Thread: How many people would throw back a 13 incher

I have kept some bigger fish on the last few trips. I am not to worried about it in the spring pre spawn. I am not in any of my tournament spots or even close. After catching some of these hogs I may have to rethink a spot or two for a last 1/2 hour of a tournament to try and upgrade while being closer to the weigh in area. But have never caught many big fish in these two spots before during the summer time. Not enough structure there. More of a spawning area and then they move back out to the mouth of them and sit in the cedars which I also do not fish. If I am above U hwy I usually throw all my fish back no matter what size. But if I am below there or certainlly below Bucksaw is where I catch my eaters that I give to my parents when they need some. Usually that is in the spring and fall. I fished up Saturday morning and released them all. I then ran down to Cedar creek and caught the 10 fish that I cleaned for my parents. There is so many eater size and better numbers of fish down from Bucksaw that is where I go if times get tough or just wanting 10 fish to clean for the folks. I will say that I have moved some fish around a few times the last couple years. That is another whole poll and 100 responses thread.

Ahhhhhhhhhh, lets see. If I'm fishin with OSS throw it back.










Just messin with ya old man.

I think it would depend on where I am fishing. Truman Lake is where I do 99% of my fishing and I do not tournament fish. I fish for fun and to have meat for a fish fry every now and then. Since Truman is known to grow some big fish, 13" to me is a nice fish, but not worthy of throwing back. I typically go by weight. Anything 2lbs or better goes back to be caught another day. Anything less is getting cleaned. Those fish being cleaned are just in the wrong place at the wrong time and bit the wrong guy's hook.

Only if I don't need fish to eat.

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If I have plenty of fish I would throw back a 13 inch crappie. and I have


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Me: Yes
My wife: NO

Done it many times!

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I'm a no as although I fish for fun, it is also to provide another food source. Being tucked away in these mountains of East Tennessee we kinda make due with canning pork and venison along with the veggies and stuff. Usually freeze anything not cooked on day of catch but don't let the frozen get freezer burn as once it's gone I can go fishing again.