Swan Poisoned by Angler's Lead Weight

[GlennB]

...... as long as you are using legal methods you are not doing anything wrong. I use a keepnet when I think I need to. I don't always take an unhooking mat with me (most fish are unhooked in the landing net, but I do have large bin liners with me for the odd occasion I'm caught out). I have used live bait. I have taken the odd fish for the pot. I don't 'specialise'. All fish mean the same to me, I can get as much enjoyment out of building a bag of small fish, as I do catching chub and barbel while roving.....

 

Sums it up for me.

 

I rarely use a keepnet but don't apologise if I do.

Rarely use a live, or even bash a live on the head to make it a dead, but can see nothing wrong with either.

Would happily take a fish for the pot, but basically can't be arsed.

Deeply regret losing a baited hook in the water and try hard to avoid it, but it does happen.

Use techniques, and invest money, to avoid deep-hooking. But it will happen now and then.

 

There's a point to aim for. Somewhere between being careless about fish welfare and being so paranoid that it destroys the enjoyment.

[barblesss]

I don't see there is anything wrong with Keepnets as long as they are used sensibly... Just common sense obviously. Those who *stack them* , then when come to release the fish hours later, or just plain keeping any fish in there for too long. Then come to release time, find one or two float to the top, probably with torn fins etc....

Used sensibly, I am not so sure Keepnets are such a big issue myself.

I feel sacking large Carp for hours is wrong, and I would certainly ban sacking if I owned my fishery.

Similar to that, I read recently of a big Carp that died to due some p**ck who had it out the water too long taking 'snapshots' etc. 20 mins apparently. One word... Tw*t .

Once again it boils down to greed 'cause people want more, more.

Just my opinion.

[andy_youngs]

If they ban livebaiting and/or keepnets then I'll ignore them and then refuse to pay for a rod license - the buggers will have to catch me at it ....

[gozzer]

Well, I'm underwhelmed by the response to a rallying call for more opinions. Maybe It's right that anglers are just too apathetic about their chosen pastime, sport, hobby, call it what you will. If I'd posted about deep hooked Perch, immigrants, the latest "must have" piece of equipment or how "useless" the EA was, then it would get a bigger and more passionate response. I despair about the priorities of some of my fellow anglers, and the "if it don't effect my little world of angling, someone else will sort it out" attitude.

[Dick Dastardly]

Welcome to the real but sad world of angling mate.

[gozzer]

Welcome to the real but sad world of angling mate.

 

I've lived in that world for a long time Budgie, but being new(ish) to Internet angling forums, I hoped that a broader view would prove my personal experiences unfounded. Alas, it wasn't to be.