Fish Handling Rant - Don't FISH if you are...

[quad_hopper]

SCARED of fish!!

I don't normally post on here complaining or ranting but this one has got to me this weekend and need to vent.

I was out at Crawling Valley all weekend and watched people catching walleye and pike regularly. It's nice to see people having fun fishing. However, I'm a little sick of watching people catch fish and too scared to deal with them. People would catch 1-3 lb walleye on what I'm assuming is 30 lb test or greater, yank on the rod like its a 1000# Marlin and then continue to reel the fish in as it skips across the top of the water. Once its up on shore, the fish, full of **** and vinegar flops violently around on the ground. All full of sand, the individuals step on the head of the fish to try to retrieve the hook back. The hook is then retrieved and the individuals either kick the fish back to the water or toss the fish through the air into the edge of the water as it slips through their hands as they are too scared to touch it.

I spoke to a couple individuals about my displeasure as well but it was super annoying in general. Crawling Valley is a catch and release only for walleye and I was ****ed to see fish belly up. If you are too scared to fish, please don't!!!! I even seen some guys in a boat and you can tell they are too scared as well on how they approach the fish in the net. At least they would release it somewhat properly.

I know it shouldn't make mad, but I hate it. I fish for fun and want the fisheries to stay healthy. I often fish with 4 lb test and light tackle. I caught some very nice walleye and pike this weekend. To me, it's more fun fishing and fighting a fish for a bit before bringing it up. Then releasing it right away. The 12 lb pike I got took awhile but it was a nice rush till it surfaced.

Anyhow, rant over! Just needed to vent.

I know everyone has their opinions, but that's mine...

[gitrdun]

I share your opinion. I watched people fust jerk the walleye off the hook and then kick it off the dock and into the water. Pretty disrespectfull to the fish that just gave one the pleasure of a catch. I'm a newbie at fishing, but I chose to remove the hook gently without causing further damage and "place" it back in the water. Might be overdoing it, but it makes me feel better, I'm sure the fish feels better too.

[slivers86]

Originally Posted by gitrdun

I share your opinion. I watched people fust jerk the walleye off the hook and then kick it off the dock and into the water. Pretty disrespectfull to the fish that just gave one the pleasure of a catch. I'm a newbie at fishing, but I chose to remove the hook gently without causing further damage and "place" it back in the water. Might be overdoing it, but it makes me feel better, I'm sure the fish feels better too.

x2

Im new too, but know how to take a hook out, well, sometimes without hooking myself (pliars forever, or the spreader from now on after my bleeding senseless finger go hooked by a rap).

I guess we can all understand that once and a while one slips out of your hands and hits the rocks, but i'd never put a fish airborne on purpose. I want to catch that little bugger again