Catch and Release on Long Range Boats?

**Teddy-T99** · Jun-01-2011, 10:50 AM

Hey Guys,

Please forgive me if this is a stupid question, but is there catch and release on long range boats? I mean I live in a 2 person household and one 80lb tuna will feed us for quite some time. What if I don’t necessarily want to keep all the fish I catch on a long range? On shorter trips like 2 and 3 days when catching smaller tuna I keep more but I don’t want to home w/ a boat load of 40-80lb tuna haha. One can only give away so much...

Thanks for the help and once again please forgive me if this is a dumb question but I'm looking at going on my first long range trip and I'm just trying to figure things out.

**cksea** · Jun-01-2011, 10:53 AM

yes you may C&R any fish you want. Just let the deckhand know as they get gaff happy at times.

**J.AkuHed** · Jun-01-2011, 11:06 AM

The Royal Star is in a program that Catch, Tag and Release tuna of your choice.
Then again, something to consider is you can always donate your fish to various charities in San Diego, feed people that could use it.

**Bud B** · Jun-01-2011, 11:38 AM

It's not a stupid question. It's the right question.

Even the chariteis would prefer you not take more then you need for yourself.

It feels good to catch and release. And you will gain the respect of your fellow fishermen and the crew for doing the right thing.

**rdrrm8e** · Jun-01-2011, 11:45 AM

The Shogun actually keeps track of your C&R and awards the top person with a beautiful crystal 3D etched piece.

**Teddy-T99** · Jun-01-2011, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by rdrrm8e

The Shogun actually keeps track of your C&R and awards the top person with a beautiful crystal 3D etched piece.

Originally Posted by Bud B

It's not a stupid question. It's the right question.

Even the chariteis would prefer you not take more then you need for yourself.

It feels good to catch and release. And you will gain the respect of your fellow fishermen and the crew for doing the right thing.

Originally Posted by J.AkuHed

The Royal Star is in a program that Catch, Tag and Release tuna of your choice.
Then again, something to consider is you can always donate your fish to various charities in San Diego, feed people that could use it.

Wow guys thanks for the responses! This is what I love about the forum, so much knowlegde out there! I never knew they had a catch a release program...

**el_jefe_chingon** · Jun-01-2011, 06:52 PM

If you plan on catch n release you may want to use "cheaper" hooks that will rust out quicker than some of the nicer stainless steel hooks. From what I have seen most deckhands will just cut the line rather than boat the fish to remove the hook (for obvious reasons). Circle hooks also make it less likely the fish will swallow the hook or get hooked really deep.

Gerry

**Mr GreenJeans** · Jun-01-2011, 07:18 PM

If I am doing well, I usually give my extra fish to other anglers in need. Yes, they would rather catch their own fish, but a down on his luck angler appreciates it when you share. And a spare fish for the chef usually comes back as sushi, dinner, etc.

**DannyNoonan** · Jun-01-2011, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by el_jefe_chingon

If you plan on catch n release you may want to use "cheaper" hooks that will rust out quicker than some of the nicer stainless steel hooks. From what I have seen most deckhands will just cut the line rather than boat the fish to remove the hook (for obvious reasons). Circle hooks also make it less likely the fish will swallow the hook or get hooked really deep.

Gerry

X2

Inexpensive Eagle Claw J's work great. Forget the short top shots - leave room for the deckhand to wrap the line a time or two around the tip of the gaff and they can break the line up close to the hook with a flick of the wrist.

Taking only what you need also minimizes filet costs...

We should all be so lucky this year to have this problem!

**Pinche Gringo** · Jun-01-2011, 08:00 PM

It would be nice to see the owners, operators and crew really push "take just what you can use" as it really is the only way to get the message to many of the long rangers. They could simple ask the angler at some point before gaffing if he wants to harvest the fish or release it. It would help remind the angler in the heat of the moment. Many come from all over and are'nt playing around on boards like this to hear the message. I know pics of piles of fish stacked on deck, etc sells tickets but I don't think it would take long at all to change the mindset of the customer without harming the operators or processors business. It would just turn the dead unwanted on the concrete into living ones very much wanted.

Maybe one day soon the guy with an overkill of tuna and tails will get grief as if they were Calicos.

The best thing we can do as anglers is lead by example.