Catch and release or catch and eat?

**Teotwawki** · 06-13-2008, 06:12 PM

When you fish - do you catch and release or catch and eat?

My son and I love to fish... but a mercury warning was issued for several species of fish in the big lake near us (reportedly one of the cleanest in the U.S.).

As catch and eat fishers it took a lot of the fun out of it for us.

Thus... the pontoon boat is for sale to fund the purchase of a land-toy.

Thoughts on catch and eat vs. release and polluted waterways?

**dragonjimm** · 06-13-2008, 06:16 PM

its either catch and use for bait or catch and eat i didnt go through the trouble of getting the fish to the bank to turn it loose.

several of our largest and most popular waterways are also polluted. most with pcb's although i'm syre mercury is also on the list.
most fishing for meals is done on private ponds or smaller lakes where the quality of the fish and water are better monitored.

**Sam Reeves** · 06-13-2008, 06:28 PM

I won't eat anything that comes out of the big rivers in the South. Too many sewage treatment plants upstream.

I like brim but hate to clean them so it all depends on what mood I am in. Trout always ends up in a pan. I usually keep the best catfish and bass.

**jrock24** · 06-13-2008, 06:30 PM

catch and grill, same day! I love going to the local streams, picking out a few trout and taking them home and grilling them. I have even grilled some stream side, but its a pain to haul in the grill and pans.

**wareagle69** · 06-13-2008, 06:33 PM

we have the same warnings in the ontario fishing guide about what type and how many to eat each month, i rarely fish but when i do its to eat..

**Teotwawki** · 06-13-2008, 06:34 PM

We still fish for trout in the streams but have abandoned the lake.

First big fish my kid caught - he was really proud - not for catching the fish but because he put food on the table using his own skills.

**crashdive123** · 06-13-2008, 06:36 PM

Sounds like you're raising him just fine.

**Teotwawki** · 06-13-2008, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by crashdive123

Sounds like you're raising him just fine.

Thanks - he gets most the credit - he is just a good kid... makes me wonder if I'm actually the father

**wareagle69** · 06-13-2008, 06:51 PM

lets ask maurry for the test results

**buttercup** · 06-13-2008, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by Teotwawki

Thanks - he gets most the credit - he is just a good kid... makes me wonder if I'm actually the father

he is a marvelous kid and I claim him as his 'honorary' aunt (well, probably great-aunt) if I'm allowed.

Very smart, funny, and all around nice.

**Rick** · 06-13-2008, 08:19 PM

I guess it depends. I like to fish but some places I won't eat the fish so I fish and release. Other places I'll catch and eat. I fly fish mostly so around here it's usually Redear and Bluegill.

**Jericho117** · 06-13-2008, 08:22 PM

Depends, when I bow fish I obviously eat whatever fish I put an arrow through, I hate to waste anything on an animal, but when I fish with hand line ( I don't use poles) I catch and kill only ones that bite quickly when I cast out, and if im hungry in the woods and don't feel like walking back miles to my house to just eat something.

**Teotwawki** · 06-13-2008, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by buttercup

he is a marvelous kid and I claim him as his 'honorary' aunt (well, probably great-aunt) if I'm allowed.

Very smart, funny, and all around nice.

You're allowed.

**Sarge47** · 06-13-2008, 11:01 PM

1st, I don't fish a whole lot, unless it 's fly fishing, or Survival. Either way, unless it's too small or a carp,(

) it hits the skillet! Some Wise-en-Hiemer even went so far as to invent a "barbless" hook for fly-tyers to tie their flies with to aid in "catch & Release"! Go figure!

Where's Smok when I need him?

**canid** · 06-13-2008, 11:26 PM

i'm used to living near areas which only allow catch and release, and/or only allow the use of barbless circle hooks.

i don't fish there. i wouldn't go fishing if i wheren't looking for a meal, and since i'm always hungry, it dosen't stifle my ability to engage in that sport and past-time i love so well. there are many waters i wouldn't fish in for the pollution, many more i just wouldn't fish in more than a few times a year, but then there are brands and types of canned fish i wouldn't eat for the same reason.

i never had much time for catch and release, i don't see a need to torture the poor critters needlessly.

**Sam Reeves** · 06-13-2008, 11:27 PM

Eat 'em or let 'em go?

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=5542199

**BraggSurvivor** · 06-14-2008, 12:13 AM

Catch and release for me in the summer. All the Rainbow, Brookies and Browns you can catch two minute walk down my driveway. In the winter is different. I catch and pan fry at least 6 a week.