Quinn Posted January 3, 2009 Posted January 3, 2009 These are a few of the recent threads I have been reading here: How old is your state record http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1230996256 Where will the next World record come from http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1230757271 I've counted to ten.... http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1230515612 What I would like to do is try to band us together a Coalition if you will to see what we as a group of dedicated anglers to influence the local governments to regulate "trophy" and or record catch and release, development of fishing areas etc. I see how it burns some of you so see such large fish to be taken under legal circumstances. I have only catch and released nice big bass after being a member of this forum for a year now. If you can educate me, then maybe we can encourage others and get involved to change state regulations to help this great sport. Quote
Super User burleytog Posted January 4, 2009 Super User Posted January 4, 2009 Change regulations in what regard? Quote
Quinn Posted January 4, 2009 Author Posted January 4, 2009 Change regulations in what regard? Well, allot of the folks on this site endorse or practice catch and release especially with the big ones. but it is not "illegal" to keep one that most would take to put on the wall.... I would like too take my niece and nephew and catch it again. Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted January 4, 2009 Super User Posted January 4, 2009 BassResource.com strongly endorses catch & release to promote the number of trophy bass now and in the future. However, we also understand the importance of professional resource management. Many states have slot limits, but restricting people by law from keeping a trophy seems too restrictive to me. Catch and release should be your option, but not mandatory. 8-) Quote
Super User Bassn Blvd Posted January 4, 2009 Super User Posted January 4, 2009 I would much rather see more regulations on freshwater cast netters. For instance, must produce a valid fishing license to purchase a cast net. Quote
Quinn Posted January 4, 2009 Author Posted January 4, 2009 BassResource.com strongly endorses catch & release to promote the number of trophy bass now and in the future. However, we also understand the importance of professional resource management. Many states have slot limits, but restricting people by law from keeping a trophy seems too restrictive to me. Catch and release should be your option, but not mandatory. 8-) Maybe I have it wrong, but I have seen many a thread here that have been about "eating bass" "It kills me to read about a bass dieing" and the thought that I had would be to change the laws/regs if it meant that much to us. Q Quote
Super User burleytog Posted January 4, 2009 Super User Posted January 4, 2009 Change regulations in what regard? Well, allot of the folks on this site endorse or practice catch and release especially with the big ones. but it is not "illegal" to keep one that most would take to put on the wall.... I would like too take my niece and nephew and catch it again. Good luck with that. Talk to your state game department and let us know what they say. Quote
mackkie Posted January 4, 2009 Posted January 4, 2009 Maybe having educational marketing pieces for sport fisherman on the value of catch and release would make more sense, and be a feasible idea. I like how you're thinking though, make those 10 lbers 15's! Quote
Super User bilgerat Posted January 4, 2009 Super User Posted January 4, 2009 I would much rather see more regulations on freshwater cast netters. For instance, must produce a valid fishing license to purchase a cast net. I agree with this approach. Unfortunatly, like I said on the other thread tonight (about state records) I believe fish and game enforcement is a low priority in these tough economic times. I have been fishing for the better part of 25 years now. I can count the number of times on one hand that I have even SEEN a game warden. Not that I would ever think about it, I could have my way with just about any body of water around here. There is just not enough of them to effectively cover the state, and we're a small state. Quote
Super User Catt Posted January 4, 2009 Super User Posted January 4, 2009 Catch & Release is a great idea but when done exclusively it will do more harm than good. Selective Harvesting will produce better results when trying to achieve trophy bass. I think what we need is for someone to contact a Bob Lusk or some other person of his stature to explain the differences between Catch & Release vs Selective Harvesting. Quinn since this is your tread I vote you as the one to contact Bob Lusk at Pond Boss, ask this very question, and report back to us thereby you will personally understand the answer. Who else seconds this notion? Quote
Triton_Mike Posted January 4, 2009 Posted January 4, 2009 Believe it or not Catch and Release can be DETRIMENTAL to a fisheries as well. There are alot of lakes out there that need some culling of the smaller fish. Catch and Release has been a double edged sword to the point where it has hurt some fisheries whereas in the past we used to keep a few small fish for the table. Not as many people do that anymore (me included). Let me be clear I am not saying to keep medium sized to trophy fish.. Each lake has different needs and requirements to make it a better fishery. Mike Quote
Super User fishfordollars Posted January 4, 2009 Super User Posted January 4, 2009 X2 to Catt and Triton Mike. Some of the lakes around here are loaded with small bass that need to be removed or culled out to an extent. Texas Parks and Wildlife have two lakes in the state that any fish over 24" must be immediately returned to the water(After weighing on certified scales). If it is over 13 lbs. it is to be entered into the state share-a-lunker program and the hatchery in Athens will send out a truck and pick it up, otherwise it must go right back in the water. They allow the two lakes to harvest the smaller fish. Unfortunately few anglers take advantage of this. Even the smaller Kentucky bass have no minimum length limit. They just want them thinned out. The two lakes are Nacogdoches and Lake Austin(I think). Quote
Super User grimlin Posted January 4, 2009 Super User Posted January 4, 2009 X2 to Catt and Triton Mike. Some of the lakes around here are loaded with small bass that need to be removed or culled out to an extent. Texas Parks and Wildlife have two lakes in the state that any fish over 24" must be immediately returned to the water(After weighing on certified scales). If it is over 13 lbs. it is to be entered into the state share-a-lunker program and the hatchery in Athens will send out a truck and pick it up, otherwise it must go right back in the water. They allow the two lakes to harvest the smaller fish. Unfortunately few anglers take advantage of this. Even the smaller Kentucky bass have no minimum length limit. They just want them thinned out. The two lakes are Nacogdoches and Lake Austin(I think). It would be extremely nice if Michigan did this. Any bass over 22" goes back in the water.That way a 5 pound bass wouldn't be so dang difficult to catch. Quote
LooksLikeSinbad Posted January 4, 2009 Posted January 4, 2009 I can think of a way to encourage releasing trophy bass - rewards. You would have to create an organization that rewards anglers with money, tackle, boats, etc. for catching, documenting, and releasing trophy bass. If you could get a couple of good corporate sponsors they could donate the reward money/tackle. You could have a website that lists all of the verified catches, angler and fish photos, fish size stats, and what rewards that angler received. The organization could also provide education regarding catch and release, proper fish handling, etc. Quote
Quinn Posted January 4, 2009 Author Posted January 4, 2009 God bless this free country, this forum and all you great folks here. I feel you have set me strait. I have thought the way Triton_Mike put it in his post and it is kind of ironic that I am libertarian by nature and don't agree with govt. intervention with exceptions of regulations based on biologist and such to preserve nature and allow humans to enjoy it. I guess I was sort of frustrated reading some of the threads where some are just so....mad is the word when some see others practicing their legal rights on the lake and thought that action would do more than complaining. That's what this forum is for I suppose so we can vent, share, educate each other. Thanks again, Q PS RW, sorry if it seemed I implied that BR would endorse any actions. Quote
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