[stoned-trout]

we have a California halibut that don't get as big as Alaska ones do ....22 inches and up to keep one...lots of undersized ones ..but I know a spot ...grew up eating flounder/fluke and sole which is similar but even smaller....theres a short list of fish I will keep if legal size but I like fresh fish so I don't keep more than I can eat or drop off at friends house for them to enjoy....frozen fish is lame....yeehaw....tomorrow I start ordering some more gear and getting some halibut ,yellowtail and hopefully hook a hammerhead for fun ...they don't taste that good to me ..I ate one once when I lived in the florida keys...white sea bass,yellowtail,corvina,halibu t are the main fish I eat here along with an occasional bonito as long as I can bleed it quick and get it on ice fast...otherwise its dogfood...theres a few other species I eat like a couple times a year....I release way more than I keep that's for sure....I see some people keeping everything even undersized illegal fish .. and calling to report them to fish and game/wildlife is useless....my friend did once and it took 4 days and they called him back...I am more of the type to say something directly to assholes that break fish and game laws..i obey all hunting and fishing laws..

[J man]

Caught this one and kept him. I think for now on I will release the little guys.

Mangrove Snapper caught in the canals.

[theJointedOne]

I stopped fishing once I tried to imagine how it feels to be the fish

[stoned-trout]

I had a year long on going battle with a huge mangrove snapper..when I lived in the florida keys out back was a canal dead ending into some mangroves..where a huge mangrove snapper lived...he wouldn't hit anything with too big hook or line and he wouldn't come out far from the roots and live bait only..when you hooked him he would dash back wrap your line and break off...I was down to like 6 lb fluorocarbon and tiny hooks...I never did get that guy and if I had ever reeled him in I would of released him...my old lady used to complain sayin you spend more time trying to catch that fish than with me...yeehaw..in florida I learned about fluorocarbon line and its almost all I use now....highly recommend it

[stoned-trout]

Originally Posted by theJointedOne

I stopped fishing once I tried to imagine how it feels to be the fish

prob not as bad as commercially raised stock animals.....atleast their free till I catch em and bop em on the head and toss in cooler...yeehaw...they did a study once saying rainbow trout do indeed feel pain...I try and make it as fast and humane as possible ...when I was younger I didn't care as much and would just toss smaller ones right in cooler ..only clubbed bigger dangerous stuff...as I get older I respect all life even more..but I could never be a vegitarian...wild caught is better than commercially raised in every aspect...I try and use circle hooks when possible so as to make hook catch corner of mouth and release easier.... usually don't even have to take fish out of water ..long fishing hook remover ...less harm to fish...supposed there isn't much nerves in the mouth corner so its like a tug of war for the fish without much pain...either way I aint ever going to be a vegitarian

[J man]

Originally Posted by stoned-trout

I had a year long on going battle with a huge mangrove snapper..when I lived in the florida keys out back was a canal dead ending into some mangroves..where a huge mangrove snapper lived...he wouldn't hit anything with too big hook or line and he wouldn't come out far from the roots and live bait only..when you hooked him he would dash back wrap your line and break off...I was down to like 6 lb fluorocarbon and tiny hooks...I never did get that guy and if I had ever reeled him in I would of released him...my old lady used to complain sayin you spend more time trying to catch that fish than with me...yeehaw..in florida I learned about fluorocarbon line and its almost all I use now....highly recommend it

I use about 20 lb flurocarbon leader. The canals here look kinda nasty. Not the smell but all the trash at the bottom. They also experience a lot of run off. Today the tide is really high.

I have some shrimp in the freezer. Its been weeks since I threw a line in the water.

I have yet to fly fish in Florida.

[J man]

Originally Posted by theJointedOne

I stopped fishing once I tried to imagine how it feels to be the fish

I will keep you in my thoughts next time I catch a fish.

[stoned-trout]

local halibut about 25$ a lb ,,fresh Alaskan 34$ lb....just checked local point loma seafood prices...I wont be releasing any halibut.....got my order in for,another new reel, heavier gear,line,wire,hooks ,swivels and a new gaff........yeehaw ...mmmmmmm halibut,,i got a medium setup, larger setup and a boat rod setup....I don't give a damn about how they feel...I do know how they taste...

[theJointedOne]

Hey its all good. I actually used to be a fly fisherman before I stopped eating flesh. My mom, who's a professional guide, and I would go on some epic trips, Montana being my favorite.

Even caught a 26lb salmon off the coast of ft Bragg when I was a teenager. Was exciting and fun!

My favorite to eat was fresh albacore cooked over open flame.

Point is I totally get where your coming from, fishing is a meditation of sorts IMHO, and a great past time.

Thanks for being humane about it all.

Cheers

[stoned-trout]

Originally Posted by J man

I use about 20 lb flurocarbon leader. The canals here look kinda nasty. Not the smell but all the trash at the bottom. They also experience a lot of run off. Today the tide is really high.

I have some shrimp in the freezer. Its been weeks since I threw a line in the water.

I have yet to fly fish in Florida.

I was using 25 lb fluorocarbon ,,,as that's only kind line I use ......huge mr halibut bit right through after a short fight......I spool whole reel not just leader usually....I am upgrading to 40 lb floro which I will use for both leader and whole spool depending..... at 25$ per \reel\spool It aint cheap....fluorocarbon rules...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
got my new wire ,,,afw surflon micro ultra 26 lb stainless braided coated and camo color and you can tie it like regular line or use sleeves...I don't have a fishing crimper but I do have a reg electric wire one .....don't know if it will work ..if not I will get the right one...Very impressed so far a lot thinner than I thought,,,and they make a even more subtle flexible one too..i will go for much heavier next order like 40 or 50 lb atleast.. ...yeehaw..I plan on being on the water atleast 3 times a week or more ..but that's normal for me....FLYFISHING florida is where I learned about fluorocarbon ...I caught a lot of fish fly fishing florida all the flats fish ,,I cheated in the boat some times by chumming and running attracting rigs,,sometimes trolling even....for offshore...I respect and love fish .. I have been know to kiss a beauty and then release it...no tongue tho I aint a sicko....yeehaw....my ribs should be good enough for duct tape so I can get in kayak monday.....shore fishing blows compared numbers wise....when in a boat /kayak whatever I catch a lot more due to hit and run fishing...and fishfinder