Wouldn't one reason to keep it large be to help prevent predation from birds? If the fish can stay on the bottom, and they can go 17 feet from the bank in 5 feet of water I would think they would be pretty safe.
I'm all for making it smaller though. Does anyone have an opinion on what size makes the most sense?
Also, these fish are free for the catching so if a few escape or get eaten it won't break me. I'll just have to force myself to fish more...
