Which one are you?
There is a lot of great debate going on about Dale Macnair's huge muskie. Many are glad he released it, and many are not for various reasons. Some want to see a legitimate world record fish registered, simply to be the end-all to all of the controversy. Some say all muskies should be released, under every circumstance, even if it is a record class fish. I was curious to know where the members of this site are sitting, as far as catch & release.
There are many types of muskie anglers, but I've narrowed it down to three main groups. Please take a minute to mention which group you think you're comfortable being in, or feel free to suggest your own. I think it could prove to be quite interesting.
The Groups.
Group A. These are the guys who are the strict catch & release followers. As stated above, they are the ones who believe that there are NO circumstances which warrant the harvesting of a fish. These guys are the ones that have been labeled "Elitists", or "Muskie police".
Group B. These are the guys who believe in catch & release, but really don't care if individuals choose to keep legally harvested fish, as they technically have the right to do so. They may not even ever keep a muskie themselves, but would never step on another angler's "right to choose". They believe in c&r, but leave the final decision up the the individual angler who caught the fish, as to whether he or she decides to harvest it or not.
Group c. Somewhat strict catch & release proponent, but has no issue with an angler choosing to harvest a personal best of 50 inches or greater in length, or a state or world record fish. These guys are somewhere between Group A and Group B. They are in favor of 100% release, but won't fault a guy who chooses to harvest what may be the ONE fish that angler keeps in his lifetime.
I must admit that personally, I was a Group B guy for a long time. I now consider myself a strong Group C guy. I'm not sure if I ever want to achieve Group A status, but we'll see what happens over time.
This is purely an informal poll, and I am most assuredly not stating that it is better or worse for anyone to be in one of these Groups instead of another. I have friends in all 3. I just thought it would be an interesting topic of the day. Thanks in advance to all who choose to participate, I appreciate it.
There are many types of muskie anglers, but I've narrowed it down to three main groups. Please take a minute to mention which group you think you're comfortable being in, or feel free to suggest your own. I think it could prove to be quite interesting.
The Groups.
Group A. These are the guys who are the strict catch & release followers. As stated above, they are the ones who believe that there are NO circumstances which warrant the harvesting of a fish. These guys are the ones that have been labeled "Elitists", or "Muskie police".
Group B. These are the guys who believe in catch & release, but really don't care if individuals choose to keep legally harvested fish, as they technically have the right to do so. They may not even ever keep a muskie themselves, but would never step on another angler's "right to choose". They believe in c&r, but leave the final decision up the the individual angler who caught the fish, as to whether he or she decides to harvest it or not.
Group c. Somewhat strict catch & release proponent, but has no issue with an angler choosing to harvest a personal best of 50 inches or greater in length, or a state or world record fish. These guys are somewhere between Group A and Group B. They are in favor of 100% release, but won't fault a guy who chooses to harvest what may be the ONE fish that angler keeps in his lifetime.
I must admit that personally, I was a Group B guy for a long time. I now consider myself a strong Group C guy. I'm not sure if I ever want to achieve Group A status, but we'll see what happens over time.
This is purely an informal poll, and I am most assuredly not stating that it is better or worse for anyone to be in one of these Groups instead of another. I have friends in all 3. I just thought it would be an interesting topic of the day. Thanks in advance to all who choose to participate, I appreciate it.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Geoff Verges on -
I'm a C. Maybe that category should be expanded, though. C's believe in replicas. If a fish is a record and must be kept, so be it.
I'd love to see an increased size limit, though. 34 is a little small now.
When I used to guide, I always said you only catch your first legal fish once. I caught my first legal fish when I was 12 years old, and that baby is one the wall today. I still remember the fight and the circumstances surrounding that fish. I would never want to take that away from anyone.
Now I'm fishing for the 50 incher. When caught I will do a replica.
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Permalink Reply by Figure8 Phil Blanck on -
I'm a "B" . Not all fishermen are MUSKIE ADDICTS. Those that are, seem to be taking very good care of releasing our resource. But, there are fishermen out there that only get the chance to fish for Muskie on a limited basis, and if they finally catch a legal fish, and want to keep it...it's their rite! Period! It doesn't mean that we have to like it, but for Gods sake, don't beat-them-up about it. They're excited about catching the BIGGEST FISH OF THEIR LIFE and wouldn't appreciate their parade being rained on, any more than we would for releasing our personal best.
A few years back, we were fishing a well-known Polk county lake that has a 40" limit. We were at the ramp waiting to pull our boat out, when this guy pulls up with his boat. We ask him how his fishing was, (knowing we're Musky fishermen) he looks up at us sheepishly...and says..."I caught the biggest fish of my life today". About then we hear the sickening sound of a big fish flop on the bottom of his aluminium 14'er. We ask if he caught a Muskie , he nods yes, and procedes to lift up the fish by a stringer. We ask "how long is it? He says 42 inches, which it very well looked. I said NICE FISH... do you usually keep'em to eat? He said...no, I don't eat them, but always wanted to catch one (Muskie) that I could mount and hang on the wall next to the one my Grandpa got back in the 60's. I said again NICE FISH....and his face lit-up like he'd just won a marathon!! He says "thanks guys". I asked if he got a picture of it and he shook his head (no). I said, as I grabbed my camera, "hold her up", and snapped a shot of him, which I later emailed to him. He replied with a very thankful email saying how much it meant to him, to NOT BE critisized for keeping his "trophy", and for taking a picture for him that now hangs under his mount. I asked him if he ever considered a replica, which he said that he would, if he ever catches a giant, but after all the years trying to catch his 1st legal, that he wanted to mount the fish he caught, like his Grandpa.
Long story short....don't fret the little stuff. Fish that get harvested like this around Muskie country don't compare to the huge amount of Muskies taken by poachers and spearers. Politely educate the ones that you can, but don't bash the few that want to keep a LEGAL fish.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Venesevich on -
group C for me : )
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Permalink Reply by Dave VanDoorn on -
I'm group C. No doubt
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Permalink Reply by Bob Wagner on -
Group b
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Permalink Reply by Can Am Charters on -
I beleive I would be in the C category, I am not one to judge someone elses opinion I already have a hard enough time with all of my own (Brilliant) ones.. If they are within the regs, and they understand how awesome the fish is they just caught.. they have the right to harvest one..(right size and time of year of course) I can never understand why other fishermen bash the ones that decide to keep one????? Its in the regs!!! But if for some reason something happens and a fish does expire on group A's watch their is a list of excuses.. IT HAPPENS.. don't throw stones let people enjoy the resourse, educate them the best we can.. The decision is theirs.
Rick V
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Permalink Reply by Zielke Experience on -
Group c. for me...I met Dale at a big Muskie lure show! And he even signed his autograph on photo of
extremely huge fish...w/him in background. After talking to him for awhile...a person can tell he really worked
very hard in Muskie fishing! And besides he rocks! He is cool guy and humble! Guy gets to do what he wants!
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Permalink Reply by H Bier on -
Somewhere between B and C. Most good replica makers can do fish upwards of 60", but i wouldn't fault someone who kept a legal fish especially if they aren't as hardcore as some of us. Speaking of huge fish check this site out.... I haven't hear much about this dude and he is really pushing the envelope.
http://www.1000islandsfishing.com/muskie.htm
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