Ling Diver:

You have a point, but not a very strong one. I may have been a bit too defensive, but that was the direct result of an attack, which I felt was unwarranted.

The fact is that this fishery is extraordinarily healthy. One more fish would make absolutely zero difference. Almost every fish we hooked was a big female. We all wondered where the heck are the all the small males. Maybe these behemoths mamas ate them?

One time we drifted more than a mile and were still catching huge lings with every drop. There must be a staggering p[opulation of lingcod there.

Yes I could have released that fish and thus not had a chance at a record I have been chasing for more than 20 years.

I am proud of the catch and feel absolutely no guilt over killing her. I have voluntarily released many fish like her over the years. I would never kill a fish like that unless I was certain there were abundant numbers to replace her. I feel its okay to take one from a really healthy population. If you feel otherwise you should not kill one. It’s a choice we all need to make for ourselves.

The only way to assure no adverse effect would be a total closure, which to me makes no sense especially when the population is huge and a commercial season is allowed, as it is in Seward.