Originally Posted by
Fishbreath
Yes, now I remember why I stopped posting on FNN. If you post here, you better come prepared to defend yourself.
@jdogg661420, I know you mean no disrespect, but I do know the difference between a redear and a bluegill.
@Ifishtoolittle, thanks for the reminder about the role of the big males in creating a trophy panfish fishery. I am aware of that, and what you had no way of knowing is just how many fish between 1 1/2 and 2lbs that I did release, which was about 10 to 1 of the ones I did keep. Irrelevant I'm sure, but you also probably noted that the only bluegill shown in the post was female. I'm not sure just how deep they will spawn in a clear lake like San V., but I don't think any of these were bed fish since all were caught over 22ft deep. The redear may have been past most of their spawn by the time I got out there.
My dear wife of 55 years never got into bass fishing, but she loved to fish for "bream" (our Southern background showing there.) She is no longer able to get out and enjoy that now. On my first trip I called from the lake to check on her and told her that I was catching some of the biggest bream I had ever seen. She was excited and wanted me to bring some home to show her. What was I going to do, bring her the smaller ones? I know that in a perfect world I would have released all the trophy-size fish, but I am not perfect. I could not deny myself the pleasure of watching her eyes light up as she saw those beauties. Rest assured, none went to waste.