This Makes Me Mad.

[Biglittle8]

Went to my local lake Sunday, got to the boat ramp and found 5 dead bass at the dock. All seemed to be over 3.5 lbs. The fact that there was 5 fish, all in that size range makes me think these came out of someone's livewell. I hope I'm wrong. I don't know if there has been any tournaments recently.  They look like they had been there a couple of days,the birds had been picking at them  What are your thoughts? Below are a couple of pictures. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Yep, it happens a lot

[Bluebasser86]

When I had Mondays off and went to lakes that had tournaments, it was never a matter of if, just a matter of how many dead bass I'd see at the ramp. Guys think because they "swim off strong", they're guaranteed to survive, but it's not the case at all. It's why I can't stand it when guys box fish just to take a picture at the end of the day. The same guys would probably lose it over someone eating a 5 pounder, but they'll stress one out in the livewell all day just for a picture (which would be a picture of the same fish if they took it immediately upon catching it and released it), and potentially have it die a day or two later and feed the raccoons. It's a big issue here in the summer time when our water temps often reach the mid to upper 80s. I'd like to see all tournaments go to catch, weigh/measure, photo, release but I don't see it happening anytime soon. My issues with it are a big reason why I rarely fish boat tournaments. 

[Biglittle8]

1 hour ago, Bluebasser86 said:

When I had Mondays off and went to lakes that had tournaments, it was never a matter of if, just a matter of how many dead bass I'd see at the ramp. Guys think because they "swim off strong", they're guaranteed to survive, but it's not the case at all. It's why I can't stand it when guys box fish just to take a picture at the end of the day. The same guys would probably lose it over someone eating a 5 pounder, but they'll stress one out in the livewell all day just for a picture (which would be a picture of the same fish if they took it immediately upon catching it and released it), and potentially have it die a day or two later and feed the raccoons. It's a big issue here in the summer time when our water temps often reach the mid to upper 80s. I'd like to see all tournaments go to catch, weigh/measure, photo, release but I don't see it happening anytime soon. My issues with it are a big reason why I rarely fish boat tournaments. 

The water temps in this lake are in the 90's now in most areas, as it is a steam plant lake. It's hot enough here in North Carolina but factor in the hot water discharge, it makes for some very high water temperatures. I have heard some guys will add ice to their live wells. My goal is to catch fish and return them to the water quickly and safely.

[gunsinger]

If fish go in my livewell, it’s because they’re to be eaten. Otherwise, it’s a quick pic (if they’re pic worthy) and back in the water to be caught another day. 

[Bubba 460]

I don't know why people put fish in a live well without a good reason. Just release the fish when you catch them. Why keep a bunch  of 2# bass? I know guys that catch bass, put them in the live-well  and fish all day collecting more. Then pull up beside you and start pulling fish out to show you what they caught. They say they are going to release them at the boat ramp~ *sheez*  

[Spankey]

Something I don’t not really see. Not many panfish or carp over the years either. But to your thoughts it would tick me off also. Try not to dwell on it. 

[fin]

7 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

they'll stress one out in the livewell all day just for a picture (which would be a picture of the same fish if they took it immediately upon catching it and released it)

 

Is there any logic behind this? I used to know a guy that did that, but I never thought to ask him why. I mean, I know they think it won't harm the fish, but why would they want to save them to the end instead of like you said, take the pic when they catch them?

[Bluebasser86]

4 minutes ago, fin said:

 

Is there any logic behind this? I used to know a guy that did that, but I never thought to ask him why. I mean, I know they think it won't harm the fish, but why would they want to save them to the end instead of like you said, take the pic when they catch them?

Got to have the end of the day bag pic for the InstaFace to keep sponsors happy I suppose. Still, it's the same fish if you take 1 picture with 5, versus 5 individual pictures. 

[fin]

Oh, so they take a pic of all the fish in the well?

[Spankey]

1 minute ago, fin said:

 

Is there any logic behind this? I used to know a guy that did that, but I never thought to ask him why. I mean, I know they think it won't harm the fish, but why would they want to save them to the end instead of like you said, take the pic when they catch them?

Seem like everyone has a smart phone these days. Catch, photo and release. Pretty quick and simple. But to keep yourself from getting stressed out over it, there are tool bags in every faucet of everything. Hunting just as well. Simple minded morons. Shake your head and chalk it up to “I’ve seen it all now” Sorry you had to come across it. 

[Bluebasser86]

2 minutes ago, fin said:

Oh, so they take a pic of all the fish in the well?

Yeah, basically like if they were standing on the weigh in stage for a tournament holding up your fish, except they're not. 

[jbmaine]

Not to stir the pot, but, it seems we all take care to learn how to get the hooks out of bass so as not to unduly harm them, we learn the best way to hold them, release them, basically to conserve the resource for our selves and others. Yet when it comes to stuffing a live well full of fish, we fall short. With so many ways to instantly record our catches, why keep bass any longer than necessary?

We hear so many stories about fish kills from time spent in live wells, etc. Why take the chance? 

[NoShoes]

Only reason I wanted a live well in my boat was to be able to put a monster one (if I ever caught one) to get my bearings together to weigh/measure the fish for a mount. Even with that in mind, I can’t help but wonder if I have a partner with me that the fish wouldn’t be better off in the net off the side of the boat still in the water. 
 

If eating them isn’t a possibility for the night, they go straight back. 

[scaleface]

2 hours ago, Bubba 460 said:

Then pull up beside you and start pulling fish out to show you what they caught.

I did this one time . A friend who I bass  fished with a lot , got pressured into baby-sitting some guys at work , take them fishing to try and catch some crappie . I went out that day and caught a big limit quickly .I knew where the other guys were fishing so  pulled up . Did some small talk , asked if they were catching any ... Then I released the bass from my livewell one by one in front of him . Oh it killed him .LOL

[Bigassbass]

Tournaments need to be run with a second man to weigh the fish, record the weight and return the fish back into the water were it was caught.  Some big pro tournaments are already doing this!  No more killing fish, small time tournaments the person running the tournament is the one making the money and most times they are not worried about dead fish.  Until enough people care and demand this kind of action there will always be dead fish at tournaments.   I posted these same thoughts to a group here in NC and of course they just laughed at me.  The Game and Wildlife need to get involved and mandate this, pay out the nose or fix the problem.

[gim]

9 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

It's why I can't stand it when guys box fish just to take a picture at the end of the day.

 

Pretty much every time you see someone holding two at one time this has occurred.  Very rare to actually catch a double and take photos of them followed by a quick release.  I always wondered how it was possible but its obvious that's what people are doing.  They're putting them in a livewell for a "glory" photo later on.  I can recall one time in my entire life when I actually caught a legit double of large bass with someone else and we took photos of both of them.  My brother and I caught a pair of 19 inch smallmouth at the same exact time.  After we measured them and each took a photo holding both, we released them.

 

Obviously if you're in a tournament then you need to weigh them in and they want you to hold a couple up too.

 

As for the reason the OP found a bunch of dead bass at the access, we'll never know.  We can speculate, but the truth won't be revealed unless you actually see it.  Mortality amongst most fish is very high in the warm summer months.  Its important to unhook, measure, photo, and release the fish in a very short period of time.  Like 30 seconds or less.

[Spankey]

One of my kids (adult) got me a “Bass Live Matter” tee shirt. I’ve worn it. Get some crazy looks in it. But it’s true to me. And she knows that how I feel about my bass fishing. 
 

But there are those risks associated with catch and release fishing. I’d like to think I handle all my situations better than anyone on here when it comes to fish release. But I’m not and it is not true.  But I’m good. But not to say there could never be a problem arise. 
 

I’m not looking for it to happen, but if it does it will go on the grill or someone’s grill and not thrown up on the rocks or dock. 

[Bluebasser86]

1 hour ago, NoShoes said:

Only reason I wanted a live well in my boat was to be able to put a monster one (if I ever caught one) to get my bearings together to weigh/measure the fish for a mount.

This I understand completely. You catch the fish of a lifetime and want to make 100% sure you get great pictures, sure, fill the box and let her rest while you get stuff set up and maybe drop her back in there after you take the pictures to make sure they're all good. Way better than just keeping them out of the water through the whole process.

 

I can also understand guys catching them deep and wanting to make sure they're doing good before dropping them back after they've been fizzed. Or if you have one bleeding and want to make sure it appears to be doing good before putting it back. 

[MAN]

I think there has been a lot of emphasis as of late on doing a better job at keeping bass alive and healthy during tournaments for safe release. Whether it is improvements in live wells with better oxygen systems or photo only tourneys. 

There will always be the fringe element and there is nothing you can do about it.  Don't let it ruin your nice day out on the water. Improving live release counts is not going un-noticed by any means if you follow the industry.  We are so much better than where we were 20-30 -40 years ago. I think that is the best thing to remember when you come across this now rare type of situation. 

[Bankc]

I understand why people get upset.  And I don't blame them.  But I don't let this type of stuff bother me.  In my part of the country, bass are almost always introduced into the lakes I fish (as almost all of the lakes are man-made), and despite what my fishing record will tell you, they're not an endangered species.  So in the grand scheme of things, it's not really a serious problem.  

 

That being said, I don't keep any fish unless I plan on eating it.  I never keep fish in a live well, even when I had one.  If I catch it, and plan on eating it, I immediately put it on ice.  If not, then I usually release it immediately, or if it's a good one, I might take the time to weigh it and snap a photo.  It's definitely a problem, and I don't want to be a part of the problem, but I'm much less concerned with the population of bass in this country than most other animals.  

 

Now paddlefish is a different story.  It infuriates me that people are allowed to catch and keep them in my state.  They state will even document, clean, and vacuum pack your meat for free, provided you let them sell their caviar on the Russian market for big money. 

[MAN]

3 hours ago, Bankc said:

Now paddlefish is a different story.  It infuriates me that people are allowed to catch and keep them in my state.  

That one has always thrown me for loop.  And on top of that the method allowed for catching them is snagging. Imagine all the ones that are snagged in vital areas and break free only to suffer and later die.  One day I hope to see one of those amazing fish. 

[geo g]

Summer weather requires special treatment of the live wells.  Sometimes unique to the live well itself.  The best for the bass is to return it to the water caught as soon as possible.  This is sad to see.

[David 7]

Have never been a fan of live wells for those who aren’t going to keep the bass. I’m firmly in the CPR camp, but if you’re gonna eat your catch, that’s fine so long as you don’t break any laws. Live wells for catch and release types doesn’t make any sense to me. Yet another reason why I prefer MLF.

6 hours ago, fin said:

 

Is there any logic behind this? I used to know a guy that did that, but I never thought to ask him why. I mean, I know they think it won't harm the fish, but why would they want to save them to the end instead of like you said, take the pic when they catch them?

My step father would show off his live well catches on the dock at camp after he got back. He also thought he was C&R and would look down on those who keep their catch. Ironic to say the least.

[ajschn06]

6 hours ago, gimruis said:

 

Pretty much every time you see someone holding two at one time this has occurred.  Very rare to actually catch a double and take photos of them followed by a quick release.  I always wondered how it was possible but its obvious that's what people are doing.  They're putting them in a livewell for a "glory" photo later on.  I can recall one time in my entire life when I actually caught a legit double of large bass with someone else and we took photos of both of them.  My brother and I caught a pair of 19 inch smallmouth at the same exact time.  After we measured them and each took a photo holding both, we released them.

 

Obviously if you're in a tournament then you need to weigh them in and they want you to hold a couple up too.

 

As for the reason the OP found a bunch of dead bass at the access, we'll never know.  We can speculate, but the truth won't be revealed unless you actually see it.  Mortality amongst most fish is very high in the warm summer months.  Its important to unhook, measure, photo, and release the fish in a very short period of time.  Like 30 seconds or less.

 

 

If you've done this and I've seen the photo, I probably don't respect you much anymore....