I've been browsing this board for several months now (and fishing the Sound for Salmon all my life) and have come across numerous threads relating to releasing Wild Hawgs on various fisheries around the NW & Alaska in order to support the genetic strength of the given run... In expectation of taking a King or 2 this weekend from Elliott Bay, I thought I would post an informal survey to take the board's "temperature" on the subject. My question is this: How big is too big to keep a Wild King and/or do you feel that this run has the vitality to keep a Hawg if I'm lucky enough to hook one up?

Thanks in advance...
Junk

For Elliott Bay, nothing is too big in my book.

If I picked up a 50-60# + fish in Elliott bay I would it in a heartbeat. Then I would start calling everyone I knew because I have never heard of a fish over 46#'s come out of there.

In another place, or on another river, my opion may differ, but not on Elliott bay.

WHACK IT!

I might think about releasing a 40/50 lber for a millisecond, but then I'd come to my senses and bonk it.

after the WHACK and/or BONK, Hi 5'v, but slapp'n, chest bang'n followed by excessive Beer swill'n!!!

Little fish, you better go to the doctor and get that checked out, somethin' aint right

The really bigs ones do not eat as well as the 30lbers and below. I would be hard pressed to keep a bigger one given that the pics and possible mounts is all you really need. I have some pics somewhere of some real beast that used to come out of elliot bay back near the turn of the last century.

If you don't bonk it someone with a really big net will.

If the fish were unharmed I would definately release it.

Oh, and I assure you after bonking it a few times it would be harmed and in so I may as well bring it home for the barbeque.

WACK EM AND A STACK EM

Bonk it for sure and then call everyone I knew.... the biggest one I caught is a 32lb from elliott.....

Unless things have changed not all Elliott Bay hatchery kings are fin clipped.I have caught afew that had there fin intact.But they had the tag in there head.

You read my mind.......

When I was a kid I remember picking up my grandfather from the dock by Salties with 2 65+ lb kings. I also remember my grandfather telling me about the 105 lb king he gaffed in the "Creek" that used to be where the locks are now. I sure wish we had fish like that now!

I'm thinking I'm having a big "WHACK ATTACK" coming on right about now!!!!!

Robert

Gary, I bet your Grandpa would be an interesting guy to talk to. I love chatting with old fisherman and hearing their stories about how local fisheries used to be.

Oh please I would handle it with care as I take it out of the net and bonk the hell out of it, crack open a beer, light a victory cigar, and than call eveyone I know, even the ones that don't like fishing .

Sky-guy,

thanks for the comment. My grandfather passed away at the ripe old age of 85 in 1978. One of his favorite places to fish was Elliot Bay. His second favorite was Neah Bay. They used to drive out to Neah and rent a small boat. He would put a 5hp motor that he owned on it and fish out by Tatoosh. I never got the chance to fish out there with him as his health was failing him. I remember we did fish several times for Sockeye the first few years they opened it up though.

Sky-guy,
I don't always think clearly when I hook a big fish (or see a big buck for that matter)....

I'll have my cell on ErnDog, just give me a call when you get him!!