OP here again...I also want to thank those of you who have offered your thoughts of support. I should have thanked you above. It's nice to know others out there think about this stuff.

 

Lou

6 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

I will start off by saying that I do practice C & R and during the process do believe I'm making a concerted effort to not do extra harm to the fish I catch.

On that note, the name of this sport 'fishing' sounds fairly benign when compared to what is actually happening - every time. 

Our 'fishing'  is pretty much slamming at least one very sharp hook (but often several hooks),

into a helpless & unsuspecting fish, never knowing exactly where it may actually end up being imbedded or what type of collateral damage it will cause.  So while I would like to believe that my 'released' fish live to fight another day, it's also equally as hard for me to act surprised when they don't. 

Finally, I've caught several one-eyed fish (including my Smallie PB) and while it's not something I'm proud of, I've blinded a few.

And on the rare occasion when I end up with a floater, I have no problem recovering it, 

knocking the sides off it, and floating it in hot fat for a sandwich later. 

Fish Hard

A-Jay

 

 

 

 

I've created a number of one eyed bass. I've switched to smaller hooks. I've also created bird/turtle food with panfish. Fish will not get wasted in the wild. A waste of fish is when you freeze it, it gets freezer burned, and it's no good. PSA(Freeze fish in water and they will not get freezer burn)

I stopped tournament fishing maybe 10 years ago. Yes I do miss it, but my body tells me different. I don't need to hook/land every fish anymore. I also don't need to put bass, or any other fish on a pedestal. I am at the top of the food chain. 

57 minutes ago, slonezp said:

I've created a number of one eyed bass. I've switched to smaller hooks. I've also created bird/turtle food with panfish. Fish will not get wasted in the wild. A waste of fish is when you freeze it, it gets freezer burned, and it's no good. PSA(Freeze fish in water and they will not get freezer burn)

I stopped tournament fishing maybe 10 years ago. Yes I do miss it, but my body tells me different. I don't need to hook/land every fish anymore. I also don't need to put bass, or any other fish on a pedestal. I am at the top of the food chain. 

I switched from bass fishing and almost exclusively fish for walleye now, which I almost always take home.

 

I primarily use the freezer bags but have heard a lot about freezing in water.  Can you explain your process of how you freeze fish in water?

I think by just caring you are already ahead of most. And it's one thing to have an unavoidable poorly hooked fish, and another thing entirely to boat-flip a fish on to the carpet.  For whatever reason that just sets me off. 

7 hours ago, bassh8er said:

I switched from bass fishing and almost exclusively fish for walleye now, which I almost always take home.

 

I primarily use the freezer bags but have heard a lot about freezing in water.  Can you explain your process of how you freeze fish in water?

I portion out the fish into quart freezer bags, fill them about 2/3 with water, and squeeze out the air. Then i freeze them horizontally overnight. Store them in a tray vertically. The fillets will last indefinitely.