Chatterbaits-- With or without skirts?

[Denny Welch]

A fish that big is better off let go. Keep the smaller ones and let the big ones live to fight another day. Big blood is the future for your kids to enjoy.

Good call, Lamar.

[andrewlamberson]

It breaks my heart we I see someone keep a big Pike like that. Those fish are over 15 years old. I can't imagine they are worth eating. I'll take a 16" walleye!

And yes Denny... I'm a mere shadow of my former self...80+ lbs over the last year.

[Denny Welch]

Man, you're really looking good.

[Do-It Corp.]

Andy,  thought is looked like your belt was cinched up a bit.  Congrats, great accomplishment.

[Lamar]

  Good for you Andrew. Your body will thank you for many years to come.

[efishnc]

A fish that big is better off let go. Keep the smaller ones and let the big ones live to fight another day. Big blood is the future for your kids to enjoy.

I'm not trying to pick a fight, but over the years I have heard too many people push their ideals on another person about what they should or shouldn't keep... it gets to be a similar argument of what size of deer to shoot.  I agree it is nice to see big fish returned to the water, but how many of us want to be told what we should or shouldn't do, even when the words are spoken with grace. 

I think the best way to involve novices and perpetuate the love of fishing is not to impose our opinions on their actions, unless it is affirming.  I say if it is legal, then nobody should feel guilty about what they want to keep/take. (Again, I'm not trying to pick a fight; I'm just hoping to raise awareness for the mind of those in the earlier stages of our pursuit.)

[Justin9j]

Andy congrats on the 80lbs

[Muskygary]

80 pounds!! Do you ever get to eat a regular meal, or are you living on rice cakes? I lost 20 and my doctor told me he wants me to loose another 30, so much for fish fries.

[andrewlamberson]

The secret is .....go on a low sodium diet. Then you can never (almost never) eat out. Saves $$ and lbs!!

Walking 3 miles/day on most days helps too!

Andy

[Lamar]

I'm not trying to pick a fight, but over the years I have heard too many people push their ideals on another person about what they should or shouldn't keep... it gets to be a similar argument of what size of deer to shoot.  I agree it is nice to see big fish returned to the water, but how many of us want to be told what we should or shouldn't do, even when the words are spoken with grace. 

I think the best way to involve novices and perpetuate the love of fishing is not to impose our opinions on their actions, unless it is affirming.  I say if it is legal, then nobody should feel guilty about what they want to keep/take. (Again, I'm not trying to pick a fight; I'm just hoping to raise awareness for the mind of those in the earlier stages of our pursuit.)

  Well good for you but I think your wrong. First of all you can't pick a fight with me because I simple won't fight. It's a childish game and I'm not into that. So fell free to say what ever you like to me. Second I can to say what I said because I have seen in my life time many lakes go down hill because of poor management of fish. It has nothing to do what is legal. It has everything to do with what is right. It is our responsibility to see that our next generation has the chance to fish like or better then we did. Take a big fish like that ? Why kill it ? If nothing else learn to respect that. If you want some smaller fish for dinner then ok. But don't kill the big spawners. Your only hurting yourself and the future of fishing.
  And just saying I'm as guilty as anyone. When I was a kid my dad and I would come home after a day of fish with the floor board of the pick up full of big bass. We thought there was no end to them. Well we were wrong. All I'm trying to do now is to teach the next generation what I have learned. And yes I have the right to do that. In fact it's my responsibility.

[Do-It Corp.]

So what are you saying?  If Andy is down 80 pounds,  keep him or through him back?

[Lamar]

So what are you saying?  If Andy is down 80 pounds,  keep him or through him back?

 I'm thinking Andy has a face only his mother could love. Everybody else better toss him back. Kind of like when you catch a dog fish. You take your long nose pliers and release him next to the boat hopping you don't have to touch him.

[Denny Welch]

So what are you saying?  If Andy is down 80 pounds,  keep him or through him back?

Cut him in half.  Keep one and throw the other one back.

[Lamar]

Cut him in half.  Keep one and throw the other one back.
[/quote]
 Good idea Denny. I've seen them do that with crabs and they grow another arm.

[Muskygary]

The truth of the matter is that the smaller fish do most of the reproduction, but we  need the bigger fish to  help eat the larger shad and other trash fish. I personally don't keep northern over thirty inches and then only one at a time. Most of those fish come off the lake I live on; so it's only a matter of walking out to my pier; getting into the boat; and catching a mess of fresh fish.