What size is a TROPHY redfish?
M.G. Devino
compared to others in the species I'm not sure how it stacks up. I'm
kicking around the idea of getting a reproduction made. The fish was
just over 30". The photo came out OK, but not great. I've got the cash
for the mount, I'm just wandering if this would truly be considered a
trophy fish or not. I was in the Laguna Madre near Padre Island. The
fish was caught on 8wt fly tackle in the really skinny water.
My guide really had me pumped up about it's size, but you know how
guides are. Thanks.
-Mark Devino-
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_ o ///////
(_) _.---'''''''-._ __. ~ Mark Devino
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`-.> > > > > > >_.-' \=( ~ dev...@mo.net
`----------' ~~ ~ "I fish, therefore I lie!"
Harry Krause
catch them. I've seen reports of redfish up to 35" or longer. When I catch
a keeper in Florida (over 18"), it's usually 22-25."
M.G. Devino (mde...@mail.win.org) wrote:
: I think that a redfish I caught last weekend is pretty big, but
:
:
:
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Harry Krause Krause & Associates, Inc.
Post Office Box 7575 Jacksonville, Florida 32244
hkr...@gate.net
COUGER GORDON
>: I think that a redfish I caught last weekend is pretty big, but
>: compared to others in the species I'm not sure how it stacks up. I'm
>: kicking around the idea of getting a reproduction made. The fish was
>: just over 30". The photo came out OK, but not great. I've got the cash
>: for the mount, I'm just wandering if this would truly be considered a
>: trophy fish or not. I was in the Laguna Madre near Padre Island. The
>: fish was caught on 8wt fly tackle in the really skinny water.
>:
>: My guide really had me pumped up about it's size, but you know how
>: guides are. Thanks.
>:
>: -Mark Devino-
It's a real nice fish for the Texas Coast particulary inshore. I think the
Texas record is in the neighborhood of 50 pounds. Did you weigh her?
Anything over 20 on a flyrod is a bragging sized fish. Unless you fish
an awful lot you are not likly to catch another. I have been fishing down
there for 34 years and I caught a better one 33# back in the 70's. But I
haven't landed one too big to keep since slot limits were imposed. If I
caught one the size of yours on a fly on the flats I think I would have it
mounted.
Good luck
Gordon
Gordon Couger
Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering. 114 AG Hall Stillwater, OK 74075
gco...@master.ceat.okstate.edu 405 744 8392 day 625-2855 evenings
Michael Lansing
> I think that a redfish I caught last weekend is pretty big, but
> compared to others in the species I'm not sure how it stacks up. I'm
> kicking around the idea of getting a reproduction made. The fish was
> just over 30". The photo came out OK, but not great. I've got the
cash
> for the mount, I'm just wandering if this would truly be considered
a
> trophy fish or not. I was in the Laguna Madre near Padre Island. The
> fish was caught on 8wt fly tackle in the really skinny water.
>
> My guide really had me pumped up about it's size, but you know how
> guides are. Thanks.
>
> -Mark Devino-
Mark,
I don't want to burst your bubble, because it sounds like a nice fish,
but 30" is not uncommon down here in florida. My personal best was
last summer in Titusville Fl., it came in at about 41". I have heard
of bigger ones being caught (but we have to release anything over
27"), so I haven't seen any. Lately the average fish we have been
getting here are in the 26"-33" size.
Don't give up and if you want a replica, do it. 30" is nothing to
sneeze at.
Mike
AMC
tackle, I would hardly consider it a trophy. I have lived in
Galveston for 6 yrs. and I (and my buddies) catch bull reds in that
size range quite often. Granted, we are fishing with stouter
tackle, but the point is thathere are many fish that size around.
Hope I didn't burst your bubble.
A
ocg...@icsi.net
In article <4d08jq$16...@hopi.gate.net>, <hkr...@gate.net> writes:
: I think that a redfish I caught last weekend is pretty big, but
> : compared to others in the species I'm not sure how it stacks up. I'm
> : kicking around the idea of getting a reproduction made. The fish was
> : just over 30".
Any redfish more than 30" in one heck of a red on a flyrod in skinny water.
Most larger Texas reds are caught with conventional tackle in deep water
near cuts and jetties.
Laura L. McDonald
>I think that a redfish I caught last weekend is pretty big, but
>compared to others in the species I'm not sure how it stacks up. I'm
>kicking around the idea of getting a reproduction made. The fish was
>just over 30". The photo came out OK, but not great. I've got the cash
>for the mount, I'm just wandering if this would truly be considered a
>trophy fish or not. I was in the Laguna Madre near Padre Island. The
>fish was caught on 8wt fly tackle in the really skinny water.
If you were in Florida that fish would have been illegal to
keep...here there is a one fish daily limit and a 18"-27" size lenght.
I love fishing for reds and trout to the point my husband got me my
own 16' alum boat with a 10 HP evinrude just so I can go fishing the
flats whenever I want (I can't handle his 20' Cobia alone). The
biggest red I have caught so far was 27"....but out of season. I
would be proud of your fish, not all places have bull reds running
around and I consider my little ole 27"er a FINE catch.
Good fishing
George Haun, x. 6118
>I think that a redfish I caught last weekend is pretty big, but
>compared to others in the species I'm not sure how it stacks up. I'm
>kicking around the idea of getting a reproduction made. The fish was
>just over 30". The photo came out OK, but not great. I've got the cash
>for the mount, I'm just wandering if this would truly be considered a
>trophy fish or not. I was in the Laguna Madre near Padre Island. The
>fish was caught on 8wt fly tackle in the really skinny water.
>
>guides are. Thanks.
>
> -Mark Devino-
I can provide some information as a non-fly fisherman. 30" reds typically run
8 - 10 lbs. That is a nice sized fish for the flats but it's not uncommon
to catch them that size in the Louisiana marshes, at least using 10# class
conventional tackle as I do. Also, it is fairly common to catch 30+ pound
redfish bottom fishing in passes in the summer and fall.
With that said, I wouldn't discourage you from mounting the fish since it
could make a handsome mount to be proud of, especially since it was caught
on fly tackle. Personally, I think it would be more attractive and practical
than some of the huge (50+ lb) redfish I've seen mounted.
George
Harry Krause
94 pounds is the current redfish record.
M.G. Devino (mde...@mail.win.org) wrote:
: I think that a redfish I caught last weekend is pretty big, but
: compared to others in the species I'm not sure how it stacks up. I'm
: kicking around the idea of getting a reproduction made. The fish was
: just over 30". The photo came out OK, but not great. I've got the cash
: for the mount, I'm just wandering if this would truly be considered a
: trophy fish or not. I was in the Laguna Madre near Padre Island. The
: fish was caught on 8wt fly tackle in the really skinny water.
:
: My guide really had me pumped up about it's size, but you know how
: guides are. Thanks.
:
: -Mark Devino-
Your Name
>
>My guide really had me pumped up about it's size, but you know how
>guides are. Thanks.
>
> -Mark Devino-
Nice catch Mark! We catch fish in that size range fairly regularly in
Titusville, Florida. But any fish you ar proud of is worht a mount. I
hope you took a nice picture and measured the girth and length instead
of killing your tropy.
LOOOY
Randy Walsh
>
> I think that a redfish I caught last weekend is pretty big, but
> compared to others in the species I'm not sure how it stacks up. I'm
> kicking around the idea of getting a reproduction made. The fish was
> just over 30". The photo came out OK, but not great. I've got the cash
> for the mount, I'm just wandering if this would truly be considered a
> trophy fish or not. I was in the Laguna Madre near Padre Island. The
> fish was caught on 8wt fly tackle in the really skinny water.
>
> guides are. Thanks.
>
> -Mark Devino-
>
Mark, I have only really fished for trout, but my 2 cents worth on the subject is as follows:
A trophy is in the eye of the beyholder. Fishing in the small mountain streams of New Hampshire,
a 9 inch brookie can be a trophy. Its not the size of the fish buth quality of the experience.
It sounds like you had a great day fishing for redfish and that the fish you caught was special
to you. So, who cares what other people think. Get the reproduction mount done and hang it on
your wall. It will mean a hell of alot more to you then some monster fish that you had no fun
catching!
Tight Lines
Randy Walsh
E-Mail: s...@bluefin.net
Richard Wallace
JACKTERI
of releases. Outer Banks of NC you will catch plenty 30" drum. Need 40"
to get a state citation for catch and release. Largest personal best is
50" caught on Northbeach at Avon ramp 34, Thanksgiving day. Have seen 54"
from friend. Big drum in NC. Jack
David McCaffrey
> I think that a redfish I caught last weekend is pretty big, but
> compared to others in the species I'm not sure how it stacks up. I'm
> kicking around the idea of getting a reproduction made. The fish was
> just over 30". The photo came out OK, but not great. I've got the cash
> for the mount, I'm just wandering if this would truly be considered a
> trophy fish or not. I was in the Laguna Madre near Padre Island. The
> fish was caught on 8wt fly tackle in the really skinny water.
>
> My guide really had me pumped up about it's size, but you know how
> guides are. Thanks.
>
> -Mark Devino-
>
Here's my $.02.
Since you were fishing inside the marsh, that redfish is HUGE. I've been
fishing for reds in Louisiana for about 10 years and I've only caught one
bigger than that inside the marsh ... that one was 32". The average marsh
red in LA is in the 20-24" size range.
Once the reds reach the 30+" size, they migrate offshore to spawn and spend
the rest of their lives in open-water. If you fish the rigs and passes on
the barrier islands, you can catch these fish which can weigh upwards of
60 lbs. These are the so-called "bull" reds ... a stupid name since all of
them are females!!
Congratulations on a suberb catch. It's been a long time since I've tangled
with a red that large ... especially on a fly rod!!
David
Rhea Wood
> I think that a redfish I caught last weekend is pretty big, but
> compared to others in the species I'm not sure how it stacks up. I'm
> kicking around the idea of getting a reproduction made. The fish was
> just over 30". The photo came out OK, but not great. I've got the cash
> for the mount, I'm just wandering if this would truly be considered a
> trophy fish or not. I was in the Laguna Madre near Padre Island. The
> fish was caught on 8wt fly tackle in the really skinny water.
>
> My guide really had me pumped up about it's size, but you know how
> guides are. Thanks.
>
> -Mark Devino-
I consider fish mounts a momento of a treasured experience. Of all of
my mounts, not one represents the largest of the species I have
landed. If you want to remember the moment, have your fish mounted.
To hell with the trophy collectors!
Two things are for sure:
You will always find someone that caught a bigger one!
You will never find someone that had your moment with this fish!
R. Wood
in Alaska
G Burress
True, since reds in NC get up to 5 feet and approx. 100 lbs.
>You will never find someone that had your moment with this fish!
Also true. I have fished NC waters for years. My target is (depending on
season) almost always drum. I have caught EVERYTHING you could imagine except a
red drum. You can bet my 1st red will be a trophy to me even if it is only a
few pounds.
PS: I don't think my methods are the problem. My wife enjoys fishing with me
and she has caught reds.
lynn broomfield
: e...@alaska.net (Rhea Wood) wrote:
: >In Article<4cvb1j$l...@Twain.MO.NET>, <mde...@mail.win.org> writes:
: >
: >> I think that a redfish I caught last weekend is pretty big, but
: >> compared to others in the species I'm not sure how it stacks up. I'm
: >> kicking around the idea of getting a reproduction made. The fish was
: >> just over 30". The photo came out OK, but not great. I've got the cash
: >> for the mount, I'm just wandering if this would truly be considered a
: >> trophy fish or not. I was in the Laguna Madre near Padre Island. The
: >> fish was caught on 8wt fly tackle in the really skinny water.
: >>
: >> My guide really had me pumped up about it's size, but you know how
: >> guides are. Thanks.
[snip]
I agree with the first two respondents totally! Hey, my husband and I have
just moved to Corpus Christi, and both love to fish. If you don't mind me
asking, who was your guide? How did you like your trip?. We bought a boat,
but are used to bass fishing and are thinking about going on a guided trip
for reds and trout in order to cut down on the learning curve.
cheers,
lynn
mcrep...@gmail.com
mcrep...@gmail.com
> In the circumstances that you caught it, it is indeed a trophy. However, at a glance the fish hanging on your wall could look like just a decent overslot. A 30" on fly in skinny water is certainly a trophy for that situation but if i were to go into the surf and throw a few cutbait lines out i could catch several larger.