You're getting lit up on here. Don't worry too much about it. Hang around the TFF long enough and you'll say something to get the sharks circling...

I've grown up in the catch and release era. I've never really fished for bass to eat. I usually feel kind of bad if I catch a fish I feel like is going to die or release one after a weigh in that seems to be struggling a bit, so I get where you're coming from (right up to the beheading I guess--just throw it back to the turtles. They need to eat to).

Be glad it was a 1 pounder and learn how to remove a swallowed hook so that the same doesn't happen on a 5+ pounder. Someone else mentioned the going in between the gills technique. It's amazing how easy and effective it is, so learn that.

I just read all of this at once sitting on the back porch. I�m now going in to mix me a good strong drink and see what starts popping into my head as I try to process it. I�m thinking the drink will help.

I dont have the patience (or stomach) to read through all of the juvenile responses from the "cool kids" so I don't know if my solution has been suggested.

I suggest that you carry small wire snips. If you gut hook, push the point of the hook all the way through (if it's not all ready done) and then cut the bottom of the hook. Then grab the point of the hook and pull it through. This works about 80% of the time. About 10% of the time its too deep and 10% of the time it's simply too little too late.

Good luck as you get more serious about bass fishing and ignore the small men who are hiding behind thier keyboards. It makes some of them feel big to lie about thier day on the water and belittle someone who asks a question. Going forward you can ask questions on "Freshwater", "Kayak" and "Bankers"... You will receive a much warmer reception in these forums.

Do you think if we attached air bladders to the bottom of lakes we could raise the water level during droughts?

Yes I have seen this now, that's good advice.

Not the first time they've tore me up lol, I'm a big bot I can take it.

Also good advice, I cant always carry a cooler while bank fishing, but I can add a pair of wire cutters to my tools.

This is what i was looking for, thanks fellas.

In case anyone cares I'll repeat one more time: I was 99.9% sure the fish was dead, definitely it was not "healthy". I cut it up quickly up quickly in case the 0.1% was true, and it was still alive and somehow suffering. I couldn't get it home in good edible condition, and this little pond is catch and release only. I really didn't know what to do and was trying to not let an animal suffer SORRY

Trying to learn here lol.

...Any bad karma I deserve from this you all have deftly delivered lol. I ain't gonna apologize for caring for wildlife, even if my methods seem strange, my intentions were good. You guys just give me your phone numbers and I'll call for advice next time something like this happens

All is at peace with the world again, I have prayed that great spirit will take the soul of the bass to the big hatchery in the sky.

Mother Earth and Father Bass have absolved me of this sin, and today they blessed me with the biggest fish I ever caught. It was 2 pounds 9 ounces, and I caught it at the same spot. I know its not much, but it's the best I ever caught. Unfortunately I had my scale, but NOT my camera dangit!

Namaste


-All kidding aside, despite all the insults and pretty much ruining any chances of ever going fishing with any of you, I did learn something from this post and will more prepared next time. Most importantly I learned not to post questions in the bass forum no more! Happy Easter everyone!

Congratulations on your catch!

2.9lb is a good day in my book and is just shy of the average fish weighed in by 200 guys in last months TTO tournament... Some of which are "pro staff" with stickers to prove it

Congratulations and best of luck breaking 3lbs!!!

Interesting story. Thanks for sharing.

This is the only forum besides the Bunker that has rules for posting as a sticky at the top of the page......That right there should tell you something!

I think he meant to post this on April 1

So when you guys go deer hunting do you aim for the ankles? Or do you try to kill the animal quickly by hitting the vital organs? When your pet is sick, don't you try to put it down as quickly and painlessly as possible?

Same idea, I cant believe no one gets this.