The odds and why to put big ones back. Update!

[MT204]

We always talk about the odds.
Last month one of the guys in our group caught his biggest Pike ever 28.5 pounds, We had a quick talk about mounting it but decided to let her go so someone else could enjoy the once in a life time thrill of catching a big one.
This year we also converted over to circle hooks and will never look back, so much easier on the fish!
Well yesterday the odds where in my sons favor!
Caught the same fish (look closely at the pattern). Little bit bigger 29.5 pounds, I imagine she's filling up with eggs. No damage to the fish with the circle hook didn't even need plyers to remove and she's back for someone else to enjoy.

[Lines]

Very nice fish. Great example of conservation. Thanks MT204!

[Shaunm81]

Wow that is a beauty MT204.  I would have that bad boy on my wall hanging or a reproduction.

[ctom]

The belly pattern is the tell on this. Great fish and a super job of releasing. Congrats on both accounts!

[WALLEYE WACKER]

I’ve got one mounted that was 46” but if I had it to do all over a gain I wouldn’t.

[Bass Boys]

 Great fish guys ,,
  very cool

[Bass Boys]

I’ve got one mounted that was 46” but if I had it to do all over a gain I wouldn’t.

  My last 2 mounts were replicas.
  take pictures ,, measure length and girth ..
  Not exactly the same but works good for me .

[efishnc]

I can see the same pattern on the gill plate, so I would definitely agree it is the same fish... congrats on both catches!!!

Also, putting on a pound in one month is pretty impressive as well!

[Bucho]

I have heard that the only comercial fisherman in the Kiel Canal releases specimen brown trout for re-production. Frankly, this would never cross my mind a few kilometers farther east in the baltic sea, neither would the semi-professional gill netters there even cosider to think in this terms.

It depends on the habitat and the species. I once had to harvest a specimen northern pike. It was ok eating for once but given the choice, I would always pass as long as I have cod and zander in the freezer.

[Do-it Rep]

That is awesome! Thanks for sharing!

[efishnc]

I once had to harvest a specimen northern pike. It was ok eating for once but given the choice, I would always pass as long as I have cod and zander in the freezer.

I've eaten far more walleye (a cousin to the zander) than pike in my days, and I think pike are the better tasting fish... it's cleaning those beasts (slime, smell, and bones) that prevents me from eating them more often.

[basscatlildave]

Good deal. It’s very rare for sure.

[Lamar]

 I bet that fish is tired of seeing you.  Nice catch and thanks for letting her go.

[bassinfool]

Absolutely beautiful fish.  Always a big advocate for letting those beauties go to be caught again another day.  I have thought about having my PB spotted bass made into a replica mount but haven't bit the bullet on that just yet. 

[efishnc]

Absolutely beautiful fish.  Always a big advocate for letting those beauties go to be caught again another day.  I have thought about having my PB spotted bass made into a replica mount but haven't bit the bullet on that just yet.

I have also considered replicas for a couple of fish, but they are just more than I would like to spend, especially when wanting to upgrade for a bigger catch.  A fishing friend keeps his trophy memories by getting quality photo-transfers put on canvas; it looks almost like a painting and is much more impressive than a simple photo... plus these are a fraction of replicas in size and cost which can help in having more trophy displays and/or upgrades.