Is it just me?

[Dubble Trubble]

I have been simmering about something that I saw when we went to Alligator Point last weekend, and am wondering is it just me.

The wife and I were surf fishing, and over about 50 yards from us, a guy fishing pulls in about a 30 inch shark. He proceeds to let it lay there on the surf for about 2 minutes. I was wondering if he was just going to let it die. Then he went over and un hooked it, and I was thinking "Good, he is releasing it", and what does he do? He throws it up on the sand.

Then a little later, he pullsin a 24 inch Gafftop (Sailcat, whatever you call them) and does the same thing.

After about another hour of fishing, he just throws the 2 dead fish back into the surf.....

Now, is is just me that that gets under the skin of?

Dubble

[BAD BEHAVIOR]

Look up sorry SOB in the dictionary and I can almost guarentee you that guys photo will be there. I love fishing and hunting as much or more than anyone but I believe no animal should be wasted, no animal. Every animal has its place or the good lord wouldnt have put them on this earth. We are fortunate to be close to the top as far as the food chain goes and when youre at the top , you have the responsibility of managing the rest. I agree some species are aggravating , however they have a purpose. Take for example the gnat, how dirty would a dogs arse be if there were no gnats????

[What a mess]

I agree with everything you said other than the last line.

Think about it if that was true wouldn't Jumptrout be spotless?

With all this dry weather the gnats are swarming.

[BAD BEHAVIOR]

[Capt Reggie]

DT, you missed a marvelous opportunity to educate a jerk of a fisherman - notice I didn't say "sportsman"! Of course, first you have to refrain from going over there and pounding him into the surf. But, once you get over those initial feelings of , you might have corrected what sounds like an environmentally wrong minded person!

Then, of course, had you went over there and the guy became hostile...well, it's sad we have but a few of these ameture #$@*&$ people to put up with.

I try to look on the bright side of things - luckily, most of our people are sportsmen and women who will cheerfully return a fish to the sea for another person to enjoy catching!

[What a mess]

I never would have harmed the Shark the Cat I am uncertain about do we ever feel like some species are a nuisance? Lizard fish conservation maybe not on my boat?

[CATCH 22]

Unfortunetly, I had to reprimand My son today for thrashing a remora . I think if more parents instilled better conservation measures the world would be better off

[Cranfield]

I could in no way be considered a Commie tree hugger, or whatever the current insult is, but I don't think any fish that isn't going to be eaten, or used as bait, deserves to be killed.

They also don't deserve being returned to the water with an overhand throw, or by means of a drop kick.

As for trying to educate these morons (who all seem to have low, sloping foreheads), I believe you can't put sense where there ain't any, so I don't bother.

[rocket]

[Jumptrout51]

Ain't no gnats on me. I don't think. Besides, I use SNOBOWL on a sponge.
BUT, If there were,I would KILL THEM.

P.S. A 24" sailcat would have gone to a certified scale.

[RHTFISH]

Poetic Justice = guy stepping on sailcat barefooted after throwing it back into the surf!

[Soccerdad]

Those of us who know better should thank our lucky stars that we had people somewhere in our past - whether dads or neighbors or authors or even Winkleman's - that helped us understand ecological balance better that the jerk (off) surf fisher. Wouldn't hurt to give thanks for those on this forum as well .. despite the sick, twisted, corny humor there is a lot of solid and sage advice right here! I am glad that y'all are here.

I will gladly accept the tree hugger label if none of the rest out you want it. Just leave the commie part out - I am a capitalist tree hugger all the way .. harvest them if it puts food on the table, builds a house, or pays a dividend.

My dad an I used to hike into backwoods lakes in Ontario that had no roads or ramps .. sometimes we would carry a canoe and actually get on the water - often just fished from shore. He always made me carry a bag to haul trash out 'cause he knew that people were pigs and would drop it anywhere on the trail. It is him in me that weeps when I launch at the Aucilla .. how can such a pristine place - such a delight of God's creation be so violently trashed by people who have no clue?

Thank your lucky stars, people .. thank your lucky stars.

[breeze]

Don't kill anything ya' ain't gonna eat or that's not gonna eat you. :

[Mr Flats]

It seems I am in the minority here but any lizard fish or catfish that finds its way into my boat is going to have a VERY bad day! They are aggressive fish who are not "pressured" by fisherman as most of us usually just throw them back. Yet, we harvest a number of other species reducing their population whilst the lizard and cats populations are left to grow relatively unchecked.

I think this is the first time I've disagreed with most here so I hope I don't run into a buzz saw with the dissenting opinion.....

[grim reeler]

I dont agree with what the guy did. It goes against what I was taught about hunting and fishing.

But just to stir the pot a little, how do you guys feel about by-catch on a commercial shrimp of fishing boat? Those guys waste more in one night than that guy could do in a lifetime.