I will never understand why people put a knife in trophy fish.

[jusanothajoe]

First of all...because is it "Legal" doesn't mean it is right.
There are plenty of things that are legal, that aren't good for us, the environment, etc.,....or they are proven later not to be right.
We also have to understand that there are REGIONAL differences...Fish grow faster in the South, some fish are viewed differently in different areas, etc., etc., etc.

I view it as a "Regional Common Sense" issue....and yes, I understand that "Common Sense" is becoming more and more rare in our Society!lol

Also just because some people think it's wrong, doesn't mean it is.

[Erin Brewer]

Why do so many people go out and keep trophy fish just to lay a knife to them. I think it's being selfish. All your doing is taking someone else's dream. I hear it all the time, my freezer is packed full. Me and my partner only keep what we can eat and if we're not going to mount it, that fish goes back. One time we were at a tournament and a guy caught a 2 # and asked him what he was going to do with it, of coarse he said eat it. I asked him if I gave him four of our fish would he trade me that one so I could let it go and he did. I seen professional fisherman at Lake Washington last year with coolers full of 2 to 3 pound crappie. I know there a very tasty fish but the 10 inchers taste the same as the 15 inchers.

I beg to do differ! The 10 inchers taste way better

[Zinger]

Seems just like politics and religion. Best not discussed, do what is right for you and move on!!!

[deathb4disco]

Seems just like politics and religion. Best not discussed, do what is right for you and move on!!!

What would Jesus and Donald Trump do ... with a big fish?

[M R Dux]

First of all...because is it "Legal" doesn't mean it is right.
There are plenty of things that are legal, that aren't good for us, the environment, etc.,....or they are proven later not to be right.
We also have to understand that there are REGIONAL differences...Fish grow faster in the South, some fish are viewed differently in different areas, etc., etc., etc.

I view it as a "Regional Common Sense" issue....and yes, I understand that "Common Sense" is becoming more and more rare in our Society!lol

I got to know Chaunc thru an argument that we had about releasing female redears on KY Lake. I have always released them because I wanted to see the redear fishery continue to grow as it had for several years. I didn't diss him for keeping them, I just stated I personally (and many of my fishing friends) released them unless they were bleeding when I boated them. Keeping them is legal and ethical. Same for huge female crappie, if you want to keep them, that is your prerogative. I release many of the spawning females I catch. Personal prerogative.

I consider Chaunc to be one of the best friends I have on this earth. Our disagreement didn't make us disagreeable.

[Zinger]

What would Jesus and Donald Trump do ... with a big fish?

Jesus, feed the multitude! Trump, feed the Mexicans building the wall!!!

[lowe175]

This is a personal choice. As long as it's legal I'm not going to criticize anyone. If you go to the big 3 in Mississippi that's all you can keep.

[StratosFS5]

Crappies are panfish and are great tablefare. The main reason most people fish for crappies is to put food on the table and in the freezer. If they are of legal size, most people will keep them regardless if they are 10" or 16"! Keeping a 3# crappie is not taking someone's dream away, because if you release it, chances are the next person that catches it is going to keep it. That's the reason they put limits on lakes to insure that the population will not be harmed by harvesting the females during the spawn.
Now if you want to talk about a closed spawn season to insure those big females have a chance to lay their eggs, that might be something to consider, or a slot limit on size! But all I got to say is...good luck with that!

[INTIMIDATOR]

I got to know Chaunc thru an argument that we had about releasing female redears on KY Lake. I have always released them because I wanted to see the redear fishery continue to grow as it had for several years. I didn't diss him for keeping them, I just stated I personally (and many of my fishing friends) released them unless they were bleeding when I boated them. Keeping them is legal and ethical. Same for huge female crappie, if you want to keep them, that is your prerogative. I release many of the spawning females I catch. Personal prerogative.

I consider Chaunc to be one of the best friends I have on this earth. Our disagreement didn't make us disagreeable.

I fully Understand!
I have Many friends in the South...Being a Hard-Core NORTHERN Bass fishermen, it killed me at first to see then eating Big Tourney Winning LM...but they can grow more Big Bass then Northern Fisheries can, and alot faster! Same with Stripers and Crappie!
It's ALOT harder in the North to get Trophy Sized fish, so I still put Big Fish Back...I figure if they found a way to live that long in the North, I'd just try to take a picture, and not try to be responsible for their death! I fill my freezers with mid sized fish!

[talltimber]

Keep the big fish. Leaves more food for little baby fish. You wouldn't deny a little baby fish food to eat would you?!!