2015 Bass regulations: GET ON THE PHONE/WRITE AN EMAIL!

[Harpoon]

Originally Posted by JBird

I think it needs to be said that the rules are going to kill fish. Here's how.
Guy goes out on a party boat, catches a 32 inch bass and keeps it. Why wouldn't he? It's a really nice fish.
It's a good day and the guy catches another fish, 36 inches this time. Because he's clamming off a party boat it takes a bit of time to get the fish to the boat as they are anchored and the current is screaming. By the time the mate nets it it's mouth is hanging open from exhaustion.
Then it's in the boat.
Then it gets measured and the mate says, "It's not over 43" so you're supposed to release it."
Then the guy uses some extremely colorful language to describe the regulations he's supposed to follow. (Don't even get me started on how we are supposed to run a pool)
Then he figures he should take a picture with this big fish to prove to his buddies he's not full of s**t.
Then he throws it back. Dead or close to it because it's basically impossible to revive a fish when you can't hold it in the water. Maybe, just maybe, the mate has the time and inclination to attempt revival by lip gaffing the bass and holding it's head into the current until it perks up, but that's a big maybe.
The crabs are going to be happy.

The other instance, which I'm sure will happen, is that the guy catches the second fish early afternoon. The whole front of the boat has been skunked so far and since the boat limit has not been reached that guys second fish is going home. I believe this is more realistic, especially on a party boat. I'm not saying this because I have an issue with party boats, in fact I like them. Fish size and counting will get creative.