Killing Fish in Tournaments

[SharkJP]

There seems to be a little more talk than usual this year about killing "smaller" fish in tournaments. I may catch a lot of sh*t for this, but its my opinion.

If it is a legal fish and you want to bring it to the dock, then I feel you have every right to do so. I am not thinking about release calcuttas, points, etc. If I were in the situation on my third day of fishing, have released maybe one or two whites, no shot at top boat honors or even in the running and I get a big blue to the boat that is over the tournament length, and I think it has just the slightest...SLIGHTEST chance, I am going to stick a gaff in it. Hell, Ill stick 2 in it. We are talking about amounts of money that would have a large impact in the lives of 99% of the people out there. Whether or not you agree with me, thats up to you. I know what I would do in that situation and wouldnt loose a moments sleep over it. I have not caught a lot of big blue marlin(I can count them on 1 hand) so my guesstimates on the weight might be a little off. I KNOW for a FACT that I can count inches, so if it makes the length, IM KILLING IT.

It is very easy for a lot of us to sit at a computer and second guess boats once they hit the dock. Put yourself in their shoes with the adrenaline on OVERLOAD, and a half million dollar check already spent in your mind before the fish even hits the deck. I dont know about everyone else, but Im killing that fish every time.

Let the rain of crap pour upon me, but thats just my .02

[Capt Lindsay]

Fishing for money causes people to do unusual things.

In my opinion, tournaments should have rules regarding ineligible fish such as awarding negative points for fish that do not meet the minimum requirements back at weigh-in.

While the fish may be legal to keep, tournaments should enforce their rules. Perhaps fishermen will be more careful before bringing in small fish.

The billfish population is under too much pressure to have sportfishermen kill small fish.

[marlinrojo]

To hell with the billfish I feel they should all be put in the boat if legal. Since you guys like to kill BABY bluefins!!!!!! What is the difference a fish is a fish. You baby killers

[N2theBlue]

If i had a chance to place in the money I would absolutely stick the gaff in the fish. But, its pretty easy to tell when your fish is not even close. 500 is a big fish, and there is no excuse for killing these 300 pounders. I think the tourny should up the length requirement, but thats mho.

That said, a legal fish is 99", so as long as its not just thrown away i'm not gonna say much about it.

[Fritz]

Guys sticking a gaff in a Whte during a tournament and then throwing it back overboard when it doesn't measure. What ever happened to billing a fish?

[SharkJP]

Guys sticking a gaff in a Whte during a tournament and then throwing it back overboard when it doesn't measure. What ever happened to billing a fish?

yea, thats a little rediculous. Thats not the type of behavior I am talking about

[Anders]

I agree, if it makes length then stick it

If the tourney has too many small fish coming in, then raise the length requirement. $135,000 is a lot of money and I will take some harassment if it gives me a shot at winning it.

[BahamaLure]

I like how the BBC does it where the biggest fish on day one weighed becomes the minimum size for subsequent days. That coupled with a 600 point release score for any size blue makes for very few fish killed and practically eliminates small fish being hung. There is also a penalty for undersize fish brought to the docks.

[scattered_grass]

To hell with the billfish I feel they should all be put in the boat if legal. Since you guys like to kill BABY bluefins!!!!!! What is the difference a fish is a fish. You baby killers

i only kill a baby tuna when he is tailwrapped

[Bwana Bill]

i prefer clubbing baby seals...........