Eating what you catch

Dont usually catch anything big enough to eat but i dont eat fish anyway so most go back with the exception every now and then as the father in law is partial to a couple of fresh mackerel

If the fish foul hooked in the eye or if its more humane to kill the fish because of the hook damage, I will keep the fish for the table, apart from that they all go back.

Thanks for the replies lads, The reason I asked the questions was that I started fishing last year and caught two fine bass, I killed them and ate them. I was totally unaware of declining stocks and peoples feelings about killing bass in particular.

From the replies I have got here, I think the general feeling is that its ok to take a few a year for the table but not to do the dog on it.

This year I have decide to target other fish without much luck (but thats good for the fish stocks )

My new fish of choice is pollock, I have never caught one but I have eaten one and loved it, now to find a spot in cork to find them

Thanks again for all the replies

Regards kevin

Watch wild fishing with Henry gibney on discovery shed starting Tuesday night at 7.30pm.
I have it series link, covers everything from huss to ray, Pollock and wrasse

There's nothing like having a new target species! I've done it for a good few years now, when I catch what I've been targeting then I'll decide on a new one and just keep going! It keeps things interesting and you learn a lot about how to target different species instead of just whacking out a 2 hook flapper and wondering what you're going to catch, if anything!

I would keep a few mackerel, can't beat a few fresh ones on the grill

Also pollack & flounder........haven't tried dogfish but tempted sometime with it being called rock salmon and all !

Would like to catch some cod & whiting to eat but no luck yet !

I plan on eating a few mackerel if I catch them and I really want to try some dogfish. Anything else i will release with the exceptional cod/flounder kept for the table

Dogfish taste like piss mate-i know the brits call them 'rock salmon' but salmon they aint!

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ive tried dogfish...shite in the oven or pan...but smoked is a different kettle of fish...its savage...have a go!

ya know... there was a time ( much earlier in my fishing career ) that it was a regular thing that you'd catch a shoal of Coalies or Cod passin by, and you'd be eating your catch from the freezer for ages.......nowadays, it's all for the sport. I recently seen a man catch his first Bass ( see monthly report ''What a Beauty , SPECIMEN SIZE) and return it to fight another day. Also 'Fisherman 59.. ( report on site ''First Double Hound ) also returned btw.. The look of pure satisfaction on both anglers faces as they surveyed their prize is what fishing is about these days. IMO.

99% goes back.