Catch & Release or Catch & Kill?
A delicate topic, our opinion in addition. Unfortunately, billfish often die during the fight. Of course a Angler carries the dead fish with him. We understand that someone takes his first larger or record-suspicious fish with him; we made it likewise. But to “hang” the xth little Marlin or Sail? Unfortunately, some countries are still difficult terrains for Catch & release angler. To interspens against the crew and the owner is sometimes very, very difficult. You can release a Marlin after an half hour usually without doubts; after one hour it becomes critical. Unfortunately, big Marlin often dies during or after the fight. Sailfish are very simply and fast to release, hold the fish at the sword, hooks out, stabilize, slowly drive on and notice, if it becomes again lively.
Marlin and Sail don´t taste very well. Most kinds of shark are not suitable for the human consumption. Tuna must correctly bleed out, divided and prepared; Sushi is not everyone thing. Our favorites are Wahoo and Dorado. Normally we carry fish forward for 1 to maximally 2 meals. The best "freezing peace" is the ocean! In poor countries it is very hard for the natives to get fresh fish. Therefore we - only with guaranteed acceptance - take speed-growing fish like Wahoo, Dorado, Tuna, Kingfisch etc. for them.
"duel, man against fish... Gladiators of the seas... noble sword carriers... "- the fish has a hook in the muzzle and fights for its life. Its death fight usually runs according to its innate (escape and hunt) movement urge. Nobody is really able to measure the pain feeling of a fish. The angler hurt usually only arms, legs and the back. Some few scratches or blood blisters does kill us; usually the danger for life and health is small. Objectively seen no fish is nobler.
What drives us out again and again? With many even a craze or a bad obligation is recognizable. Apparently it is connected somehow with our history of the development. We as hunters and collectors touched one in relation to the "civilization phase" infinite time in the wilderness. Perhaps is the "fish hunt" more deeply and more firmly embodied in us?
Most anglers aren´t interested in the hunt for mammals at all – this does not fit the "hunter theory". Is it perhaps better, to torment a fish in place of our fellow men? There are, however unfortunately also angler who gladly do both. We leave it thereby. It is like it is. What remains for us also otherwise – living without fishing? We think, a good portion of self-check, a little bad conscience and attention for the creature are necessary and do not harm, but tormenting self doubt or debt feelings is wrongly at the place. We avoid discussions, where the other talks about the “Bad Angler” and “Dark Side of our Sense” and so on.. Unfortunately there are nowadays very many who think in such a way. Every “not-angler” hast to think, that he eats meat from animals and fish too. But they don´t want to slaughter this creatures?!? Not very admit or interesting is the dead of a lot of fish in nets and longlines. Here displacing functions... however the bad anglers. Each further comment is redundant.
About Light-tackle and Saltwater Fly Fishing
We experienced several times that so hooked fish, the cause were the weak lines, made longer due and more aligning (boat drives afterwards), literally "dead runs", in order to then remain in a shock - light booty!? We don´t like the “Ultra Light Tackle”. To watch how the wireman fights the fish on the leader and then ……“record”, we don´t like it!!! This is not really fishing. Everyone must even decide finally, how he fishes and whether he kills or releases carefully the fish. Our decision border is with Bluefin and Blue /Blackmarlin by 150kg. We reject patronizing and the schoolmasterly doing, like in this country usually, in principle. How so often in the life, tolerance is the key.
Fish mark and release (tag & release)!
The "Billfish Foundation" accomplishes marking programs and supervises the catch messages; You can receive, sticks and accessories over the IGFA.