Catch and Release

[likestofish]

Whats your opinion about it. Bass fisherman are mainly catch and release while other fishing like crappie and catfish is keeping. Also what do you think of there being a minim size instead of a slot limit?

[ewurm]

I think that fish is so cheap that all fishing should be catch and release, except for a rare occasion. I keep seeing people at fishing piers raping the lake and taking everything they catch. It's sad.

[likestofish]

I think that fish is so cheap that all fishing should be catch and release, except for a rare occasion. I keep seeing people at fishing piers raping the lake and taking everything they catch. It's sad.

So would you call me a lake rapist? I keep anything under 3 pounds and i have taken about 50 pounds of fillets this year.( I hope that doesnt sound to compulsive).

[ewurm]

So would you call me a lake rapist? I keep anything under 3 pounds and i have taken about 50 pounds of fillets this year.( I hope that doesnt sound to compulsive).

Depends on what you consider 3 lbs. I don't see any reason to keep a walleye or catfish, it's so cheap at the grocery store that it isn't worth the gas to fish for. Crappies are constantly overfished in my area, but bluegills are so numerous that I encourage fishermen to keep them to prevent stunting. Largemouth Bass are not even worth eating at any size. Keeping small pike is great, keeping large pike doesn't make sense.

[likestofish]

Depends on what you consider 3 lbs. I don't see any reason to keep a walleye or catfish, it's so cheap at the grocery store that it isn't worth the gas to fish for. Crappies are constantly overfished in my area, but bluegills are so numerous that I encourage fishermen to keep them to prevent stunting. Largemouth Bass are not even worth eating at any size. Keeping small pike is great, keeping large pike doesn't make sense.

Oh, I just realized this is totally different with each part of the country. You can get walleye at markets? Like at my local lake we are encourage to keep all the bass we catch due to overpopulation. The bass are so numerous to the point that we are losing crappie and sunfish.

[ewurm]

I can get Walleye fillets for $7 a pound, and Catfish for 3.50 a pound

[Dreamsofpeace54]

depends for me. i went to tennesee to do some crappie fishing.
the lake has a ****ton of crappie. most of what we caught were 10 or more inches.
Our group of 7 raped the crappie.
We kept all the crappie we caught and filleted and will eat all of it at afish fry.

Here in maryland all i do is catch and release. Everything here is too small or even consider, should i happen upon some decent crappie id keep them but they have to be a decent size 12"plus.

[cichlid fiend]

In 2004 here in my area of NJ, they stocked a few lakes with LMB. This one lake is a neighborhood lake with houses and a park built around it. I could go there and catch 15-25 bass a day in 04 but i stopped going there cause if you get a small one now you are lucky. Why cause the people that fish it the most seat down on there buckets and keep anything(any size) that will bite on their worms. I hate it. I mean crappie or blusgills who cares but bass are a game fish, they should be put back point blank. Whats crazy if i kept all the bass i catch these lakes around me would have a very low population of them.

In your case of the state saying keep the bass so the eqo-stsyem can balence out kool but people keepping bass to eat is not right point blank. Whats more crazyier is that my dad growing up would keep any fish that met the states rules but he would put them in the frezzer and most of the time they would just go to waste. At that age it didnt bother me but know that im older and into bass fishing very heavy i dont think anybody should be able to keep any size bass point blank, unless its the state record

[sandtiger]

I'm just about 100% C&R just because I don't particularly like the taste of most fish but still love fishing itself. I think the majority of people keep way more than they should or need and it particularly bugs me when people keep trophy size fish. I recall seeing someone catch a 20 something inch bass and deciding to keep it (big bass by NY standards). I find that a real shame, large fish like that should be released to continue to grow and be caught and enjoyed by others. There is a reason why everyone says fishing in the "good old days" was better. I believe there should be a limit on larger fish, perhaps 2 largemouths over 20" a year or something like that. That would encourage people to think through whether a trophy is worth keeping or not and help protect a lot of the larger specimens. It just takes too long for fish to reach trophy size to be taken indiscriminately. Now if someone wants to keep a few average sized fish as dinner that night for the family, I have no problem with that.

[likestofish]

So my thought is that having a minim size iis wrong compared to having a maximum size. Like at lake Lanier they have a limit of 22 white and striped bass but only 2 are allowed to be larger than 22 inches.

[Dan Feller]

I think minimum size limits are less important than maximum size limits. Fish management experts are starting to realize that it is the lunkers that are the most prolific and successful spawners.

As far as 'catch & release' versus 'eating what you catch' - it depends on what you're catching and where. A lot of fisheries are artificially stocked for the purpose of angling. To say you shouldn't keep a certain species makes no sense.

An example: The farm pond up the road has some pretty big bass, a neighbor kid caught a 20-incher last summer. He took it home and ate it. There is nothing wrong with this. From an environmental standard he is doing the ecosystem a favor - bass are non-native and prey heavily on anything they can find.

My opinion is that if it is an introduced species (as bass, crappie, walleye, bluegill, rainbow trout, and catfish are over most of their present range) there is no reason not to keep the fish. Wild native fish, especially species in decline, shouldn't be kept as a rule. However, there are some thriving native fish populations that can easily support sport-angling pressure.

Basically, anyone who says it is "always" or "never" OK to keep fish need to reexamine their position.

Ewurm - I really don't understand the cost argument. Even though it is cheaper to buy farmed catfish than to angle for it, it has a higher environmental cost. Also, supermarket catfish is loaded with antibiotics and has almost none of the health benefits that a wild-caught fish has.

Great thread!

[Louie]

I think that fish is so cheap that all fishing should be catch and release, except for a rare occasion. I keep seeing people at fishing piers raping the lake and taking everything they catch. It's sad.


Here as unreal as it may seem there is no limit when it comes to catching collecting turtles be it softshells ,sliders,etc be it adults or babies.
Think you need a fishing license and that is another thing most here dont have.
Around mid/late summer by the edge of Glades Park among other places some people collect drones of them to sell.

You know most die or wind up on menus over-seas . Last year after seeing a crate of baby softshells being put in back of pick up.
I looked into it and called and mailed FWC and state gvnr to see about passing collection limits.

The Gvnr did his part and more the FWC has done nothing as of yet but "review" it. Its now their call.

You can't collect like that in Glades park itself but outside of it (border areas) and other areas its a free for all.

I have seen enviromental raping here like you couldnt fathom but I have not sat by without doing things about it.

[Louie]

In 2004 here in my area of NJ, they stocked a few lakes with LMB. This one lake is a neighborhood lake with houses and a park built around it. I could go there and catch 15-25 bass a day in 04 but i stopped going there cause if you get a small one now you are lucky. Why cause the people that fish it the most seat down on there buckets and keep anything(any size) that will bite on their worms. I hate it. I mean crappie or blusgills who cares but bass are a game fish, they should be put back point blank. Whats crazy if i kept all the bass i catch these lakes around me would have a very low population of them.

In your case of the state saying keep the bass so the eqo-stsyem can balence out kool but people keepping bass to eat is not right point blank. Whats more crazyier is that my dad growing up would keep any fish that met the states rules but he would put them in the frezzer and most of the time they would just go to waste. At that age it didnt bother me but know that im older and into bass fishing very heavy i dont think anybody should be able to keep any size bass point blank, unless its the state record
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Its funny because around here the few with fishing licenses dont keep what they catch as far as bass go (saltwater they do) but those with no fishing license which is the majority keep anything they catch.

In NJ even the police will ask to see your fishing license if they see you fishing here unless you enter the parks themselves no one cares.

I am glad most have no interest in cichlids or exotics lol . Its bass they target .

[jmart.cooper]

I catch and release most of the time, but I have nothing against keeping fish that I will eat. I mostly fish for trout and will keep one or two depending on their size. I only do this if I know I can eat the fish the same day, because fish doesn't keep very well no matter how you store it. I always release monster fish, and really little fish, but occasionally keep medium sized ones. Like the rest of you, I really dislike it when people keep everything they catch. I find it hard to believe that people with big (7-12 fish) stringers of fish will eat all of them, and then its just a waste to kill them and not eat them.

[Louie]

I catch and release most of the time, but I have nothing against keeping fish that I will eat. I mostly fish for trout and will keep one or two depending on their size. I only do this if I know I can eat the fish the same day, because fish doesn't keep very well no matter how you store it. I always release monster fish, and really little fish, but occasionally keep medium sized ones. Like the rest of you, I really dislike it when people keep everything they catch. I find it hard to believe that people with big (7-12 fish) stringers of fish will eat all of them, and then its just a waste to kill them and not eat them.


I will say you have a fishing license?
Thus a percentage of that goes to wildlife be it stocking lakes,etc.

People who keep everything and no fishing license which is the norm here tick me off.

I have tried PB since moving here ate 2 last year. That was enough .Rest are catch and release after taking cell phone pic lol.

[MultispeciesTamer]

I think selective harvest is the way to go. #1 rule dont keep mature native low population fish during spawning time. Now as far as the size of the fish to be caught and kept it depends big bass dont tast good to me and neither do small pike but big pike are good, ones that you can cut up into "stakes". Walleye is good and is best when caught yourself. The only fish i keep during spawning are 5-10 big female perch and batter fry up the fleits and egg sacks.

[LurkMcgurk]

here they encourage bass and crappie too be kept but catfish they have a lower catch limit. for crappie you can keep 12, bass 8, and catfish 3. Most people do catch and release here but there are some that keep anything they catch even if it 4 in brim. oh there is no limit on brim here they over run the lakes in my area.

[MultispeciesTamer]

thought i would share a good example of when catch and release is bad. Last summer i fished a small creek during the skamania run (a steelhead that runs and spawns in cool streams during summer) well these fly fisherman caught about 10-20 of them and were letting them go so i said something to them I was like hey guys i think youve caught enough fish for the day and that you shoudnt be releasing them. Well sure enough the next day theres 10-12 dead floating skamanian in there, young fish to =(. It was truly devistating most these fish wer 6-10 pounds none smaller then six. The dnr says they stock them for us anglers to catch if your not going to keep them then dont fish for them if you release them they will most deffinatly die.

[cichlid fiend]

Well in NJ they should make ALL LMB catch and release

[jmart.cooper]

thought i would share a good example of when catch and release is bad. Last summer i fished a small creek during the skamania run (a steelhead that runs and spawns in cool streams during summer) well these fly fisherman caught about 10-20 of them and were letting them go so i said something to them I was like hey guys i think you've caught enough fish for the day and that you shoudnt be releasing them. Well sure enough the next day theres 10-12 dead floating skamanian in there, young fish to =(. It was truly devistating most these fish wer 6-10 pounds none smaller then six. The dnr says they stock them for us anglers to catch if your not going to keep them then dont fish for them if you release them they will most deffinatly die.

In my experience, catch and release rarely harms the fish. I fly fish, and rarely hook a fish anywhere other than in the very edge of the lip. This makes them very easy to unhook and if you return the to the water immediately I doubt any die from this type of damage. Now, it is possible that they hooked them in the gills or squeezed them while unhooking them, or any of several things that could of killed them, but if you fly fish properly, there is very little damage to the fish.

Here in Colorado, there are many places that are catch and release only (Gold Metal Waters) and during hatches, there will be people fly fishing as far as you can see up and down the river, and yet very few fish are killed from being caught. That is another thing about serious fly fishermen, they are (mostly) very concerned about conservation and look down upon those who keep every fish they catch. I am somewhere in between. I keep fish, but no more than I need.

In response the person who quoted me earlier, yes I do have a fishing license. Here in Colorado if you are caught without one, or if you are doing anything illegal there are though penalties. I have been asked by forest rangers for my license multiple times, and am always grateful that they ask, it keeps people who do not care about conservation from fishing.

[MultispeciesTamer]

In my experience, catch and release rarely harms the fish. I fly fish, and rarely hook a fish anywhere other than in the very edge of the lip. This makes them very easy to unhook and if you return the to the water immediately I doubt any die from this type of damage. Now, it is possible that they hooked them in the gills or squeezed them while unhooking them, or any of several things that could of killed them, but if you fly fish properly, there is very little damage to the fish.

Here in Colorado, there are many places that are catch and release only (Gold Metal Waters) and during hatches, there will be people fly fishing as far as you can see up and down the river, and yet very few fish are killed from being caught. That is another thing about serious fly fishermen, they are (mostly) very concerned about conservation and look down upon those who keep every fish they catch. I am somewhere in between. I keep fish, but no more than I need.

In response the person who quoted me earlier, yes I do have a fishing license. Here in Colorado if you are caught without one, or if you are doing anything illegal there are though penalties. I have been asked by forest rangers for my license multiple times, and am always grateful that they ask, it keeps people who do not care about conservation from fishing.
well steelhead being a cold water fish are already very stressed from being in warm water. They fight there hardest to get unhooked jumping several times and making long runs. So in turn no matter where there hooked your releaseing an extreamly wore out stressed fish back in to warm water where they normaly stay away from. Plus unlike other angling tecniques, fly fishing takes a greater tole on the fish because its harder to bring in the fish making for a longer fight.

[likestofish]

Well in NJ they should make ALL LMB catch and release

The thing is at an environmental stand point to keep an even population of fish you only need every female bass to have 2 fry survive to adulthood and spawn. One to replace here and and one to replace her mate. And more than likely it wont be here first spawn. In places where balance is fine through the ecosystem catch and release would be fine. But in a area where the balance is not right catch and release can be detrimental.

[Dreamsofpeace54]

i was fishing the inside of a pier tonight and the guys on the other side were fishing the river. They kept everything they caught from 3" white crappie to 6" channel cats. these guys had no respect and had over 30 fish probably. i caught a 14" channel catfish and they came over and asked for it, i said no im keeping it and threw it back. First time ive ever seen anything like this, i kept 2 crappie and they were devoured already.

[ryverrat]

In PA they have both minimum size and creel limits in place. They also have special regulation areas where only certain types (such as fly fishing) or certain size/creel of a species may be kept (we have lakes regulated as big bass lakes). I do keep some of my catch - mostly trout fish but I don't keep with the state min. size of 7 in- have to be at least 9in. for me (unless the fish is bleeding- then no sense in wasting it). I agree with everyone that the most annoying thing is someone without a license that keeps everything- licenses pay for the stocking of the fish.

[scottgeeze]

I.M.O. if your not going to stuff it or eat it then put it back and let it live. I can't tell you the amount of times I went fishing with someone and they would be keeping theirs and I'd throw mine back because I didn't feel like cleaning them to which my fishing buddy would say something like this "don't throw them back give them to me cause' I'm gonna' clean and eat them". Well when we would get back he wouldn't feel like cleaning them so he'd either throw them out or put them in the ground around his Rose bushes. What a moron. Don't waste resources. :irked:

[Ak-Kronic]

if i plan on eating it i keep it. if i'm just there to throw a line in i ususally just turn em' loose. to much work to clean them specially if they are small. i keep bout 15-20 red salmon every year for canning/smoking sometimes it lasts me through the winter other times i will catch as much as i can so i have it to eat during Jan-Feb when i dont get a chance to go ice fishing for pike/trout. i keep mabe 2 halibut a year usually over 50lbs a piece.......i only take what i plan on eating

[Robbwilder]

I am complete catch and release because the only fish I eat are Mahi Mahi on occasion. I see cane pole fishing come along and wipe out a complete area of pan fish no matter the size. Down here thats more destructive to native panfishes than the exotics...

[n4red]

C&R is the way to go imo if ur not gonna eat it . Esp with bigger fish .

[n4red]

well steelhead being a cold water fish are already very stressed from being in warm water. They fight there hardest to get unhooked jumping several times and making long runs. So in turn no matter where there hooked your releaseing an extreamly wore out stressed fish back in to warm water where they normaly stay away from. Plus unlike other angling tecniques, fly fishing takes a greater tole on the fish because its harder to bring in the fish making for a longer fight.

Yeah ur right about this most native fish here in sweden dont like the heat , so u should take it easy on the fish in the summer if u wanna make sure its gonna stay alive.

[Wiggles92]

I'm all for catch and release in most situations, but it makes more sense to keep fish in some situations, such as in a LMB/bluegill pond or a river that has been overrun by carp. With private lakes and ponds, it's all up to the owner to decide what fish they want to grow to a large size and what fish they don't; I'm all for keeping bass in a situation that is resulting in stunting i.e. an all bass or bass heavy pond.

[gigas12]

Hi,yes I agree,we need to respect nature!

[jgentry]

There are times for catch and release and there are times to keep fish. I live in Tennessee and we have a lot of lakes. Several have stocked non native populations of fish such as stripers or hybrid stripes. I go fishing for these fish many times a year. I do not release any legal hybrids. It is very likely they will not revive and it is stupid to release them. I also do not release legal stripers if it is hot as they have a good chance of dying. In winter I have no problem releasing smaller ones or really big ones. Here is what absolutely kills me though. There is a 2 fish limit of these fish (combined 2 fish of either type or a mix of both per person) and a ton of people go out and troll for these fish and catch 10-20 a day just for fun. They pitch them back and kill everyone of them. ONCE YOU CATCH YOUR 2 FISH STOP FISHING FOR THEM!!!!:irked: Go bass fishing or something else.

I am strickly catch and release for bass unless I don't think the fish is going to live, gut or gill hookes etc. I keep some crappy but throw plenty back. The only fish I will always keep are hybrids and suager. Then they have to be legal. I sometimes keep stripers, crappie, and bluegill but very rarely. Usually 2-5 times a year when I want a fresh fish dinner.

If you want to keep a few fish to eat then that is not a problem. But I think a good rule of thumb is to keep only a meal or two's worth at a time and don't keep anymore until you have eaten them. Then you don't have waisted fish in your freezer.

[bigfishrcool1193]

I always catch and release whenever I'm fishing... Mainly because I don't like the taste of fish.

We went camping two weeks ago, my dad caught three 24"+ grass carp and released them.

My mom and I told the owner of the camp and she was happy we let them go because they help to keep the plant population in the lake down.

[BIG_ONE]

Okay, in my opinion here's how it works. What's with all the bash against people who keep fish, are they breaking the law by any sort of way?
And if you think that catch and release does no harm to the fish, you haven't fish enough in your life time yet. A LOT and I mean A LOT of fish I've seen have mouth that are ripped up. And with an open wound, you know what happens...its capable of diseases. And if we respect nature, then I think it would be kind to keep the fish(not all) for your dinner plate. I don't know if hooking a fish in the mouth and releasing them back into the water with a sore mouth and will not eat for at least 3 days...possibly a week and being worned out from the fight is called respect to mother nature.
As goes for the releasing of big fish and small fish, there's a pros and cons in it. Sure releasing big fish will help produce more frys and big fish can guard the frys/eggs better against predators than the little fish. BUT, if you fish and keep all the little fish. What happens when all the big fish die? And you kept most of the little fish so they can't grow into big daddy and big mommy anymore. Disasters.
But sometimes, you just have to get the pros and cons together to see what comes out of it. Then there's your answer if its really respectful to mother nature. They are not a game that you can play with so with a little respect, please take some home and enough bashing if they aren't breaking the law. Marine biologist knows what they are doing and its the only thing they always do every day in their life. I think. :D

[danielratti]

What if its a invasive species of fish? Ive talk to DNR out here and they say kill them if you catch them.

[Wiggles92]

Definitely kill any and all invasive species that you catch i.e. snakeheads; catch and release for them just results in them taking over and killing off any of the native species.

[Louie]

Definitely kill any and all invasive species that you catch i.e. snakeheads; catch and release for them just results in them taking over and killing off any of the native species.


I recently hooked a good size snakehead it took off and with a boom broke my line.

It was kind of big and I was kind of scared :screwy: of how I was going to take it off the hook lol.

They are close to harmless and confined to certain canals frequented by cichlids no natives there.
I dont kill anything let the gvmt do its own killing.

My "relegion" prohibits killing for the sake of killing:nilly:.

[Louie]

Depends on what you consider 3 lbs. I don't see any reason to keep a walleye or catfish, it's so cheap at the grocery store that it isn't worth the gas to fish for. Crappies are constantly overfished in my area, but bluegills are so numerous that I encourage fishermen to keep them to prevent stunting. Largemouth Bass are not even worth eating at any size. Keeping small pike is great, keeping large pike doesn't make sense.
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I catch and release and one of the great tips I got from here is to snip the barb off the hook.

Maybe I lose one fish in 12 but after I bring them up hook comes out so easy clean pin hole and IMO no reason to use barbs unless your catching to eat and cant risk one getting away.

I have eaten 2 big lake peacock bass I caught yr ago to see how they tasted.

[Louie]

In my experience, catch and release rarely harms the fish. I fly fish, and rarely hook a fish anywhere other than in the very edge of the lip. This makes them very easy to unhook and if you return the to the water immediately I doubt any die from this type of damage. Now, it is possible that they hooked them in the gills or squeezed them while unhooking them, or any of several things that could of killed them, but if you fly fish properly, there is very little damage to the fish.

Here in Colorado, there are many places that are catch and release only (Gold Metal Waters) and during hatches, there will be people fly fishing as far as you can see up and down the river, and yet very few fish are killed from being caught. That is another thing about serious fly fishermen, they are (mostly) very concerned about conservation and look down upon those who keep every fish they catch. I am somewhere in between. I keep fish, but no more than I need.

In response the person who quoted me earlier, yes I do have a fishing license. Here in Colorado if you are caught without one, or if you are doing anything illegal there are though penalties. I have been asked by forest rangers for my license multiple times, and am always grateful that they ask, it keeps people who do not care about conservation from fishing.
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Sadly MOST here in Miami do not have fishing license and never will .

[Wiggles92]

I recently hooked a good size snakehead it took off and with a boom broke my line.

It was kind of big and I was kind of scared :screwy: of how I was going to take it off the hook lol.

They are close to harmless and confined to certain canals frequented by cichlids no natives there.
I dont kill anything let the gvmt do its own killing.

My "relegion" prohibits killing for the sake of killing:nilly:.

Cichlids are fine if the canals don't flood, but snakeheads can move over land to find new places to live. My thing was mainly aimed towards snakeheads since they are big time predators and they can spread easily due to their ability to breath air and travel over land.

[Louie]

Cichlids are fine if the canals don't flood, but snakeheads can move over land to find new places to live. My thing was mainly aimed towards snakeheads since they are big time predators and they can spread easily due to their ability to breath air and travel over land.
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Considering that I know very little about snakeheads . In fact did not know they could travel on land till now chances are your right.

I just assumed they like cichlids were harmless as confined to canals or ponds fed by canals.

From what I was told by a guy I am friends with who has shown me all the exotic "hang outs" that they have been here for over 10 yrs and no impact to speak of.
They do seem to be more concentrated than cichlids who are everywhere.
The canal water was so hot that how an asian fish could live in it is beyond me .

I hope to catch one soon post pic now that know the area they are in.

[Itsadeepbluesea]

100% catch and release

[Mikeberg]

I've been doing catch & release for a long time but not always. I like to eat fish too.
I try to release the bigger fish, like bluegill/sunfish 9" or larger, I don't keep bass most of the time but if I do its under 2 lbs.
I think if big fish were to be regulated, one should be aloud to keep one big one for record purposes or as a mount.

I almost always keep any salmon in the fall, because they die after wards, and there is no recrutement in southern Lake Michigan. I let the trout go though.

[Mikeberg]

You can't do catch & release if you bow fish, but I make sure I use the fish I shoot.

I saw a movie of gar bow-fishing, you can grill it with put Open Pit BBQ - not bad. Use tin snips to clean them.

Buffalo, suckers, & carp are good smoked.

I use the gizzard shad, and alewife I've shot as cut bait.

I quit bow fishing for dogfish because they fight so good on rod & reel. Also I read about a study that said they are good for lakes. Saddle Lake in Michigan convinced me to do this, because it is full of stunted bluegill, all the Dogfish & Bass should be released in this lake.

[MaverickG13]

Cichlids are fine if the canals don't flood, but snakeheads can move over land to find new places to live. My thing was mainly aimed towards snakeheads since they are big time predators and they can spread easily due to their ability to breath air and travel over land.

Snakeheads can move over land, but they wont if they dont have to. The first and foremost reason that most snakeheads have this ability is so they can survive during the drought season. There are some species of snakeheads that come onto land to hunt for prey, but all of the species that do this dont grow past a foot at all, and the only thing they eat when they come on land are insects. And they return to the body of water in which they came from.

There are species of snakeheads that lack the ability to move over land, channa micropeltes aka Giant Snakehead is one of those. Individuals of these species barely ever, most likely never venture onto land, due to the fact that they are the ones that live in huge lakes and reservoirs.

As for the snakehead species in florida go, Channa Marlius, you should really only start worrying when the canals in Broward County Florida run completely dry. If a snakehead is in a body of water that fits its preference and has a continuous supply of food (meaning that the other fish are breeding fine), it will probably never leave that body of water (unless a really bad drought hits and that body of water runs completely dry.

And yes, they can survive out of water longer than other fish.... just a bit longer. You see, they have the ability to breathe air but if their skin is dry, they will die because of that.

Plus they wont ravage just about everything in their path. I personally saw a snakehead in a pond filled with tilapia and other cichlids. Two big snakeheads came up for air right next to a bunch of Tilapia, and then dive straight back down, comepletely ignoring the possible meal.

They get their bad reputation for their killing when it comes to mating season. Unlike other fish that dont care for their fry, protect their fry by mouthbrooding, or even eat their fry, Snakeheads are completely different. Snakeheads are monogamous throughout their whole lives, in which the same male and female are together their whole lives. When it comes to protecting their fry, they go to extreme measures. If a potential predator to their fry is spotted, these fish will hold nothing back. No matter the size of the potential predator, a mother and father snakehead will not let it get to their fry, no matter the cost. If a snakehead grabs hold of any part of another fish, two shakes of the head and the snakehead has a chunk of the other fish in its mouth (usually the other fish is sawed in half). So that means if a big bass decides that it wants some snakehead fry for dinner, momma and poppa snakehead will make sure that big bass wont live to see another day. But they are only this agressive when caring for their fry. Once the kids have all grown up and left home, momma and poppa snakehead go back to their lives - which is hanging around snags lazily still waiting for their next meal of the next gulp of air.

This is just my experience from years of observing snakeheads in the pond behind my house, fishing for them, keeping them, and extensive reading and studying about them. I am familiar with these fish, I asure you (OK I'm no zooligist or biologist when it comes to this, I'm just one of those people who have the privilage of being able to kind of "lived alongside" this fish).

[Wiggles92]

Very valid points about the snakeheads. It's just that in some areas they have been introduced, they have wiped out many native species; in other areas, the effect doesn't seem to be a big. Asian carp are another problematic species, too.

[Louie]

Maverick great info. Very informative I know nothing about them recently saw few and one big one which tried to catch . Not in Broward.

How hot more or less would you say pond by you gets?
I ask as saw them in a canal/ditch so HOT that it was unpleasant . Easily over 100 degrees.

2 to 3 feet deep max several miles long but in pure sun all day with daily high temps reaching now 100 to 106f.
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/9990/snakeheadswamp.jpg

Area loaded with bufo Marinus and I wonder if they are able to eat them?

[MaverickG13]

Its generally around that temperature here in Thailand. It doesnt get that cold here though, lowest it gets is around 40 - 50.

Also another funny fact about Thailand. Plecos are considered to be an invasive and unwanted species here. Its basically because they eat the eggs of other fish. Any caught is ordered to be killed on sight. They are still legal in the aquarium trade though.

[Louie]

Its generally around that temperature here in Thailand. It doesnt get that cold here though, lowest it gets is around 40 - 50.

Also another funny fact about Thailand. Plecos are considered to be an invasive and unwanted species here. Its basically because they eat the eggs of other fish. Any caught is ordered to be killed on sight. They are still legal in the aquarium trade though.


Thats about same temps as here. coldest I experienced in 2 yrs was 40 degrees one night but next day hit 80 and thats not the norm for a winter night temp. More or less high 60s or 70s

[FatHmongKid]

I dont care! i keep anything ! Muhahah! unless the ranger comes ill throw back the illegal size fish! Hahha! JKing!

[oscarcrazy]

Just stay within the laws and regulations. States are much better managed now than even ten years ago. If every fisherman followed the rules, there wouldn't be too many problems. However, there is always the dumbass poachers who kill everything no matter the limits and size regs. I don't fish with those people, and have fired guides who have encouraged this.

[gotglock]

I catch and release only. Unless it's something that I want for dinner that night ;)

[stotty]

Catch & Release is effective and easy fish conservation. Whatever species of fish you catch, releasing them is a great way of helping to preserve our sport. In the uk it’s a lot different most of our fresh water fish taste like crap so that’s that out as for our sea fishing this is a different game. I do a bit of sea fishing and in a resent trips we hade some nice skate (rays to you) the biggest fish of the day was a female and she was pushing out purse this fish would have been good eating but was put her back for the reason of conservation. I think its great to take and eat the odd fish but I hate it when cool boxes are filled just for the sake of it.

[Passionate 4 pikes]

Since i have been in the US i have only kept a 20 inch catfish.
I see nothing wrong with eating some of the fish you catch. But not all of them!

[Schneider]

I'm C&R for species that have slow recruitment. I also release species that taste like crap. I harvest some panfish, but never overdo it.

[Schneider]

Just stay within the laws and regulations. States are much better managed now than even ten years ago. If every fisherman followed the rules, there wouldn't be too many problems. However, there is always the dumbass poachers who kill everything no matter the limits and size regs. I don't fish with those people, and have fired guides who have encouraged this.

True enough, but some states are behind the times as far as having useful regulations. Sometimes the limits are too lax to actually preserve fisheries. I report poachers to my DNR. Just walk out of earshot and call them on your cell phone. Sometimes the even actually show up, and sometimes even in a timely fashion.

[likestofish]

You got to remember you are not devastating the population for keeping fish. To keep a stable population a female fish needs only to have 2 babies make it to adulthood. One to replace her and the other to replace her mate. This is only to maintain the population.

[xPe_MONeYx]

I release everything, not worth it to keep most stuff

[marauders30]

the small fish caught today is the state record of tomorrow. i say throw em back. with bass anyway. others maybe not so much

[Fabricio]

I always catch and release all kind of fish. Specially here in Brazil that minority adopt this way of fishing. I think that even the small ones we must release...they can be the feeders for the big ones!!! Here in Brazil its really sad to see ...we have a group here ...a group of friends that spend some cash all together to buy alive fishes to release in some lakes where the fishes are almost gone...

[marauders30]

thats tite cuz alot of the fish in the hobby come from ur area ha. good to keep em around