DanielG Posted February 12, 2020 Posted February 12, 2020 Maybe it's the location that is important. I fish lakes here that are tough, the fish aren't huge but the lakes are fairly large and deep. There are 22 of them in my area. It seems like in some areas the bodies of water are smaller with big fish that can be easily fished out. Maybe in some places mounting might be an issue. In a (small) show of support. I've got a daughter and her husband who have solar panels on their roof, drive an electric car, eat guacamole and hummus and go to the gym regularly. I'm amused by it, and sometimes, as a Dad I kid them about it. But, deep down I know, it doesn't mean they're wrong.
Super User gim Posted February 12, 2020 Super User Posted February 12, 2020 46 minutes ago, Jake Coucoules said: This is the same attitude people who litter and don’t recycle have. “I’m just one person so if I throw all my trash in the street it’s not gonna effect anything.” And once everyone adopted that mindset our entire environment became full of trash. What difference does it make if I throw my McDonald’s cup in the trash or on the ground? Good point. I think what has made bass fishing as good as it is to this point in most parts of the country is the strong catch and release ethic that is practiced amongst fish of all size. I rarely see anyone keep bass where I am. Maybe this is because people target other species instead to harvest but I think generally people are not targeting them to harvest them. If people started harvesting them here like they do walleyes, panfish, trout, etc, our bass population would go south quickly because it takes them a long time to grow up here in colder northern waters. 1
Super User MickD Posted February 12, 2020 Super User Posted February 12, 2020 21 hours ago, WRB said: Replica molds are made using a real bass so 1 dead bass that size was used. I thought the replicas did not require a real fish to be brought in as a "model" except for maybe the first one. EVERY replica requires a fish? If so, doesn't make any difference, does it. I just looked at the sites for fish taxidermy from fiberglass mounts that say "painted to your photo," and none mentions requiring anything more than the photo. Are you sure? 1
Super User Jrob78 Posted February 12, 2020 Super User Posted February 12, 2020 40 minutes ago, MickD said: I thought the replicas did not require a real fish to be brought in as a "model" except for maybe the first one. EVERY replica requires a fish? If so, doesn't make any difference, does it. I just looked at the sites for fish taxidermy from fiberglass mounts that say "painted to your photo," and none mentions requiring anything more than the photo. Are you sure? I think he's talking about the first one, the one the "base" is modeled after. It's a pretty poor argument. OP, I admire your passion for this topic but I feel like you're barking up the wrong tree. 1
Grim_Reaver Posted February 12, 2020 Posted February 12, 2020 Harvest of large individuals can be a problem if done at a large scale, but many fishermen choose to release larger fish. Laws are often ineffective due to the will of the people. Those who choose not to abide often get away. Education is a much better approach at changing a cultural practice. If you truly want it to stop, inform them about why leaving larger individuals in the system are important and encourage them to keep the smaller individuals. Again, you can't change everyone's opinion but then again laws won't either. 2
Super User slonezp Posted February 12, 2020 Super User Posted February 12, 2020 If we're going to talk about devastation to a fishery, why not talk about pollution Asian carp or invasive birds like cormorants and pelicans which will do more damage than any human could. 3
Super User the reel ess Posted February 12, 2020 Super User Posted February 12, 2020 This is less of an issue now than it has ever been in the history of modern bass fishing. I was raised by an old school fisherman who though if you didn't clean and eat the fish, you didn't really catch them. Most people today don't need a trophy bass for food. Most people fanatical enough to fish long enough to catch lots of big bass don't keep them. And those are the only people who could do damage to a fishery. One of the reasons I fish instead of hunt is that I can catch that trophy more than once. I'm pretty sure I've caught the fat bass in my avatar twice because that gut is unusually large for my reservoir and they were caught close together. But even if people do kill their trophies, and a few will, there's no law against it. Hell, bass tournaments probably kill more big fish. I don't see a lot of arguments against weigh-ins on this site because it hasn't impacted the sport negatively. 4
Super User J Francho Posted February 12, 2020 Super User Posted February 12, 2020 1 minute ago, the reel ess said: This is less of an issue now than it has ever been in the history of modern bass fishing. I agree with this statement, but have to pose the counterpoint: why are the huge bass records so old? Some go back (including the WR) more than half a century. </smoke bomb> 1
Super User Jrob78 Posted February 12, 2020 Super User Posted February 12, 2020 10 minutes ago, the reel ess said: This is less of an issue now than it has ever been in the history of modern bass fishing. I was raised by an old school fisherman who though if you didn't clean and eat the fish, you didn't really catch them. My old man still gets frustrated with me when I throw bass (or any game fish) back. In his mind fishing just for the sport of it is a waste of time and I'm throwing back food. I've told him before that I can go buy catfish filets for $3.99 lb at the grocery store, it doesn't help my cause. ? The flip side is my state takes very good care of our fisheries and has an aggressive stocking program. I have no problem keeping fish to eat, I just don't do it myself very often, unless I'm with my dad. 1
Super User jbsoonerfan Posted February 12, 2020 Super User Posted February 12, 2020 2 minutes ago, J Francho said: I agree with this statement, but have to pose the counterpoint: why are the huge bass records so old? Some go back (including the WR) more than half a century. </smoke bomb> Nah, the WR was caught in 2009 1
Super User J Francho Posted February 12, 2020 Super User Posted February 12, 2020 4 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said: Nah, the WR was caught in 2009 In a catch and kill by law lake. 1
Super User gim Posted February 12, 2020 Super User Posted February 12, 2020 35 minutes ago, slonezp said: If we're going to talk about devastation to a fishery, why not talk about pollution Asian carp or invasive birds like cormorants and pelicans which will do more damage than any human could. Asian carp and pollution were caused by humans so those points are completely moot. The human race is generally responsible for the most of the serious problems on this planet.
Super User geo g Posted February 12, 2020 Super User Posted February 12, 2020 Don’t get too excited, the number of people taking fish for skins is very small. First you have to catch it, then you have to take care of it, then you need a quality tax, then big fish don’t taste good compared to a nice 2 pounder, then most are already sold on catch and release of big fish. The quality of artificial trophies are very good these days. The numbers effected are very small. 1 1
Super User the reel ess Posted February 12, 2020 Super User Posted February 12, 2020 2 hours ago, J Francho said: I agree with this statement, but have to pose the counterpoint: why are the huge bass records so old? Some go back (including the WR) more than half a century. </smoke bomb> Could be that people cheated and got away with it. 2 hours ago, Jrob78 said: My old man still gets frustrated with me when I throw bass (or any game fish) back. In his mind fishing just for the sport of it is a waste of time and I'm throwing back food. I've told him before that I can go buy catfish filets for $3.99 lb at the grocery store, it doesn't help my cause. ? The flip side is my state takes very good care of our fisheries and has an aggressive stocking program. I have no problem keeping fish to eat, I just don't do it myself very often, unless I'm with my dad. We had a builder remodeling our house that filled about 8 deer tags this year. He kept bringing me summer sausages and those meat and cheese sticks without being asked. I was going fishing from time to time and he kept asking why I didn't keep and eat the fish, even the big ones. So last time I went to my buddy's pond full o' dinks I kept 8 and gave them to him. It's just a totally different mentality to me. But i wasn't always this way. And I, too, will keep a few every now and then, especially crappie. I just don't want to fill the freezer anymore. My family doesn't like freshwater fish very much. 1
Super User jimmyjoe Posted February 12, 2020 Super User Posted February 12, 2020 19 minutes ago, gimruis said: The human race is generally responsible for the most of the serious problems on this planet. There are no "serious problems" on this planet. None. None whatsoever. This planet is an ecosystem in a constant state of adaptation to changing conditions. The way I see it, that's been true for millions and millions of years. As old as I am, I have to admit that I wasn't around back then. The only "serious problem" we have is that many people want the adaptation to stop at some certain specific point, to reinforce their value system. Nature doesn't work like that. Nature doesn't give a hoot about your value system. In terms of Nature, people are no more important than fire ants, starlings, foxes or trophy-size bass. Many people don't want to recognize that. It hurts their ego. jj 7 1
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted February 12, 2020 Global Moderator Posted February 12, 2020 1 hour ago, slonezp said: If we're going to talk about devastation to a fishery, why not talk about pollution Asian carp or invasive birds like cormorants and pelicans which will do more damage than any human could. Quit making sense
Super User Boomstick Posted February 12, 2020 Super User Posted February 12, 2020 23 hours ago, 12poundbass said: 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. I have seen many replica mounts that look pretty convincing, so I have to agree with this. That said, I doubt skin mounts are a leading factor contributing to the deaths of many large bass. Some people catch a 8 pounder and take it home and eat it. Others leave them out of the water for way too long. 2
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted February 12, 2020 Global Moderator Posted February 12, 2020 52 minutes ago, gimruis said: Asian carp and pollution were caused by humans so those points are completely moot. The human race is generally responsible for the most of the serious problems on this planet. Dinosaurs were hunted to extinction with 30/06? Humans are a tiny pixel on a big screen
NittyGrittyBoy Posted February 12, 2020 Posted February 12, 2020 1 hour ago, jbsoonerfan said: Nah, the WR was caught in 2009 I hate to be the one bro, but Ga still has it. (Balloon busting) I keep bass ranging around 1lb to 2lb. It's good for most fisheries and I only do it probably 1 out of every 5 trips. Again, bass are a renewable resource and if you dont manage effectively you wont catch Large ones very long. Also I remember about 2 yrs ago I was fishing a pond in early spring, it was so windy it was miserable but we were catching fish off points throwing sqaurebills. Well I hook into a grown un, get her landed and realize she completely gilled that crankbait. So I felt bad about putting her back to die, so only thing reasonable was to fry her. She weighed just over 9, not my pb so no need for a trophy. But fried fish and fried roe fed a bunch of folks. Throwing her back to die would've fed other fish/birds down throughout ecosystem. So just be smart about it. 3
Super User Choporoz Posted February 12, 2020 Super User Posted February 12, 2020 7 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said: Dinosaurs were hunted to extinction with 30/06? Humans are a tiny pixel on a big screen Ray Bradbury would be so proud....or confused 1 5
Super User MickD Posted February 12, 2020 Super User Posted February 12, 2020 To me the difference between a skin mount and a fiberglass one is all in the skill of the taxidermist. I know of two real skin mounts with friends that look like plastic fish. I believe all mounts are painted, even the real skin mounts. So why does anyone need the real fish? Where I often fish for smallies we take fish regularly from 4 to over 6 pounds. All of these fish are considered trophies worthy of mounting to most anglers I know. I have had 5 different friends take their personal best in the last 3 years from my boat. All catch and release, never a whimper from my friends. That fishery has a strong catch and release "ethic," I am glad to report. I think if it did not the fishing for big fish would go downhill very rapidly. On a national scale, mounting may not be a big issue, but I submit it can be in some local areas. 2
Super User WRB Posted February 12, 2020 Super User Posted February 12, 2020 5 hours ago, MickD said: I thought the replicas did not require a real fish to be brought in as a "model" except for maybe the first one. EVERY replica requires a fish? If so, doesn't make any difference, does it. I just looked at the sites for fish taxidermy from fiberglass mounts that say "painted to your photo," and none mentions requiring anything more than the photo. Are you sure? Only 1 bass the length and girth is needed to make a mold for that size bass, that mold is then used for every replica that is "similar" in length and girth. Most LMB mounts from a regional area are very "similar" regarding weight having the same length, few angles measure girth and that is why a good taxidermist wants a photo to match the bass size and coloration. Most replica's are between 24" to 26" long, a few bass up to 28", each inch requires a bass to make a mold from. Molds are made left or right sides, wide open mouth, normally open and closed mouth, bass moving up, turning, down or plain side profiles, etc. It takes several bass to have enough molds to satisfy multiple anglers. Skin mounts don't use the whole bass, only the skin and head, tail and fins may be used if in good condition but usually reconstructed. The cured skin is stretched over a form to replicate the body, glass eyes and fins are added. The grey colorless skin is then painted. Tom 1
Super User Catt Posted February 12, 2020 Super User Posted February 12, 2020 69 yrs old with 3 dozen double digits & to many to count between 6-10#...not a single one mounted or a replica. They're all memories for myself & those with me. When we're dead and gone you think anyone else will care? 5 1
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted February 12, 2020 Global Moderator Posted February 12, 2020 3 minutes ago, Catt said: 69 yrs old with 3 dozen double digits & to many to count between 6-10#...not a single one mounted or a replica. They're all memories for myself & those with me. When we're dead and gone you think anyone else will care? My buddy has his dead and gone grandpa's skin mount of a big walleye from Wisconsin hanging in his home bar. It's one of his most prized family heirlooms so I would say the answer to your question in some cases is yes 3
Super User gim Posted February 12, 2020 Super User Posted February 12, 2020 57 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said: Dinosaurs were hunted to extinction with 30/06? Humans are a tiny pixel on a big screen I was only trying to make a point. Fact is that pollution and the introduction of asian carp is not a natural phenomenon. Obviously no one was out hunting velociraptors with a rifle during the jurassic era.
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