Killing Fish ...

Righty-ho - some debate...

I am, in the main, a fly fisher - I fish for trout, sea trout, salmon, bass, perch, pike and zander.

The first four I'll either knock on the head for the table or I'll release - depending on the size of fish, season and conservation status of the species involved. The last three I'll release but ensure I use barbless hooks etc.

I've noticed that theres some general hostility towards those who fish for mackerel - yet this is one of the most, if not the most, sustainable fish we have off our shores.

Me, well I have a beach caster, hokkai rigs and feathers and I'll fish Chesil maybe five times a year - those fish I take I knock on the head and dispatch quickly/humanely but I don't think I've EVER seen another angler do this - most tend to let the fish die on the beach (giving the "anti's" ammo). I'll take 10-50 fish in three hours once every couple of months and grill them over wood with lemon.

With the stocks dwindling of other species, aside from cod and bass, what actions and revisions of attitudes are you full-time sea anglers doing regarding the fish you bring in?

I ask as the sea fishing fraternity (from boat or shore) has a REALLY bad reputation for waste and needless killing amongst other anglers - and if the public knew of the waste of our coastal stocks involved there'd be an outcry....

So... do you:-

- kill your gar, tope, ray, huss etc etc and eat them
- catch them, photograph them and release them

or

- do you suffocate the fish on the beach and ultimately chuck the catch away at the end of a "good days fishing"?

I hope its the first two and I'd challenge anyone who doesn't to come here and try to justify the third route above.

[steve devon]

i normally catch them, photo and release

i only ever take a max of 10 macky home however many i catch and they are killed when caught not left to die

the only gish i keep are either macky, pout, gar for conger... bait and some fish for comps if needed

[DownSouth]

99% of the fish I catch go back in the sea. On occassion I will take a decent sized Plaice, Bass or Bream. Haven't fished for Cod or Pollack, but would take a couple from a boat trip if I caught them.

I find using a priest somewhat messy and it doesn't always kill the fish instantly. I normally use my filleting knife and push this into the brain. Instant death. If I fish for mackie from the shore it's for fresh bait or to cook there and then. I take the head off straight away and gut immediately.

[pingu]

if keeping for table I will always despatch asap otherwise release
did unfortunately see a group yesterday at abbotsbury yelping as they catch the mackies then doing the leave to die in a black bin bag trick (so if not suffocated they are 1/2 cooked and useless to take home) these are the culpits who ruin the beaches with all the litter as well and really ruin the reputation

[tommy a]

I usually keep a few decent makeral if they are really nice and large and have got no problems with releasing smaller fish or fish that I dont intend to take home and eat !!

Usually kill the makeral straight away so they are NOT left flapping in the boat - that in my view is a horrible way to let fish die, just like catching them and keeping - just for the sake of it.

Eat it or let it go ..............

[Norfolkboy]

i return nearly all my fish, if i keep 1, i will stab it in the brain too

i wouldn't want to be caught and then left to suffocate!!!

[Ben]

can you use keep nets for sea fishing?? or would the waves kinda get in the way

[steve devon]

move around to much

some people use them for flounderin in estuaries though

[Pross]

I catch and release as a) I am the only one in the house who likes fish and b) I'm useless at gutting and cleaning them. If I did want to take any home to eat I would only take what I needed i.e. above the minimum species size but not bigger than I require. The fun of fishing is in catching them not killing them although I would kill some for bait if required.

I also used to fly fish for trout and on the rare occasions I caught I would take them home if they were at least 12 inches long but generally returned them.

Jono, I assume you fly fish in saltwater too. I'm just about to start it do you have any tips?

Hi Pross,

9'6"-10'6" 8 weight with a floater and intermediate line, 8lb Leader/tippet and a line tray.

Clousers and deceivers - dead drift or sharp pulls - you'll have the bait guys begging for a go...

Theres some experts at this site:-

http://flyforums.proboards20.com/ind...oard=saltwater

Especially "Gonzo" - theres usually links to various other sites (http://www.ukswff.com/ for example) and numerous threads about equipment.

Have fun

Jon