Quote Originally Posted by Madd Matt View Post
Great post Wakina. I think I agree with everything you said. I would also reiterate your point about over-bagging. It's illegal to keep more than your daily limit, period.

I don't normally "fun-fish" after limiting. In fact the only times I have done this over 30 years is less than 5 times probably and it has always been on the jig bite. When we drive 5 hours to fish and we limit out on the reefs in 45 minutes jigging... It's tough not to stay out on such a fun bite and fun-fish for a while... Throwing back everything over our limit immediately regardless of size! I don't cull fish, especially walleye!

However, even though I do not AND WILL NOT cull walleye, I have heard from 3 different captains that in the charter captains classes that they are taught that it is perfectly legal to do so. One captain told me that it was a major discussion with many long time fisherman disagreeing with the instructor and that they finally had to concede because it is not a prohibited act. What I found amazing was that even if they are throwing back dead fish it is legal (supposedly). Again, this is what I have been told by captains as to what they are taught in their license classes. I have asked several about it after the first one told me this and they have all confirmed that while they don't practice it, it is legal.

I am not one to make stink about someone choosing to do something different than I would, as long as what they are doing is legal. However, I would frown pretty heavy and lose a lot of respect for anyone that is culling fish and throwing back dead walleye! Legal or not!

-Matt
Under no circumstances have captains classes had anything to do with fishing and fishing laws. Captains classes are about boating, navigation and safety of paying passengers on a vessel whether inspected or non-inspected. Setting the record straight.