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.

Just GRIN and drop em!!!!!!

I thought you were talking about a city park under the management of the city. You don't need a fishing license to fish in these. If it is under the management of TPWD, then yes you would.

Just tell them you would rather release it so the little kids can catch it next time. We should always save some for the kids.

What I don't get is WHY would a person even want the fish if they didn't catch it. It's a prize for your work that you put in. I never give them to people but that doesn't stop them from asking.

I wish i could catch a damn fish so someone could ask me for it... haha but i would still throw it back..

I think I caught about 10 fish that would keep out of that pond today...

10 fish that big out of a 1 acre pond adds up quickly...that's why i let them go, especially considering I'll probably fish it a couple times a week (won't always catch that many in a day though, especially after I edumacate these bass).


I have no problem keeping 14-18" fish out of a large lake though, as I do like eating bass.

I just let em go, if they can catch them they're more than welcome to keep em.

Tell em that you will give them the fish if you can throw one of their kids in as a replacement...LOL..Its your fish..&%^$#@* em! And thanks for making it easier for the rest of us to catch a fish in those ponds!

Because the people asking are not sportsmen. They keep everything they catch, legal or not. A good number of them have no fishing license. It is an element of our society that we all know well. That is all I have to say on that. Make your own decision on what this means to you. I know what it means to me.

I ask to see their fishing license first. That seperates the hungry sportsman from the lazy scum out there raping the resource.

No liceanse = no fish.

Should you need to ask in spanish, it is "licencia de pesca?"

I dont think you should let this bother you! If you believe in catch and release, then tell them sorry and that you believe in catch and realease; if you dont have strong feelings for catch n release than give them the fish.

Regardless, I dont think that you should worry too much about it. I wouldnt!! You caught it, its your fish, so do what you want.

It sounds like you are just disgusted with the atmosphere of these ponds you fish. Maybee you should try and look for a place that is a little more secluded. I dont know if that is possible but thats what I would do. Isnt there a river around there somewhere?

Give them several undersized fish and then call Operation Game Thief.

Just wait one of these days one of them will ask for the fish and when you give it to them they'll ask you to show them how to clean it. Beggers have no limits.

i get that stuff too, i just tell 'em i think its to small as i gently toss it back in the water, and i will tell em the same thing every time, they can buy a license and catch their own and i tell 'em that too.

ag,

Simple answer: Give them the fish and be thankful that you are so blessed that you can fish for pleasure and not to meet your physical needs.

This "giving of fish" is part of the age-old question and I struggle with it as you do. Chances are that the person asking for the fish is going to eat it for dinner plain and simple.. As I see it you and I have been given an opportunity with the fishing skills we have developed to do more then entertain or feed ourselves. I believe we often miss what is important here and that is the "need" that might go unfulfilled. As I get older and begin to see the world with experiences gained from too many birthdays gone by, I am better able to put a few things in perspective. What we have created in this modern America is a Governmental body of laws that have almost made it illegal to be poor. You and I currently are on top of the mountain whether deserved or not but there are many more who are desperately clawing their way up with nothing left to give but their very life.. We naturally don't want any of our efforts or money wasted and it is not up to us to judge but it is in our best interest to know their motive..

I always tell people if they want to keep some fish they better learn to catch them, I'll catch this one again.5

hook-line, its not like these are somepoor indiginous people dying for their next meal. If they are so poor that they relied on the fish from neighborhood ponds to survive then they would be alot better at catching their own dinner. Trust me, I have seen poor Mexican kids at Falcon using coke cans as a makeshift spinning reel to cast out lures and catch fish. Its amazing how good they are with them, becase "they have to be!"

The people he is talking about seem to simply be freeloaders that want to kill and eat everything that comes out of the water, and know no better!

if it is public waters then you must have a license , only private ponds completely within the boundaries of said property do you not need a license

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/faq/fishboat/fish/index.phtml#license

Here's the important text.

"Who needs a fishing license?

A fishing license is required of anyone who fishes in the public waters of Texas. This covers all the legal means and methods used for taking fish from rod and reel to bow fishing. All persons under 17 years of age, whether Texas residents or non-residents, are exempt from license requirements. Texas residents who were born before September 1, 1930 are exempt from license requirements. Texas residents who are 65 years of age and older and who were born after September 1, 1930 may purchase a Senior Resident Fishing License. Please see the Outdoor Annual for additional information on age requirements and other exemptions.
"

Just tell them the area has a high concentration of Sorghum halepense. And look real serious....if they ask what it is say "you don't wanna know..."

It could be Bromus erectus.

that is the most sensible and knowledgeable post ive ever read on this forum and totally changed my view to a certain extent on this topic, thank you. i applaud hook-line&sinker.

Not meaning to hijack here, but one question as I am not native to Texas. Aren't the fish that live in these smaller neighborhood quiescent ponds going to taste like dirt? (The stereotypical "mud duck"?)

I am lucky to have a creek running through my hood that I can fish for LMB and cats, but I don't think I would want to eat anything out of it.

gclark dont come to dallas thinking like that . i was just check 2 days ago by the city of dallas police dept fishing in whiterock ( a city owned lake ) and its not my first time in the past 2 months

Its your fish do what you wont with it.And anyone that says different give them the finger.

Lets try this one moor time. ITS your fish! DO WHAT YOU WONT WITH IT!

Did you mean to write: "Let's try this one more time. It's your fish do what you want with it."

Did you know that you can go back and "edit" any of your own posts to correct them? It's easier then posting again with corrections and makes the forum and you look better.