Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2014 14:12:35 GMT -5
This was my first of many 12 pounders (6 total) I caught yesterday. Each one of them looked massive and healthy. I am setup to quickly show my fish to my camera then throw it back. However, I wanted to measure this one and as shown it was around 32 inches. They all looked alike. So...great fight, no blood, mouth hooked, quick unhook, quick picture, quick measurement.... and this was the result.... Unfortunately, this happened to me twice. The other 4 times, I did not measure and the fish swam away. I ended up giving the 2 fish to another fisherman later in the day. Personally, I am considering no longer measuring my fish. I am interested in what others think. - Is this still a scary time for the fish?
- Should we only catch 2 and call it a day?
- Will the fish survive better in November?
- Other thoughts?
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Post by mwardncsu on Oct 8, 2014 14:33:41 GMT -5
What was the water temp? Low 70's I guess - right? Still a bit on the edge for larger fish with longer fights.... a lot safer once we get into the mid-60's surface temps.
I assume they did not sit there stunned and then take off after 30-60 seconds - but rather were just "done"? You do have to take into account the size of the fish and what you're seeing such as the above into account in making the call...
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2014 15:10:56 GMT -5
What was the water temp? Low 70's I guess - right? Still a bit on the edge for larger fish with longer fights.... a lot safer once we get into the mid-60's surface temps. I assume they did not sit there stunned and then take off after 30-60 seconds - but rather were just "done"? You do have to take into account the size of the fish and what you're seeing such as the above into account in making the call... WT was 69. Now that I think about it, both that died hit downlines and they were EXPLOSIVE fights. The planer strikes were not as crazy although still pretty dern good. Hmmm. In terms of being stunned, I usually baby the bigger fish back in the water (the sub 10s I just plunge them) by moving them around and seeing them off. With this one for example, I did this and he moved a bit, tried to swim away and bellied up. I then went back to try to get him going and he was done. Nothing I could do. So, to me, measuring was too time consuming.
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Post by striperjohn on Oct 8, 2014 18:55:55 GMT -5
Unless you are in a tournament or are planning on keeping fish, why measure? Actually why weigh? Heck unless we catch a real nice fish, or a kids fish -no pics. Most of the fish we catch rarely make it over the side of the boat. I think guys on here have encouraged many to post pics, if you give a report you do not need pics. If they question your validity thats their problem. I truly believe a lot of folks do not post reports because they have no pics. Just sayin...
Sent from my SCH-R760 using proboards
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BentRod
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Post by BentRod on Oct 8, 2014 19:50:27 GMT -5
What size line do you use? Maybe played it too long? I've never had trouble like that in water under 70. Occasionally the fish will be stunned for a second, but they'll usually go on once they orient. Only times I've seen them not go back down in cold water was if their air bladder was full or if they were bleeding out.
I know Dan pushes the length data and we do take some pictures, but both aren't in the stripers best interest in warmer water. But neither are long fights, nets, hooks, boats, hands, or even catching the fish at all.
As far as reports, there's no rule that says you have to post pictures. Hell there's not even a rule that says you have to post anything at all. Anybody that chooses not to share, pictures or no pictures, chooses that on their own free will.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2014 20:29:59 GMT -5
Unless you are in a tournament or are planning on keeping fish, why measure? Actually why weigh? Heck unless we catch a real nice fish, or a kids fish -no pics. Most of the fish we catch rarely make it over the side of the boat. I think guys on here have encouraged many to post pics, if you give a report you do not need pics. If they question your validity thats their problem. I truly believe a lot of folks do not post reports because they have no pics. Just sayin... Sent from my SCH-R760 using proboards I weigh for my own curiosity and for understanding what I am catching compared to others. I take pictures for documenting my life and to cement my memories. I recently started measuring solely to create a diary for DGIF. For me a picture has now become automatic when a gopro is running. Weighing is a means for less handling of the fish. And measuring is a real pain in the butt. I don't think I could quit taking video or weighing. But I could certainly quit measuring.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2014 20:36:19 GMT -5
What size line do you use? Maybe played it too long? I've never had trouble like that in water under 70. Occasionally the fish will be stunned for a second, but they'll usually go on once they orient. Only times I've seen them not go back down in cold water was if their air bladder was full or if they were bleeding out. I know Dan pushes the length data and we do take some pictures, but both aren't in the stripers best interest in warmer water. But neither are long fights, nets, hooks, boats, hands, or even catching the fish at all. As far as reports, there's no rule that says you have to post pictures. Hell there's not even a rule that says you have to post anything at all. Anybody that chooses not to share, pictures or no pictures, chooses that on their own free will. I use 20lb big game as main and 15 pound yozuri pink floro. However, before SML, I have always been a lighter line fisherman which means I am trained to bring em in slow. This could be the problem. Good point. Oh and I don't use smaller floro for the purpose of saving my swivel I use it because I can tie better knots with it.
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Post by striperjohn on Oct 9, 2014 5:44:06 GMT -5
Yam, I've been downsizing my line/leaders almost every year because we simply don't have huge fish in SML any longer. That line setup you use should handle just about any fish on this lake right now, particularly if you're adept at fighting bigger fish with lighter gear. I have a buddy that fishes nothing but ultralight for stripers down in Santee Cooper. Sends me videos of fish he hooks with a 5 foot ultralight rod, 6 lb test line and a 25 minute fight with a 15lb striper. He only fishes from October to end of March, but his vids are the best. LOL
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BentRod
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Post by BentRod on Oct 9, 2014 6:45:15 GMT -5
You can catch a 40lb Striper on 8lb test, but should you? This is an absolute baby of a fish that yet fights you to their death, so I think it's in their best interest to limit the fight to reasonable lengths despite how fun it may be for the angler. But 20lb test should be plenty to catch a 12lb fish in a reasonable amount of time - not sure why they wouldn't go down.
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Gator
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Post by Gator on Oct 9, 2014 6:53:35 GMT -5
And measuring is a real pain in the butt. I don't think I could quit taking video or weighing. But I could certainly quit measuring. Yam, I found that using a measuring board, opposed to a measuring tape, makes it much easier to document the length of the fish for my DGIF diary. Also, I place the board against the back of my bench seat and this seems to keep the fish from flopping around too much for its photo opportunity. I hate that feeling I get in my stomach when they float after a release. Makes me feel like crap.
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Post by archenemy on Oct 9, 2014 8:02:31 GMT -5
I agree it leaves a mark when you see em floating after the fight. I rarely photograph and never measure but have still seen them floating after I release. Something you can try when the boat is moving is to put em on a stringer or your Boca and drag them in the water for 4 or 5 minutes. It is along the same lines as the striper tubes as it forces water through them. I have done this three times during the warmer months and they have come back with a vengeance. Not sure about the long term prognosis.
Give it shot cause when they are floating you have nothing to lose.
Sent from my XT1080 using proboards
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2014 8:06:11 GMT -5
And measuring is a real pain in the butt. I don't think I could quit taking video or weighing. But I could certainly quit measuring. Yam, I found that using a measuring board, opposed to a measuring tape, makes it much easier to document the length of the fish for my DGIF diary. Also, I place the board against the back of my bench seat and this seems to keep the fish from flopping around too much for its photo opportunity. I hate that feeling I get in my stomach when they float after a release. Makes me feel like crap. I have just about everything I need. Just told my wife the other night that I am done buying stuff. A measuring board?? I definitely need that! So where and what do I get? Yep, it sucks watching them float knowing you were the selfish prick that ended their life.
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Gator
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Post by Gator on Oct 9, 2014 8:32:23 GMT -5
Yam, mine came from the SML Striper Club. All you would need to make your own is:
A) Self adhesive measuring tape 40" or so
B) 1x4 piece of lumber
C) A few screws
D) Paint
Cut a 4" piece and 40" piece of the 1x4 and screw the 4" piece to the end of the 40" piece to form a 90 degree angle.
Paint
Apply the adhesive tape
DONE
I'd say the wife wouldn't have a problem with the capital outlay.
Or, you could join the SML Striper Club and buy one from them.
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Post by mwardncsu on Oct 9, 2014 9:08:09 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure that the Club does not have any more at this point - we built those so that folks in the tourney series would a common/consistent measuring device and believe we sold the last couple of extras. But yes, they are cheap and easy to build - just a little bulky. We used 3.5" PVC "trim board" from Lowes/Home Depot so that they would hold up to conditions on the lake. Only downside is they don't float. You can also get a "Bluewater Gator board" (yes, Gator, a Gator ) - 38" long so will handle most of our fish. 1/8 anodized aluminum - I like it as it is thin enough to store up in the underside of my t-top - not a benefit to all I realize.... Here's one source... Gander used to have them but recently I've only seen the "Redfish" boards which are shorter. I think Bass Pro usually as them as well.
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BentRod
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Post by BentRod on Oct 9, 2014 9:55:11 GMT -5
Better to buy one than make one with a stick on ruler. Those adhesive strips change overtime in the sun. The one on my boat is an inch off of my actual measuring board like Mward posted.
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