Sight fishing yes or no

[fish-fighting-illini]

I've got a question about the impact of tournament sight fishing during spawning on the overall Bass population.

I've heard several people say that fishing during the spawn has no impact on overall Bass population.

In the case of immediate catch and release I could easily buy it but what about tny fishing where the bass is brought back to the weigh in maybe well over several miles from where the fish is caught? Does the fish in fact make it back to the bed?

If the fish's job is to still be on the bed then does it have an effect on the viablility of the offspring?

Do me a favor and before you post a patented answer consider the possibility that it might have an effect.

Maybe it has no effect but if it does should sightfishing during the spawn be off limits? Does anyone know of any actual biologist studies?

Maybe it is just a dumb question but I have just always been courious about it.

[Nick B]

From what I have read I would say no. Considering that maybe one bass on the entire nest will survive, I would think that the effects are minimal if any

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Probably never gonna get a clear cut answer on this. There are good arguments for both sides. I personally tend to lean a little towards the "no effect" side. Well maybe "no effect" is not the right way of putting it. More like little effect.

Just a side note ... this is hands down my favorite way to fish.

[Guest Texas_Bass_Pro]

I agree with KU and nb1226. I believe that if it had a profound impact then it would of have already been banded. Or at least I would think so.  I don't think Texas would allow it if they knew that it would affect them considering the time and effort that they invested in the ShareLunker program.

[Fish Chris]

This has certainly been a "hot button" topic in the past, and I suspect it always will be.

Personally speaking, I LOVE sight fishing...... not just "bed fishing" either. I sight fish 8 months out of the year, and once I see them, I've already won half the battle. Nothing better than seeing a big bass in an area with your own two eyes !

But back to "bed fishing"..... Yes, I always point back to the scientific studies done by In-Fisherman. They have done numerous studies which give straight up, hard-core evidence to support the fact, that bass populations are rarely, seriously impacted by sightfishing, especially in the warmer states with longer spawning periods. And in states that they might be, their are already regulations against fishing for bass during the spawn. So no worries mate.

Then, from a personal standpoint, I'd usually prefer fewer offspring to survive anyway..... too many fish can often = small, stunted fish. I'd WAY rather fish in a place that doesn't have very high recruitment, but does have a good number (relatively speaking) of true giants ! That's my kind of lake :-)

Peace,

Fish

PS, I just wish I could find a big one on a bed ! I haven't caught a double digit bass on a bed in going on two years now :-( Also, only 1 of my last 14 double digit bass has been on live bait. Don't you find it interesting that the two techniques that guys will slam most often, for being too easy, unsporting, no skill, yada, yada (sight fishing and live bait) have done practically nothing for me, while the "respected" purists-only methods have stuck 13 of my last 14 DD's ? Believe me, I don't care what the purists think though...... I'll be the first one to tell you, I always take the "easiest" path to big bass. It just so happens that artificial lures for fish which were not spawning has been the "easiest" method for me, for the last couple years.

[Gatorbassman]

Fish Chris said exactly what I was going to.

It depends where you live and in those states where there is a greater chance of it being harmfull to the bass population there are already regulations in effect. (ie. closed seasons)

[clipper]

Would this be a good question for the Bass Professor, Doug Hannon?

[eastkybass]

I would say little effect over all.  When you think about it when they pull a fish from 20 feet down off a point it is going to have some type of effect but where there is a large population it wouldn't be even noticed

[BASS fisherman]

Nothing better than seeing a big bass in an area with your own two eyes !

I have to disagree.  One thing would be better......watching that big bass take your bait or lure.  I have watched a few bass take a lure and even though they fail in size compared to Fish Chris's fish, they still sucked them lures in faster than the blink of an eye.

[Mattlures]

Bed fishing has been going on forever out here in Cali. I beleive it happens in all the lakes. We have some of, if not the most presured lakes in the country. Tournaments are held regularly on any of the lakes that are big enough to have them. I do not know of a single lake that has a low population of bass. I do know of some that are overpopulated and they get pounded hard during the spawn espesialy with the tournament guys. Bass breed like cockroaches. What hurts a population is over havesting(which is never done out here) Unstable lake levels durring the spawn and changes to thier habitat, like weed poisoning or an old natural lake without any cover or structure left.

I agree with FC I would like to see more of the small bass kept for dinner so the big ones could get bigger!

[Chris]

In small bodies of water where you don't have high populations of bass or an off balance of predator prey catching and keeping bedfish can have an impact. For waters that have strong populations there isn't much of a noticeable impact. What has more of an impact of bass populations is the loss of good spawning areas, low population of prey, overfishing, poor water conditions, and loss of good cover/structure.

[Bud]

I guess I an going to be the odd one on this.  I think they should Ban it.  Anytime you destroy the nest you are harming the fish population.  When you take a sow bass off the nest the bluegill and other will destroyed the nest in short order.

[Catt]

I agree with Fish Chris on this one, not only have I read articles like In-Fisherman but studies by fisheries biologist. I have a close friend Roger Conner who has built, stocked and maintained the trophy bass lakes in South West Louisiana (Lake of the Gum Coves & Black Lake Marsh). These lakes produced double digit bass on a consist bases in an area not known for DD bass. Both lakes are a series of smaller lakes; some connected by canals while some are not. Roger working with biologist has caught 10 lb+ bass during the pre-spawn (fish were on the nest but had not laid eggs) and moved the bass from one lake to the next. The females that were moved coupled with a new male, moved in on a nest and spawned.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Last year was my last year for bed fishing. Right or wrong, Ipersonally can't do it anymore. I had a female spew egg all over my deck lasy year and the rest of the day I felt like I had killed someones puppy.

We have a cove we call "the nursery" because of it's prime spawning characteristics. After I decided not to fish for these girls, I ended up watching them alot. I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything by not hooking them. Like chris said, once you see her,....she's yours. Knowing I can catch her is enough nowadays, like I said, I really enjoyed watching. For example, I had no idea how often the male escorts females up to the nest. It is non stop. Now, I don't know if it is always the same fish being led but we watched a fish last yr that brought no less than 8-10 "guests" to inspect the nest in roughly an hour or so. Like I said, not sure if it was same fish being brought up but from reading a few spawn articles, I think they mauy have all been independant candidates. But who knows,lol.

Now, I am certainly not judging anyone that fishes for spawning bass, this is just what works for me.  With that being said, my answer is "no".

[roadwarrior]

I NEVER intentionally fish for bedding bass. I think they should be left alone during the spawn. The worst offenders are the usual suspects: tournament fishermen that can only catch a decent bass when it is most vulnerable. It's just pitiful.

I know some states restrict fishing and especially tournaments during the spawn. Some go so far as to have closed season during this time. It would be my wish that all states prohibit bed fishing and ban tournaments from their lakes during the spawn.

The topic was "Sight fishing, yes or no?"

No.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I knew the day would finally come when RW and I would find somthing we both have in common!!

See you in the deeper water at Fork RW!!!!  (we might be alone out there,lol)

[MALTESE FALCON]

My answer is NO. Here in Michigan, we have a closed season during the spawn. I think all states should.

Just my opinion.

Falcon

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

GO MICHIGAN!!!!

[Grey Wolf]

Mark me down for a BIG NO.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Let's remember that this is in no way a "spawn fishing is evil" post,lol, TOTALLY not judging anyone, we are just relaying opinions.

Even I got off topic though, this wasn't a "do you or don't you" thread, it's a "do you think TOURNAMENT fishing effects the overall population" thread to which I also misreplied.

I don't think we could ever know the true answer without setting up a control pond and monitoring every little variable for years and years. Many control ponds actually. There are just so many variables. Is the reason a year is poor because of the tourny during the spawn last year or the hurricane a month later?  what if the Bluegill population has been growing too fast and they ate more eggs this year?  How about a combination of any of these.  Variables, variables, variables,....and lots of 'em.

What do we think? What do we know?

I will reply on what I know and I know there were about 2000 less eggs in my lake this year because I hooked that fish.

[senile1]

I'm one who worries that sight fishing could hurt bass populations, but I think the jury is still out.  And if you combine it with the factors mentioned in Chris's post it can definitely be detrimental.

Chris stated:

What has more of an impact of bass populations is the loss of good spawning areas, low population of prey, overfishing, poor water conditions, and loss of good cover/structure.

In the 90s, Smithville Lake north of K.C. had a combination of a loss of aquatic vegetation and high tournament numbers, some of which occurred during and around the spawn.  The bass population plummeted like a rock and just started recovering in 2003 - 2004.  I know this is only anecdotal evidence but it makes me wonder.  If you have a lake that is going through a detrimental transition of some sort (i.e. loss of cover, etc.) I think I would limit or eliminate sight fishing on beds during that transition.  

Funny, some of us quoted an In-Fisherman study regarding sight-fishing.  I'm not saying it is incorrect, but just because In-Fisherman performed the study doesn't mean it can't be questioned.  Tobacco companies performed studies showing tobacco wasn't detrimental to health.  Oil companies have studies that show they aren't damaging the environment.  It is possible that In-Fisherman could be biased in some way as well.  Their livelihood depends on fishermen.  On the other hand, their study could be absolutely correct as they probably want to protect fish populations.  I prefer to research many sources before forming an opinion.  Question everything.

[Siebert Outdoors]

Sight fishing is awsome.  Nothing better to see cruising fish and catching them in clear water.

Sometimes its the only way to catch fish.

[squid]

Fish Chris said exactly what I was going to.

It depends where you live and in those states where there is a greater chance of it being harmfull to the bass population there are already regulations in effect. (ie. closed seasons)

WE HAVE A CLOSED SEASON...FROM JAN 1 - LAST SATURDAY IN MAY MEMORIAL WEEKEND.  I WISH IT WASN'T LIKE THIS, CAUSE I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO CATCH SOME BIG MAMMA'S IN THE SPRING.  ALSO...THE GREAT LAKES DON'T OPEN UNTIL 3RD WEEKEND IN JUNE....AGAIN..HATE MICHIGAN.....LOL.. : 8-)

[Bud]

      (Lake of the Gum Coves & Black Lake Marsh        

Catt      Would you  believe I have fished both of these lakes.  My PB  11.8 oz comes from Lakes of Gum Cove.

[senile1]

 Bud, your personal best is only 11.8 ounces????