Catfish post

[chaseasl]

Let me make one thing clear about myself because it seems that everybody seems to have drawn a conclusion that I'm a horrible person and a bad sportsman for keeping a few big catfish. I'm not a trophy fisherman all the way but am somewhat one. Each year when I fish with my friend we keep several of those big cats in order to fill our freezer up because starting in March he starts fishing bass tournaments with 3 different clubs and I work 6 to 7 days a week so we don't get to do a lot of recreational fishing throughout the year. I personally won't keep a cat over 10 pounds if I'm by myself and I rarely if ever keep a bass over 2 pounds and I definitely never keep one over 5. Guys, I can take being just outright attacked over one post but for yall to attack my character and the type of person I am without ever even meeting me, thats another story. Get to know me, follow some of my other post and if you still don't like me then so be it. If the moderators for this site fill like I'm not up to the sites standards then just let me know and I'll leave.

[nofish]

Let me make one thing clear about myself because it seems that everybody seems to have drawn a conclusion that I'm a horrible person and a bad sportsman for keeping a few big catfish. I'm not a trophy fisherman all the way but am somewhat one. Each year when I fish with my friend we keep several of those big cats in order to fill our freezer up because starting in March he starts fishing bass tournaments with 3 different clubs and I work 6 to 7 days a week so we don't get to do a lot of recreational fishing throughout the year. I personally won't keep a cat over 10 pounds if I'm by myself and I rarely if ever keep a bass over 2 pounds and I definitely never keep one over 5. Guys, I can take being just outright attacked over one post but for yall to attack my character and the type of person I am without ever even meeting me, thats another story. Get to know me, follow some of my other post and if you still don't like me then so be it. If the moderators for this site fill like I'm not up to the sites standards then just let me know and I'll leave.


I don't know you but we have at least one thing in common so I think we'd probably get along. In the pictures it looks like y'all had a blast! Congratulations on the catches. I just wish y'all or your buddy weren't keeping
the trophies. For most people those are fish of a lifetime. I'm glad you have limits on the fish you yourself keep. Sorry to blast you when I'm sure you were excited to write about your fishing trip. Your buddy needs to exercise some self control though. Maybe your beliefs will rub off on him.

[white95v6]

You are such a horrible person for keeping those fish....................and not telling me when and where the fish fry is......lol

[nofish]

You are such a horrible person for keeping those fish....................and not telling me when and where the fish fry is......lol

It appears to me that the drama is over so why add fuel to the fire?

[chaseasl]

It's already started, already ate on them and had some of the crappie I caught the other day tonight.

[nofish]

It's already started, already ate on them and had some of the crappie I caught the other day tonight.

What's already started?

[nofish]

I apologized which apparently I shouldn't have! Go over to the United states catfishing association and post that thread and see what kind of flack you get.

[white95v6]

It appears to me that the drama is over so why add fuel to the fire?

It appears to me you didnt get my post.lol

[white95v6]

It's already started, already ate on them and had some of the crappie I caught the other day tonight.

Awsome eat a few fillets for me then.

[nofish]

It appears to me you didnt get my post.lol

Apparently I DIDN'T

[white95v6]

Apparently I DIDN'T

Lol.ok maybe I didnt get yours.

[j19bill]

It's already started, already ate on them and had some of the crappie I caught the other day tonight.

Awe man white95v6 and I would have brought some hushpuppies or something! LOL

Sent from my Droid Bionic complete with typos and sarcasm.

[tkwalker]

The Poster Chaseasl ... Gives a great explanation among his fishing peers ... Now we have a great funny by another member ... that goes over the head of another member and the poster ...

Guys ... Reread and loosen up!! At least we are going to have hushpuppies (hope they have onion and corn in them UM, UM ) .... <'TK>< :)

[rsimms]

Everybody knows I am a "catfish guy." I did not see the original post... but as for me, as long as you are abiding by the law, I say the same as Bill Dance -- "keep what you can use and release the rest."

It is called a "renewable resource." The biologists set regulations based upon what they believe can be harvested (just like a corn crop), and then replenished through natural reproduction. It doesn't matter if it's bass, bluegill, crappie, carp or catfish... as long as we follow the law, we're not hurting anything.

Fry 'em up. :D

[SAMBOLIE]

How many deer hunters would pass a kill shot on a trophy deer?
Judging by the responses here they should probably snap a picture. Take the picture to a taxidermist and have a replica of the head made to hang on the wall.
I seldom keep a fish. Maybe because I seldom catch one. I still have no problem with anyone keeping what is legal.

[chaseasl]

I apologized which apparently I shouldn't have! Go over to the United states catfishing association and post that thread and see what kind of flack you get.

You have lost me

[tnpondmanager]

I have to respectfully disagree with the idea that as long as we're following the law we're not hurting anything. Some states have more progressive, up-to-date fishing regulations than others; even the state we live in, has more progressive regulations for some species than others. For instance, the regulations in place on Laurel Hill Lake for largemouth, are completely in line with the latest fisheries science for increasing the average size of the bass in the lake.

The regulations for bluegill and redear, however, anywhere in the state, are woefully out of date, and completely disregard all of the research that has been done by multiple DNRs over the past ten years; said regulations directly contributed to the demise of an outstanding bluegill fishery in middle Tennessee just in the past four years.

[nofish]

Everybody knows I am a "catfish guy." I did not see the original post... but as for me, as long as you are abiding by the law, I say the same as Bill Dance -- "keep what you can use and release the rest."

It is called a "renewable resource." The biologists set regulations based upon what they believe can be harvested (just like a corn crop), and then replenished through natural reproduction. It doesn't matter if it's bass, bluegill, crappie, carp or catfish... as long as we follow the law, we're not hurting anything.

Fry 'em up. :D

Maybe you should check it out! It's the had fun at pickwick thread. You of all people should be appalled.

[nofish]

I've got nothing else to say on the matter! I'm done.

[j19bill]

Guys ... Reread and loosen up!! At least we are going to have hushpuppies (hope they have onion and corn in them UM, UM ) .... <'TK>< :)

Hushpuppies without onion and corn? That's something to actually get mad over! :p


Sent from my Droid Bionic complete with typos and sarcasm.

[ojibwa]

How many deer hunters would pass a kill shot on a trophy deer?
Judging by the responses here they should probably snap a picture. Take the picture to a taxidermist and have a replica of the head made to hang on the wall.
I seldom keep a fish. Maybe because I seldom catch one. I still have no problem with anyone keeping what is legal.
That is exactly why I fish instead of hunt. It is an awesome feeling for me to watch a trophy fish swim away. That being said I have no problem with hunters or people keeping legal fish. It is their right. But I do believe some good fisherman could do damage to a fishery by keeping every big fish they catch. Selective harvest is the key and it sounds like what these guys were doing. A couple of big fish a year is not going to hurt anything. Besides, did you see the arms on that dude, I doubt anybody would say anything to him if they weren't behind a computer. Nice Catch!

[SAMBOLIE]

That is exactly why I fish instead of hunt. It is an awesome feeling for me to watch a trophy fish swim away. That being said I have no problem with hunters or people keeping legal fish. It is their right. But I do believe some good fisherman could do damage to a fishery by keeping every big fish they catch. Selective harvest is the key and it sounds like what these guys were doing. A couple of big fish a year is not going to hurt anything. Besides, did you see the arms on that dude, I doubt anybody would say anything to him if they weren't behind a computer. Nice Catch!

I would tell him what I thought-----------as I was burning rubber and driving away. http://www.fishingtn.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[rsimms]

Maybe you should check it out! It's the had fun at pickwick thread. You of all people should be appalled.

Thanks for pointing me at the thread in question... I truly do respect anyone's opinion on the issue at hand (excluding personal attacks). But I'm not appalled and my opinion doesn't change.

They followed the law.

As great as it was, their catch that day was absolutely miniscule when compared to the daily catches of commercial fishermen up and down the Tennessee River system.

This is a good discussion and everyone should take the time and effort expended hear to share their opinions with TWRA biologists each year when they seek public comment on fishing regulations.

[nofish]

Thanks for pointing me at the thread in question... I truly do respect anyone's opinion on the issue at hand (excluding personal attacks). But I'm not appalled and my opinion doesn't change.

They followed the law.

As great as it was, their catch that day was absolutely miniscule when compared to the daily catches of commercial fishermen up and down the Tennessee River system.

This is a good discussion and everyone should take the time and effort expended hear to share their opinions with TWRA biologists each year when they seek public comment on fishing regulations.



So on your guided trips would you let your clients keep those fish? Captain Jason Bridges on wheeler lake in Alabama won't let his clients keep anything over I believe 15lbs. He regularly catches 50lb cats and cats up to and over 100lbs.

[nofish]

Out of all of the threads/posts on catch and release of trophy fish this is the first time I've gotten involved just to let anyone reading know. If these had been 50lb stripers there would have been he'll to pay from the members until tk or bd locked the thread.


http://m.youtube.com/index?&desktop_uri=%2F#/watch?v=80BUfQgBap4

[agelesssone]

HMMMM, I think I'll test the reactions of members when I catch and eat a 21 inch smallmouth, along with a video of it being fileted...while still alive....and flopping...and gasping...

[tkwalker]

HMMMM, I think I'll test the reactions of members when I catch and eat a 21 inch smallmouth, along with a video of it being fileted...while still alive....and flopping...and gasping...

Trouble Maker ...... LOL !!! :eek: <'TK><:)

[agelesssone]

LOL, I know. I just had to throw one more little twig on the fire. Now we'll just the embers die down and wait for the next one.

[rsimms]

So on your guided trips would you let your clients keep those fish?

Actually, yes I would. The law allows individuals to keep one catfish per day more than 34-inches. If they wanted to keep one, I would allow it.

However I've been guiding since 2006. I have had clients who hit the water with me saying, "I wouldn't mind keeping one big one."

But when they actually do catch a trophy blue and see it in the bottom of the boat, in EVERY case they have chosen to release it. But it was their choice, not mine.

[tkwalker]

Actually, yes I would. The law allows individuals to keep one catfish per day more than 34-inches. If they wanted to keep one, I would allow it.

However I've been guiding since 2006. I have had clients who hit the water with me saying, "I wouldn't mind keeping one big one."

But when they actually do catch a trophy blue and see it in the bottom of the boat, in EVERY case they have chosen to release it. But it was their choice, not mine.

Richard, 2006 ?? You have been guiding longer than tah haven't you <'TK><

[MPD816]

Merv,

I won't say a word and I'll supply the seasoning if you can put me on a 21" small jaw. He He. (inside joke with Merv, he knows I'm a catch and release guy, so don't blow a gasket if your reading this) I'm headed to Texas the first week of April but after that Elizabeth said I have to come down with a 24 hour flu so we can fish a weekday. Gotta love a woman that likes to fish! Let me know and we'll buy breakfast and gas again.

[browntrout]

I know a lot of times with a guide if you keep a big one they will be sure that you dont catch another big one the rest of the day. A lot of guides will even casually ask you a the beginning of the trip if you would keep a trophy and if you say yes a lot of times your chances of getting one are very slim.

Roy

[agelesssone]

Awwww TK! You took our fun away. LMAO!

[agelesssone]

Awwww TK! You took our fun away. LMAO!

[rsimms]

Richard, 2006 ?? You have been guiding longer than tah haven't you <'TK><

I've been taking people fishing a lot longer than that... but didn't start charging for it until 2006. But to me, that feels like a LONG time ago... :(

[nofish]

And I wasn't starting anything I was standing up for what I believe in and had it been a trophy striper it would've been all out warfare from alot more of the members then who said anything about this. Let me make myself clear, I'm not back in this fight and I'm not arguing with anyone. Look at all of my posts I haven't said many negative things. I'm a member here everyday, not just part time when it's time to make money.

HAPPY FISHING TO EVERYONE!