So uhhh...hate me if you want, but I think the killing of this fish is a terrible thing. I am not opposed to keeping bass all the time, but big bass, especially in small rivers, should be left to swim. Here is a link to my story about it:
http://phkellnerfishing.blogspot.com/2012/06/record-largemouth-bass-on-blanco-san.html

And I must say, I think their should be some effort in increasing the popularity of Length Records for Fish. So you can get your name in the record books and still have that fish live.

what a a-hole

TOTALLY agree and wish it was released and I don't even fish there, but I just can't get upset over something someone did legally. If you're that passionate about it I'd try and start a petition and get the law changed.

I read the article twice and could not find where it said the fish was killed. It said he releases all his fish except for this one, but goes on to say that he had it officially weighed. I guess we could assume the fish was killed.
Either way, congrats to the young man for a fish of a lifetime, thank him for serving our country so we may enjoy the sport of bass fishing, and respect whatever decision he made as to the outcome as long as no laws were broken.
Also, that fish has probably spawned 8-9 times in her lifetime and if she was returned alive may have spawned another 4-5 at most.

Yeah, I don't know that we could change the laws, but we could really really push for length records to be mainstream. And you can bet, I will be pushing for this as much as possible.

Jacktard......

You know, you are kinda right. It doesn't say the fish was killed. I just assumed it was. If it wasn't I sincerely apologize.

As I read it there was no doubt that he did, but sometimes journalist don't get the wording perfect

You guys are ridiculous.

I think I'm going to start keeping the 5 biggest bass I catch each day just to counterbalance the stupidity of thinking that taking 1 bass like this is going to have a major impact on the fishery.

Also, a direct reply to the story. I caught what ended up being my PB bass from a john boat at about 8 in the morning. I put him on a stringer cause I wanted to weigh him and he swam with the john boat all day while we fished, til at least 4 or 5. Paddled the mile or so home and weighed him - then put him in a 500 gal aerated tank. That fish lived for a month with us feeding him til I finally threw him back in the creek.

That fish was on a stringer tied to a moving boat all day. It was over 100 degrees and we were not fishing in shade, so she was never deeper than 3 or 4 feet. That fish was fine. I could have easily paddled 4 or 5 more miles and it would have had zero effect on the fish.

In a small fishery, such as this river system, that one fish, plus the other "one" fish that others catch, does have an impact.

That young man Honorably served this country and can do as he pleases with the legal fish. If you want to change the law thats fine but don't vilainize this soldier for his catch and rights he served for.

Thats your opinion craftsman. And only your OPINION. I have been fishing the same stretch of Spring Creek in west Texas for 30 years, our family has a place. EVERY YEAR we remove at least one or two 10lb largemouth and god knows how many 8+ lbers. And it hasn't ever effected our catch rate or the size of the bass. . .going on 30 years now. So explain that one.

Good for the soldier that caught it and did what he wanted to with his LEGAL catch. Congrats!


Am I missing your credentials to be an expert on big bass and why him retaining that one fish would "impact" this river system?

How many others are taking fish out? In this river, it is sad, but more than a few other do.