[chumface]

Please take a look at this message I replied to on the Kayak Forum. I thought I'd put it here for some surf guys' feedback:
I've been working the surf for some time now and have yet to land a fish in the surf over 18lbs. on strictly artificials. I do my homework, put in way more time than any sane person would consider healthy and take a lot of bass every season. I keep 2 or maybe 3 a season for the dinner plate. When finally I am faced with placing a 40 or 50 (I know the difference is profound)back into the suds I don't know if I will be capable my first time. My first reaction, I think, will be to bring it into bed with me. You guys are better men than I.
I could be way off here, but I seem to recall reading in a Frank Daignault book that the monster cows are no longer the spawners and that the 28's to 30 somethings (the ones most of us keep) are the true spawners. Putting a slob back is a beautiful thing, but more for the purpose of letting it grow a bit more and possibling making another fisherman's lifetime. Please take it easy on me if this is not the case.

-Pete

 

[kdstriper7]

I've heard both sides of this story argued vehemently. Some say the bigger(older) the fish the more it spawns regardless of age. According to these anglers these ladies spawn forever.

Some say once they are getting upwards of 40 Lbs they are washed up as far as spawning goes. I tend to agree with these guys, basing my conclusion upon nothing else but gut feel.

Can anyone point us to a scientific answer.

I've already been yelled at on this site for agreeing with the latter.

Anybody?

 

[kdstriper7]

I've heard both sides of this story argued vehemently. Some say the bigger(older) the fish the more it spawns regardless of age. According to these anglers these ladies spawn forever.

Some say once they are getting upwards of 40 Lbs they are washed up as far as spawning goes. I tend to agree with these guys, basing my conclusion upon nothing else but gut feel.

Can anyone point us to a scientific answer.

I've already been yelled at on this site for agreeing with the latter.

Anybody?

 

[chumface]

Did I stump the experts?

Anyone...Anyone know...Bueler...Bueler?

 

[flukerr]

Stripers grow alot larger then 40 lbs.The record is 76 lbs.And i am sure that one point in time there were alot of stripers larger then that.If the fish stoped spawning around 40 lbs or so,they live a long life without reproducing for half of it.I tend to think that they spanwn with more eggs and better genetics. My 2 cents...

 

[614347]

**** few fishermen have seen the spawn. I haven't. But eyewitness accounts described "large females being bumped by up to a dozen males". I guess "large" is relative, but in Nick Karas's book, he describes the egg from a 50 pound cow, comparing it to one from a 15 pound fish. The Freshwater record for NY State came from the Hudson, during the spawning run, and the egg-laden female was in the high 50's (58 I think).

Flounder

 

[617905]

"take it easy on me if this is not the case." "I've already been yelled at on this site for agreeing with the latter."

All I can say is that it's a sad state of affairs when grown men have to be worried about getting "yelled at" or flamed for having legitimate points of view and stating them or good questions and asking them. If you have a point of view state it, believe it and stand by it. If you have a question don't be afraid to ask it. The only stupid question is the one that hasn't been asked. There are a lot of good knowledgeable respectful guys here. Don't let the bassholes discourage you.

 

[186logic]

How does one explain the large numbers of 40's and 50's (relatively speaking) found in the Hudson, Susq. and other spawning rivers? Spawning till death is the norm in the fish world.

 

[wader]

I recall reading somewhere (the where escapes me right now) that while they continue to spawn until death - the amount of eggs produced decreases after a certain age. In other words thay have a prime spawning period. Once they pass that - they continue to spawn but less & less as time goes on.

 

[Captneilf]

chumface

Hi,

I wish I had the education that could answer that question beyond a reasonal doubt But I don't!

I would hope that they produce eggs most of their lifes. I can accept the quality and quantity of the eggs decreasing as the age increases.

Will I keep a BIG fish????? I have asked myself that for many years. I figured I would find out if I ever caught that BIG fish.

For me I think my age/senior sensibilites, kicked in and my answer is that it is very easy for me to release any kind of fish especially bigger ones. My heart keeps saying, Who am I to keep this beautiful fish that has been a survivior for so many years? It has to be an age thing!!

I think throw away cameras and computer gesigned plastic molds make it much easier to release a fish of a life time.

Just the feelings of a fisherman.

Capt Neil

 

[617110]

Capt. Neil

My heart keeps saying, Who am I to keep this beautiful fish that has been a survivior for so many years?

25 gallons of fuel...50$

bait for 6hrs of bass fishing...60$

good rod and tackle....300$

Capt. Neil's words of wisdom...priceless.

Your words humble me and I assume others as well!

somoan

 

[621109]

CAPTNEIL: i respect your opinion but i have to say i disagree. if the fish are in a feeding frenzy and you catch the big one out of the bunch, i think you have the right to take it, because the odds are someone else will catch it and most likely keep it. i do not feel you are saving the fish by throwing it back.

 

[quiknet]

There's something else to consider when thinking about keeping a big stripers and that is how safe are they to eat. If you're going to have it mounted then this isn't a concern. But if you are going to eat it, you've got to consider that a big predator can have a higher level of mercury, pcb's and other contaminants that don't break down over the course of a fishes life. Also, I find that most fish taste better when they are smaller than larger. So if I go striper fishing and want to bring one home, I try to put a 28 or 29" fish in the box and take pictures of the rest (on those rare days when I'm lucky enough to catch more than one).

 

[Captneilf]

Somoan and Flukekid,

What I wrote was how I feel and how I would NOW react. I was posting about ME.

Each one of us decides for ourselves. I respect each persons decisions. I have no problem with fish being kept as long as it is done legally.

Both of you describe a valid situation and I accept that. Thanks for bringing them up.

Capt Neil

 

[617110]

Capt. Neil...I am confused!

Capt. Neil,

I don't know if I misunderstood your last post or if you misunderstood mine, but I meant that as a HUGE compliment. It was not to be taken sarcasticlly. However, I can see why you thought it was. My mistake for trying to be funny. Thank God I am not a stand up comic huh?

somoan

 

[Captneilf]

somoan

Hi,

I took it as a compliment, thank you.

The cost of a trip is a valid point.

To each his own.

Take care,

Capt Neil

 

[LkyLindy]

Old timers stick together

Neil-I know exactly what you are saying-I feel the same way.A large old fish is a thing of beauty.Will she be caught again?Who cares-we've done our best

Somoan-I liked your post-very apropos

 

[SurfDevil]

No one is going to tell anyone what to keep and not to keep. It is a persons right to decide to keep a fish or realse one. But is really sad that most people keep large fish because it will put them on a cover of a publication.

It is not the fisherman himself but our society that calls upon us to create this hype. If someone caught a 50+ bass and knew they it would not make a publication... do you think they would keep it. Just a few thoughts.

 

[186logic]

Capt. Neil...Somoan was not making a point about the cost of fishing, but praising you for having a humble enough attitude to not justify killing large bass because of how pricey it is to fish for them.
Conversely, in response to another post, keeping a fish because you feel that the next person who may catch it will definitely keep it is an immature attitude.

 

[Captneilf]

186logic

Hi,

Yes, I took it as you stated and I appreciate his thought.

His post did make me think about the cost of fishing a boat you own. I have lost sight of that over the years since I owned a boat, a small one at that.

Being a "rent a captain" has its benefits, no boat bills to pay.

Capt Neil