Throwing cold water on somebody's nice catch...

[captkeyser]

Nice!

[Pirate]

A story 100% true. I got my nieces 4 year son hooked on trout fishing three years ago. He lives for his fishing trip to SGI every year. This summer they were down for their trip in early June. He is 7 now. He had a rough week with a ear ache and slow trout fishing due to our crazy weather. Fishermans Choice was having their annual kids fishing tournament that week. When I explained how it worked he agreed to enter. He spend his souvenir money on some gulps and low and behold he nailed a 23" trout. His mom, grandmother and great grandmother were so excited they ate trout that night for the first time. The trout was good enough for 2nd place which earned him his first rod and reel, tackle box and some tackle. His family immediately made their vacation plans to coincide with the tourn. again next year. When he returned home and told his dad (divorce situation) of his success his dad started taking him fishing. One fish had a heck of an effect on a bunch of people. I believe that one was worth keeping.

[cotton]

One fish had a heck of an effect on a bunch of people. I believe that one was worth keeping.

Very nice story Pirate.

[Flint River Pirate]

Nice fish SG! I too am a "fish Hippie," unless it is tourney day. I've even made RC leave gator trout b/c it wasn't tourney day.

I'll never forget RC's face after catching and releasing 6-8 trout over 25" in about 30 minutes then telling him I wouldn't go back through the area. Thought he was going to push me out of the boat when I finally said I would go back if he was willing to take the hooks off of his plug

Maybe I can blame you that my good buddy RC is now a hybrid driving golfer! Ha!!

[wally]

I don't believe the problem is really "keep big fish" versus "let big fish go". I think the problem is a lack of manners (now I've started it). Momma always said if you can't say something nice don't say anything. I don't post much on any of the forums I belong to. It seems as if soon as someone posts a report, event or a question, people can't wait to have at 'em. This forum seems to be the politest of the ones I check and most fishing reports get a "thumbs up" from responders. The posts that can have a political subtext seem to be the worst.

The recent thread on the State's selling of 3750 acres in Jefferson county is a case in point. The OP announced the sale of the land. Barhopr posted a response that eloquently stated his position on the sale. The next poster snidely told him that his screen name was spelled incorrectly and called him a moron. Setting a tone for what otherwise could have been a worthwhile discussion. I know the power of anonymity cause some to be more aggressive than they would be in person but this debasing of forums and the trolls you encounter are ruining these forums.

Back to the specific topic. I don't keep big fish any more, but that's me. I also don't believe in fishing contests. I think fishing is a hobby, a pursuit not a sport. BUT since its legal for someone to keep a big fish who am I to ruin their moment. If I was dead set against anyone keeping big fish I would work on getting the law changed, not jump on someone holding up a big fish in a picture with an even bigger smile. Of course I also think the emphasis on the size of antlers has ruined deer hunting for lots of folks.

[MudDucker]

I am familure with the 5 steps and would say anyone in the first two aren’t true sportsman yet. They don’t have the experience or knowledge to understand the true meaning of those words yet.

That isn’t my real problem with this post though. It’s not even that someone’s wife, kid or grandmother kept an over slot fish. It’s the fact that someone made a relatively polite statement on wishing the fish was let go and Rhettley is chastising him for it. Next time send the person a PM or give him a call to discuss the matter.

I spoke with Salty Gator last night about this thread. He stated he has received a lot of support from forum members through text. Apparently most of people didn’t want to make their comments known on this thread because of the backlash they would surly receive. I personally don’t give a crap because I’m done with this forum anyways. The petty BS that goes on here is just too frustrating.

Bman, Please cancel my login. I’m done with this site.

Wow, I guess I missed where God appointed you the ultimate judge of who is and who is not a sportsman. Sorry, but I could care less what you think.

No one is questioning Salty's right to his opinion, but most don't like it stated in a thread about a successful family fishing trip.

As my old daddy used to say, some people look good coming and some people look better leaving. Oh and his other follow up was "Don't let the door hit ya, where the Lord split ya!"

[Williamsdad]

Since this thread won't seem to die, maybe we can change the tone. I got to wondering.....

Would everyone feel the same if we called them seminole trout?

[Gulf Coast]

Since this thread won't seem to die, maybe we can change the tone. I got to wondering.....

[Scoop Sea]

Nice gesture SG. It still doesn't take away from you bashing a proud woman's trophy trout....lol. Just kidding, that was a true demonstration of recognizing an opportunity to improve on a challenging situation. My hat is off to ya.

[Salty Gator]

I've had some more time to ponder this topic. Is it a little sexist to say "well since it was a woman....."? My wife regularly outfishes me. When she catches a big trout( or anything else), if I said" nice catch, especially for a woman", I'd probably be swimming home. I would hate to assume that just because a woman caught the fish, that she was a lucky novice and will never catch another. I know a few accomplished female anglers that can outfish most( including me) on this board. With kids I think it is different.

My offer still stands for wife's( and ill add girlfriends) who catch and release a 24" or better trout to get a frame on me.

[wevans]

Yep, at least he aint took his rod and run home crying, like some did

Sorry the debil made me do it

[red_yakker]

There are plenty of big trout out there. I believe that as long as you stay within the legal limit, there's no danger of depleting the stock. If you wanna catch more gator trout, you just have to learn to fish differently. Just cause you can't catch the big ones, don't blame it on those of us who can.

[Rhettley]

No. Salty Gator definitely didn't take his rod and go home. He's been busy blowing up my pm box explaining his point of view. I was done until I got called sexist for bringing women into this.
I'm glad hes buying frames. I didn't mean to single him out specifically as I've seen others take the wind out of a kid or anyone for that matter who catches a trophy and decides to keep it. He just happened to be the current one. I've seen it in deer camps more times than I care for when Mr. Buck Fever walks up to a beaming kid's deer and mutters that it would have been a nice deer in a year or two.
All I was asking was to think how your comments could affect a new fisher person. Don't take the wind out of their sails. A persons first trophy fish might not be the best time to teach catch and release.

[Salty Gator]

No one called you sexist rhettely

[Pirate]

Does all this mess have anything to do with the Florida/Florida State thing? I'm feeling it's deeper than fishing.