It was not meant as harrasement or anything. I just wanted to find out how others felt about this. There does seem to be some difference of thought between the species of fish. I think JT is right, I would feel guilty taking any bass, but not guilty taking a male steelhead, probably would never take a limit of browns. About rough fish, I enjoy eating sheepshead, and I often fish for carp and release them even though they are not comparable to a bass or a trout.
Carp are sort of a surplus, but do more good than harm.
I didn't find the statement as harassment at all, but you do have to put into thought that if that guy was a bass fisherman then he probably was just finding something to do until the bass fishing warms up and may not be back for another harvest for the whole year. A fit or tantrum would probably be the result. Most Lake anglers are easy going types. Based on all your posts concerning this matter it looks like you were the one who thru the fit or atleast would be more likely too. If that guy doesn't come back for the rest of the year then great, I might have done the same thing, but I think your missing the point that, that guy would have thrown a fit if we went to his favorite lake and took out a stringer of great lookin bass.