Friday
May212010
Reason #10 to make tarpon a Federal gamefish
Friday, May 21, 2010 at 12:00AM 
We won't be reading about dudes killing fish so they can get their name on a plaque somewhere in the IGFA hall of fame.
Veteran fly-fisherman Tom Evans of Wilson, Wyo., caught a potential 12-pound tippet world record tarpon of 194.1 pounds on May 10.
Evans carries an official scale on every trip for record pursuits.
LINK (Via:ESPN)
tagged bonefish & tarpon trust in News
bonefish & tarpon trust in News
Reader Comments (37)
Look, I wouldn't have killed the fish either (at least I hope I wouldn't have; never had a world record on the end of my line). But Evans has, along with guys like Billy Pate, Stu Apte, Andy Mill, etc., been at the forefront of developing and perfecting fighting techniques that result in fish being caught and--with rare exception-- released MUCH faster. So who kills more fish: an expert angler who knows how to land even the biggest fish rapidly, and only kills a fish if it is a world record; or the occasional angler who fights fish to exhaustion? Sure, the second guy doesn't intend to kill, but I doubt a dead tarpon cares about intent. I've also read that Evans gives quite a bit of time and money to marine conservation organizations (not sure if this is true; just going off what I've read about the guy). In short, seeing that awesome fish hanging from a string sucks ass. But if you want to get your panties in a wad about a killing fish, there are a lot better targets out there than Evans.
It's official, the guy that brings a certified scale everywhere he goes kills the most fish.
This last comment was classic. I especially liked the part about how through his pioneering effort in fighting fish, Evans has figured out a way to land fish rapidly.
He hooked a 200 pound fish on 12 pound tippet, guy!
There was nothing rapid about this nor was it ever planned that way. You go to Homosassa with 12 pound tippet on your rig, you are basically saying that whatever you hook is going to die slowly because you're going to have to fight it for 2 hours.
Well, he fought it for an hour and a half. And if you think most average-joe tarpon anglers fishing with 20 lb test (or even heavier line on conventional gear) do better than that with fish over 100 lbs, you're kidding yourself.
"IGFA are essentially encouraging certain anglers to kill fish. Shame on IGFA" - EXACTLY
Without the recognition, I doubt people like Evans would even fish. Can anyone explain the need for these records? Why have this 'award' system at all? Who cares if Evans caught a big fish...besides Evans?
This guy should be hung up like the quarry he killed..Must be one of Chaney's buddies out there in Wyoming. You should google this guy and see where he lives..What a PIG...
Douchenozzle.
Thomas Sausage Evans should eat every ounce of that fish.
Mr Evans is clearly antique both in years and mindset. He is a creature of another time and behaves thus. IGFA itself seems to have failed miserably to adapt to a world of conservation focused fishing. I fear that' s because its Committee is made up largely of large antique, well-nourished gentlemen of advanced years who have spent considerable time, money and other people's effort proving their manhood beyond all doubt. Those who feel strongly should join IGFA and campaign appropriately- or this forum could provide a suitable link for posters to complain.
Did I also mention Mr Evans is, despite his allegedly worthy contributions to conservation and "fly fishing" , clearly a somewhat larger than nature intended Grade A dick wipe who has once again contributed outstandingly to the most unfair but widely held view of American game anglers being uncouth, uneducated size- obsessed half wits?
J-Man says:
"Look, I wouldn't have killed the fish either (at least I hope I wouldn't have; never had a world record on the end of my line). But Evans has, along with guys like Billy Pate, Stu Apte, Andy Mill, etc., been at the forefront of developing and perfecting fighting techniques that result in fish being caught and--with rare exception-- released MUCH faster. "
Really? How fast do you think he landed that 194lb tarpon on 12lb tippet? Only as fast as he had to to break the record. That fish was probably dead before he yanked it in the boat.
Once again, he landed it in an hour and a half. Read the linked article. Do you really think most recreational tarpon anglers would have landed that fish anywhere near that quickly on 20lb tippet, regardles of whether or not they planned to kill the fish?
But I was trying to make a more general point. My point was, like it or not, Evans is one of the guys who helped develop modern techniques for fighting tarpon as quickly as possible. Don't believe me? Look it up (and while your at it, peruse the list of the founding members of the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust). Yep, he killed a great fish. Do I like it? No. Let me say that again: No! But many more fish die because of crappy technique or, in the case of Boca Grande pass, unsportsmanlike methods, than are killed by fly-fishing trophy hunters. I don't have the current numbers, but a few years back, only a small number of the Florida tarpon tags that were purchased were even used.
So attack Evans all you want. Doesn't hurt my feelings. It just seems to me that the venom being spewed is way out of porportion to the damage he has done.
Wow, some serious comments here. Now if the fish was rolling over from the fight and didn't look like it would survive, plus it is a possible record, that is one thing. But to kill the fish for the record, or to get a mount made is complete bullshit. You can still apply for a record without killing the fish - every state has their rules posted.
So yeah, this is ridiculous. The captain involved (if there was one) should have enforced C&R.
get over it turdheads!
toms cool! you're all just jealous!