Thoughts on Big Fluke

[catsmeow]

I started fishing again this year out of Rumson and not in the back bay (raritan). So I was thinking of come August catching snappers in the river and heading out to Ambrose and fishing for a doormat. For some reason I guess getting sentimental as a senior that I would take a picture and release any fluke over 10 lbs. My personal best is 6.5 at the bug light many years ago. Then I'm thinking of from then on always releasing my personal best. Over the years there has been 2 articles written from the thoughts of a big fluke. How she has migrated for many seasons and avoided being killed by predators in the deep and the 2 legged predators. Was wondering if I'm a little senile or does anyone else think this way ? Looking forward to some thoughts on the subject..... Walt

[NoLimit]

Sure

Throw'em back -
More for us ;-)

[Rich]

Consider them senior citizens..........how would you like to be treated?

I say throw them back, the smaller ones taste better anyway!

[The Sinker Man]

Take a few pictures and let it go..Get some good shots and frame the pic..You can always go back or show someone the pic, but you can never show them the fish..Maybe sometime in the future some youngster will catch it and he too will do the same thing...It lasted this long, let it live longer..Believe it or not SOME people do it all the time and not only with fluke...Nothing wrong with C&R....

[Detour66]

Take a pic ...let it go. The big old ones don't taste as good as the smaller younger fish anyway. That fish has been around along time...it deserves respect and you will feel good about letting it go. I did the same a few years ago with a 13lb+ Blackfish that I caught on the SHR....no regrets at all! Tight lines!

[Riverbassfishing]

Because of warmer water they might stay in deeper water. There are some huge ones out to he continental shelf. One spot i fish they used to stay there until sept. The past few years the keepers are out in july. This spot is mostly smaller ones up to 5 pounds. With the way regulations used to be you didnt need to fish the sticky bottom as much. Smaller fish taste better anyways.

[GDubya07]

Cant balme you at all and to each his own

Great idea with the snappers in August , I have seen huge fish caught on everything though , big bait little bait and Love fishing snappers or whole squid for the big-uns

Personally I just want 1 doormat then the rest go back . Still searching for it and yes one day it will be mine - hopefully fishy gods

Doormat = 10lbs and over

anything under catch it -cook it - eat it - rinse and repeat

GDubs-

[BELLYUP]

I release 95% of what I catch. Unless the wife would like fish that night. No need to kill everything.

[catsmeow]

Hey Guys, Thanks for the input happy to hear I'm not alone in letting the big guys live. I as well am hoping for my first dormat and as I said would feel that the big guy or girl deserves to live on. Hey they will produce of lot of little guys to go around. Hope everyone has a great season Stay safe.... Walt