What to do with dying shorts? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Badtaste2k · 05-28-2012, 05:01 PM

So, what's the general way to deal with a short catch that swallowed the hook, gagging up blood and is obviously going to die? I usually only keep what My family and I are going to eat, with exception of trophy fish if that ever happens... That being said, I don't like feeding the dogs and drawing attention either.
I am guessing to the DFG a short is a short though?

Dan

roadx · 05-28-2012, 05:26 PM

good question, i never know what to do with the short rock fish with their eyes bulging and swim bladder swelled out
.

PegLegFury · 05-28-2012, 05:58 PM

bait

kobra · 05-28-2012, 07:10 PM

I asked that very question to a warden about 30 years ago and he said to let it go anyways because if it didn't make it, it would feed the crabs and other scavengers. Not sure what their take on it is nowadays.

TheBentRod · 05-28-2012, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kobra

I asked that very question to a warden about 30 years ago and he said to let it go anyways because if it didn't make it, it would feed the crabs and other scavengers. Not sure what their take on it is nowadays.

Their response is still the same. Release it to feed the circle of life. The food chain is what it is.

maui jim · 05-28-2012, 09:27 PM

Shorts are good to keep as long you are willing to pay the fine that's goes with them.
They here every story in the book so back to the seals they go...

lowprofile · 05-29-2012, 03:32 AM

usually the seagulls will pick at them till a pelican chokes on it (so much for being smart). just throw it back. it sucks but i'd rather watch a pelican choke like a dumbass than get a $700 fine i cant afford.

Fiskadoro · 05-29-2012, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badtaste2k

I am guessing to the DFG a short is a short though?

You got that right and it's no joke!!!

If the DFG let people keep short fish just because they swallowed the hook you'd see sacks of short fish coming in all the time with jerks claiming every fish they hooked was mortally wounded.

If you can reach the hook take it out, if you can't then cut the line and leave it in. If it's bleeding release it anyway. It's now chum.

kareem korn · 05-29-2012, 06:29 AM

It kills me. I caught a 25" wsb off my board last friday. It swallowed the swimbait and was gut hooked. It wasn't in too good of a shape when I let him go and it killed me. Good thing cause the DFG was standing on the rocks when I paddled in.

05-28-2012, 05:01 PM	#1
Badtaste2k Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Pedro Posts: 144	What to do with dying shorts? So, what's the general way to deal with a short catch that swallowed the hook, gagging up blood and is obviously going to die? I usually only keep what My family and I are going to eat, with exception of trophy fish if that ever happens... That being said, I don't like feeding the dogs and drawing attention either. I am guessing to the DFG a short is a short though? Dan

05-28-2012, 05:26 PM	#2
roadx . Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,155	good question, i never know what to do with the short rock fish with their eyes bulging and swim bladder swelled out . __________________

05-28-2012, 05:58 PM	#3
PegLegFury Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 35	bait __________________ Intergalatic Ninja Sultan

05-28-2012, 09:27 PM	#6
maui jim Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cypress, CA Posts: 789	Shorts are good to keep as long you are willing to pay the fine that's goes with them. They here every story in the book so back to the seals they go... __________________

05-29-2012, 03:32 AM	#7
lowprofile #1 on fishstick's hitlist Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sea level Posts: 1,478	usually the seagulls will pick at them till a pelican chokes on it (so much for being smart). just throw it back. it sucks but i'd rather watch a pelican choke like a dumbass than get a $700 fine i cant afford. __________________ MLPA- My Largest Poaching Area

05-28-2012, 07:10 PM	#4
kobra Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: oceanside Posts: 880	I asked that very question to a warden about 30 years ago and he said to let it go anyways because if it didn't make it, it would feed the crabs and other scavengers. Not sure what their take on it is nowadays.

05-29-2012, 06:29 AM	#9
kareem korn Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: C-bad Posts: 431	It kills me. I caught a 25" wsb off my board last friday. It swallowed the swimbait and was gut hooked. It wasn't in too good of a shape when I let him go and it killed me. Good thing cause the DFG was standing on the rocks when I paddled in.