Because I would rather eat the smaller ones that taste good. Besides, at that time, my freezer was full. Also, the big ones are the only ones that breed. A redfish grows up in the marsh, and when it reaches maturity, it goes 'outside' to breed. Right now, you can catch them in the passes...the big bastids...because they come back in to breed. And the cycle starts over. Little ones in the marsh...bigger ones outside. The marsh is FULL of good eating sized reds, say between 16"-24". Anything bigger than that, I usually let go...unless it's hooked in a way that I think it may not survive. Those big ones are a beyotch to clean anyway....and they just don't taste that good. That goes for any fish, though. I personally like the taste of largemouth bass, but the big ones taste like mudcat to me.
