Although I choose not to target oversize reds or tarpon or giant black drum or jewfish or a variety of other regulated species of fish, that's just my personal choice. I don't think it's fun ... that's just me. A lot of people do think it's fun, sporting, and exciting. They are the sport anglers. We see them every week on TV catching and releasing all sorts of fish, whether they are legal to keep or not. There's nothing wrong with sport angling, even for bull reds at the jetties, in and of itself. That does not mean I think sport fishing is exactly perfect either.

There are a few things that I think are wrong, and I think many of us see these things happening all too frequently. I'm not implying that anyone on this board does these things. Unfortunately, not everyone is as experienced or knowledgeable as the members here. Here's a list of things that I see people doing wrong:

1) Improper release- how many times have we seen a giant red improperly released and exhausted for the sharks? Lots.
2) Improper rigging- hooks that gut intead of jaw hook. Circle hooks really help.
3) Improper tackle- line and rods that are too light to get the job done. Either lots of fish break off trailing long leders or they are released too fatigued to get away from the sharks.
4) Poaching- That was the subject of a recent post about the bust of a boat with 20 oversize reds on board at Mayport. It's sad but true that I can't tell you how many people have "bragged" to me about having kept as many reds as they could catch and/or oversized ones. It happens a LOT from private docks at night.
5) Dead release- Killing a fish just for a photo opportunity or a weigh-in just isn't right.

Note: These things don't just happen with redfish at the jetties or the giant black drum. It happens with other species as well and in other places. Giant breeder black drum are a frequent source of controversy. I would like to catch one for sport one day, but just one. If I do, I guarantee I will do it in a way that ensures the survival of the fish to the best of my ability and to the best of its ability. It will be a fair fight and also a fair chance at survival.

On another subject, if I happen to find myself in the middle of a school of giant reds, I will leave them alone. Friday night, I actually moved to a different spot after catching one out of a school. Yes, I caught one, hoping it was a shark or ray. He was fun. Back he went, in excellent condition. Why did I move to another spot instead of catching more? I could have sat there and caught one after another "trophy fish" and posted a report that I caught "x" number of monster reds. I did not.

I moved on to another spot Friday night because I knew I was on top of a school of breeding-size fish. I could hear them. After they moved in, I moved on. I want to see redfish populations increase here in North Florida. One way for me to help the redfish is not to disturb them when I know big ones are schooling up, hopefully for breeding.

Another thing I do is that I stop catching and releasing slot fish (reds and trout) after a few fish. There have been nights in Mill Cove where I could have nailed reds all night long. I take my limit of one, maybe fight a few more for sport, and then I either target something else or quit. You will never, ever see me post a report that I caught and released 20, or 30 or any number like that of whatever fish. I don't find it fun, but that's just me. There are a lot of anglers who do find it fun and sporting to catch and release as many fish as they can, and I certainly don't condemn it as long as it is done right so the fish have a chance.

Here is an example of members doing it right from a recent post by member fishingfool:

There's the right idea.

Unfortunately, I wrote a post not too long ago suggesting lighter tackle to fight big reds. I was wrong, and if I can find that post, I intend to change it. Use the right tackle for the job.

Is sport fishing good for a lot of people? Yes.
Is sport fishing good for the economy? Yes.
Do I do it? Yes, sometimes.
Do I have some self-imposed rules that I hope will be my personal way of helping out a little? Definitely.

There also are two other changes that I intend to make in my own fishing: 1) Increased use of circle hooks to avoid gut hooking, and 2) Purchase of a long pair of wire cutters so when I do gut hook a red or trout or whatever fish, at least I can reach in and cut the hook itself. The less metal embedded in the fish, the better. Hook disgorgers are great, but let me tell you, it's not always possible, nor is it always best, to get that hook out. Another thing is that I quit using stainless hooks and leaders a long time ago. Also, I NEVER lift a gut hooked fish by the line. I make these personal changes for the good of the fishery. Food for thought.

Just my $0.02 worth.

Second Chance