Good Quote, Jimmy. I'm a proponent of a quick fight, too, but also keeping in mind the handling of the fish when landed. A 'green' fish can do a lot of physical damage to itself while being landed and handled, whereas a worn-out fish may lie there in the current and just let you unhook it. If I have to play a big fish up onto the rocks (thinking of trout in a river or lake from the shore), I would wear him out, so that he didn't beat himself to death struggling on the rocky shore while I unhooked him. If I had a net, I'd play him quicker, net him in the water, keep him in the current while unhooking, and then revive and release. I keep in mind the water conditions, temp. especially, and if the water is too warm, it's probably best to have a nice trout dinner.
For bass, which I consider a far tougher fish than a trout, I think the fast play on 90# test straight to the live well is the best for the fish, but where does he go from there? Weigh-in or frying pan? DonO ----- Original Message ----- From: Jimmy D. Moore To: [email protected] ; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, January 29, 2007 7:04 AM Subject: [VFB] QUOTE FOR THE DAY "The 'thump' registering through the rod translates instantly into a pounding heart for the angler who knows he's tied into a big spring smallmouth. For the bass on the other end, the response in nearly the same, as it fights against the resistance of the rod and line. In fact, a short 20-second struggle can elevate he fish's cardiac output to such a level that it might need an hour's recovery time for its heart to return to resting levels. If the battle lasts two or three minutes, the fish might require three hours or more to recover." (This goes back to the thread we had several weeks ago about bringing a fish in quickly or playing it to submission.) I hadn't seen a fish biologist's take on this before, but it certainly reinforces my thinking. Therefore, I still advocate as quick a battle as possible and immediate release. "Smallmouth Cardiac Workout" In "North American Fisherman" ************************ ><((((((((º> ******************************* Join the VFB ( Virtual Fly Box), and take advantage of paid member offerings. Click on http://virtualflybox.com Then on the left hand side of the home page under "Participate" click on MEMBERSHIPS Paid Memberships are: Contributing - $15, Supporting - $35 and $100 for a corporate membership. Byard Miller, owner of the VFB also owns LINES END Online Fly Shop so, for all your Fly Tying/fishing needs click on http://linesend.com Byard gives a 5% discount to all dues paying VFB members. Top quality fly tying stuff at great prices and super great service. I speak from experience. _________________________________________________________________ Jimmy D's Fly Fishing site http://bigtroutman.tripod.com/ _________________________________________________________________ "Being able to read trout streams is just as valuable to a fly fisherman as the ability to read a defense is to an NFL Quarterback." Jimmy D. Moore - © [2004] ************************ <º))))))))>< ****************************** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.410 / Virus Database: 268.17.12/655 - Release Date: 1/28/2007
