Dead Bass

[rondef]

I was out fishing the Potomac yesterday and there was a tournament going on where I launch (Leesyvania State Park).  Well I got back in time to see the guys releasing their bass back in the water.  I watched one guy dump a whole bag of dead bass back into the water, man I was hot.  I can't believe that this guy had a whole bad of dead bass.  Sorry I just needed to state my displeasure with this.

[Grey Wolf]

What a waste!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bass Tracker]

x2! >

[flechero]

You should have called it in to a DNR officer.  In many states, that's a ticketable offense.  

[mayassa]

That was a waste, some people can't see beyond their nose

[A.Do?]

That sux! > There was a huge dead bass of some sort (either striper or LM) on the ramp boat launch #1. It was runover and stunk so I didn't want to move in for a closer look.

[JShrock07]

Tournament fishermen usually don't care about throwing dead fish back. It is not right and should not be tolerated!!!! But the head of the clubs never say anything. I fish a lot of tournaments at Leesylvania and I always see guys throwing dead fish back. They throw them in and walk away like they didn't know they were dead. It is aggervating but no one ever does anything about it. My first tourney there this year I spoke up and the guy got all crappy with me and started to cause a scene and I told him it just wasn't right. > > >

But with me being a Deputy I was also fishing with another Deputy and he told me just to chill out about it because there is nothing anyone was going to do. Well he was right I went to the tournament director and still no one said or did anything. So now I just move on. It is bullsh*t but since no one will do anything what can I do??? > > > >

[.dsaavedra.]

i agree that it really sucks that he had a whole bag of dead bass, but i am curious, whats wrong with putting them in the water?

[Grey Wolf]

i agree that it really sucks that he had a whole bag of dead bass, but i am curious, whats wrong with putting them in the water?

"Waste not , want not."

Most of you young people don't understand that yet.

[avid]

i agree that it really sucks that he had a whole bag of dead bass, but i am curious, whats wrong with putting them in the water?

Speaking for myself, I find throwing dead bass back into the water repulsive for a couple of reasons.  first.  It demonstrates a lack of appreciation for the animal.  Most bass fisherman value their quarry not just to win a tournament or post on a bragging board, but we have spent many years of our lives pursuing these critters and have developed an appreciation for them.

Also it is unsightly to have dead fish floating around a dock.  it risks damage to the sport by non fishing types who are rightfully repelled by seeing a dead game fish thrown into the water like the fish was garbage and the lake is a trash bin.

I'm sure there are greater health considerations related to rotting carcases and such, but my feeling is, You caught it and killed it, so please eat it.  If there is a reason not to eat it, then dispose of it in a manner that reflects some respect for the animal, the sport, and the public.

[.dsaavedra.]

ok that makes sense.

but if you dont eat fish, how do you "dispose of it in a manner that reflects respect for the animal, the sport, and the public"?

[roadwarrior]

Tournament fishermen represent all of us as a group, whether

you like it or not. Legal or otherwise, these men should be held

to a higher standard by those they associate with. "Disposing"

of dead fish is simply repugnant to the general public and far

less acceptable to true sportsmen.

Most lakes require a permit for tournaments with a certain number

of boaters. I suggest contacting the authorities and reporting the

club. Those responsible for regulating club outings probably care

and will make the effort to address the issue.

>

[Max-in-Mn]

ok that makes sense.

but if you dont eat fish, how do you "dispose of it in a manner that reflects respect for the animal, the sport, and the public"?

Give it to somebody that will eat it.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

ok that makes sense.

but if you dont eat fish, how do you "dispose of it in a manner that reflects respect for the animal, the sport, and the public"?

Come on Dave. You are a smart kid.

If it wont be eaten, there are more discreet ways to dispose of it. The world is full of garbage cans. Take them home and toss them. While it is not the most useful way to dispose of a dead fish, it is better than having "floaters" where all the anti's can use it for ammo.

Another option is to dig a hole, put the fish in and plant a flower in the hole. When I used to fish for trout and kept a fish or two, my mother would take the entrails and use them for fertilizer.

At the small tournaments I fish, there is one guy that will take the fish to eat. There are very few dead fish (immediately) at these tournaments, but every single one is consumed.

Like I said, numerous ways to do it other than throwing them back in the water....

[flechero]

i agree that it really sucks that he had a whole bag of dead bass, but i am curious, whats wrong with putting them in the water?

For starters it is against the law. (in some states)

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/fish/general_rules/

Waste of fish - It is unlawful to leave edible fish or bait fish taken from the public waters of the state to die without the intent to retain the fish for consumption or bait

In other words, if you hold (livewell) a fish and it dies in your possession, you can be fined for not cleaning and keeping it.

[burleytog]

Turtle bait

[George Welcome]

Tournament fishermen usually don't care about throwing dead fish back. It is not right and should not be tolerated!!!! But the head of the clubs never say anything. I fish a lot of tournaments at Leesylvania and I always see guys throwing dead fish back. They throw them in and walk away like they didn't know they were dead. It is aggervating but no one ever does anything about it. My first tourney there this year I spoke up and the guy got all crappy with me and started to cause a scene and I told him it just wasn't right. > > >

But with me being a Deputy I was also fishing with another Deputy and he told me just to chill out about it because there is nothing anyone was going to do. Well he was right I went to the tournament director and still no one said or did anything. So now I just move on. It is bullsh*t but since no one will do anything what can I do??? > > > >

If you are within your jurisdiction, throwing dead fish back at the very least is littering. However, that's a minor offense compared to the federal laws governing throwing refuse into governmentally controlled waters.

At the very least I would contact your fishery agency to handly the matter. After that I would be looking for a different club to fish with.

[burleytog]

If they're of legal size, it doesn't matter what you do with them.

[thetr20one]

Tournament fishermen usually don't care about throwing dead fish back. It is not right and should not be tolerated!!!! But the head of the clubs never say anything. I fish a lot of tournaments at Leesylvania and I always see guys throwing dead fish back. They throw them in and walk away like they didn't know they were dead. It is aggervating but no one ever does anything about it. My first tourney there this year I spoke up and the guy got all crappy with me and started to cause a scene and I told him it just wasn't right. > > >

But with me being a Deputy I was also fishing with another Deputy and he told me just to chill out about it because there is nothing anyone was going to do. Well he was right I went to the tournament director and still no one said or did anything. So now I just move on. It is bullsh*t but since no one will do anything what can I do??? > > > >

If you are within your jurisdiction, throwing dead fish back at the very least is littering. However, that's a minor offense compared to the federal laws governing throwing refuse into governmentally controlled waters.

At the very least I would contact your fishery agency to handly the matter. After that I would be looking for a different club to fish with.

Nitroman. Thank you for speaking up and making a gesture but, please don't lump all tourney fisherman into one basket. In the eyes of most tourney guys I know fish are money. I quit a club because of their lack of conservation practices, and a member would take every dead fish to eat. I just didn't see how after 30+ years of existence as a club a 2 ounce penalty for a dead fish was not upped to at least 4 ounces (most trails around here have a 4 oz. penalty). When I spoke up and was not heard I fished out the season and left. Ther was more to it but that was a major point to me. My dad still fishes with them and the same ole s--t still goes on and their attendance continues to fall. Some people will never change and these things will always go on. I now more than ever am biting my lip, because my patience with these types is becoming sparse. Continued pressure on officials and tourney directors may change some but, at the club level often your calls fall on deaf ears.

[Bass Tracker]

Bravo Avid! Well said.

[rondef]

I have thought about reporting this club to the park officials but I don't know what good it will do. This park has tournaments almost every weekend and they make a lot of money from these fisherman ($15 per boat, per day to launch). They also sell snacks and drinks from their consession stand to the people watching the weigh in. I think it would require a complaint to be made at the state level before anyone will address the problem. The second problem is the Potomac river is considered Marland property. The state line starts at the waters edge.

I also hold tournament fisherman to a higher standard and take this as a slap in the face. I have never seen such blatant disrespect for a state park. This ramp is only a couple of miles from my house and I use it all the time so this is personally offensive to me.

[RLinNH]

i agree that it really sucks that he had a whole bag of dead bass, but i am curious, whats wrong with putting them in the water?

Speaking for myself, I find throwing dead bass back into the water repulsive for a couple of reasons. first. It demonstrates a lack of appreciation for the animal. Most bass fisherman value their quarry not just to win a tournament or post on a bragging board, but we have spent many years of our lives pursuing these critters and have developed an appreciation for them.

Also it is unsightly to have dead fish floating around a dock. it risks damage to the sport by non fishing types who are rightfully repelled by seeing a dead game fish thrown into the water like the fish was garbage and the lake is a trash bin.

I'm sure there are greater health considerations related to rotting carcases and such, but my feeling is, You caught it and killed it, so please eat it. If there is a reason not to eat it, then dispose of it in a manner that reflects some respect for the animal, the sport, and the public.

Damned fine post Avid.