I have been bass fishing seriously since the 1970’s and one thing I hate is for folks to put fish in the livewell and haul them all over the lake only so they can take a group picture and release in a different location. The 30% mortality rate does not surprise me in the least especially in hotter months. It is not rocket science, catch the fish, take the picture, release the fish. That should only take about one minute.

yes

I'll keep a few small legal fish to eat. I throw back anything over 2 1/2-3 pounds. I'll keep and eat any legal Crappie I catch.

I saltwater fish and have red snapper, tuna, and numerous other saltwater fish in the freezer...nothing in freshwater even comes close to comparing, with the exception of yellow perch or walleye, (maybe crappie) so no...no need to keep bass to eat at my house.

I usually keep a few of the smaller ones to eat. Clean tasting fish.

I catch and release them but when camping with the family, I will fry them if the kids decide to keep them. The big ones will go back for breeding.

I'll keep a limit of share lunkers each trip out, they clean well but I need a katana sword to do it on some of these HAWGS... I make steaks out of them.

My fishing buddy really likes how all the salty livewell supplements makes bass taste. He says an 8 hour soak in the livewell chemicals makes the bass taste much better. Most of all, he likes how Rejuvenade makes them taste after an 8 hour soak in this livewell dip.
He claims that Rejuvenade is his favorite seasoning, it’s far better than Tony’s or Zattarans fish fry seasoning. Wish I knew what different chemicals are in Rejuvenade that make bass taste so good. I know what is in Tony's and Zatarands fish fry seasoning, it's written on the label.

I will still eat spotted bass when we get into a school of them. But not often.

I keep a few just above legal length because my family and I like to have them for a meal occasionally. In fact, our Thanksgiving meal yesterday was deep fried LMB filets with Panko breading, hushpuppies, pinto beans, rice and marinated cucumbers. Cherry and pecan pies for desert. Very tasty.

If it's legal length but not a huge breeder. It getting cooked. I'm not a trophy fisher.


Considering that wild caught, non gmo, all natural bass would cost ~$15+ a pound if HEB sold it.

Most definitely it's getting eaten.

The only fish around here that doesn't taste all that great is Carp. Cooked in a salmon patty recipe it's not bad.

Bass is a top of the line freshwater protein. Bluegill taste better but it's tiny...

To each their own but crappie is my top of the line protein

Belton lake is main stomping ground. I haven't seen a crappie in years. It's big mouth, small mouth, stripe/hybrid and perch. Catfish.

Carp is more of a bowfishing adventure then using a pole.You can't bowfish on Federal property but there's other areas to where you can tear them up. Gar too.( Recurve bow.) The only two legal fish you can use a bow on.

But I definitely understand your choice. All organic....

Not my favorite fresh water fish to eat but they are good.