Selective harvesting is needed on some lakes problem is it needs to be managed & no one keeps track of how many bass are being taken Unlike salmon Do you have a punch card for Bass Also Salmon tend to die when caught they just are not hearty as bass when it comes to C&R.
Salmon are stocked & managed Bass are not. Salmon grow much faster then bass so the recovery of harvest is much faster. Bass grow to about 2lb in a year then only average 1/2lb a year after that.On the wetside of the state.
A 5lb fish could be 10yrs old. Taking those would be like cutting down the old growth trees.

C&R works & many 1000s of hrs & $ have been spent studying this. Tagging tracking & logging have proven it. If you think it does not then please link us to some prove otherwise I can fill this page with links to many studies that prove it does no harm & what happen when tournaments in the past had big fish frys at the end on the day. Watch a few bassmaster tournaments on TV they always are talking about management & how much better the fishing is now.

Bass are needed to keep bluegill perch & other fish populations in check If there are not enough bass then those fish will become a problem to trout eggs Bass eat trout also but they do not eat the eggs. Also note bass are opportunistic feeders & will go after the weak trout natures way of cleaning up.  

As for why C&R & what is our motivation I can only speak for myself. I can go out catch a limit & be done in 1-3hrs When I C&R I can fish all day & know that the next time I go there will be fish to catch again. The best part is its never the same one day to the next & I must figure out the puzzle every time.

Quote:

Yes to get proficient & the thrill.
monetary gain   you need to fish a few tournaments then you will realize that you lose $ even when you win.
Why do people compete in anything Why race cars your just going in circles wasting gas. Why play golf you just hit a ball then walk to it & hit it again.