What would you do? Opinions wanted

[Huntinfool18]

This is my first post. And would like to say there is a lot of great stuff here.

I've decided to go on a quest for the one, break the state record for lake trout. Obviously be fishing flaming gorge.

My question is, if you caught a 50+ lb lake trout that broke the state record would you keep it and turn it in or let the fish go and forget the record? I know there are a lot of people that frown on keeping the lake trout out of the gore.
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[pezvela]

Good luck on your pursuit of a record. That's a decision you will have to make for yourself to kill or release , but remember this; If everyone killed all the big lakers they have caught through the years, you would have little or no chance of catching a record and more importantly, Utah has a release record that you can be proud of participating in. If you catch the fish and release the fish......end of moral dilemma.
Catch the fish, photograph it and release it then apply for the record. If you are so inclined, have a replica mount that you can look at with pride knowing that this 40 or 50 year old fish still swims in the Gorge.
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[dubob]

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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 3]There are actually two separate sets of record fish in Utah. The first is the catch and keep record; the other is the catch and release record. You need to first decide which one of the two records you want to pursue. In the first category, the fish WILL be killed. In the other category, the fish WILL NOT be killed if handled properly while the measurement is taken. So you actually have a choice of whether to kill or not kill the fish based on which record you want to go after
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 3]The current catch and keep record for a Lake Trout is a 51 lb 8 oz fish with a 45 1/8" length and a 31 3/4" girth caught by Curt Bilbey in 1988 out of Flaming Gorge Reservoir. The current catch and release record for a Lake Trout is a 46 1/2" long fish caught by Ray Johnson on 07/09/98 out of Flaming Gorge Reservoir. [/size][/#800000][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000][size 3]I would recommend that you print out both applications and carry them with you as you fish. Then you can always make a decision about which category to apply for on the spot without needlessly endangering the fish.
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[Tarponjim]

I hope you catch a 60, release it, and forget the record nonsense.

Just so you know, myself and a few others have already caught and released so-called "state records" from the Gorge. I've weighed 3 in my net (caught by customers) that were between 50 and 54 pounds. Ashley (Fishley) caught one himself a few years back that was in the mid-50's neighborhood. I know of a couple of forum members here who have caught some in the low-50's. I know of others who choose to remain nameless. Who's was biggest? Beats me, and it doesn't matter. We don't kill them because wouldn't it be cool if someone caught a 60? Or a 70? Well, if you kill the 50s, (and 40's, and 30's, . . .) the odds go way down. There just aren't that many or we'd see more.

FWIW, weight on fish this big is sort of meaningless anyway. They carry a pound of water on them wet. Most scales we carry will vary to some degree, sometimes by a pound or more. If they've eaten recently, their weight can vary by 3-5 pounds. (They eat 2-3lb kokes you know). So, the very same fish can weigh 48 pounds one day, 53 or 54 the next, and drop back to 48 by weeks end. SAME FISH! Weight is just how much they weigh at that moment. This is why many biologists only record or consider lengths. It's a more true size. Weights very greatly.

I still dream of the day we never weigh another fish in my boat again. Just look at it, make a guess (I'm usually within a pound), and set it on its way. And that goes for a 40, 50, 60, or whatever.

I don't think its prudent to kill a giant fish just to have your name on some stupid list, especially when said list isn't really the "biggest" fish ever caught anyway. And if it is, so what. If you want fame, go do something to get on the news. Make a viral video.

Here's one that went 54 on my boat/Chatillion scale, biggest I've seen. No name, no record submission, no newspaper article, no snapshot of the week, just a great memory. Take the high road.

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[sliverslinger]

Amen Jim! I couldn't agree more. I fished with Jim the week after he boated this fish and his boat was still so thick with excitement it was contagious. Just knowing that there was a possibility of getting a chance of such a fish made an already awesome day all the more better! I was thankful that this angler had released it and although it was still a crazy super long shot, it gave us a chance to catch it as well.

One thing I would add is If you are able to get a length, girth, and tail measurements quickly without harming the fish you can have a fantastic reproduction mount done that will last longer than a skin mount. Just get a couple of good photos out of the sun if possible. As long as you do your research to find the right taxidermist, it is unlikely anybody would know anyway. I have shown multiple people repo mounts done by my taxidermist and they have been blown away when I tell them it is a reproduction. Spend your money on a good camera, a good tape measure, and send them on their way for others to have as much fun as you just did!!
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[Huntinfool18]

Thanks for the comments guys. I have never heard of the release records. That gives you the best of both worlds and not have to kill the fish. I don't think I could kill a record laker.
Jim that fish is HUGE. Congrats.
I fish the gorge a lot and have caught and released many many large macs. I did have to keep a 15lber once because of a mistake on my part removing the hook.
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[gofish435]

This could be a question about any fish species from any water. All of the opinions have been good ones. It kind of a life progression thing. When you start hunting you plug the first animal you see, then you get older and you have to have a trophy, then you get older and you realize that you just enjoy the outdoor experience and the fun ends when you drop the animal. It's already been said to get a good camera and take some quick shots and release the fish for someone else to enjoy. You can frame the photograph and place it where your friends and family can see that you are an accomplished angler, enough said.[]
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[fishnate]

Some great comments here. I wholeheartedly support the release of any trophy of any species from bluegill to swordfish. There's nothing like catching a trophy and then get a second rush watching it swim away to be caught again another day. I too hope you catch a 60 lb beast and let it go so the rest of us can dream of catching it later on[cool]
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[DeadI]

Jim that fish is a pig. Is there by chance a video of the catch on that one?
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[Tarponjim]

[quote DeadI]Jim that fish is a pig. Is there by chance a video of the catch on that one?[/quote]
Very short of just the landing and release, but not handy. I'll look though.
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[TroutBumDave]

Take the high road? Give me a freaking break, man. I have zero interest in keeping a big Laker and I release 99% of all fish I catch, but for you to make the general public, or Joe Schmo angler, feel bad about catching and legally keeping a fish, let alone a state record, is ridiculous. I love the fact that you actively teach and preach about c&r for the big boys; if not for you, how many ignorant anglers (I would be one) would have no idea about how old they are, what a precious resource they are, how to release them correctly, etc? Tons. You are a great ambasor to the sport, no doubt. It is for me to see you respond like this.

It isn't lame or unsportsmanlike to want your name in the record books. You're not a shallow person because you want to be "The Best" at the sport you love, or that you've spent your whole life trying to perfect. There's absolutely no reason to be ashamed of the desire to want your name in the paper. Anyone who tells you differently is kidding themselves and/or likely has a sevier inferiority complex.

In short, go work your ass off and get that Record, man -- and Good Luck!
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[riverdog]

TBD,
Hope you're not having a bad week? Maybe just another skunk at Quail and having to put up with a dumpster's worth of trash on the shore by a cultural group that apparently thinks that's fine. Come on, someone came on asking for others opinions. And that's what he got. And the fact that many people ignore records especially for lake trout out of FG does make the record a bit meaningless as pointed out. If you have a different opinion, fine. Just state it and don't worry if it's not in agreement with the majority of posters. The OP seemed thankful to find out their was a C&R record. Now he knows he has a choice and still have a record if that's what he's after.
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[sharksugar101]

The state record carp is going to be broken this year up there, I know where its hiding!
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[liketrolling]

how are you going to catch this 50lb Lake Trout. Trolling, Jigging.
using what lure.
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[reelfast]

Be prepared for it. Have a good camera and measuring equipment. Get the good pics then hire a great artist to put you and the fish in a portrait. The fish goes free and your family has a picture of that crazy for fishing great grandfather and his whopper Laker.
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[utahgolf]

like others have said, that big fish you caught was probably the result of some other angler releasing it. So pay it forward and pass on that opportunity and excitement for someone else to enjoy. pike, lakers, bass, etc.....plenty of small fish to eat anyways.
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[cuthroat_guy]

+1
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[liv2hunt]

If you go on an open forum and ask a question that deals with a fisherman's ethics, morals or flat out opinions, be ready for a wide variety of answerers. Some of those opinions you may agree with and some you will not agree with. People love to jump your $h!t on forums. If you make the choice to ask questions or post ideas, be ready for all that comes with it.[pirate]
My opinion since you asked is release the large trophy lake trout, that fish has been around decades. Besides, me or another member on BFT might catch it later on and have the enjoyment from the same fish. When I release it another hopefully will enjoy that fish also.
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[TroutBumDave]

[quote riverdog]TBD,
Hope you're not having a bad week? Maybe just another skunk at Quail and having to put up with a dumpster's worth of trash on the shore by a cultural group that apparently thinks that's fine. Come on, someone came on asking for others opinions. And that's what he got. And the fact that many people ignore records especially for lake trout out of FG does make the record a bit meaningless as pointed out. If you have a different opinion, fine. Just state it and don't worry if it's not in agreement with the majority of posters. The OP seemed thankful to find out their was a C&R record. Now he knows he has a choice and still have a record if that's what he's after.[/quote]

RD -

If you must know, this week has been the best week of fishing I've had in some time; maybe ever. I still hate Quail though. Guts AND liver.

To your post though, and your point: you're right. Jim only answered the question that the OP asked and I got all butt hurt for the wrong reasons. Apologies to Jim and anyone else who took offense. I hate it when someone points out when I'm being dumb, but without it, I'd never improve myself. So thanks for that.

Carry on!
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[riverdog]

Good to hear. Did Sand Hollow water temps finally hit the 50's and the fishing turned on? If not it won't be long.
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