Catch and Release After Reaching Limit

February 19, 2015

Question: A friend (not me, really!) asked me if he caught two striped bass while beach fishing, could he continue to fish for striped bass and release any future fish he caught? (Mike B.)

Answer: You (I mean he!) could not continue to target striped bass, but could continue fishing for other species of fish. If you incidentally catch another striper while trying to catch some other species and already have your limit, you must immediately release the striper.

how would this compare to bass fishing, like a tournament where you have your 5 and trying to get a bigger fish? Or a lake with a two fish limit and trying to get a bigger one?

To my knowledge, a sanctioned tournament must get special permit to allow the participant anglers to continue fishing C&R/Cull despite a limit.

Tournaments have to receive a specific exemption.

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/administration/permits/FishingContest/Culling.asp

Other than that or unless boat limits apply, no upgrading, culling, or c&r is allowed after an angler has caught a bag or possession limit.

good to know, thx

May be a reason why it's good to have the proper paperwork in place for bass tourney's ... for the sake of the angler AND the tourney host.