewhere in or around the mouth to pull it in, spirting blood around long enough for them to take about 45 pictures to post up is way past getting old for me.

I just see that as having no respect for the resource, not as being great fishermen.

To me a great fisherman is the guy that leaves the release fish in the water where everything is supported, hand line it up and cut it loose.

These aren't 90" fish we are talking about here, which is a whole different animal. You should be able to take a wrap or two on a 20' leader and pull these little guys up alongside.

[Hardtail Hunter]

"Fly flingers killing bass"
How do "fly Flingers" kill bass I have never seen or heard of that happening?

[Dogfish87]

right on chris, need to swim these fish back to life. some times they are just to shot and there is no hope. with the charters they take to long some times.


i remember when i was young and it was a sin to keep the small ones. but i was young and we had like mediums and giants like you could get one giant and a couple mediums or something dont really remember.. but man tag these 50-70 inch fish.revive them too... COD thats whats for the freezers.

i just want you to share some of them hundo inchers

[twofinbluna]

Good posts, guys! Glad to see you all care about this issue too! I never doubted you would, people here know this stuff for the most part, but I just want to make sure the discussion happens for all the people who visit here and read what is written (judging by the hits on the threads, there is obviously a good number of them!).

Trust me, I know tuna gear is expensive and I am sure people with light tackle may read this thread and read it to mean spending more money. But the fact of the matter is that technique can go a long ways, but if you are using tiny reels and like 50 pound test, you just are settiong yourself up to break off fish or spend too much time fighting the thing.

I think the comments about reviving fish properly are good ones. People really need to make sure they are not only getting the fish to the boat quick, but then spending the time needed to release them. Even if using big gear that is important.

And technique is going to be important too, as some have mentioned. I think plenty of you here have a lot of experience and can offer tips on proper technique.

But at the same time, like I said in the original post, its also key to minimize the number of fish you part off. Sure, its fishing, fish are going to be lost once and awhile, thats a given. Even with 130s and huge line, its going to happen from time to time.But I am talking about the excessive numbers of fish broken off due to people using gear not fit for fish that size.

I think a lot of times with stuff like this, people may just not realize that their gear is too small and so just talking about it here will probably do a good deal to raise awareness.

[twofinbluna]

I would just like to see folks take care of the fish they plan on releasing a little better.

Pulling a 150lb-200lb fish onto the deck with a gaff placed somewhere in or around the mouth to pull it in, spirting blood around long enough for them to take about 45 pictures to post up is way past getting old for me.

I just see that as having no respect for the resource, not as being great fishermen.

To me a great fisherman is the guy that leaves the release fish in the water where everything is supported, hand line it up and cut it loose.

These aren't 90" fish we are talking about here, which is a whole different animal. You should be able to take a wrap or two on a 20' leader and pull these little guys up alongside.

Good points, SD.

[rirockhound]

But at the same time, like I said in the original post, its also key to minimize the number of fish you part off.

great thread.
nothing bothers me more than hearing, popped off with 50yd left on a spool throwing poppers.
that fish now has trebles and 300yd of line behind it.

troll 50's and 80's.... no poppers need apply!

[Verbal]

The line broke at the leader. Now you don't have to lose any more sleep!

[sashamy]

Wow...if I made his post I would have been crucified! lOl thanks Chris

[Tuna Meltdown]

Not really sure what side of the fence I sit on with this issue but I guess I'll add some fuel to the fire. All those who agree with this post do you or don't you agree with the IGFA and all they have done for fishing? Because after all IGFA records are about catching BIG fish on light line right?

[CaptainAlex]

Think of how hard a 60-lber fights on even the strongest spinning gear ... now imagine fighting three of them together ... these fish WERE fun on the light stuff when they were 40-60lbs ... now the predominant size class is at least three times as big (same fish, btw) - who's using spinning reels the size of lobster winches?
Mortality studies for BFT support this: quick to the boat or they die, and then you're wasting Nuno's tags and feeding spider crabs.
Small gear kills 'released' fish and burns up keepers.
I fish 130's and 80's and everybody's happy.
Respect the fish and don't kill them for "Whooo!"s.
... and don't show up to a gunfight with a penknife.
(great thread)