What do you do..?

Mental · Wed Aug 29, 2012 9:44 pm

This weeks poll is from Pointloader:

If you break the magic mark (20lb) what do you do?

If it's the first one, keep it for a trophy. After that put them back.
Keep it, keep it, keep it.
Put it back after a loving embrace/photo
Put it back and treat anyone who says keep it like an idiot
They actually grow that big?

WaikatoYakka · Wed Aug 29, 2012 9:46 pm

I'd love to say that I'd put it back but TBO, first time I'm not sure that I could.

wet ass · Wed Aug 29, 2012 10:08 pm

If it's the first one, keep it for a trophy. After that put them back

just have to land one in the yak 1st

Winch · Wed Aug 29, 2012 10:09 pm

for a comp I would keep it other than that it depends how it looks, if its a old fish I would put it back, or maybe 1 out of 5 I would keep it for the smoker

destin · Wed Aug 29, 2012 10:13 pm

Have not caught one yet from a yak but this one went back after a pic. Yes yes I know it was a longgggggg time ago

sk8e8 · Wed Aug 29, 2012 10:46 pm

I know I'll be keeping my first one... I _THINK_ I'll let the rest go, but need to get the first one first

Boomy · Thu Aug 30, 2012 4:43 am

OK, forgive my ignorance, what kind of fish is that? Looks like a cross breed between a Black Drum (aka Big Ugly) and a Blue Gill?

wet ass · Thu Aug 30, 2012 9:14 am

Boomy wrote:OK, forgive my ignorance, what kind of fish is that? Looks like a cross breed between a Black Drum (aka Big Ugly) and a Blue Gill?

snapper

sk8e8 · Thu Aug 30, 2012 9:22 am

http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... CJfGLTqBWQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Or just view 2/3 of all trip reports

MadMike · Thu Aug 30, 2012 9:39 am

I kept a 30+ a few years back now in my early 20's. Sad to say I have regretted it ever since and tend to feel ashamed about it, which takes the edge off it a little bit, that fish would have been close to 40years old . So in the Comps I have a moral issue now days keeping big fish. Want to weigh but don't want to kill.

Wouldn't hold it against anyone that kills one though for a trophy etc. Its a shame to see guys that catch a few constantly killing them though especially from the same area when they have plenty of other fish for a feed. 20+ year old fish can be fished out pretty easily

, but everyone has a different set of morals and beliefs.

G1 · Thu Aug 30, 2012 11:00 am

Recent experience tells me this is a very relative topic. Be prepared to cop some flak if you keep a big fish. I did and im pretty over it. I kept my fish because it was pretty

ed It wouldnt have survived. I still believe its personal preference to keep or release... My advice is that if you keep it prepare for everyones opinions on it (good and bad). I wont keep another unless it looks like it will die. Its a hassle to do something with all the meat

nzimp · Thu Aug 30, 2012 1:25 pm

I would put it back. I have never kept anything bigger than a pannie. Granted I have not had many opportunities to make the call but a 6lb smoked Snapper is pretty tasty and anything over 8lb for me is going to get wasted. I have no opinion on those that keep the odd one now and again as I understand the excitement when you catch a good fish. I do agree with MM about those that constantly bring in big fish though. Why do you feel the need?
I can't say what I would do with a 30+ but it would have to be a pretty hefty cash prize to make me keep it. I also don't carry a camera with me so you would probably never get to hear about it from me as no one would believe it. Again though, we all have different drivers and it is not for me to judge or pass an opinion that the majority are not really interested in.

kiwiladbrad · Thu Aug 30, 2012 1:31 pm

WaikatoYakka wrote: I'd love to say that I'd put it back but TBO, first time I'm not sure that I could.

Thought you wouldve caught a 20lb by now Bryce???

Fletcher · Thu Aug 30, 2012 1:44 pm

Recently I have caught a few big ones. Main reasons for keeping them was I really want to officially crack that magic 20lb mark (and have no way of weighing them on the water, working on that) and a few of them went towards a club comp. I have let some of the bigger ones go before and it does really feel good.

: goinghome.jpg (122.41 KiB) Viewed 3353 times

Jeff666 · Thu Aug 30, 2012 1:58 pm

When just out for a fish and I catch my 20lb off Howick Beach (soon should of had it last weekend) I will keep it and eat it. After that i will let them go after a photo, if you have done all the hard work bought the equipmnt and got out there it should be your choice. One of the guys at work caught a 34lb some years ago he kept it and said he did not enjoy eating any of it (tough) and still regrets keeping it. However in a tournament different story.

sk8e8 · Thu Aug 30, 2012 2:04 pm

Someone put up a really good post on eating big fish. Basically its the way you prepare/cook them that makes them nice or yuck. A 4 inch fillet is not going to cook nicely at all

Hainesy · Thu Aug 30, 2012 2:06 pm

I made my decision a long time ago that when I catch "the big one" it will be mounted and go up on the wall.....already have a spot set aside for it......and before anyone decides to fire some flak, I also shoot things and have a trophy stag shoulder mounted on my wall !!

Fletcher · Thu Aug 30, 2012 2:16 pm

Hainesy wrote:I made my decision a long time ago that when I catch "the big one" it will be mounted and go up on the wall.....already have a spot set aside for it......and before anyone decides to fire some flak, I also shoot things and have a trophy stag shoulder mounted on my wall !!

I looked into how much that was the other day, DAM its expensive. Isn't it like $600 to get a big Snapper mounted?

Hainesy · Thu Aug 30, 2012 2:26 pm

Fletcher wrote:
Hainesy wrote:I made my decision a long time ago that when I catch "the big one" it will be mounted and go up on the wall.....already have a spot set aside for it......and before anyone decides to fire some flak, I also shoot things and have a trophy stag shoulder mounted on my wall !!
I looked into how much that was the other day, DAM its expensive. Isn't it like $600 to get a big Snapper mounted?

yeah...something like that...I've heard that theres a good guy up near Leigh that does it...a mate's son landed a 25+lb snap and it was done by this guy and whilst I havent seen it, its supposed to look really good....

awondering · Thu Aug 30, 2012 2:34 pm

Hainesy wrote:
Fletcher wrote:
Hainesy wrote:I made my decision a long time ago that when I catch "the big one" it will be mounted and go up on the wall.....already have a spot set aside for it......and before anyone decides to fire some flak, I also shoot things and have a trophy stag shoulder mounted on my wall !!
I looked into how much that was the other day, DAM its expensive. Isn't it like $600 to get a big Snapper mounted?
yeah...something like that...I've heard that theres a good guy up near Leigh that does it...a mate's son landed a 25+lb snap and it was done by this guy and whilst I havent seen it, its supposed to look really good....

Doesnt Rob do them as well

What do you do..?

If you break the magic mark (20lb) what do you do?

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