Does anyone have the numbers yet? I've heard from a good source 2 dead and another 2 probably won't make it. Such a waste if this is true. No program these fish would've went right back in most likely after pics, etc. Atleast they'd have a chance at surviving

Here it comes!


Side Note: I can't find any information to the Sal survival rate on Ivie.

Lol

I do know for sure one of the early 14’s. That came straight from tpwd. Not sure about any of the others. Kind of sad. Would love to see these things released after a picture, but unfortunately they are not being released.

It is shameful. Take a pic, pay for your own replica. Save a fish.

I think the mortality rate on those big fish caught deep wouldn’t be any different donated or not. Folks keep them out of the water way too long haul around to show buddies and weigh at the marina. Heck guys are hauling in 8-12 lb fish to the marinas to be weighed. Are the hero pics worth that much? Some of these mortalities will happen regardless with TPW takes them or not.

we should all just agree to stop fishing for them entirely. Its a damn shame we stab them in the face for our own enjoyment.

Just playing devils advocate but how do we know the stress of being caught wouldn't kill them anyways. A fish that size is old and it could be stressful on their heart to fight being caught. Just a thought

Then there is the issue of 6 or 8 holes from a rig being yanked into it....

I agree with this. But that’s not the world we live in today. It’s the look at me crowd now, put our best 5 in the livewell all day just for the glory pic at the end of the day. I have never seen so many fish going in live wells on weekdays as I have last couple weeks, not all from Louisiana either!

100%. Guys are taking 8-9 pound fish for a ride to the marina just for an official weight. While I’m definitely not turning my nose up at a fish that size, my question is why? Even up to 12 pounds. Weigh it. Take a picture. Turn her loose. Especially this close to the spawn. So many fish have been taken out of the lake in the last few weeks.

Yep. You catch a 8-9 pounder, hold it over the side of the boat, snap a quick photo, let swim back to the bed.

All I catch are drinks anyways so it will never be an issue for me.

Hard for me to believe a fish released immediately or after some pics would die anyway whether donated or not. That means most big fish caught over 8lbs would be dying on any lake. Deep fish routinely get caught in winter on many lakes. The stress of the fish in the livewell, holding tank for hours, lack of fizzing, all adds up.