50 Pound Bass - Would You Release It?

[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

[DaveTats]

Originally Posted by jmurr711

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

[jmurr711]

Originally Posted by DaveTats

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

I'd release it just to piss you off

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.

[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..

[shrimpman steve]

Originally Posted by 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

Block party PHILLY style

[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

[Sharkyispy]

Originally Posted by shrimpman steve

Block party PHILLY style

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.