cland today.... Oh my garsh....big ole brownfish and idiots...

[QUOTE=ryan_ekubass;349456]thats great.... its like everything else everyone has a difference of opinion and i would say when i am 30 or 40 or 50 i will see things differently and put the fish back....[/QUOTE]

Ryan did you just call me old, lol?? Just kidding man, I'm happy you are whack'em on the fly seems like you are really getting it down. Also glad to hear all the future 5lber's are gonna be let go to swim another day.

[QUOTE=AndyG;349483]Way to go Ryan. Keep all them brownfish you want, just dont bother the bucketmouths :)
I bet that fish was a handful on the fnf rod![/QUOTE]

Easy Andy I'll sick buzzking on you, lol.

[QUOTE=cumberlandguy1;349469]I have to agree with Ryan here even though I did catch and release a 7.3 smallie last year on Cumberland. We were striper fishing, so it doesn't count. LOL. If you want to keep a fish for your wall, or to eat, then by all means do so and don't let anyone make you feel guilty about it. It is your right to keep a limit if you so chose on every fishing trip. You pay for a license every year that gives you the privilege of keeping fish within the state guidelines. Look at the investment that you have in your hobby, boat, tackle, etc. probably close to six figures. As for the replicas, most of them that I have ever seen look very fake. The skin mounts look much better if done correctly.[/QUOTE]

I agree that our financial investment in this sport has become insane; and I have no problem with anyone keeping a fish that in their minds eye is a trophy. I'll also add that everyone has a particular species that are near and dear to their heart. And while they would never consider keeping that species(we'll call it a smallmouth); they would have no problem laying the knife to another species that others are fond of. Unfortunately for me I never get to have this dilemma for I have yet to have a smallie measure at Dale. I fish mostly with Elwood and his strict catch and release practices have undoubtedly rubbed off on me. I just always assumed I'd get a replica; I didn't know they were so fake looking. I guess I'll cross that bridge if I ever get to it. My trophy sizes are: smallie 6+,
largemouth 8+, kentucky 4+.
Congratulations Ryan, that's a great looking fish.

Thats a pretty fish. Good Job.

I am sure there is somebody on here that loves my Smallmouth as much as me but there aren't many. Caught and released 25-26 smallies all over 5 including 3 that went 5-15, a 6-2, 6-4 and 6-6. Don't have a clue on what it would take for me to keep one and I guess only the world record would stay in my livewell long enough for me to get it officially weighed in at one of the marinas and then what. I do believe that big fish stay in the same area over and over and over and a 5 this year is bigger next year. Those that fish with me know I fish big fish spots and I would almost bet that I have caught the same fish more than once. I barely take a picture of any fish that is less than 5, again I am SPOILED and first to admit it. I do know anything less than 8 would go back for sure and I would consider calling Bass Pro to see if they wanted it for their fish tank but if not then back she goes. Over 8 I would have to think about it and I don't know for sure because she is not in my possession but I would have to think unless it is 10+ and one of the top 10 EVER caught then they would all go back. That is me saying it here at home packing for the next 3 days chasing the 12 pounder but who knows it may change when it hapens. I do know that anything less than 7 is not even a thought in my head to keep it. I respect anyone's right to keep a fish that they feel is a trophy. The above is just my opinion.

This post is getting deeper than Uncle Fred's barnyard, lol. I just rolled my pant legs up.

[QUOTE=mhall;349470]Ryan did you just call me old, lol?? Just kidding man, I'm happy you are whack'em on the fly seems like you are really getting it down. Also glad to hear all the future 5lber's are gonna be let go to swim another day.[/QUOTE]

Oh MY that's funny right there... And yes Mark you are old.LOL Chuck

[QUOTE=riverrat12;349513]Oh MY that's funny right there... And yes Mark you are old.LOL Chuck[/QUOTE]

I know it Chuck dang it, that's why my memory is so bad about all them big fish I catch LOL, hell they all just blend together after awhile. We'll get that 60 next year for me, and I will catch that 8lb brown before thay kick dirt on me. Maybe I could take two of them 4lb pluser's I'm always catchin and melt them down into one to make 8, does that count, lol? I bet I've caught 200 brown ones between 4 and 5lb almost tired of looking at that size,,, NOT!!!!! Hey, The magic baits are in the works, shhhhh, be berry berry quiet, Weeze huntin us some stwipers..........

I'm with mhall on the keeper thing. I release all smallmouth and don't plan on changing that policy unless it's a new world record or something. I agree that the replica mounts are too expensive and the skin mounts look better, but I'm pretty dang fond of the nice 8x10 on the wall in my garage of a 22-3/4" brown fish from Dale. Good enough for me and my memories. I say turn'em back and let'em keep swimming...but as long as you're within the law, get-r-done as you see fit bro.

As for the waterhead in the rubber duckie, I have a feeling that presenting the distinct sounds of "CAST - POP - WHIZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ - SH**!" would have been in order. LMAO

Good day on Cumberland and nice fish...

I'll tell you all what...this here thread has been a great thread in my opinion...we all have our opinions and some are different but no one here is arguing much, we just have our opinions and that's that...I think I'd like to have everyone on this thread get together for a beer or a glass of bourbon and a cigar and discuss this further, lol...or it could just be my end of year state of mind that I'm in right now.

Also, I'm seeing where a lot of guys would have kept that 6 lb'r that I released...I'm going again in March and possibly April so hopefully I'll hook into what I consider to be a trophy then...like you guys say, a trophy to one man is not a trophy to the other.

[QUOTE=mhall;349519]I know it Chuck dang it, that's why my memory is so bad about all them big fish I catch LOL, hell they all just blend together after awhile. We'll get that 60 next year for me, and I will catch that 8lb brown before thay kick dirt on me. Maybe I could take two of them 4lb pluser's I'm always catchin and melt them down into one to make 8, does that count, lol? I bet I've caught 200 brown ones between 4 and 5lb almost tired of looking at that size,,, NOT!!!!! Hey, The magic baits are in the works, shhhhh, be berry berry quiet, Weeze huntin us some stwipers..........[/QUOTE]

We'll get that 60#er for ya Mark, and who knows we might catch that stripe that took your magic bait last time:) As for mounts go I could see me walkin in to my wife with a 6ft long beautiful blue going where we going to hang it baby....her reply would be in your truck with your cloths and poles LOL. so I'm happy with my pic's ....Good catch Ryan and I'd love to have a cold one with you Chub and congrats on #700...HAPPY NEW YEARS TO EVERYONE...Chuck

well guys i tell u what.... i wont keep no more 5 to 6 lb brownfish for the rest of the year.....but since i am down here in charleston sc the best i can do is maybe a sea bass or something.... i hope yall have a good new year and i am glad that people take things with a grain of salt adn respected everyones opinion..... be safe and see ya on the water next week sometime..... i guess i will just have to take the pics from now on and not say i put it on the wall... LOL but its goin to take a 6 plus..... and elwood u sound like u have released more big fish than most of us have caught .... lol maybe we can hit the water sometime soon....