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rickstr66 · 01-14-2005, 04:46 PM

I am a Bass Fisherman. We always practice catch and release. having said that ... When would we keep a "whopper"? Everyones criteria is different. Most tournament guys would never kkep a fish unless it was a fish of a lifetime. Up here in the North that means a Largemouth over 8 lbs and a Smallmouth over 6. When harvesting a fish like that you have to ask yourself... What kind of lake are you harvesting it from(big or small) How old are these fish likely to be? How many more spawns could they contribute to? IN most cases fish this size are VERY old in the northern part of the country. They likely dont have too many years left. So if somoeone catches a fish of a lifetime and its close to the sizes I mention let them keep it for a trophy, otherwise put them back to fight and spawn another day. It will only help the fishery in the long run. Hope this answers your question as to whether to keep a "whopper" or not.

01-14-2005, 04:46 PM	#47
rickstr66 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Boston, Ma Posts: 63 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	rattlesnake gal I am a Bass Fisherman. We always practice catch and release. having said that ... When would we keep a "whopper"? Everyones criteria is different. Most tournament guys would never kkep a fish unless it was a fish of a lifetime. Up here in the North that means a Largemouth over 8 lbs and a Smallmouth over 6. When harvesting a fish like that you have to ask yourself... What kind of lake are you harvesting it from(big or small) How old are these fish likely to be? How many more spawns could they contribute to? IN most cases fish this size are VERY old in the northern part of the country. They likely dont have too many years left. So if somoeone catches a fish of a lifetime and its close to the sizes I mention let them keep it for a trophy, otherwise put them back to fight and spawn another day. It will only help the fishery in the long run. Hope this answers your question as to whether to keep a "whopper" or not.