Northeast Spring Bass Fishing........doesn't Count.

[Sodus Bay Scooter]

So my buddy who's been fishing a lot longer than me, (he's 53, I'm 33) will say every year at this time in spring before ACTUAL bass season "oh that bass doesn't count, try catching him in the summer when it's not so easy.

He even sort of scoffs at anglers specifically targeting bass right now.

But anywhere else in the country where bass season is all year long, the spring time is praised as a great bass fishing season.

Yeah it may be easier to catch bigger bass right now but you still have to have SOME skill.

I don't know, I just think its kinda unfair to say it doesn't count, as if a 5 year old could catch a 4lb'er with a mickeymouse pole or something (although he might be able to!)

What do you guys think?

By the way, my user name used to be LAG ISSUEZ. I changed it to match the name of my kayak.

[jherm87]

I think any catch counts regardless if you aren't trying to scoop them off their beds with a net or something. Fishing is fishing, I'm 25 and don't care about bragging rights. I caught 9 yesterday, all very small, but it didn't matter because I just enjoy fishing.

It never fails to get out fished by the kid with the mickey mouse pole though

[Paul Roberts]

Bass seasons are maintained in the north bc there is evidence that fishing to bedded fish can affect nest success due to harsher weather, intense egg predation, and most recently "parental investment" research. This is less an issue in the south apparently. There is also a vulnerability factor in the north with temperature differentials consolidating fish, making larger segments of a given population vulnerable. With widespread C&R now, vulnerability to harvest period is less an issue now.

 

I remember a guy catching bass early on a lake I lived on in NY when I was young and our local CO watching the guy with binocs waiting for him to come in. He then found a cooler in the guy's boathouse full of bass, and busted him.

 

I now live in Colorado and we don't have a closed season. And fishing being what it is, you can always add "challenge" if you wish.

 

Your older buddy, about my age, probably is sensitive to these issues.

[Sodus Bay Scooter]

I agree that up here in NY that we have an on and off season for the reasons you mentioned. While he doesn't say it, I think he's more sensitive to people catching BIG bass and bragging about the catch.

[NEjitterbugger]

Maybe your friend is jelly that he isn't catching fish when others are lol...

[Sun Fish]

Don't tell me this, I've been doing better right now in PA than I've ever done in my life!  I find that this time of year I tend to get less numbers of fish but the ones I do get are by far much bigger than in summer.  In the summer I tend to get more numbers with larger fish being few and far in between.

In relation to OP though, if your friend is not catching any biggins than I'm going to guess he is just jealous.  When you were with him and he caught a big fish does he also say that his fish does not count?

[Sodus Bay Scooter]

I'd like to think that but he fishes for crappie right now and even then he's catching bass by accident and kinda scoffs that its a bass and not a nice crappie.

[Sun Fish]

I'd like to think that but he fishes for crappie right now and even then he's catching bass by accident and kinda scoffs that its a bass and not a nice crappie.

Hmm strange, maybe he just does'nt have a passion for "bass fishing" specificly and just rather fishing in general so he doesn't care about putting a lunker in the log book.  Or like the above poster said he could believe that bass fishing this time of year hurts the population and tries not to catch them and dislikes those who do.

[Sodus Bay Scooter]

In relation to OP though, if your friend is not catching any biggins than I'm going to guess he is just jealous. When you were with him and he caught a big fish does he also say that his fish does not count?

That's just it, he's not targeting bass right now. He won't. He fishes in club tournaments in the summer and he always places around the top. He's really good. If he wanted, he could make me jealous by slamming the bigguns right now if he went after them.

[hooah212002]

I would say this is something you ought to talk to your friend about. To me, if you can catch a fish, catch it. The only time I would say it "doesn't count" is if the fish was stuck in the mud and you just went over and picked it up, you just snagged it in general or you used some other nefarious non-sportsman like method (dip net for game fish). But catching them out of season? Fair game as far as I am concerned.

 

*note that I am NOT advocating the violation of local ordinance by targeting out of season fish. Me saying it is fair game is just me saying that it counts for your personal bragging rights or personal record.

[Sodus Bay Scooter]

I would say this is something you ought to talk to your friend about. To me, if you can catch a fish, catch it. The only time I would say it "doesn't count" is if the fish was stuck in the mud and you just went over and picked it up, you just snagged it in general or you used some other nefarious non-sportsman like method (dip net for game fish). But catching them out of season? Fair game as far as I am concerned.

*note that I am NOT advocating the violation of local ordinance by targeting out of season fish. Me saying it is fair game is just me saying that it counts for your personal bragging rights or personal record.

The law in NY allows catch and release for bass. You just can't keep them until the 2nd Saturday in June or something like that.

[hooah212002]

The law in NY allows catch and release for bass. You just can't keep them until the 2nd Saturday in June or something like that.

 

Ahh. See, Wisconsin is different. You cannot even target game fish until the first Saturday in May. Obviously, if you catch it "on accident", you have to release it.

[Marty]

Ahh. See, Wisconsin is different. You cannot even target game fish until the first Saturday in May. Obviously, if you catch it "on accident", you have to release it.

 

New York didn't allow targeting out-of-season bass until six years ago (season starts 3rd Saturday in June). While the original poster's friend said the early ones don't count, I don't buy into that, but as much fun as the early season catching is, it's somewhat less satisfying for me because I have such difficulty in the summer. Thus, a good day in the summer is more satisfying because those days are much less common that those in the spring.

[BronzeChaser]

It makes no difference to me whether the fish I catch "count" to someone else or not. When I go fishing I'm not out to prove anything to anyone. If the bite is really good then great, if not then that's great too, at least I'm fishing. Just because it's easier to catch big fish this time of year doesn't take anything away from the fact that it's a big fish. I personally think it's strange to avoid catching more and bigger fish than usual, but to each his own I guess.

[Sodus Bay Scooter]

Well I'm glad to hear these responses. In particular the idea that its just fishing, whether big or small.

Heck, I wasn't gonna stop anyway but yeah, why not fish if you can? Especially up here in NY where the bass fishing season is so much shorter than other states.

[clayton86]

Heck the summer is when I catch all my fish I'm having a harder time now then I do in the summer lol. Your buddy is just a old timer set in his ways my father in law is the same way with hunting that bucks shot in bow season don't count cuz it's the rut and they are stupid and anyone can go out and stick a buck.

[ClackerBuzz]

sounds like its more experience than arrogance. you're buddy is clearly a seasoned angler and seems to prefer a challenge...which spring time fishing doesn't provide him. my only question is:  can he send some of that summertime mojo knowledge crunk experience my way!?

[Sodus Bay Scooter]

Heck the summer is when I catch all my fish I'm having a harder time now then I do in the summer lol. Your buddy is just a old timer set in his ways my father in law is the same way with hunting that bucks shot in bow season don't count cuz it's the rut and they are stupid and anyone can go out and stick a buck.

The buck hunting reference sums it up perfectly. That's exactly what it seems like.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I seem to catch a greater percentage of above average fish this time of year but my BIGGEST fish come in July and August.

 

I just fish, man. Your buddy has his opinion and you have yours. I have mine. As long as he isn't putting you down for fishing this time of year (over and above good-natured ribbing) then I say let everyone think what they want.

 

Anything is better than sitting at work.

[SirSnookalot]

I don't see why you can't count a fish caught any time of the year, it's your outing not some else's.  I don't bass fish this time of year, with the exception of some community pond fishing once in a while.  Snook are my primary fish year round, they are difficult to catch in the winter but it gets better now until the end of the year.  Many guys use live bait I do not, I prefer using artificials.  I don't take anything away from the bait users, they put a lot of time and effort in catching the live bait.

[J Francho]

Wait a minute?  He's fishing for crappie when it's the best time of year to catch them.  Probably using live bait and a corky too, huh?  Someone needs to introduce Mr. Pot to Mr. Kettle.

[Sodus Bay Scooter]

Wait a minute?  He's fishing for crappie when it's the best time of year to catch them.  Probably using live bait and a corky too, huh?  Someone needs to introduce Mr. Pot to Mr. Kettle.

 Hey wait a minute....you're right!

[mod479]

John hit it on the head, pretty ironic statement from that guy. Crappie fishing is in full swing up here, lots of kids filling buckets. Not hard to do at all really if you know where to go.   

 

Never heard of someone acting like prespawn bassing isn't fun. Catching them in the heat of the summer is fun too, love a challenge as much as the next guy, sometimes its not a challenge in the summer either.........

 

In my county, NYS regulations are daft, and I have to travel to get my prespawn fix. Good thing walleye and pike opens this weekend.  

[Christian M]

Our spawn is really picking up here in central NJ. Yesterday I caught 7 nice bass & lost 4. Everytime I caught a female I would release her as close to where I caught her as possible. I released every one as quickly as I could.

[Felix77]

General DEC regulations state that you can catch Bass in NY between December 1 - Friday preceding the 3rd Saturday in June as long as you are using artificial bait. and practice catch and release.  You can't KEEP them but you can sure fish for them.

 

I don't understand people who say you can't catch them year round in NY.  Please tell me if I am wrong.

 

http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/31421.html