Mike,

If it were me........... I would catch, weigh (take measurements), picture and release. That way your not stressing the fish and releasing back into its habitat. That way you dont have to try to keep a big blackfisn alive and then release it at or after the bash.

My .02
I'm not fat, I'm fluffy!

Judge Smails:

"Its easy to grin, when your ship comes in, and you've got the stock market beat. But the man worth while is the man that can smile with his shorts too tight in the seat."