petesnr Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 Hi All It has come to my attention that a lot of fish are being brought ashore. We have had an exceptional spring for angling with early catches of summer species but don't get carried away. For reasons only known to the fish sizeable black bream have evaded the nets over the last few years and have provided us with great sport. Some days it seems like the sea is full of them. Please remember that these fish are shoaling up to spawn and can be quite localised. The fish you bring ashore will not breed and will not be there for you or others to enjoy. Also if you kill the 2 and 3 pounders then the chances of 4 pounders in the future becomes less likely. The bream actually taste nicer later in the season when they have spawned then fed. To bring back boxes of fish to fill freezers, give away or barter for favours (or worse to sell) sits uneasily against the ideals of sportfishing and a background of hostility from the commercial sector towards anglers. If you love to eat fresh fish then by all means bring some back for the table each time you go out but avoid fish full of spawn and only keep enough for your immediate needs--you can always go out and catch some more next time. I thought that was why those of us who love fresh fish had boats? Regulation of our catches could be on the way but there is no need to bring it on quicker by displays of greed that people well enough off to afford boats do not need to show. Petesnr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 well said Peter I must state that you lead by example. After our recent bream trip we too 8 [and I has six of those] from a catch well in excess of 60. Plus a few mackeral and both rays went back. The reason I find WSF hard to swallow at times, is their anglers constant need to show how many they took. and a need to belittle all that like to catch and release. If we want good sport in the future we all need to do our bit. Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 The reason I find WSF hard to swallow at times, is their anglers constant need to show how many they took. and a need to belittle all that like to catch and release. strangely I found a few posts in this vein a couple of weeks ago were enough to 'push me away' again. I do try hard to factor in people's circumstances, as well as aims and objectives as anglers - but as your justification increasingly becomes 'necessity' the last thing you should be doing in the current climate is gloat over it. All IMO obviously. however, I recognise that it's equally true that we (others) should be too judgmental either ........ on balance I also suggest we continue to lead by example, and leave it at that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codpiece Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 Catch and release excess/unwanted quite right too.. Now, when are we going to address the comp situation of ''if it aint dead you cant weigh it in!!!!'' Derek,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 Catch and release excess/unwanted quite right too.. Now, when are we going to address the comp situation of ''if it aint dead you cant weigh it in!!!!'' Derek,, Derek We as a Club addressed that many years ago Except for the open, and our flounder comp [when we encourage anglers to try to bring fish alive to the scales] all of our other comps are taken on weights done by our members on their boats. While this can never be 100% accurate as differant scales are used, it is done on trust so that all fish can be released if the Member wishes to. Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 Agree 100% Peter. I opperate a Male only policy on JV for bream - as do most club members I think, at least this leaves the egg carrying females alone. We also had between 60 and 80 fish the day we were alongside you, and whilst we did keep more than you guys we took 8 fish each - all of which were eaten fresh. We agreed what we wanted and all fish went back after that. Re. WSF - agree, I very rarely get on there anymore, for that and other reasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 (edited) Hi All It has come to my attention that a lot of fish are being brought ashore. We have had an exceptional spring for angling with early catches of summer species but don't get carried away. For reasons only known to the fish sizeable black bream have evaded the nets over the last few years and have provided us with great sport. Some days it seems like the sea is full of them. Please remember that these fish are shoaling up to spawn and can be quite localised. The fish you bring ashore will not breed and will not be there for you or others to enjoy. Also if you kill the 2 and 3 pounders then the chances of 4 pounders in the future becomes less likely. The bream actually taste nicer later in the season when they have spawned then fed. To bring back boxes of fish to fill freezers, give away or barter for favours (or worse to sell) sits uneasily against the ideals of sportfishing and a background of hostility from the commercial sector towards anglers. If you love to eat fresh fish then by all means bring some back for the table each time you go out but avoid fish full of spawn and only keep enough for your immediate needs--you can always go out and catch some more next time. I thought that was why those of us who love fresh fish had boats? Regulation of our catches could be on the way but there is no need to bring it on quicker by displays of greed that people well enough off to afford boats do not need to show. Petesnr If this is a go at Derek (Sea Sparkle), then I can assure you any fish he takes, are eaten fresh. (as this post started just after he posted a report in Club Members Chit Chat). Edited May 9, 2011 by Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Martin Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 Brian I don't think 8 bream between a boats crew would be considered a lot of fish so I would guess Pete's comments are not directed at Derek but more a general statement regarding some that do take excess numbers of fish. Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 Fair enough, I thought it might have been his comment about 20 or so mackerel. His future son-in-law eats a dozen or so for breakfast!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisE Posted May 9, 2011 Report Share Posted May 9, 2011 At the risk of not being the most popular poster here's how I see it. This is specifically not aimed at anybody just expressing a point of view based on the postings here, elsewhere and what I've seen whilst fishing On the ledge during this bream season there have been 20+ boats most days of which 4 or 5 were charter the rest privateers. So that's conservatively 50 guys fishing. If everyone takes say half a dozen that's 300 bream/day, and that's Fri, Sat and Sunday with maybe half to a third that number mid week say 100 bream/day. By my reckoning that's at least 1000 bream each week and that's not a bad haul for a trawler. FWIW, I believe that if we are going to keep the moral high ground on this we should be thinking of two or three max per person per trip. If you think that I'm being alarmist consider the bass fishing in the deep channels off Hurst Castle which until a couple of years ago was quietly spectacular with 7-8lb fish common together with a fair sprinkling of 10+ fish. The charters and the privateers *found* this three years ago and they had a good year. There are now very few fish in the deeps and certainly none of the biggies. Everyone there was being very good and only taking a fish or two. But when you have 10+ boats all taking a fish or two, soon you don't have any left. Perhaps I'm being a bit OTT but perhaps worth a thought? Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petesnr Posted May 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2011 There is quite a lot of evidence that fish such as bass do return to the same areas at certain times of year and so as Chris points out there is a risk of depletion of a localised stock by over fishing. He also makes a good point about the cumulative effect of a number of boats fishing the same area even if each angler only takes a few. At the moment it is down to each of us to moderate the mortality rate of the fish we catch and I for one would like it to stay that way. This will only remain if we are seen to be having little effect on fish stocks. Once we are seen as a major extractive activity then our freedom is gone. Surely no one wants the thought of a catch inspection at the end of a long day at sea even if there's nothing to hide. I am not casting stones at anyone in particular but making a general point to members about the ethos and ideals of PBSBAC. From my impression of the committee and the membership of the club we want to promote sport fishing as the major activity of the club with a few fish taken for the table if desired. Don't get me wrong--I love to take fish to eat but the frozen fillets at the back of the freezer do not compare with fish straight out of the water so I only take a few. It would be interesting to know the total tonnage of fish worldwide which is in freezers--it would be horrific if it turned out to be more than is alive and swimming and able to breed......that would be the ultimate folly. Just trying to make the point that we need to protect our own patch so that our sport continues year on year without restriction. Think once, think twice before killing--it's your and everyone elses future sport. Tight lines Petesnr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Nash Posted May 10, 2011 Report Share Posted May 10, 2011 I have mentioned before that I cringe when I see a photograph of lots of smiling fishermen holding even more dead fish. I return ALL fish as soon as I unhook them, apart from a few weeks ago when we kept 24 mackerel (as future bait) out of a haul of about 80 in 10 minutes. In My Opinion, if people want to take them home for tonights tea then thats good, but to take them home to stock the freezer is risking future stocks and possibly limiting future catches. I am not a tree hugger nor a do gooder, I just dont see why we have to destroy everything then complain when its gone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted May 10, 2011 Report Share Posted May 10, 2011 All this discussion is only a good things and helps to keep the issues at the front of people's minds. As Pete says it's down to each individual to make the call, there is no 'right' number of fish to take - which is better / worse - the angler who goes fishing 3 times a week and takes 3 fish everytime or the angler that goes once a month and takes a dozen fish. Whilst we are all thinking about this issue and putting it into practise we all stand a chance of having fish to catch in years to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiderunner Posted May 10, 2011 Report Share Posted May 10, 2011 Very interesting and important thread and its good to hear we all share concerns over future fish stocks. For the record when I catch [ not always the case aboard Spike !] I take one or two fish for the table always eaten fresh and enjoyed as a special treat. All other fish bare minimum handling and returned asap. Still on the subject of catch and release, I think I can identify male and female Bream but can anyone help with Bass ? I know mother nature needs both sexes to reproduce but it would be useful to be able to spot the difference if possible. A few years ago we were the only boat anchored on a bank a mile or two off Orford Ness off the Suffolk coast cod fishing in November. At the time we fished from a 16ft Orkney Strikeliner. A RIB approached at high speed, nothing unusual in that, but I soon realised he was heading for us [ well there were no other boats to be seen]. He came alongside side and introduced himself as a fisheries protection officer and asked what we had caught and was looking for any fish aboard. I explained this was one of our first trips out and we had only just started fishing so nothing to declare so to speak. He remained alongside informing us that a long liner around the headland he had inspected had caught a number of good sized Cod then wished us well and motored off along the coast. On another trip we met the same FPO on the quay inspecting a small trawler's catch of Sole late at night. Next trip out same spot, only boat fishing, same high speed RIB approach but this time 3 aboard from HM Customs and Excise. 4 rods out the back they asked what were we doing !!... I politely explained fishing if we get a chance.... They visually scanned the boat, commented it was good to see lifejackets being worn then wished us well and powered off along the coast. I have yet to come across this whilst fishing inshore from Mudeford or the Solent and Needles areas and I don't particularly want to either but it would help educate those who are totally unaware of minimum size limits which would lead to more returned fish. All the best, Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Nash Posted May 10, 2011 Report Share Posted May 10, 2011 Mike, There is a large cheetah cat FPO boat tied up in Poole Harbour. I have no doubt it moves at some time or other but I have yet to see it anywhere other than its berth! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codpiece Posted May 10, 2011 Report Share Posted May 10, 2011 Mike, Cheetah's don't like the water. My post about competitions was aimed at changing (if pos) national policy, I fully respect the club position and applaud it!! as allways. it just seems to me that it is a pity that competitions run under national rules require the killing of what could be the catch of a lifetime etc,etc, Derek.V Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted May 10, 2011 Report Share Posted May 10, 2011 Mike, There is a large cheetah cat FPO boat tied up in Poole Harbour. I have no doubt it moves at some time or other but I have yet to see it anywhere other than its berth! Usually refered too as the "Olympic Torch" which is something else that "never goes out" Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggcol Posted May 10, 2011 Report Share Posted May 10, 2011 Our Cheetah loves the water!! We return nearly all fish only keeping a couple for the table and macs for bait. We don't catch fish for other people if friends request fish they are politely told NO but they are invited to come out and catch some for themselves. Too many fish are kept and passed on to mates or put in the freezer only to be chucked out next season. Well done Pete for getting this debate going even if one person reads this thread and thinks that could be me and next time returns a few more fish than they normally would it has done some good. I must say in defence of the bigger Cheetah moored at the quay we had a visit from her whilst fishing the swash for Plaice and all boats were approached and asked that they were aware of the size limits. Colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike02380 Posted May 10, 2011 Report Share Posted May 10, 2011 I only take what i want for the pot and return other fish, another point here should be the treatment of fish caught to increase the chance of survival when returned , I use circle hooks to try and ensure lip hooking, makes it easier to unhook try not to touch the fish too much and make sure my hands are wet. i also try not to have the fish flapping on the deck and just shake off over the side where possible. maybe barbless hooks would be another option? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Nash Posted May 10, 2011 Report Share Posted May 10, 2011 (edited) try not to touch the fish too much and make sure my hands are wet. In an attempt to cause less damage I use a wet towel when I handle the fish. One thing I am often unsure about is a completely swallowed hook .... is it better to struggle to get it out or do I cut the line and let the fish dislodge it its self? I must be honest (and I hope people will tell me this is the right course of action) I generally try to get it out but if I am failing I cut the line and release the fish along with my hook. Edited May 10, 2011 by Graham Nash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted May 10, 2011 Report Share Posted May 10, 2011 I've had him come alongside, while fishing in the harbour, to check that we weren't using sandeels and didn't have any bass on board. He also gave me a wheelhouse card with the minimum sizes, I pointed they were smaller than the list we were using. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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