Big or small?

[FISHINFREAK]

So i read a couple of articles about trout lately and they have talked about how the numbers of the larger 25"+ trout has "declined" over the past years. They also talked on how the overall numbers of trout has grown 10 fold to wat it has been in the past. So i know many people that when the catch big trout they release them to reproduce or watever. So with the trophy trout numbers "dwindling " wouldnt it be smarter to target the larger trout for the stringer or box to let the lower slots grow and get bigger to turn into trophys ? ! Im sure there is alot more to it though. I know i dont keep trout or flounder if they are within an 1" or so of the minimum. But that just makes sense to me!

[Jerkyourcroaker]

Big or small?

I have a couple of research papers on this topic that I got from A&M Kingsville. When I get back to my computer, I'll dig up some information that is worth a discussion.

I like your question. Thanks.

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[FISHINFREAK]

Re: Big or small?

I have a couple of research papers on this topic that I got from A&M Kingsville. When I get back to my computer, I'll dig up some information that is worth a discussion.

I like your question. Thanks.

Sent from my BlackBerry 9930 using Tapatalk

Okay great

[kenny]

I don't think it matters what size you keep. Just don't keep so many. The drought seems to have done more to the fishing than we could ever do. Last winter & this summer have been the slowest, with fewer big trout that I remember since the freezes in the 90's. The summer has just been pathetic.
It can only get better!

[FISHINFREAK]

Re: Big or small?

Ive heard that the lower laguna holds some monster one day ill find out! True weather affects everything thats for sure. Thanks yall.

[J.Magaro]

I limit about 70 percent of the time I only keep a limit about 40% of the time- I try to not take more than I need or can use

[J.Magaro]

Its True thats where I am from and fish there several times a year - but they can be just as elusive there as they are here, you can come across them fairly frequently. Usely when I hang a large trout there 25 inches plus its usually a rogue trout and usually on a spoon.

[Robalo]

I personally believe that the populations fluctuate yearly and each year is different. Been fishing Galveston for over 30 years and generally see some years better than others but overall it is the same in a five year period or average. I think if you look at the catches you made over the last 5 years, you would see a general average (except for the 3 years after the Freeze of 1983).

As far as keeping-I consider trout as democrats-they are "Entitled" to be strung and fried, baked or broiled and every now and then pan-seared.

[BayPounder]

I keep trout starting at around 17", I tear the fillet up so bad on smaller ones it is not worth it to me. I do not keep them larger than 23" or so, the wife and I can't eat it if it is larger. I have never caught a limit, never. The most I have caught is 3 in 1 day so I am begining to think they are safe when I show up to fish.

[Rollo]

Ive also heard larger trout are on the decline, Remember that everything in the water is subject to being prey for another larger predater.To think that just because a trout gets big,its not in danger of being eaten by predeters would be wrong,while man is one type, there are many and our Bay System seems to be healthy enough to support them! The trout Ive caught this summer seem to be last years kids, with more size and fewer numbers! I hope to keep on picken up a few larger ones hear and there! Lets Fish!

[H.Maier]

I'm 61 years young and have been fishing since I was a kid. I've caught my share of trout and enjoy eating fish. I like to have trout and flounder in my freezer if I have a desire to fry some up so depending on what I have available is what I'll keep on the next fishing trip. I do not catch fish for other folks unless they can't catch them theirselves.

[FISHINFREAK]

Re: Big or small?

Thanks for the input guys! I personally throw back trout and flounder that are low slot within a inch or two of minimum, not reds though i keep them all lol. They like u said are harder to fillet and not alot of meat. I have yet to limit on specs myself the most i ever caught was like 6 or 7. I know there are alot of predators but i would think that we are the ones that impact them the most predator wise . I know i dream of a 27"+ 8#+ trout one day it might happen but if it dont i dont care i luv to fish for watever where ever whenever! These articles interested me alot and i want to share and get feed back thanks yall !

[Swells]

The LLM seatrout regulations seemed to help - 5 fish instead of 10, and only one over 25" per day everywhere. We do seem to have more trophy trout now, as the smalls have less fishing pressure and more time to grow.

We had the opposite problem in the LLM - the redfish didn't show up this spring until later in early summer. Very hard fishing and the charter boys were complaining about having to work so hard. Since then it has gotten much better.

I'll tell ya what puts the pressure on the seatrout - dolphins and fishing tourneys. Both kinds are expert fishermen and they get their meat. Oh well, headed to the beach on SPI where I can catch 10 specks but usually I just keep 4 for dinner. My record in the surf is 28 inches, always late in the season during the fish run.

[Reef Drifter]

Re: Big or small?

You know my stance bud , if you keep all the small ones that.are offspring of bigger trout , then nothing is left to grow into big trout , just my take , if I have fish in the freezer to eat I'll release

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[FISHINFREAK]

Re: Big or small?

Thanks swells and yeah i thats my view too Sam!