How Many of you Keep Bass to Eat??

[Spence Scout]

Keepign eyes,

I catch and release eyes all the time! we kept 1 keeper this winter out of like over 40 caught, however maybe a handful were keepers. But even then our intention wasnt to keep. I kept about 3 or 4 all season last year out of a ton that I landed in the boat. Im a catch and release fisherman to whatever species I catch or target. I believe this attitude will only strengthen our resources. One person can make a difference. And I know for a fact that the guys I fish with in the lake I fish all the time the difference speaks for itself.
People who fish with me or know of me will always know of me i nthis way and this im proud of!

SS

[Wall-I-Guy]

You are looking at totally different groups that are targetting these species. Put your average bass angler onto walleye, he will still throw them back. Take your average walleye fisherperson bass fishing and he will want to take them home. Of course I am speaking in generalities here.
Ed Toobinator Puddephatt

Interesting

Funny how people see things differently is all I say to that! Most guys I know that specifically target Walleye, think of Bass as "roaches" of the water and throw them back.

They like to catch them for the action, but rarely do they keep them. Unless of course they are totally meat eaters! Then it doesn't matter what they target primarily as they're after meat, plain and simple But I know very few guys that do that

Yet I know many Bass fisherman, who by their own admission and on this site too, that if out catching Bass, and "inadvertantly" catch a Walleye, it hits the frying pan They sing the same old song, Oh I don't eat Bass, too wormy. I'll have a Wallie though

I'd say it's safe to say, it works both ways for sure Generally speaking

[M.T. Livewell]

Of course the "Don't knock it til ya try it" saying comes into play here. I cooked MT up a feed of rock bass last summer and I think he's still suprised at how much he liked it.

I gotta say, I loved the rock bass. In fact, I liked it better than the smallmouth.

In the past, I have seldom ate what I caught. And likely won't eat too much more, but will keep a few. Problem is, I am terrible at cleaning fish and hate doing so. So laziness is my motivator for putting them back.

Again, given how much I enjoyed the rock bass, and am to understand that sunfish, perch, etc all taste that good, well, I see me keeping a few more.
What will likely happen is I will take the kids fishing and have them catch dinner. The bass I'm chasing will likely go back.
And don't forget catfish, it is a resource too many folks over look.

M.T. Livewell

[Legend]

After reading how this thread has morphed I got to thinking...

I guess now we know why there isn't such a thing as a Walleye Pro Shop.

It seems clear that, on balance, Walleye fishermen tend to keep more fish than your garden variety Bass fisherman.

Each camp contains fishermen that have paid for an Ontario Fishing Licence and have the right to practice C&R or keep the limits as defined in the regulations.

In the final analysis both philosophies are Ok. by me.

Legend

[Buzzer]

I've always wanted to ask this question to the board. Glad someone did.

I used to eat them but once I started learning how to fish for them, (especially Largemouth in the slop), using Bass Rats and other similar lures, my taste bud have been "turned off". So now I release them all unless I'm with someone who wants to eat it.


Buzzer

[RJ]

The best part of this whole thread is how its gone on so long in a civil manner....

Congrats to all of you acting like grown-ups!!


RJ

[joco]

hi all


Very nicely said,,,,,toobinator,,,,,



But would like to no why,,,,,,,,,,,,bass ,,,,and not an other kind,,,?

I still think its a monney thing,,,,,,,,,bassboat ,,,,,,,bassproshop,,,,,basseverything,,,its a very large market and the company puch it more and more its very profitable market
it went frome fishing to a very big buisenes,,,,,,,,see all those 30 000 to 70000 bass boat and all those multi milions sponsership and all,,,,the big and biger prize,,,,,,,,,,its went just to mutch,,,,,,,,,

there supose to be some ((scholorship)) to be won in some bass tornement,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I think it went to far,,,,,,,,,,thats my opinion,,,,,,,some do think its to take care off the fisheries and there is some that dont want you to take the big one that he could win the tornement,,,,,,,and all what wit it,,,,,,,,

THere is some tornement that you HAVE to have the bassboat or you can t go in,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
there other tornement that you have to have there kind off bassboat to get in,,,,

So is this about monney or what,,,,,,,,,its a very very big niche,,,,,,market

joco

[joco]

HI all

Mabe i went a bit to far frome the original question,,,,,,,,,,,,,

And yes the bass fishermen are a diferent,,,,,,,,,,like you said toobinator,,,



take care guys,,,,,,,,,

joco

[big-o]

Hey Joco....we will save that arguement for a later date.

Again Guys and Gals...lets keep to the Subject

Thanks Guys and Gals...for your honest response...this is not a thread to debate wether it is RIGHT or WRONG to keep bass, please keep it to Yes I do and Like it, or no I don't.... again I stress this thread was started to find out there are more catch and release people, or more like me who will take bass home for dinner, ....In RJ's thread he wanted to know why the bass season closes so early in some zones, just as the fall bass fishing gets hot....there was a response that the catch and keep guys, may wipe out a fishery in three or four years(in some cases), if the season was extented! So far I think the catch and release guys are in majority, with only two full time Meat guys, and the rest will eat only a few small bass , but would prefer a walleye

[Johnny Bass]

For me I used to keep bass for the people I went fishing with but have not kept a bass for at least 10 years. My dad gets really pee pee off when i release a huge bass.lol

I have a number of reasons, none of which are the taste. I think that they are a great Sport fish. I would never keep a bass or a muskie for 4 reasons.

1) So that someone else can enjoy the fish.
2) So that he can grow bigger and be caught another day.
3) Out of respect for Tournament fisherman.
4) So he can spawn and make more fish for the future.

I do not eat fish that much, Due to the cleaning and it stinks up my fridge and i get yelled at.lol

And Although I am a sport fisherman I still fell that it is ok, for people to have the right to eat them if they want to. But you have guys that get mad at us sports fishermen also. They say if we are not eating them why fish....

I am only pressured to keep some by people I go fishing with. but I personally NEVER keep a Bass or Muskie.

The funny thing is when I release a pickeral in pickeral country, I get dirty looks and sometimes hear bickering, like it is a sin or something.lol This happens to me alot. All they had to do was ask. Now I always offer. And If I go fishing with anyone,I give them whatever fish I catch.
And I usually always catch something decent. (knock on wood)

I've also had people BEG me to put huge bass back in, even though I was going to do it anyways.

[RJ]

3) Out of respect for Tournament fisherman.

Oh never mind.....that bee's nest doesn't need to be stirred.....

RJ

[Johnny Bass]

Hopefully one day. Maybe 10 years from now, I might think of doing tournaments. First I have to get a boat and learn the lakes.lol.

I know all the spots from shore though, so I know the shore lines to cover that are accesable from shore very well.

I think tournament fishing is the ultimate thrill for a fisherman. Other than catching your personal best. If you do both it is a double bonus.

Its just a little expensive.....

Plus I used to fish with the cousin(Who is an average fisherman) of a tournament fisherman and they can be real babies if you keep bass.

So know its natural not to keep them.

[eye-tracker]

I do not keep bass for eating...
I don't like the taste of most warm water fish.

-et

[steve-hamilton]

five pages and no childish remarks.

I can't wait to go to a get-together with you guys/gals.

your a good bunch!

(i'm impressed w/ the amount of guyz releasing bass, but i'm not upset with ANYONE who keeps a smaller bass to eat. DONT WASTE IT. and PLEASE dont keep a mature spawner! no need to keep a 3lbs + bass)

[Sluggo]

Ed,

You just wanted your tube back.... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I know everyone loves to catch and keep walleyes...but to me....in this area....it is the most pressured fish there is....rarely do any get put back....and nobody EVER screams about their return to the water the way bass get put up on a pedestal for release....Why is that?..... :?

Great responses guys!

RJ

I will keep a bass to eat if there is alot of bleeding ot if I decide that there a poor chance of survival. (floating on it's side during release) I'd rather feed myself than a pike.

Well RJ you will be pleased to know that out of the 54 walleye caught out of my shack on the Mississippi this year 30-40 went back. They were all legal size except maybe 5. We pride ourselves on releasing as many walleye as possible. Not that there is legally anything wrong keeping your limit but we just don't feel that it is necessary. I know of multiple shacks that on the Miss that follow this practice. (these people are the ones we share info with)