50 Pound Bass - Would You Release It?

[Bucktailboys.com]

I know that we are all in search of the 50 pound club but wondering how many people would take some pictures and release it? I am still trying to catch it and know what I would do...

[Canyonfish]

Quick picture and release. Of course no bass near 50 lbs is in any danger from me as my pb is only 27 lbs.........:o

[Steve-O]

I caught a 54 lb last year on a party boat. Mate gaff the fish so I t wasn't going to make it. It taste like a piece of wood. No matter how you cook it. I tried blackened, lemon butter, poaching. Smoking, pan searing, deep frying. Nothing seems to have the flavor and texture of a nice 28.5

Would you like a skinny 28.5 year. Or a 50+ fatty with a pot belly.

[hammer4reel]

RELEASE IT

Would take the time to swim and revive it after some quick pics. and watch that giant broom tail slap away with a smile on my face.

Been fortunate enough to see a few go back unharmed to allow another person the same joy catching a fish of a lifetime .

There is NO WAY the person who keeps one is ever going to hoot and hollar while eating it , like he did while catching it .................................

[Gerry Zagorski]

Interesting, controversial and somewhat emotional topic here.....

I would release it.... For those of you in the same boat, I'd be interested in hearing others opinions as to why we are so protective of Stripers and have no issues keeping other fish for the table like Fluke.

In my case I think some of it has to do with fishing through the 70s and early 80s when the Stripers were hard to come by. These fish and the people that chased and caught them were put up on a pedestal. Having said this, I have and still do keep a few smaller ones during the year for the table, but when it comes to one of the big girls I feel differently. Why do I feel this way? Can't really put my finger on it.

BTW - To each his own and I have no issues with people taking their legal limits of fish. It's a personal choice. I fish a lot and for those that only fish occationally, I totally understand them wanting to take some fresh fish home but here again, I feel differently when it comes to taking a big fish. I know a lot of people like this.... A small Striper comes on the deck and it goes right into the box without a thought.... A bigger one comes on the deck and the guys are standing around arguing about releasing it and getting pretty emotional about it. Why??

[addictedtobass]

Couple pics and off she goes. Memory that lasts!!!

[Jay]

Pictures and release.

[Topeka Boy]

MY p/b is 33lbs but if I was lucky enough to catch 50 lb fish I would surely release it.:D:cool:;)

[spearo]

Never kept anything over 25lbs, and yes that includes a few 50's. :p

I release primarily for two reasons, ok maybe three. Big girls keep the stocks healthy, they taste like shit and that intangible one, like Gerry, I can't quite put my finger on. Emotional connection with the fish? Not sure but, I feel sad every second I keep them out of the water and can only really celebrate once they are swimming away.

[Michael82929]

Catch one first.. then decide.. it's easy to say until you hear that THUD hit the deck.

People who have caught 50's know what that thud is. :D

[Njmat567]

I know that we are all in search of the 50 pound club but wondering how many people would take some pictures and release it? I am still trying to catch it and know what I would do...

Here is a great question ... What about a party boat fish with pool money involved... Toss away a 40lber and 120 bucks or take the beast....

[Gerry Zagorski]

Never kept anything over 25lbs, and yes that includes a few 50's. :p

I release primarily for two reasons, ok maybe three. Big girls keep the stocks healthy, they taste like shit and that intangible one, like Gerry, I can't quite put my finger on. Emotional connection with the fish? Not sure but, I feel sad every second I keep them out of the water and can only really celebrate once they are swimming away.

Had to make the same choice with a 40 a few years back... Thought about keeping the fish but with some lobbying from a friend on board we released her instead.... As I thought about it more, it would have been a very somber ride back to the dock otherwise. Seeing that fish swim away was a thrill I will never forget.

[HDMarc]

A 15 to 20 pounder is like eating veal, anything 40+ gonna taste like bear meat...send her back after the photo op, but to each their own

[BCinerie]

50lb plus fish is old taste like a board! They take a good pic
But if she was gut hooked or mishandled
It is crab food. So if
I caught one, and she was handled
Correctly and would survive then back she goes, if not then keep her
And take lots if pics!

[PeteyHD]

I would release it as long as I wasn't fishing in a tournament or on a party boat fishing the pool. The meat on a 50lb fish is going to taste like trash. Its going to be soft and oily and you will regret killing it. I haven't caught a 50 pounder, but some 25-30 lb bass still aren't the best eating. One thing I can guarantee is if I killed one for the pool or tournament the meat would not go to waste since I have friends that will still enjoy eating it :confused:

[Capt. Debbie]

Never caught a striper close to that. I immediately said release. But had second thoughts. SO I honestly said- not sure

[Skolmann]

Still looking to break the #40 mark. That being said, if it was my first #50+, I'm not going to lie, I'd be inclined keep it. If I'm fortunate enough to catch any additional #50+ then they'd definitely be released.

[Flygaff]

I would release. Not that I am likely to encounter the issue. My best is 34. My buddy caught a 43 on my boat and kept it, but I don't believe he would again.

[bigal427]

If I was in a tournament and it was a money fish I would keep it. But think you should release any thing over 30.

[jmurr711]

I would tie it to my roof & drive back to philly & eat every inch i could. I have caught & kept 40lbrs before & ate every piece of fillet & cooked the head I thought it was delicious, & I used the carcass in the garden but i can accept I am the bad guy

[Pauls1976]

Ideally, I will say release it after a quick picture. However, there are too many variables for an honest answer to me. Am I in a tournament or not? How and where is the fish hooked. Trebles hooked in gullet or spoon right in jaw or circle hook in corner of mouth? I wouldn't release if she was hooked bad and bleeding out the gills when I got her boat side.

I killed a 47lber once, that was only because the fish inhaled the Stretch 30 that was being trolled for blues (shark bait), the trebles mangled her jaw and gullet.

[Super]

Besides all the BS that goes on with party boat pools, I don't enter the pool because I don't want to need to keep a 50lb bass just for the pool money.

[FiremanJohn]

Only caught up to a 30. If full of eggs I probably would take pic and release. I also don't want anyone telling me what to do. But, because everyone says they do not taste that well and are the Breeders I think I would let her go. After you eat a fish all you have is a pic and a memory anyway. Releasing the Fish doesn't change that. I will keep and eat the next smaller one.

[hammer4reel]

Interesting, controversial and somewhat emotional topic here.....

I would release it.... For those of you in the same boat, I'd be interested in hearing others opinions as to why we are so protective of Stripers and have no issues keeping other fish for the table like Fluke.

In my case I think some of it has to do with fishing through the 70s and early 80s when the Stripers were hard to come by. These fish and the people that chased and caught them were put up on a pedestal. Having said this, I have and still do keep a few smaller ones during the year for the table, but when it comes to one of the big girls I feel differently. Why do I feel this way? Can't really put my finger on it.

BTW - To each his own and I have no issues with people taking their legal limits of fish. It's a personal choice. I fish a lot and for those that only fish occationally, I totally understand them wanting to take some fresh fish home but here again, I feel differently when it comes to taking a big fish. I know a lot of people like this.... A small Striper comes on the deck and it goes right into the box without a thought.... A bigger one comes on the deck and the guys are standing around arguing about releasing it and getting pretty emotional about it. Why??


for the most part Stripers are one of the few fish that we control more than the Commercial guys do.
They along with big blackfish, seems to hold a little more respect for how long it took to get that big.

A smaller bass takes alot less time to replentish its loss, and there are many more of those smaller fish.
heck 100 fish days with schoolies isnt uncommon, but your not going to have that with 50 pounders.

The fight is drastically different and seeing a fish over 50 pounds on the deck its sheer size is incredible.

I think the rest comes down to having to bang ones chest, and I think most guys go though that too. I know I did.

Thankfully im past that now, actually caring less who knows im catching or not.

[BRM247]

Not an issue for me but how would you know it was really over 50 without weighing it? And what damage would that do prior to release? Just length and girth and go with an estimate? I'd think trying to hang that sucker off my scale would do more harm them good if my intention was to release, which it would be. Add fight time, unhook time, measure time, picture time and exitement time next thing you know you got a fish that might swim away but who knows its fate 20 minutes later

[kmaty]

My biggest bass is 35lbs and she swam away healthy i throw multiple bass bank of all sizes when i hook that 5o il be the guy releasing her And4 swimming along next to her after the release just to watch her swim! I def have a special connection with stripers but i love releasing big fish of all kinds!

[DaveTats]

I would tie it to my roof & drive back to philly & eat every inch i could. I have caught & kept 40lbr before & ate every piece of fillet & cooked the head & used the carcass in the garden but i can accept I am the bad guy

How about you drive up to Montreal with it on your roof?

I'd release it just to piss you off :D

[jmurr711]

How about you drive up to Montreal with it on your roof?

I'd release it just to piss you off :D

Hank would throw ya over

[Fisherman120]

I think I would keep it, but I'm not sure. It depends on how long the fight is, how long it takes to unhook her, and just how healthy she looks altogether. My PB is 40 lbs caught on a PB. If it wasn't gaffed, I would've released her as she came in quite easily. Took me 2 minutes to land. Comparatively, the 30 lber I caught that night almost spooled me and took about 10 hard fighting minutes to land. There was no way the 30 was going back.

[1captainron]

Here is a great question ... What about a party boat fish with pool money involved... Toss away a 40lber and 120 bucks or take the beast....

Good question.....on the Fishermen a sign posted in the cabin clearly states "CATCH AND RELEASE" count toward the pool, both the daily and seasonal. Never had a complaint from the second place guy. (Wouldn't matter if they did)!:)

[Gerry Zagorski]

You'd be surprised how hearty these fish are. In most cases if the fish is not gaffed you can revive it by lipping it with your thumb and putting it over the side into a moving current to get water through the gill plates. If she is really tired or you are on a party boat put it in the landing net and let her sit and regain her strength. If that does not work at least you know you tried.

[sportfishingusa]

To each is own... It is a personal thing.. We are spoiled this day and age, no question about it.. I have caught, released, and killed my share of fish over 50, my biggest 57, had more then one 50 in the same day...


It is not like the old days, us young people do not really cherish the striped bass fishery that we have. Guys like Joe murray are the true sportman, they kill and eat it all, every bit of it. If your not going to eat it, do not kill it, that is my motto.. I kill everything because i need to feed joe murray..


I would say take the 50 and enjoy it, you might never get another one, especially if you fish party boats or charter boats, if you fish private boats, release it if you wish, you will see plenty over 50 if you fish enough..

[broken bobber]

DEAD.... not a hypocrite.... :D

[Bucktailboys.com]

Ron,
Great policy for those willing to release big fish.

Keefe

[SaltLife1980]

I would release her after taking lots of pictures and getting all the measurements so i would be able to get a wall mount of her..

[Optimist]

Take a pic then yes

[Dlurker]

I Have caught them before, nice to let them swim free.
They are just doing there job eating, no sense in killing them get pics !!!
:)

[Jimmy in Point Beach]

I kept a big one like that a couple of years ago, was sorry I did afterwards.

[shrimpman steve]

I would tie it to my roof & drive back to philly & eat every inch i could. I have caught & kept 40lbrs before & ate every piece of fillet & cooked the head I thought it was delicious, & I used the carcass in the garden but i can accept I am the bad guy

Block party PHILLY style:eek::D

[shrimpman steve]

I would photo and release.

I haven't kept one striper yet this season,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
And yes I've caught plenty of keepers this year:cool:

[Sharkyispy]

Block party PHILLY style:eek::D


That's funny!


Personal boat? I would pic and release, tourney or party boat pool entry? Tough to call. Would at least donate fish to a need so at leaset some good from the outcome.

[Capt. Lou]

Release it , I'm sure there r more than enough photo ops to justify UR catch!
Snag & drop fishing should be limited this time of season so most fish can released cleanly .

[O'Connor]

If I was surf fishing I would keep it. If I was running my own boat and caught it I would keep it. If I was a passenger on a friends boat, or on a party/charter boat I would probably let it go. A surf caught 50 lb is the fish of my dreams.

[irishc]

Always said I would... But I guess it would depend on the circumstances

[dakota560]

I look at it in somewhat the same way that Gerry mentioned about his 40 lb release. Keeping it and bringing it back to the dock will give you 24 hours of glory and bragging rights. Releasing a true trophy fish of that size will be a lifetime memory. Grilling a fish of a lifetime isn't a fitting ending and they aren't nearly as tasty as the smaller bass. Chances are if you release that fish you'll still catch your limit for the day based on the health of the current fishery so you'll still have enough for the table. You can almost be guaranteed that a 50lb bass was caught and released at least a few times before attaining that size and if she wasn't released along the way you wouldn't have had the chance of catching a fish of a lifetime. Something to think about if and when faced with that decision. Not bad to pass that same opportunity on to another angler, maybe even your son one day.

To me it doesn't make any sense keeping a trophy bass even for a mount as replica molds are better and longer lasting. Take a picture and measurements and let her go. Unless the fish is gut hooked or can't be revived, let someone else have the chance of experiencing the thrill of a life time. As someone else mentioned, if it was a tournament situation, that adds another factor but seeing a trophy fish swim away to fight another day is something that's hard to put a price on.

Dakota