WHAT A WASTE!

[CAPTAIN CHARLIE]

I was watching a fishing show this afternoon on Comcast. not the regurlar channel 28 that has the fishing shows, it was I believe on ch. 26.

Now I have seen lots of discusting things in my life, and being seventy three years old I've seen a lot.

This fishing show taped some idiots off of Miami or Ft. Lauderdale catching Amber Jacks off a wreck, or so they said. The fishermen were some big fellas, like line backers, who were having a hard time reeling in the fish. Most of the AJs looked to be around forty pounds and up.

When they did get the fish to the stern, a guy that looked like the mate would GAFF the AJs in the back, then hold them up for pictures and them toss them over board. The fish were in shock when they were tossed over board.

I'm sure this show will air again, and if you happen to see it do as I did and call Comcast and complain. I was so mad I didn't see who the sponsors were. Next time I'll write their names down and make it a point to call them too. I havn't been this pissed in a long time.

See you on the water,

Charlie

[rocket]

[dstockwell]

[dbplug]

I saw the same thing Charlie. I have never caught an AJ. Seemed rather brutish. Maybe thats s.fl.

[Littoral]

Unreal to people who are rational and capable of thinking for themselves. But watch out, it's a very quick for someone to spin protests of such things as bleeding heart enviromental liberal wacko PC PETA whining. Don't get me wrong, my inclination would be to re-apply the gaff and send people like that over board. The difference here, I'd argue, is that we like fish. Bigger the better. So if it's not an ethical concern but a "resource" one then then problem is that it's essentially just a waste of good fish.
Otherwise, what's the difference between what they did and a nice live well full of frisky Pilchards primed, hopefully, for slaughter?

[wevans]

Otherwise, what's the difference between what they did and a nice live well full of frisky Pilchards primed, hopefully, for slaughter?

It could be argued that Pilchards are a bait fish while an AJ is a regulated game fish and my first inclination, would be to throw the dumb SOBs killing them for fun overboard and use the for Shark bait

[CAPTAIN CHARLIE]

I wasn't refering to the cruelty of gaffing the AJs. I was talking about the stupidity of wasting good fish. As I grow older I have a problem with folks catching as many fish as they can only to throw them over board. I have a problem catching or killing something I don't intend to eat.

I don't think the liberals have exclucivity on being sympathetic to animals suffering. I'm sure there are conservatives who hug trees, carry PETA signs and protest. After all the word CONSERVATIVE means to conserve if I remember right.

Sure, I take folks fishing and they try to catch one to hang on the wall and that's ok. So call me what you want, but I'm simply a very conservative old guy who hates to see fish wasted.

See you on the water,


Charlie

[Sir reel]

Thanks Captain Charlie for bringing this to the forum. Your suggestion of monitoring the show if it airs again and communicating to Comcast and Sponsors our disappointment in the content is the best way to go!

[Littoral]

What I really appreciate about this site is that we talk about fishing and rarely venture into topics we shouldn't discuss over dinner. That's difficult for me because I really enjoy politics, religion, and arguing complicated issues in general. Sorry if I ventured off into a rant.
Truth is I plan to stop by the K-Tower Market tomorrow for an AJ.

[catchin1]

Seems if they were gaffing then that would indicate keeping and would some how be violating the limit? At any rate it seems to be part of a trend where people get sponsers get on camera and feel they are above rules and regs that apply to us ALL.

[DuctTapeKing]

Why Gaff a fish and not just grab the tale if your going to release??? I mean if your in for a good fight then wear his arsh out and get him so tired you can grab his tail, then take just a few minutes to revive him. You know its funny when ever I fish the east coast most people over there don't concider AJ's good table fair. They think of them about as good eating as their favorite bait...mullet. I accually has a chater boat captain, from the east coast, tell me that one time. If you go to the east coast and say you eat mullet or AJ's they will look at ya funny. I wish people would be more conservation minded. Would anyone gaff an over sized RED??? Thanks Captain Charlie for the heads up.

[Chalk]

Be mindful of some of the stupid things we are prone to do under not so normal circumstances i.e. pressure..as in a camera crew and a bunch of folks behind the camera man motioning the gaffer to throw it back....Not saying this happened or making an excuse for the act, but as Paul Harvey say's now the rest of the story...

Sometimes you have to think outside the box, what if it was edited out, we would have never known or had this conversation....What's the difference in bycatch on a shrimp boat or longliner......okay, I'll stop

Just my thoughts, before you guys try to stone me...I'm not saying it is okay to gaff and release a fish....

[dbplug]

All I can add is - try to catch the show. Looked to me like 'several' different AJ's were gaffed through the back, held for a picture, and then tossed back in.

Can't say with certainty it is good or bad for the fish, I lean towards "not so good". Try to catch the show. Guess I will go hug a chicken or something.

[wevans]

Guess I will go hug a chicken or something.

I'm doing so right now welll, I guess it's more like lovingly picking it up and placing it in my mouth and chewing

[Littoral]

I guess it's more like lovingly picking it up and placing it in my mouth and chewing

It is nice to be at the top of the food chain.