I was listening to Mark Kurlansky’s interview on the MeatEater podcast in relation to their wonderings about the logic of catch and release fishing. He said that the purpose of fishing is to catch a fish (or at least to put yourself in the best position to catch a fish). Not to disagree with him, it was just a random point they were making but it got me to thinking.

I say that the purpose of fishing is to relish in the fishes existence, and mine in relation to the fish, loving the fish and all that is involved in the awe of and stewardship of the fishes natural world.

Therefore, catch and release fishing does make sense according my purpose.

So I'm going to go catch some more, keep some more, and release some more to make some more!

I'd say my purpose of fishing has very little to do with the catching of fish. If I catch something that is sort of a victory, and if I catch something I choose to eat it is a bonus. But for me the pursuit is the purpose.

Fish Taco's

I see catch and release sport fishing as being akin to target shooting... paper, silhouettes, whatever. Also those whose hunting trips now involve a camera instead of a deer rifle. Man versus his shortcomings to realize a higher level of skill without the requirement of taking a life needlessly. It also allows the participant to get his/her head out of the troubles of daily life and to focus solely on the activity of the moment. When I was a working man, I set goals for myself in my career. Now that I'm retired and live so close to Lake Travis, my goal is to haul a DD out of my new home lake, a personal best for this particular body of water.

Agree for the most part. However , I kill deer, dove, turkey, and eat the meat. No different than someone else killing a pig, chicken, or cow for me. Vegetarians and animal rights activists usually would not hesitate to set a mouse trap. They also have no problem with the farmer that grows their food that hundreds of acres had to be cleared of wildlife habitat to create fields for crops.

"And there came a voice to him; "Rise, Peter; kill and eat," -Acts 10:13

For me it is to clear my mind of all the garbage and just observe.

I don't believe the man was criticizing hunting, simply making a contrasting comparison. I shoot targets to sharpen my shooting skills, I hunt to kill whatever I am hunting - see? Fishing offers the best of both worlds. (although, I believe fishing sucks, catching is where it is at.)

I just finished my red snapper lunch, so it would be difficult for me to argue that I always release fish lol. I could write a book on the reasons I fish. My reason for fishing changes often. Sometimes I am after food, sometimes I am after records, sometimes I am doing research, and sometimes I just need to get away and enjoy God’s creation.

Fishing for me varies, sometimes trips our to take home something, sometimes not. The main thing that is consistent...I like being out on the water away from everything.

I have wondered what hunting would be like if you could "kill" deer with out killing them, like using a tranquillizer bullet/arrow. How many people would do that for fun? I don't know of any people that hunt deer just for the meat (most hunt for the thrill/antlers despite what they say), if you add up all your cost, I think majority of cases, its cheaper to buy meat at the store (similar to fishing).

As for me I always release the bigger fish. They are the ones that hold a gene pool to produce other bigger fish. I do keep some fish every now and then for the dinner table. Most of the time I release em.



Side Note: I have no problems with anyone who keeps a fish as long as it is caught legal and is a legal fish to keep!

My apologies. I should not have been sensitive to what was said. I do hunt for the challenge, the meat is a nice bonus.

I do it for the BITE....thier bite on my hook and my bite into them after the fry.....never more than I will clean and eat that day or next morning...and yes I release the bigger blackies....why do vegetarians hate plants so much?

I do it for the love of outdoors, quality family time, substance and pure enjoyment. I hunt lunkers for the challenge and thrill of it!

I love the boat ride, since I was 5 years old I can't wait .....

Clears the mind, especially when you feel the tug on the line!
It never matters what method you use either, it's still a thrill to land a fish.