What counts as a catch?

[Tony Scime]

There was some discussion at last night's meeting as to what count's as a catch to be reported and submitted in our release submissions.

Here's my opinion: If you intentionally allow the fish to shake itself loose AT BOATSIDE without any netting, measuring, etc., that counts as a catch. Some of us do this routinely. Eyeball the length. Give the fish some slack and allow it to shake a bit (not too long - sometimes hand-landing or netting is necessary). Allowing the fish to free itself without any handling maximizes the effectiveness of the release -ESPECIALLY WITH THESE ABNORMALLY HIGH WATER TEMPERATURES. It's the best way to practice effective catch and release. This type of release, without an accurate measurement, is not eligible for the Top-Ten nor any tournament.  So if you're in a tournament, or want Top-Ten consideration, you will need to land the fish and get an accurate measurement.

If the fish frees itself when you really don't want it to, that doesn't count as a catch (I'm open to other opinions if people think otherwise).

It's important to understand that our data base is not a contest. Its purpose is to not only educate anglers in fishing techniques, but to help monitor the fishery. We want to know what's out there. Just because you're inept or unlucky at landing fish doesn't mean that the fish you had boatside doesn't exist. To effectively monitor the fishery we need to know what you had at the end of your line.

For the foregoing reasons, if you are participating in the ANGLER DIARY STUDY, you should record all muskies you have at boatside, even if you didn't intend to allow the escape. The fish exists. It counts. We need to know that.

[jojo wilczewski]

Good Day

    I believe  the Diary Study wants to know your foollows also, but list them at the bottom of the page in the remarks as foollows. They ALL are still a fish in our system. Again a estimate of the measurement is fine.

    The Monthly Tournament does count and encourages "Jersey Joe" releases.  Again a estimate of the measurement is fine. If near forty use a in the water stick, like I mentioned in the first Monthly Tourny reminder.

Ala bala bala

jojo out