That's all I ask...


I fish the neighborhood ponds here in College Station almost every afternoon. I always release the bass in these ponds because most of them have so few you are lucky to catch one decent fish from one.

It never fails that someone either begs me for it and I give in (technically my fault there) or I catch hell for letting it go. I like to fish these for fun and they NEED those bass in them. Also, you can't just give someone a fish one time and expect them not to expect you to give them fish the next...

anyway, sorry for the rant...

Bums.

do the ole slipped and dropped it uh oh kiss my arse deal. the tell them you have a knuckle sandwich in your tackle box.

Tell 'em you heard from the police that those ponds are catch and release only.

Tell them to STFU

They can get lost...

Tell them that there is a consumption advisory against eating the fish from those ponds. (Unless there are too many small fish which need to be thinned out, in which case it would be better to harvest it.)

Tell them to catch their own fish.

show them the bait you used to catch it

There is a certain element of our society that keep everything they catch regardless of bag and size limits. They probably don't even have a fishing license, and yes I know you don't need one for city ponds, but that was not the point of me mentioning it. Just tell them you want to preserve the fishing in the pond. But, you really don't need to give them a reason for your actions. If you want to release it, it is not any of their concern.

Actually, you DO need a license for city ponds. It's private ponds you dont need a license.

Tell 'em the bass were transplanted from Lake Worth, TX and are full of known cancer-causing toxins and PCB's!

gclark, most of the ponds I'm talking about are maintained by the TPWD and you ARE required to have a fishing liscence and all length and bag limits apply save for the 5 fish limit on catfish.

Who's asking for the fish? Other fisherman or just people hanging around the park? At any rate, just tell them to mind their own business.

I've had both types ask for the fish sooner.

I've had the same thing happen.
Usually: "Hey, if you don't want that fish, I'll take it."
I always release it, smile, and say that it didn't look like a very healthy fish.
Doing the right thing doesn't mean you have to be rude, even if the loser asking you for a handout is.

I always give my fish away if given the chance, unless its a nice fish, then it will be released period. No need to keep a bunch of dinks to over populate the waters.

Well... I guess you could offer to show them how to catch their own fish. If you were so inclined. If not, I would just politely ask them to let you enjoy your fishing.

It stinks that they don't leave you alone.

Tell them it is against the law to eat scaled fish...if they question you, tell them its in the Geneva Convention...

Sooner, as i do on this board even, I show everyone that asks exactly what I'm doing, and I tell them how I'm catching them.

the couple of bass I caught that I'm posting about were caught on a trick worm, and I gave a couple to another angler who started following me. I showed him how to rig it and how to fish it.

I agree with chubby, you caught the fish to hell with them

I'd say then that you've gone out of your way to be polite with these folks. I don't know what I'd do in your situation after I've tried to be polite. I know we have precious little fishing time and we want to enjoy it in peace. Hopefully these folks will get the picture eventually.

I have had people ask to keep gamefish I have caught at a local fishing dock here in my cast net!!!!!....Heck no that is Illegal as I threw all them crappies back. This happens all the time here.

JUST SAY NO.