Since I asked for your opinion I guess it's only fair that I give mine.
I have no problem with folks keeping Catfish, Crappie, Walleye, Carp, ect. and even culling undersized bass in crowded lakes. I guess I have two issues with keeping trophy size bass for either food or trophies.
First of all, we all know how long it takes for a bass to reach that size, especially in northern waters. A fish with that kind of survival instincts should be spared to breed more just like her. With so much pressure on bass these days if everyone with a license keep everything they caught one of two things would happen. One, the lakes would be fished naked. I've seen that happen around here on several lakes. Two, the state wildlife departments would be forced to impose strict limits and also spend even more dollars on re-stocking programs. Taxes and license fees are already high enough. I know that there are stocking programs for Stripers, Hybrids, Walleyes ect. but, with the exception of Walleye in the norther states, there isn't a multi-billion dollar industry gear toward catching them. Bass fishing has become a national past-time that rival NFL, or NASCAR. No species can survive that kind of pressure without good stewardship from the sportsman.
The second issue I have is more personal. I just get sick feeling when I think about someone eating a Largemouth Bass. I never catch Smallmouths so I guess I don't have an emotional connection with them but they rank too. I spend so much time, money, and brain power on what they are up to I guess I just feel a kind of love affair with them. I know that sounds silly but so be it. My son Andy, won't get his fishing merit badge because he refuses to kill and clean a fish. I've always said that if I want to eat fish, I'll go to Long John Silvers. ;>) I hate cleaning them anyway.
Harpo
