Fish porn: lakers and sturgeon

[Gator]

Here's the biggest of the lakers caught during the LOC on Nothin' but Net, as well as a sturgeon pic...the sturgeon was released ASAP, of course.

[Legacy]

[GAMBLER]

Keith,

Congrats to you and the crew of Nothin' but net. See you around the marina soon.

[Fish Junkie]

Didn't think you could take endangered/threatened fish out of the water??

[Silver Fox]

Great fish boys!

[Yankee Troller]

Please.....like you wouldn't want to snap a picture! That's a rare catch.

[ofmanyone]

No excuses, in the water pics are best anyway...

[Silver Fox]

That picture probobly took no more than about 10-20 seconds. He didn't even put his hand in the gill. I'd bet 95% of the guys on here would do the same thing.

[Gotta Bite]

Real Nice fish!

[Pequod1]

That's right. It was in and out in less than 20 sec. to remove the hook and grab a quick picture. I was in the boat next to them and watched as he swam away unharmed. You guys were the best at the laker action. Thanks for your help.

[UpGrady]

My brother was ina similar situation on his saltwater forum a few years ago when he posted photos of his first sailfish. He endured an endless barage of e-mails and postings against him taking a protected species out of the water for photos etc... when all is said and done, most of us would have done this very same thing, myself included, but we all need to be cognizant that if a DEC boat was next to you... you run the risk of ticket or more by the letter of the law.

[Shelby Lynn]

Yeah they would want to net it for you so they could take it out and weigh it measure it and tag it

[keith]

Directly from the DEC April 15, 2010. It doesn't appear that taking a picture is illegal.

http://lopacup.com/wordpress/?p=627

[Fish Junkie]

I was just putting it out there...I wasn't positive of the regs as it seems like most of you are unaware as well. In some states like FL people have been prosecuted by pics on the internet of them handling Goliath grouper and/or other threatened species that are not supposed to leave the water period.

I have to say, I am surprised by some of the non-chalant attitudes regarding regulations from some of the "captains" on here....sorry

[Gator]

Alright, I've kept from weighing in on this because that last thing we need is an internet controversy over regulations all due to a simple picture, but let me be clear: the only way to release this fish effectively was to bring it into the boat. Our boat has quite a high freeboard and there was no simple way to just lean overboard and pop the hook out; it was buried deep. And that's a damn big fish to be handling in the water next to the boat anyway (I know they jump in the water to release sturgeon, but the water was 46F...my kahunas are too small to endure any further shrinkage ).

There's the law and then there's what's right. What was right in this case was to bring the fish onboard to remove the 4/0 hook and 2 oz jig without causing further injury and stress. If there's any grief to be had over this, then I take full responsibility. It was a judgment call. As for the folks who've commented favorably on the picture, captains or otherwise...well, let's just say that it's no crime to admire a magnificent fish.

Bottom line: let's leave enforcement to the DEC. We're all aware now that removing a sturgeon from the water is illegal. Thank you. However, knowing that, my feeling is that if I had to do so in order to ensure that the fish was released humanely and effectively, then this is my choice to make and I'd make the same choice again tomorrow. Sometimes the law, ethics, and common sense don't live in the same county.

Gator

[Lund SSS]

I was just putting it out there...I wasn't positive of the regs as it seems like most of you are unaware as well.

Are you serious ??? Maybe you should just stop fishing altogether because, after all when a unwanted species ends up on YOUR rod you'd never take a picture of a once in a lifetime catch. Well done Nothin but Net.

Fish Junkie,

Steve

[Fish Junkie]

Are you serious ??? Maybe you should just stop fishing altogether because, after all when a unwanted species ends up on YOUR rod you'd never take a picture of a once in a lifetime catch. Well done Nothin but Net.

Fish Junkie,

Steve

LMAO! Thanks for the contribution to the discussion. Very insightful comments and icons...

[Tim Bromund]

Are you serious ??? Maybe you should just stop fishing altogether because, after all when a unwanted species ends up on YOUR rod you'd never take a picture of a once in a lifetime catch. Well done Nothin but Net.

Fish Junkie,

Steve

LMAO! Thanks for the contribution to the discussion. Very insightful comments and icons...

well, I suppose if you're gonna take it upon yourself be an internet tight-a$$, you're gonna get that sort of response from time to time.

In the immortal words of Sgt Hulka: Lighten up Francis!!!

Tim

[BlueEye]

Bottom line: let's leave enforcement to the DEC. We're all aware now that removing a sturgeon from the water is illegal. Thank you. However, knowing that, my feeling is that if I had to do so in order to ensure that the fish was released humanely and effectively, then this is my choice to make and I'd make the same choice again tomorrow. Sometimes the law, ethics, and common sense don't live in the same county.

Well said Keith. Thank you for sharing your catch - the fish is just amazing! And thank you for ensuring its safe release And for those of you who don't know Keith, you couldn't ask for a better ambassador to this lake and fishery.