Out of season fish taking pics...

Post by **Manny** » Sun Jun 06, 2004 1:09 pm

If it was a huge fish, I would take a picture but to benefit the beginners and less experienced fisherman, along with the reputation and stellar integrity of Fish-Hawk.net, I would refrain from posting it though. Just to minimize the snowball effect that posting huge pics from OOS fish could cause.

As this post was brought up on another website regarding huge smallies taken from Temagami, I was able to draw a few personal conclusions but a few question linger??

Would a CO fine someone for taking OOS pics??

Should an individual be proud of catching an OOS (to the extent of taking pics), while obviously not targeting that specific species??

Post by **FLOATFISHIN** » Sun Jun 06, 2004 1:49 pm

CCB,you have a real exelent point as to one persons monster may be average for others.Now my life has revolved around floating tribs for trout and salmon more than any other species of fish as of late,may sound funny considering I live on one of the greatest fisheries out here(THE MIGHTY OTTAWA)But the floating game is on hold till sept for me and we went out to try our luck at eyes and low and behold this fish was caught,I was not sure of the species same thing with RJ but knew it was a better fish so my brother was armed with the cam before we even knew it was a OOS.

I appreciate all replies and yes posting the pics will open either the P.E.T.A can of worms or other bashing will erupt!

It was not a world or province record but was without a doubt one of my biggest for my carreer!

T.L F.F

Post by **Xenos** » Sun Jun 06, 2004 2:44 pm

Personally , Markus said it best. Just to add to it, there is no way any of us wouldnâ€™t take a picture of a personal record.

Post by **SALMON** » Sun Jun 06, 2004 4:38 pm

Personally , Markus said it best. Just to add to it, there is no way any of us wouldnâ€™t take a picture of a personal record.

I agree..safe release of the fish ASAP..my camera is always ready as well..

Post by **MichaelVandenberg** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 9:00 am

No pictures no matter what the size or species of the fish caught out of season....Out of seasan means this fish should not be caught. If they are caught accidently, they should be returned to the water as quick as possible with very limited handled.

There is the chance, that with a picture of an out of season fish you can be held accountible for catching and out of season fish. A picture (that can be date obviousily) does not show or state that you were fishing for pike or walleye when you caught that bass or muskie out of season (for example).

If you need to brag about catching a fish out of season, well all I have to say is I don't agree.

Cheers,

Mike

Post by **Markus** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 9:26 am

Not all pictures are for bragging. Pictures are also taken to capture a special moment. Special moments are determined by the individual who's taking the picture. Like CCB said, one guys trophy is another guys average fish. Some people have never even seen a muski, and if they make a long trip to fish an area and accidently hook a muski...that's pretty special to certain people.

As long as the fish isn't being harmed and a speedy picture is taken...which is not illegal...then we should not look down our noses at those who do it.

Post by **BBRich** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 11:49 am

Do I agree with taking a picture of the OOS fish? Yes, if the camera is ready and it's a good fish, why not?

Do I agree with POSTING the pic on a message board? No! Duhh, not only for your own reputation's sakes (don't want to be labelled as a poacher) but also there's nothing to brag about, you will more than likely just be bashed anyway.

Keep those pictures for yourself or family, if it's a personal record, then show it to people who ask.. but I don't suggest/agree with posting it on the web.

Post by **Fishhawk** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 1:10 pm

An interesting twist can be added to Floatfishin's question if the location is changed...what if you lived in Eastern Ontario and went fishing on a Saturday in May. You caught a 6 lb bass.

Would you take a picture?

So let's change the scenario a little bit. Let's say you are an Eastern Ontario angler who visits a State in May or June. The bass are not subject to regulations, but you know as an angler that the bass are likely to be in a similar spawning state as the ones in Ontario.

Would you take a picture?

Do the regulations of the jurisdiction you are fishing in affect your decison to take a picture? Does your knowledge of bass spawning affect your decision?

Post by **fishforfun** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 2:52 pm

I don't want to insult our southern neighbours but are there not some southern US tourneys that target bass during the spawn? I could be wrong but I'm thinking I read that somewhere. Just as a side point, and please don't you tournament guys get bent out of shape but what does culling bass do to the survival rate? When you get to the weigh in station how is the release handled? Just questions, I have never entered or witnessed live release derbies so I'm asking for opinions.

Post by **Cancatchbass** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 4:16 pm

Yep, fishforfun- most U.S. tournament trails hold tournaments during the spawn. There are a lot of specialists that are highly successful in the art of bed fishing.

Many of the states have done studies showing that fishing during the spawn does not impact on the quality of the fisheries.

As for bass tournament fishing in Ontario, the delayed mortality of properly handled fish that have been culled or weighed in during properly run tournaments is minimal. The mortality rate is definitely lower than if the anglers were not catch and release fishing during a tournament.

Most smart anglers handle their catch as if they were delicate bone china. They want to have a shot at those same bass next year, and the next, and the next...

Hawk- if the jurisdiction in which I caught a bass pre-spawn, spawn or whatever allowed angling for that species at the time I caught a trophy fish, I would take photos. I don't take photos of OOS fish here in Ontario or elsewhere. Catching an OOS season fish to me is a negative experience, not one I would want to capture on film.

CCB

Post by RJ » Mon Jun 07, 2004 4:26 pm

During our Muskrat trip Bacon nagged a huge smallie....biggest he had ever caught...we didn't take a pic...just didn't feel right...he dropped it back in and said "hope to see ya in the fall big girl"...

RJ

Post by **Markus** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 4:36 pm

Here's a smallie I boated at Muskrat. Not sure why my eyes are shut...maybe it was the shame of it all.

Post by **Cancatchbass** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 4:37 pm

RJ- your comment- "just didn't feel right" sums up my view on this subject perfectly.

Thanks.

CCB

Post by **Legend** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 4:37 pm

This one reeks of the dreaded "gray area."

In matters that delve into the gray area you've got to listen to your gut feelings and mine agrees with CCB.

I have to have faith in the people who are charged with managing the fisheries and their rationale for having fishing seasons in the first place.

The photo you take may be a sweet souvenir of your trip, but that photo you've taken of your out of season prize may also constitute evidence that you were indeed "on the hunt."

There are a number of OOS issues, such as the what do you do if you kill an OOS species bringing the fish to the boat, etc... All of which tickle the ethics bone.

Nah, I'll stick to my gut instincts and sense of fair play on this one.

Legend

Post by **Markus** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 4:38 pm

btw......the fish is still swimming in the lake, wig and I shared an experience, a have a photo to remind me of the good times at muskrat, and I'm still not a poacher.

Fish-Hawk.Net

Out of season fish taking pics...

Re..

fishforfun

"just didn't feel right"

Photo Fishdar