Jake Coucoules Posted February 11, 2020 Posted February 11, 2020 Hey guys I’ve been using this website forever but never felt the need to post until now. I can’t believe this disturbing trend of keeping a large bass to make a skin mount of it is still a thing. In this day in age cameras and fiberglass mounts are so good that there is literally no need to kill a fish to make a memory of it. So many lakes near me have been absolutely destroyed because of people keeping all the 5lb+ bass and I don’t understand the point of it. Some of these lakes are under 5 acres and can’t hold many bass over 5lbs. Why wouldn’t you wanna release it to catch it again another day? Especially if it’s not even a state/world record... don’t get me wrong a 5lb bass is a greasy catch and not very easy to come by in NJ but don’t these people understand they’re making it so much harder by taking them out and putting them on their wall? It just seems like we need to do something about this because it’s so ridiculously stupid and harmful to the fisheries and the only thing I can think of is making skin mounts illegal. Does anyone else agree or do I just care too much about these fish? 2
Super User J Francho Posted February 11, 2020 Super User Posted February 11, 2020 You talk like everyone is out skin mounting 5# bass. They aren't. For every fish skin mounted, how many more were released into Crisco bay? Never mind that, how many are caught illegally for resale at fish markets? I think you're picking the wrong fight. If I catch five 5 lb. bass in a day, I can keep them and eat them, mount them, feed them to my dogs, or fertilize my garden with them, legally. I'm not, though. The reality is, the people that catch these larger fish up here with any type of regularity are typically catch and release anyway. The fluke catch by a casual angler that gets mounted is a drop in the bucket, and not a problem. You could easily prove this to yourself by conducting your own informal survey. Ask all the local taxidermists how many skin mount bass they deliver to customers per year, and what sizes they were. Report back to us. 13
NittyGrittyBoy Posted February 11, 2020 Posted February 11, 2020 You have to remember, not everybody is conservation minded like you. It's like politics, everyone has an opinion. And keeping bass is legal and within their rights. No matter how strongly you disagree. You could lobby your local Fish and Game conservation agency to tighten down on regulations, watch for poachers keeping too many fish, etc..But I agree with J Franco, skin mounts are not your problem, the frying pan is. 1
Jake Coucoules Posted February 11, 2020 Author Posted February 11, 2020 I don’t know why you took my post so personally I don’t even know who you are. I also have never even heard of Crisco bay I said in my post that I’m talking about NJ where regulations state that all bass caught between April 15 and June 15 be immediately released which is the prime time most of these skin mounted fish are caught. I also was referring more specifically to someone who I seen catch a bass over 6lbs in a 2 acre heavily fished pond to put it on his wall during the catch and release season. This person also claimed to have 4 other mounts of large fish from the area which seems like a problem to me. I agree in the grand scheme of things it is a small drop in the bucket, but it my area there’s not many lakes and most of them are extremely small and extremely pressured compared to most places in the world. Taking the biggest bass out of the pond just for “bragging rights” seems ridiculous when everyone has a camera in their pocket now a days. It just bothers me to see such a beautiful majestic and rare creature die for literally no reason. And btw I completely agree that bucket fisherman are a much bigger problem to the fisheries as a whole but our F&G has a hard time managing that, even if you report it to them... but I only made this post because most of those people aren’t using $500 combos and claiming to be “expert bass fisherman.” The people Im talking about who are mounting big bass act like they could be professionals... 1
Super User Choporoz Posted February 11, 2020 Super User Posted February 11, 2020 40 minutes ago, Jake Coucoules said: Hey guys I’ve been using this website forever but never felt the need to post until now. I can’t believe this disturbing trend of keeping a large bass to make a skin mount of it is still a thing. In this day in age cameras and fiberglass mounts are so good that there is literally no need to kill a fish to make a memory of it. So many lakes near me have been absolutely destroyed because of people keeping all the 5lb+ bass and I don’t understand the point of it. Some of these lakes are under 5 acres and can’t hold many bass over 5lbs. Why wouldn’t you wanna release it to catch it again another day? Especially if it’s not even a state/world record... don’t get me wrong a 5lb bass is a greasy catch and not very easy to come by in NJ but don’t these people understand they’re making it so much harder by taking them out and putting them on their wall? It just seems like we need to do something about this because it’s so ridiculously stupid and harmful to the fisheries and the only thing I can think of is making skin mounts illegal. Does anyone else agree or do I just care too much about these fish? Thank you. I'm so glad that a fisheries biologist could join us and weigh in on what is best for the waters. Yes!! By all means, we need more laws and more government to legislate against fishermen doing what the DNRs have so foolishly neglected to outlaw!! Rise UP! Write your congressmen! Maybe we can organize a protest at your local lake? Boycott taxidermists! Please post a link to the scientific studies that you have that show 'harmful to the fisheries' and how the 'lakes near (you) have been absolutely destroyed because of people keeping all the 5lb+ bass'. We probably should outlaw all bass fishing. Even if just for like 10 or 15 years...to let NJ lakes recover. 1 1 8
Super User WRB Posted February 11, 2020 Super User Posted February 11, 2020 Replica molds are made using a real bass so 1 dead bass that size was used. I agree that a replica mount is superior and longer lasting then a skin mount if the artist has equal skills. Mounts are expensive and doubt if anglers are killing bass for skin mounts often enough to impact a fishery. I remember seeing a dumpster full of frozen DD bass anglers brought to Trophy Fish Mounts back in the 90's to have replica mounts made that were not needed to make a mount. Anglers tend to keep their PB bass because they don't survive all the extra handling for pictures and bragging. Tom 3
Super User J Francho Posted February 11, 2020 Super User Posted February 11, 2020 6 minutes ago, Jake Coucoules said: I don’t know why you took my post so personally I don’t even know who you are. I didn't, it's a conversation forum. Opinions are posted, and debated all the time. Why post, if you are unwilling to pursue an open discussion? All I'm saying, try to change the law based on a sixer from a pond, and see how that turns out. I've been involved with change - it takes years, and data. Tons of data. Add in tons of support. It took thousands of anglers in NY to change bass fishing regulations in order to get a catch and release season from December through June. Even then, there is one region that is a hold out. You aren't going to get much traction on a forum made up of anglers that practice and teach responsible harvest, catch & release, and promotes livewell fish care in tournaments to new and experience alike. So, tell us what the real problem is, and maybe we can help. Emotion doesn't bring policy change, data does. By the way, Crisco Bay is surrounded by Frying Pan, just over Flame. It's an expression for catch and eat. Maybe my response makes more sense to you, knowing that. 5 minutes ago, WRB said: Anglers tend to keep their PB bass because they don't survive all the extra handling for pictures and bragging. I don't even have a picture of mine. 2
JediAmoeba Posted February 11, 2020 Posted February 11, 2020 51 minutes ago, Jake Coucoules said: Hey guys I’ve been using this website forever but never felt the need to post until now. I can’t believe this disturbing trend of keeping a large bass to make a skin mount of it is still a thing. In this day in age cameras and fiberglass mounts are so good that there is literally no need to kill a fish to make a memory of it. So many lakes near me have been absolutely destroyed because of people keeping all the 5lb+ bass and I don’t understand the point of it. Some of these lakes are under 5 acres and can’t hold many bass over 5lbs. Why wouldn’t you wanna release it to catch it again another day? Especially if it’s not even a state/world record... don’t get me wrong a 5lb bass is a greasy catch and not very easy to come by in NJ but don’t these people understand they’re making it so much harder by taking them out and putting them on their wall? It just seems like we need to do something about this because it’s so ridiculously stupid and harmful to the fisheries and the only thing I can think of is making skin mounts illegal. Does anyone else agree or do I just care too much about these fish? Living in Eastern Pa, skin mounts are far from the problem - a lot of the people fishing here keep everything to eat. And by everything, I mean everything. There are a few guys I run into that only live bait fish and last June (when it is illegal to keep any bass in Pa) they had a bucket with 12 bass, a bunch of perch, all sizes of sunfish, a dozen or more trout, a few bullheads and numerous small pickerel. They don't care what they catch, they keep them all. I have found these same guys with buckets of 2-3" sunfish and bluegill they keep to eat. Usually they have 10-15 poles cast out, all with sabiki rigs using various live baits. This is my concern, not keeping a few fish. Also, large fish sometimes die when you catch them...may as well get it mounted if it's a great catch. 1
Super User J Francho Posted February 11, 2020 Super User Posted February 11, 2020 I'm most concerned with what people living on shore and on watershed land use on their lawns. 6
NittyGrittyBoy Posted February 11, 2020 Posted February 11, 2020 I knew this would be a ??? topic ? 1 1
Jake Coucoules Posted February 11, 2020 Author Posted February 11, 2020 I didn’t make this post to offend anyone or with the intentions of ever changing any laws because as we all know they don’t get followed anyway. I made this post hoping I could at least convince one person to release their PB instead of killing it to put on their wall. I don’t think you guys truly understand the size of most of the ponds I’m referring to where it really hurts me. These are .5-5 acre ponds where there obviously aren’t many big fish in them it’s physically impossible. I don’t think you could fill a dumpster with ALL the fish in any one of these given ponds. And I know that they probably don’t matter to any of you but as a kid growing up without a car or a boat or access the any large bodies of water this is all I had. I spend countless days doing anything I could to just SEE one of these truly amazing beasts that are usually the kings of the ponds they reside in. I know I’m considered weird but I get more joy watching the fish swim away then I could have ever gotten from a picture or “bragging rights.” I always follow the rule of holding my breath for as long as the fish is out of the water because if it’s hard for me to breathe then imagine how hard it is for the fish. I know I care too much I just wanna see these awesome fish get a little more respect. 7 minutes ago, J Francho said: I'm most concerned with what people living on shore and on watershed land use on their lawns. This is a great point I’m glad you brought it up. A lot of people living near bodies of water have no idea how much damage they do to the lakes with all the pesticides they spray in their lawn, or even better the township when they do construction and don’t set up silt fences and let all the loose dirt run right into the lake! Look at Newton Lake it’s only a couple years from turning into a total swamp from all the erosion and run off... but that’s a whole different story lol
Global Moderator 12poundbass Posted February 11, 2020 Global Moderator Posted February 11, 2020 4 minutes ago, Jake Coucoules said: didn’t make this post to offend anyone It doesn’t sound like anyone is offended here. It does appear that you’re a little taken back by the lack of support. 4
Super User J Francho Posted February 11, 2020 Super User Posted February 11, 2020 Who here do you think is offended? Seems like you are projecting. Take a spin around the "latest catch" thread, and see all the slobs posted that released. Maybe that will help you feel better. It's not that we don't support your efforts to be a good steward, and be cautious with all your catches, not just the trophies, but you are preaching to the choir. Pretty much everyone here respects the environment and the fish we angle for. 3
Jake Coucoules Posted February 11, 2020 Author Posted February 11, 2020 10 minutes ago, 12poundbass said: It doesn’t sound like anyone is offended here. It does appear that you’re a little taken back by the lack of support. You’re right offend was probably the wrong choice of words. You’re also right I didn’t expect it to turn into an argument about what is the worst thing for a fishery. I’m not a biologist.. I barely graduated high school. I just love bass and fish in general and I’m so tired of seeing them die for something as pointless as a “trophy” on a wall. Especially when there are so many better options of making a memory of the fish without killing it.
Super User jbsoonerfan Posted February 11, 2020 Super User Posted February 11, 2020 I had a replica done of my PB, it looks nothing like it. Wish I would have went with a skin mount. I had pics from the guys work and it looked great. I guess I assumed mine would look exactly like the fish I caught and it doesn't. Every time I look at it I think, well that doesn't look like my PB at all. But it is what it is. 5 3
JediAmoeba Posted February 11, 2020 Posted February 11, 2020 2 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said: I had a replica done of my PB, it looks nothing like it. Wish I would have went with a skin mount. I had pics from the guys work and it looked great. I guess I assumed mine would look exactly like the fish I caught and it doesn't. Every time I look at it I think, well that doesn't look like my PB at all. But it is what it is. An artist's interpretation...kind of like when they turn a book into a movie - the idea is there but it's not the same thing.
DINK WHISPERER Posted February 11, 2020 Posted February 11, 2020 23 minutes ago, Jake Coucoules said: I didn’t make this post to offend anyone or with the intentions of ever changing any laws because as we all know they don’t get followed anyway. I made this post hoping I could at least convince one person to release their PB instead of killing it to put on their wall. I don’t think you guys truly understand the size of most of the ponds I’m referring to where it really hurts me. These are .5-5 acre ponds where there obviously aren’t many big fish in them it’s physically impossible. I don’t think you could fill a dumpster with ALL the fish in any one of these given ponds. And I know that they probably don’t matter to any of you but as a kid growing up without a car or a boat or access the any large bodies of water this is all I had. I spend countless days doing anything I could to just SEE one of these truly amazing beasts that are usually the kings of the ponds they reside in. I know I’m considered weird but I get more joy watching the fish swim away then I could have ever gotten from a picture or “bragging rights.” I always follow the rule of holding my breath for as long as the fish is out of the water because if it’s hard for me to breathe then imagine how hard it is for the fish. I know I care too much I just wanna see these awesome fish get a little more respect. Trust me buddy we do understand but you have to choose your battles. And I completely agree that the frying pan is the bigger issue. My son and I had an incredible honey hole ruined by this very thing. It was loaded with bass and hardly anything under 3 lbs. It is located in a remote area out in the woods that basically needs an ATV to get to it. We were fishing one day when this group of people on four-wheelers came by. Not thinking much of it we spilled the beans about what we used and how many fish were in there. Next thing you know the place starts getting trashed daily with litter and they ate everything they could get their hands on in there. I was infuriated at them and mad at myself for telling them but such is life. 3
Super User Choporoz Posted February 11, 2020 Super User Posted February 11, 2020 1 minute ago, Jake Coucoules said: You’re right offend was probably the wrong choice of words. You’re also right I didn’t expect it to turn into an argument about what is the worst thing for a fishery. I’m not a biologist.. I barely graduated high school. I just love bass and fish in general and I’m so tired of seeing them die for something as pointless as a “trophy” on a wall. Especially when there are so many better options of making a memory of the fish without killing it. I suggest you take a small step back and breath. We all care very much for our fisheries. You simply came in sounding a bit judgemental and made claims about the impact on the fisheries that you can't come near backing up. Take that passion to your local DNR office and see if they need a volunteer -- or organize a shore clean up....or something else where you can actually make a difference - as opposed to yelling at the wind without a hint of data other than a single fish data point
NittyGrittyBoy Posted February 11, 2020 Posted February 11, 2020 The only perfect pond you can have is if you are the only one that can fish and manage it. If its public, we just do the best we can with what we got. Nature of the beast. 1
Super User Jrob78 Posted February 11, 2020 Super User Posted February 11, 2020 It's also comes off a bit hypocritical to complain about people doing whatever they please with fish they legally caught while also fishing and posing for pictures with fish yourself. Do you think all those fish you caught lived? Do you think your own fishing pressure on tiny ponds has no adverse effect? The vast majority of us do our best to be good stewards of the waters we fish and the fish we catch. Nobody wants to see their honey hole get burned by people not respecting the resource but I think you need to take a breath...and call a game warden if you see something illegal happening.
FishinBuck07 Posted February 11, 2020 Posted February 11, 2020 39 minutes ago, NittyGrittyBoy said: I knew this would be a ??? topic ? You ain't lying!!!!? I look at it like this, the other guy standing next to me most likely bought a license at the same cost I did. Therefor he has the same rights as I do, who am I to judge what he does with his catch? If he has followed all the rules, as I do, and all the things he is doing to catch that fish is within the same regulations I am abiding by, then why do I get a say in what he does with his harvest? Now if they are not following regulations and breaking the laws we have, then yes I will say something to a Wildlife Officer. As long as they are staying within the guidelines the state agency has set for my area, and they have a license I don't care what they do with their catch! 4 2
Global Moderator 12poundbass Posted February 11, 2020 Global Moderator Posted February 11, 2020 24 minutes ago, JediAmoeba said: An artist's interpretation...kind of like when they turn a book into a movie - the idea is there but it's not the same thing. I’m sorry but that’s horrible compared to the real fish. Had the painter (I call him that because a true artist would have done a much better job) matched the lines and detail you’d probably be happy with it. It looks like he just did what he wanted and what he ‘thought’ looked good, instead of matching your pictures. Sorry you got the shaft. 1
JediAmoeba Posted February 11, 2020 Posted February 11, 2020 25 minutes ago, FishinBuck07 said: You ain't lying!!!!? I look at it like this, the other guy standing next to me most likely bought a license at the same cost I did. Therefor he has the same rights as I do, who am I to judge what he does with his catch? If he has followed all the rules, as I do, and all the things he is doing to catch that fish is within the same regulations I am abiding by, then why do I get a say in what he does with his harvest? Now if they are not following regulations and breaking the laws we have, then yes I will say something to a Wildlife Officer. As long as they are staying within the guidelines the state agency has set for my area, and they have a license I don't care what they do with their catch! I have had a lot of problems with this though - a lot of people don't buy licenses in Pa. Especially out of staters. Our fish commission knows it's a big problem and I have been on contact with them (had a senator call me about it) but they don't have the resources to enforce such things 1
Hewhospeaksmuchbull Posted February 11, 2020 Posted February 11, 2020 1 hour ago, Jake Coucoules said: I made this post hoping I could at least convince one person to release their PB instead of killing it to put on their wall. Done!
Super User MN Fisher Posted February 11, 2020 Super User Posted February 11, 2020 1 hour ago, Jake Coucoules said: I made this post hoping I could at least convince one person to release their PB instead of killing it to put on their wall. My PB - definitely release after a few pics. Even though my fishery is over 14,000 acres and there's good bass in it. 2-3 pounders on the other hand have a 50/50 chance of ending up in my freezer.
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