Just because we are allowed 2 keeper bass...

[fishguy]

...does that mean we should keep them? Especially big cows? Personally, I have killed very few bass over 20 lbs in a non-tournament situation as I feel the smaller fish make for better eating. My personal best was 40lbs and she was released immediately after the photo was taken.

It's a personal choice and I am in no way advocating for a larger size limit or lower bag limit. It's just when I see pictures of piles of huge dead fish I wonder what makes someone want to kill that many big breeders.

[sportfishingusa]

Big fish are not great breeders. They have a higher fail ratefor their eggs and the smaller fish that breed are more fertile.

To each is own. Don't start this debate cause every tree hugging cry baby willcome out of the wood works. Just let it go and let everyone take what try are entitles

[The Sinker Man]

Here we go AGAIN..............................

[SaltyAngler]

Oh boy.

What's next? Just because we're allowed to keep 5 fluke?

[sportfishingusa]

Originally Posted by SaltyAngler

Oh boy.

What's next? Just because we're allowed to keep 5 fluke?

Get on it Pauli d !!!

[RnK]

Originally Posted by fishguy

...does that mean we should keep them? Especially big cows? Personally, I have killed very few bass over 20 lbs in a non-tournament situation as I feel the smaller fish make for better eating. My personal best was 40lbs and she was released immediately after the photo was taken.

Myth #1 big breeders make proportionally larger amounts of healthy offspring already addressed.

Myth#2 smaller stripers taste a lot better than larger ones. Not true at all, whether or not you strip out the red meat down the lateral line. Texture and taste are the same. My personal best at 38# I kept and it tasted the same as a 28" fish. Just bigger white flakes.

Since we like striper second to sea bass for taste, but #1overall for eating, as the filet size makes it much more versatile for many dishes we prepare, the only fried being Bev's striper cakes. We keep our limit, plus 1 bonus if we get it, don't mind admitting it, nor feel guilty in the least. VAcuum sealed and frozen, shelf life is at least 4 months.

What I would not mind seeing is a smaller size slot fish, because a 5-7# striper is wonderful size to stuff and bake/poach in wine. Anyone who wants the recipe, PM me with ur email addy. It's my take (long story) on the signature dish at the original Fish Market restaurant in Philly (same owner as the current famous 4**** Striped Bass Restaurant)

And if you must blame the NJ recreational fishermen for all the striper and other assorted NJ and world problems, you can't blame me this year at least, as we're having the worst Spring striper season in memory, after a fast start, last 3 trips have been the skunk.

[Tony Cav]

Originally Posted by sportfishingusa

Big fish are not great breeders. They have a higher fail ratefor their eggs and the smaller fish that breed are more fertile.

To each is own. Don't start this debate cause every tree hugging cry baby willcome out of the wood works. Just let it go and let everyone take what try are entitles

Waaaaa, waa, waaaaaaa, wa, waaaaaa.

[fishguy]

Jeez Louis, guys! Got a little pent up anger?

So maybe everything posted here is the gospel truth, for the sake of argument. Maybe this is the year you get the bass of a lifetime, a 90 lb world record...which weighed 40 lbs all those years ago when I let it go. You can thank me for that fish and the 75 heavy metal laced meals it provided. You're welcome!

[SaltLife1980]

If your going to eat them.. then yes keep them.. if u are just killing them to kill them and show your friends then no.. I hate wasting fish.. if i take it home.. its going to be eaten no matter what..

[buckfin732]

Tell me with 330,000,000 million people in the US how many get sick from eating Bass,tuna,shark a year?I bet less people that all the fingers and toes you have.You do what makes you sleep at night and the next guy does what makes him sleep at night.Its bad enough the goverment is taking fish away from us now we have you telling us what to do lol good luck with that