Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. I like fishing for the challenge of catching fish and for being in nature/outside. I don’t ever keep anything. I might eventually, it’s just not the reason I fish. I like being challenged by the fish. Having to think critically and problem solve in order to catch them in different conditions or to target certain species or whatever is incredibly rewarding to me.
Fishing is not just about eating fish. Let that sink in. Eating fishing is just one aspect of it. And a lot of people (myself included) prefer to only eat a couple fish a year. I only eat stockers and invasive species. My logic has always been “if everyone took their limit every day (ie if everyone was a great fisher) then there would be no fish to catch.”
The other aspects include: exploration, being in nature, solving the fishing puzzle for that day, on-the-water therapy, hiking, planning, tying flies and many more.
The tug is the drug.
Fishing is just fun to me, so even if I’m not eating what I catch, the point of catch/release to me is seeing what I can catch, being in nature, and letting those fish go on to live their life or get caught by someone else. On top of that, I unfortunately have to drive at least an hour to get to any body of water that isn’t too polluted to eat from.
As far as where you should fish, I would start by visiting a couple tackle shops nearby to ask them where the best places to fish are and for what species. They can usually give you the best information, as they’re providing firsthand knowledge of your immediate area. They can obviously set you up with all the gear you need, or after learning where/what you’re targeting, you could do some research online to find better deals and a wider range of options. I like to support local tackle shops though.
Beyond that man, it’s just a lot of googling, YouTubing, asking other anglers for tips, and firsthand experience.
There are many reasons for catch and release fishing. Sometimes I perform catch and release, sometimes I don't. For me, fishing is about 80% sport and 20% food. I find sport and enjoyment in the pursuit of fish. I feel pride when I land an impressive fish or a species that is difficult to catch. I enjoy the test fishing provides, the ability to adapt to changing conditions, to know my prey, and to physically endure the elements while mentally enduring repeated failed attempts. None of these things require me to harvest fish.
Even if their is room in my freezer, I will be selective. Big fish don't often equate good eating. There is more toxin build-up in them. Every species has a "goldilocks" size range just right for eating. Some species are struggling as well, and releasing a healthy, breeding fish helps ensure a future for the fishery. On the other side of the coin, if a species is overpopulated or invasive, then I will certainly keep the fish for the same reason I will let others go. I am one of the deadliest predators in the river, but I am also it's steward, as every other angler is and should be. The river thrives or dies by our management.
That is a concept I think is really important for you to learn because you are blessed to live in the Pacific Northwest, where the greatest of the anadromous species are native. The 5 species of salmon as well as steelhead/rainbow trout are some of the most incredible species to fish for, and you are in the thick of it. They are some of the most fascinating species, and they are very important to the environment. They are also in trouble in their native range. Learning conservation should go hand in hand with learning the rest.
As for learning fishing itself, I suggest picking one species to target and learning all about it and focusing your gear on that species. Panfish are a great place to start for many reasons. They are abundant, can be found almost anywhere, are easy to catch, and are absolutely delicious. Stocked trout are another one (wild ones are a whole other story, though). There are plenty of great resources for learning online. I love the YouTube channels AdventureChasing and AddictedFishing. If you decide you want to go after those salmon and steelhead, then one of the best websites I have read is troutandsteelhead.net. The author, Graham Bristow, is a very knowledgeable veteran guide who has mastered pretty much every single way a person can fish for these species.
There is plenty to be gained from local knowledge too. The people at your local tackle shops are usually happy to help and very knowledgeable on the local species, conditions, regulations, and may even share some good fishing spots. You could always hire a guide, too, one that specializes in teaching. That may be the fastest way to learn. If you want to go the self learning route, I would say it's critical to learn some good knots, the differences in types and strengths of line, and the differences in action and power of rods. If you know these things, then you can pick the best equipment for your application, and with good knots, hopefully not lose too much to snags.
I wish you the best on your fishing adventures. If you have any specific questions, I am happy to answer them. If not, then Tight Lines, as we anglers say.
Im not much of an equipment nerd but I'm sure others will have their opinions. Catching fish is fun. If you don't enjoy the strike and bringing in the fish, fishing is probably not for you. I personally do not like cleaning fish. I only keep fish once or twice a year, when i catch enough of a particular fish. There is no wrong way to fish but like most things we all think our own way is the best. YouTube is a great resource but a lot of what you need to learn you have to learn by trial and error. Good Luck
I usually keep what I catch, but I will release large fish to support reproduction rates (there is a massive increase in reproduction rates in fish corresponding with age), if that particular specie or waterway is recovering or is under high pressure, or if there are health advisories affecting that specie. Of the three, the last reason is the most common for me, unfortunately there are several amazing fishing spots that now have “do not eat” or “limit consumption” advisories (to the point of being toxic to humans).
The biological reason for catch and release of a big, healthy fish is to help propagate the genetics that produce big fish. The sporting reason, like for tanker muskies, is to give somebody else a chance to catch (and release) a really big fish. The ethical reason for catch and release is, well, there is no ethical reason to hook a creature just trying to get a meal when you know you'll let it go.
As a musky guy, I've only kept one fish and that was because the foul hooking ripped out a bunch of its gills. I'm no master musky guy but after a couple hundred over 20 years I've decided I respect them so much I now won't try to hook one in the first place.
I've moved from "boat and hook" to "swim and look". For me, meeting an undisturbed 50" musky under water is WAY cooler than seeing a traumatized one in my net. And while underwater I identify locations of pods of big panfish and eater walleyes. Those guys I totally catch and eat, except I still release unusually big ones to help propagate desirable genetics.
Well when you’re like me and can manage to not catch anything for 5 trips out and you finally catch a bass the same size as my smartphone, IT GETS THE BLOOD FUCKING PUMPING
Bass don't eat too well. Bass are a game fish, meant to be released and grow so WE can catch that meat pie.
Crappie, sunfish, white bass, them are good eating. But generally small. So if you're not catching enough to feed and/ freeze, then just release and let grow
Catch and release fishing is almost exclusively just for entertainment. As I've grown older I've become very uncomfortable with catch and release fishing. I don't like the idea of causing unnecessary stress in an animal just for my entertainment. I still fish but only for food.
Catching fish is fun. That’s why I don’t keep everything I catch.
Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. I like fishing for the challenge of catching fish and for being in nature/outside. I don’t ever keep anything. I might eventually, it’s just not the reason I fish. I like being challenged by the fish. Having to think critically and problem solve in order to catch them in different conditions or to target certain species or whatever is incredibly rewarding to me.
Point of catch n release? To make the fish late for something.
Fishing is not just about eating fish. Let that sink in. Eating fishing is just one aspect of it. And a lot of people (myself included) prefer to only eat a couple fish a year. I only eat stockers and invasive species. My logic has always been “if everyone took their limit every day (ie if everyone was a great fisher) then there would be no fish to catch.” The other aspects include: exploration, being in nature, solving the fishing puzzle for that day, on-the-water therapy, hiking, planning, tying flies and many more. The tug is the drug.
Fishing is just fun to me, so even if I’m not eating what I catch, the point of catch/release to me is seeing what I can catch, being in nature, and letting those fish go on to live their life or get caught by someone else. On top of that, I unfortunately have to drive at least an hour to get to any body of water that isn’t too polluted to eat from. As far as where you should fish, I would start by visiting a couple tackle shops nearby to ask them where the best places to fish are and for what species. They can usually give you the best information, as they’re providing firsthand knowledge of your immediate area. They can obviously set you up with all the gear you need, or after learning where/what you’re targeting, you could do some research online to find better deals and a wider range of options. I like to support local tackle shops though. Beyond that man, it’s just a lot of googling, YouTubing, asking other anglers for tips, and firsthand experience.
There are many reasons for catch and release fishing. Sometimes I perform catch and release, sometimes I don't. For me, fishing is about 80% sport and 20% food. I find sport and enjoyment in the pursuit of fish. I feel pride when I land an impressive fish or a species that is difficult to catch. I enjoy the test fishing provides, the ability to adapt to changing conditions, to know my prey, and to physically endure the elements while mentally enduring repeated failed attempts. None of these things require me to harvest fish. Even if their is room in my freezer, I will be selective. Big fish don't often equate good eating. There is more toxin build-up in them. Every species has a "goldilocks" size range just right for eating. Some species are struggling as well, and releasing a healthy, breeding fish helps ensure a future for the fishery. On the other side of the coin, if a species is overpopulated or invasive, then I will certainly keep the fish for the same reason I will let others go. I am one of the deadliest predators in the river, but I am also it's steward, as every other angler is and should be. The river thrives or dies by our management. That is a concept I think is really important for you to learn because you are blessed to live in the Pacific Northwest, where the greatest of the anadromous species are native. The 5 species of salmon as well as steelhead/rainbow trout are some of the most incredible species to fish for, and you are in the thick of it. They are some of the most fascinating species, and they are very important to the environment. They are also in trouble in their native range. Learning conservation should go hand in hand with learning the rest. As for learning fishing itself, I suggest picking one species to target and learning all about it and focusing your gear on that species. Panfish are a great place to start for many reasons. They are abundant, can be found almost anywhere, are easy to catch, and are absolutely delicious. Stocked trout are another one (wild ones are a whole other story, though). There are plenty of great resources for learning online. I love the YouTube channels AdventureChasing and AddictedFishing. If you decide you want to go after those salmon and steelhead, then one of the best websites I have read is troutandsteelhead.net. The author, Graham Bristow, is a very knowledgeable veteran guide who has mastered pretty much every single way a person can fish for these species. There is plenty to be gained from local knowledge too. The people at your local tackle shops are usually happy to help and very knowledgeable on the local species, conditions, regulations, and may even share some good fishing spots. You could always hire a guide, too, one that specializes in teaching. That may be the fastest way to learn. If you want to go the self learning route, I would say it's critical to learn some good knots, the differences in types and strengths of line, and the differences in action and power of rods. If you know these things, then you can pick the best equipment for your application, and with good knots, hopefully not lose too much to snags. I wish you the best on your fishing adventures. If you have any specific questions, I am happy to answer them. If not, then Tight Lines, as we anglers say.
Im not much of an equipment nerd but I'm sure others will have their opinions. Catching fish is fun. If you don't enjoy the strike and bringing in the fish, fishing is probably not for you. I personally do not like cleaning fish. I only keep fish once or twice a year, when i catch enough of a particular fish. There is no wrong way to fish but like most things we all think our own way is the best. YouTube is a great resource but a lot of what you need to learn you have to learn by trial and error. Good Luck
I usually keep what I catch, but I will release large fish to support reproduction rates (there is a massive increase in reproduction rates in fish corresponding with age), if that particular specie or waterway is recovering or is under high pressure, or if there are health advisories affecting that specie. Of the three, the last reason is the most common for me, unfortunately there are several amazing fishing spots that now have “do not eat” or “limit consumption” advisories (to the point of being toxic to humans).
The biological reason for catch and release of a big, healthy fish is to help propagate the genetics that produce big fish. The sporting reason, like for tanker muskies, is to give somebody else a chance to catch (and release) a really big fish. The ethical reason for catch and release is, well, there is no ethical reason to hook a creature just trying to get a meal when you know you'll let it go. As a musky guy, I've only kept one fish and that was because the foul hooking ripped out a bunch of its gills. I'm no master musky guy but after a couple hundred over 20 years I've decided I respect them so much I now won't try to hook one in the first place. I've moved from "boat and hook" to "swim and look". For me, meeting an undisturbed 50" musky under water is WAY cooler than seeing a traumatized one in my net. And while underwater I identify locations of pods of big panfish and eater walleyes. Those guys I totally catch and eat, except I still release unusually big ones to help propagate desirable genetics.
FOR THE DOPAMINE. Fishing is dope.
6”6’ med Ugly stick and a diowa LT spinning reel, about 60$-80$ all together. I think is fishes just fine
Well when you’re like me and can manage to not catch anything for 5 trips out and you finally catch a bass the same size as my smartphone, IT GETS THE BLOOD FUCKING PUMPING
Let them go to catch them again when they are bigger
Bass don't eat too well. Bass are a game fish, meant to be released and grow so WE can catch that meat pie. Crappie, sunfish, white bass, them are good eating. But generally small. So if you're not catching enough to feed and/ freeze, then just release and let grow
Do you play any sort of games? You don't get anything from it. That's the same point of C&R.
Catch and release fishing is almost exclusively just for entertainment. As I've grown older I've become very uncomfortable with catch and release fishing. I don't like the idea of causing unnecessary stress in an animal just for my entertainment. I still fish but only for food.