[Photoguy]

As a relative "newbie" on here, I've noticed that many people here don't like those who fish and keep the fish to eat. Often to do that, they have to keep a bucket around.

While I understand the need to catch and release (to fish another day), is it all so bad to keep a fish here or there if you intend to eat that fish? Obviously, those who fish a lot and are sucessful in catching numerous quantities and keep all of them for their dinner would not be something I would agree with either. But what about those who catch perhaps one or two in a week's time and keep those for eating? Is that all so bad?

I'm not asking to start a flame war or anything, but rather, I'm asking to understand if I'm in the minority here that it might just be ok every now and then...

While I question whether it's a smart thing in keeping a fish and eating it (from the Lagoons) due to the potential contamination of bad waters (as mentioned in another thread), I also wonder if I would be looked down upon if I fish the lagoons and have a bucket ready to keep perhaps a big one to consume that day.

Thoughts? Comments?

Thanks in advance. By the way, this is a great forum to learn from!

 

[Afalconsvick]

The term "buckethead" is used when some is USUALLY referring to someone who keeps ALL the fish they catch. No matter what the size is or the creel limit. IMO it's okay for fisherman to keep a fish here and there to eat. However, if it's to small to keep or you're over the limit then the fish should be let go. A buckethead will throw anything they catch in the bucket, therefore getting the name buckethead. Therefore all bucketheads are bad because they keep ALL the fish they catch regardless of the rules and regulations.

 

[jwcustomflies]

While i definately don't speak for the local crowd, i'll offer my insite anyhow as my focus is wild trout in the rockies.

NO, its not a crime, nor unethical, to practice "selective harvest". There are slot limits for a reason. Reasons being, of course, to create a viable sport fishery and to limit the possibility of a stunted population.

The "Bucketheads" folks out here are referring to are those people who sit on the banks and keep every single fish they catch, no matter the species or size, day after day after day. Just how many bluegill and 6" bass can a family eat a week anyway??? And to top it off, those areas most frequented by said "Bucket Brigade" look like garbage dumps and only get worse thru the years. Do they get a bad rap? some may, most are slobs. Flame me if you will, however if you visit the usual suspects you'll quickly agree.

It would be unfair if we said we never keep fish, once in a while all of us do. Its just not at every outing !! If i kept all the fish i catch i would have to buy a freezer warehouse !! Selective harvest or keeping the random fish for the table is fine and healthy for any fishery. Heading out to the lake or river and keeping your limits every weekend is a waste, although perfectly legal. If you had 10 people a day filling buckets with fish at every lake, they would be emptied or severely threatened in a short time. We don't pay for our liscences so those who don't can treat the lakes as thier personal grocery store.

To address the " If i catch a big one for the table" comment - personally, its the big ones you want to release ! They are the strongest, smartest, most resilient fish in the population and their genes need to be passed on to subsiquent generations. Without them in there to breed, future fishing may become weakened. There are trophy hunters out there to catch the biggest only to have them mounted. Mu oppinion is -take a couple really good pictures and have a replica made. On a side note, some species taste worse as they get bigger.

The combination of garbage and non-selective harvesting is what ticks off ANY sportfisherman ! So, if you fall into the "Buckethead" category, bring a freakin garbage bag with you and CLEAN UP! If not, let us know how ya did

 

[WrenchingnFishing]

It's only OK if i get to kick over their buckets for a reason :mrgreen: But the bucket has to end up in the water as well. 8)

A buckethead is a different term than a selective harvest fisherman

 

[svslider]

Some idiots were at busse poaching baby bluegills yesterday. And they took whole bucketfuls of crawdads and grilled them up on the spot

 

[Afalconsvick]

Some idiots were at busse poaching baby bluegills yesterday. And they took whole bucketfuls of crawdads and grilled them up on the spot

Someone should throw them on the grill.. :evil:

 

[Photoguy]

Thanks for all the replies.

Based on your replies, I would say that I'm not in the buckethead catagory! Whew! I do practice catch and release and fully agree that a selective choice of which fish to keep and which to let go is the smart thing to do. Yes, the largest fish would most likely be the worst tasting and we do all need those guys back in the water for breeding. Still, keeping one or two of the day for the table is ok in my book and I'm glad to read that others think the same way too.

Those who keep everything they catch aren't doing anyone any good... not for us or for the fish population. I agree, how many fish can you eat anyway in a day... or even in a week?

Thanks again for the comments. I'm glad to know that I, along with my relatives who fish with me don't fall into the buckethead catagory! We release everything we don't intend to eat and definitely the small ones. As for the big ones... we've yet to catch that, so we don't fall into that category of anglers yet!

 

[plumberpower1]

well said jw keep on preachin bro

 

[JasonN]

Lagoonguy, great post. JW, great reply.

My thoughts are... as long as regulations are followed, selective harvesting is simply part of the sport. I'm completely cool with that.

Again, lagoonguy, great post.

 

[LUV2FISH]

JW said it all!!!
I just don't understand why there is so much fear of being judged on this board. If someone wants to use minnows, so be it.
Don't tell them that minnows are wacked and cheating. If some one catches a fish off a bed, so be it, it is legal. If someone wants to have a fish dinner, so be it.
The way we fish is personal preference. No one has the right to dictate how a person fishes if the are within the law. If you disagree with the way someone fishes, then state why this behavior is detrimental to the fish population.
As far as safe to eat, it probably won't kill you to eat a fish from the Skokie or Busse, I just wouldn't make a habit of it.
L2F

 

[LUV2FISH]

Slider
I am not trying to be a SA here just looking for clarification. What do you mean by "poaching baby blue gill". I checked the regs and there is no size limit for gill only a 15 fish daily creel limit. Do you know for a fact that they were over limit, or are you just guessing? As far as cray fish go the reg only say that you can not posess rusty crayfish and that you can only take them for "personal use". So these "IDOTS" were grilling them and personally using them. What is the problem with that?
If in fact they were over limit on gills. How could a person report them to the DNA and have them issue a citation?
If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. :wink:
LUV2FISH

 

[svslider]

8 inch limit at busse, know your regs. And if you notice Ive said over and over not to just go calling dnr on everyone. I did just call the cops on some guy tho :lol: He was driving like an ass in his 1-877- 55 nofog van :lol: Some antifog business and he was driving their van and running me off the road on my way back from deep tonight :shock: Its real good I didnt get his van # or I may not drop it.

 

[LUV2FISH]

Slider
Looked in the 09 regs and still can't find a size limit. Even in the site specific for Busse it only says 15 fish and number 14 which is an aggregate limit for gill, sun fish, and pumpkinseed.
Where did you find this info. As a matter of fact I am trying to know my regs.
All due respect, I don't see it.
L2F

 

[svslider]

crap like that is why I dont run to dnr- they are incompetent. I dunno if the rules changed this year? There was a 8 inch limit last year but there are very few signs withing the place. I never agreed with the limit anyways, but all bass should be catch and release. And Id rather the bass eat the crayfish than some people who went and bought processed bacon and hotdogs to catch the crayfish with.

 

[LUV2FISH]

Agreed on the bass. Sport fish, not to be eaten. Caught my first one a fly rod at Beck today. 12 in dink but it was fun on a fly. JW will probably post the pic. No trophy, just a mile stone.
Don't know why anyone would even want to eat a crawdad, but if it is legal it is legal.
DNR could be better, but they are not all that bad, just government BS.
As you can tell I am a glass half full and live and let live type of person.
I grew up in the hippie generation, what can I say?
L2F

 

[InfamouzFisherman]

This was a good post, I learned a lot.

 

[LUV2FISH]

Well get ready to learn more!
Just got my edition or Illinois Outdoor news today and read an article about a lake in central Illinois. The findings in this lake were that the total number of bass was increasing, but the number of bass over 18in was decreasing. They changed the limits to allow 2 fish under 15in and one over instead of the standard 6 fish over 15in, which is a maintenance measure. This lake has used this method before and it resulted in larger size fish.
So my take on this is that maybe some of those 12 to 15s need to be harvested so we can catch and release those 5 pounders in a couple years.
An educated fisherman is a smart fisherman.
L2F