Not a defense, but a thought that if the fish are truly frozen and reused at numerous shows, at least they aren't killing new fish for every show. Not as good, but similar to using mounts.

Replicas would be best.

MAYBE A MOUNTED FISH WOULD BE THE WAY TO GO AS FAR AS BOAT SHOWS ARE CONCERNED. IT STILL REQUIRES THE KILLING OF THE FISH IN ORDER TO GET IT MOUNTED. HOWEVER A FEW FISH IS NOT GOING TO REDUCE THE POPULATION THAT MUCH . I HAVE MORE OF A PROBLEM TRYING TO RELEASE FISH DURING THE SPRING/SUMMER WARMWATER . I REMEMBER A GAMEWARDEN WATCH ME CATCH A FAIRLY GOOD SIZE STRIPER. TRYING TO BE A SPORTSMAN I LET IT GO BACK IN THE LAKE. FEELING PRETTY GOOD ABOUT MYSELF. GAME WARDEN TOLD ME I WAS WASTING MY TIME LETTING THE FISH GO AS IT WAS PROBABLY GOING TO WIND UP DEAD BECAUSE IT WAS STRESS OUT DURING THE FIGHT . I KNOW HE WAS SOMEWHAT JUSTIFIED IN WHAT HE SAID BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN THE SAME RESULTS MANY TIMES. SO, THE QUESTION IS ,DO I KEEP MY LIMIT OF FISH AN GIVE THEM AWAY TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS FISH. OR DO I STOP FISHING FOR STRIPERS IN HOT WEATHER, OR DO I GO TO HEAVIER TACKLE AND NOT FIGHT THE FISHBUT BRING THE FISH IN THE BOAT ASAP. I KNOW THIS COULD OPEN A CAN OF WORMS BUT THE FACT REMAINS THAT SOME FISH ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT. I DO AGREE THAT MOUNTED FISH WOULD BE MORE APPROPIATE FOR SHOW BUT IM NOT GOING TO GET TOO UPSET OVER IT. IF WE WANT TO CONSERVE ANY SPECIES OF FISH THEN THERE ARE SOME OTHER AREAS WE COULD PROBABLY BE OF GREATER HELP.FOR INSTANCE, GOLDEN ALGEE ,(HECK I CAN SPELL BUT YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN) POLLUTION, ETC ETC. THE LIST IS ENDLESS.JUST MY 2 CENTS WORTH

Y R U YELLING!

Just happen to be in the higher case. Wasnt yelling but it sure looks like it. I am a one finger typer and it takes forever for me to type anything. Sorry

don't know why YOU HAVE TO APOLOGIZE IT'S YOUR COMP. AND YOU CAN TYPE ANY DANG WAY YOU WANT .THATS WHAT I DO IF THEY DONT LIKE IT THEY CAN ......... TOO MANY PEOPLE ON HERE TRY TO RUN OTHER PEOPLES LIVES. THEY NEED TO GET THEIRS STRAIGHT FIRST THEN AND ONLY THEN THEY MAYBE QUALIFIED TO BUTT IN WHERE THEY AREN'T NEEDED OR WANTED. MY .02. LIKE OR LUMP IT???

I didn't mind it. It wasn't an excessive waste. The guides are competing against all those shiny new boats and good looking models for attention. I think people are so used to seeing pictures and mounts that they would just walk by their booths. People like seeing the real thing, especially kids.

And if it's a matter of supporting their families, then there's a lot at stake.

Realy who cares?
We have a bigger problem with from other countrys that come over hear and keep every fish they can to eat or sell!!!!

Dontheangler,
I saw the boat that you are talking about. I also saw Al Linder. I agree that fish mounts should be shown at the show, not a rererererefrozen fish.
Chip

Hmmm...It's not unethical to maliciously kill and waste a game animal as long as a buck is to be made out of it? It's a visual lesson and role model of actions for children to emulate in their future social values and fishing etiquette?

This brings memories of the admonishments from my mother over 50 yrs ago when she would scold me about wasting my food. She'd tell me of all the little kids that were starving in Korea and other places. I told her my little bit wasn't that much of a waste and she emphatically replied - "WHAT IF EVERYONE DID IT?"

I saw the same thing at BPS with an entire cooler full of stripers at the guide display. I suppose that many licenses are bought by their customers that only fish once or twice a year. The revenue generated probably pays for thousands of striper fingerlings. Maybe it's a win for fishing in the long run?

Practicing catch-and-release on a 'put-and-take' species such as Hybrids probably has minimal positive impact compared to setting and observing minimum size and bag limits.

Real results are obtained by keeping their cause in front of TPW to insure timely and adequate re-stockings.

Unless or until we convince the TPW 'powers-that-be' that it make's a significant economic impact, the Lion's Share of funding will still be channeled toward attempting to improve the genetic strain of a fish that readily reproduces in Texas freshwaters-the Black Bass.

I think we have made progress in the last couple of years, but we need to be vocal in expressing our support of the stocking programs for Hybrids and Stripers to the TPW, and in convincing your local area lake community of the economic impact of maintaining a 'top notch' Hybrid/Striper fishery.

My 2c worth-of course.

I used to get bent out of shape by those fish but as I got older I calmed down and realize that it really doesn't impact the fisheries a bit. Guys keeping dozens of small illegal fish hurt a lot more.

As for the game warden saying the fish will probably die, he may be right but if you keep it it will die for sure, if released it MAY survive and if it doesn't it will still contribute to the food chain in the lake.

So in my opinion, keep it or release it as you see fit. If it's legal it's no one else's business.

I have been fishing a long time and I think fishing today is better than it has ever been. Of course that's just my opinion.

Good post Ernest. Like your reasoning. joebear

Wanted to respond to the striper dying when released: I don't know if it is the same, but when fishign for large Pike and Musky up in Canada, we often revive the fish for 5-15 minutes gently moving them back and forth in the water, and getting them to regain strength until they pull away from your grip (on there tails). Even then we would fish that area for a couple of minutes to make sure they don't float up from exhaustion. don't know if it would work on stripers, but thought I would throw that out.

Eat it or let it go after a pic has been taken. The best thing to do is CPR! if your not going to have it for dinner. That should go for all fish & game. I good pic is worth a 1000 what ever they say