Quote:
Originally posted by Meadowlark:
 Quote:
Originally posted by george:
I was under the impression that you considered HSB a great sport fish, but strictly a put and take fish - and great table fare.

So what if they fight 'til they die if they are for the table?
Yes, I consider them a great sport fish.

Here is a real problem I am facing in 2 weeks. Three families are coming to visit over the 4th. They all want to fish. One of my favorite relatives, little Bethany whom I have written about previously, is among them.

I have some HSB now that are 5 maybe even 6 pounds. If they are caught over the 4th, they will die. It is as simple as that. You confirmed that recently in your posts on oxygen.

I don't have many of these 5 to 6 pound fish left. I caught one two weeks ago on relatively heavy spinning tackle and it died. I have a lot of time and money invested in these large fish. I am human and would like to see how large they will grow.

So, should I lock it up and allow no fishing? Should I run out and buy a bunch of oxygen bottles and fish holding tanks to save the HSB?
Or just plan on a big fish fry?

I don't like the choices...its real easy for you to just say so what if they die. It isn't that easy for me. I have a lot invested in those HSB. I hate to see them all die. Make fun of me if you want, but this is a serious issue to me.

It has taken me 4 years to get fish like this. It has cost untold money in high protein feed which I transport from Angleton. It has cost me countless hours to catch the poachers who were carrying these fish out of my pond.

Yes, its real easy to say just let them die, but not for me.
ML, now we are back on the same page - I don't like disagreeing with you since we have so much in common - this is pretty much where we started with our HSB program three years ago.

I don't like to see them die either, but I haven't klled one yet - I fish heavy leaders and land them quickly, and if necessary revive them.

I've had the luxury of living long enough and had priveledges that I will remmber forever - being self employed and semi-retired for the last 25 years hasn't hurt either ... \:D

I have a problem with summer stress with all species that I fish for - not just HSB.
You can kill a striped bass in a heartbeat when caught in summertime deep water - I don't fish for them when near surface water reaches my cut-off of 83 degrees.

You can kill LMB as well - that's why I am serious in my laughable attemps with oxygen revival.

I stock much more heavily than you - 100, 8-10 HSB last fall and will supplement this fall with at least 50, depending how many are lost.

I've cut back on feeding and fish only in the cool morning hours.

I also have a considerable amount of expense involved as well, feeding high protein fish food, state of the art aeration, feeders, etc but am blessed with a sucessful business career that allows me to exercise my fishing options that I value highly.

I'm appreciative of the fact that you remain positive about HSB -and- "they fight like a banshee and are good table fare" if I quote you correctly.

Take care and have fun - that's what its all about...