Re: why fishing regulations cannot work and should be removed

[D4u2s0t]

looks like they're trying to prevent people from fishing during the spawn...  Like they said, if you catch one, just put it back like you would any other out of season fish.

[Dan:]

I don't see what you're so worked up about. If you are fishing for other species and catch a bass. Throw it back. Simple! Just don't go out fishing with a bunch of obvious bass lures and say that you aren't bass fishing.

You could always move to a state that doesn't have an open season for bass. Or start fishing for other species.

[Glenn]

Perhaps an English class or two would be helpful.  :

[basspro215]

Here in NY our season don't open till the 3rd sat of June but Ive never been told i cant fish for a bass any time of the year

[Grey Wolf]

It's tough being you.

[BrianSnat]

I gather his quarrel is with the rule against "targeting" bass out of season. I agree that it's silly.  It is a rule that is hard to enforce. Bass lures and tactics are often similar to those used for pickerel and pike.

In NJ we simply can't keep bass when they are on the beds. Nothing says we can't target them.

If I lived in Minnesota I'd share Rookiesmallmouther's annoyance with the rule.

[Long Mike]

Rookiesmallmouther, I would like to respond to your post, but your spelling and punctuation are so poor I quit trying to read it.  This site has a built-in spell-checker.  We would all appreciate it if you would use it.

[Marty]

Here in NY our season don't open till the 3rd sat of June but Ive never been told i cant fish for a bass any time of the year

Yes you have if you've been fishing more than three years. Targeting bass (and other fish) out of season was expressly prohibited until they relaxed the rules to allow catch-and-release on bass only effective December 1, 2006. That change was the best thing that ever happened to me in 40 years of fishing.

That was the law, even if thousands violated it. I cheated too at times, throwing lures that pike and pickerel would take in waters that contained them. I just stayed away from bass-only ponds, as much as that hurt.

As to our Minnesota friend, the chances of getting nailed are very slight, but let your conscience be your guide.

[.dsaavedra.]

here in maryland we can target bass all year long, just can't keep any from March 1 to June 15.

[Dan:]

Bass lures and tactics are often similar to those used for pickerel and pike.

walleye, pike, musky, smallmouth & LM are all closed here.

so if your throwing anything that isn't a panfish bait, your probably not going for panfish and targeting gamefish out of season. thats how they can enforce it if they wish.

unless your fishin the year round areas of the mississippi.

oh snap, well that makes it easy.

[RichF]

I feel like this rule only hurts the guys that fish bass strictly for sport, joy, and fun (like me). I don't keep ANY fish ANY time of the season. This rule isn't going to stop those folks that fish illegally. I've seen way too many guys fish without a license, keep more than the legal limit, etc. and this rule with not discourage them. It only discourages guys like me who fish for the pure sport of it. 

[spinners]

INTERESTING POST=I LIVE IN KENTUCKY AND DID NOT KNOW OF A STATE, THAT HAD, A SEASON ON BASS,I FISH IN TENN. AS WELL ,I GUESS THE OLD SAYING IS TRUE, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE UNTIL IT'S GONE.I'AM SURE THE REGULATION'S ARE THERE FOR A GOOD REASON,AND THE ==D.N.R.= TOLD YOU IF YOU CAUGHT ONE, THROW IT BACK.SOUND'S SIMPLE ENOUGH.

GOOD LUCK

SPINNER'S

[Quinte bass]

If the Reg's say you can't target Bass...then that's it! Standard here in Ontario...Last Saturday in June before we can target bass. There are good reasons for these regulations....go figure. Ticks me off when I see guys using obvious bass tactics out of season, many are from south of the border...but by no means all! Claiming to be targeting pike/walleye! You aint foolin anybody.....go give your head a shake you selfish scoundrels! Shootings to good for them!

Rant over....

PS...'Scoundrels' was not my descriptive choice.....far from it, however the site software tempered the descriptive with 'scoundrels'...

[Back2fishing]

Here in Manitoba  , the season closes March 31st and reopens May 15th .After March 31st all you can fish for is trout all other fish are off limits .

[rookiesmallmouther]

i live in minnesota and the rugulation is i cannot target bass when not in season but season starts in may 29! way past spring so whats the point of spring tactics that so many of us bass guys use? i contacted the dnr and they propose to me that lures like topwater, frogs, big lures, spinners, inline spinners, grubs and what not would be obvious signs to targeting bass and out of season fish but i say i use lures like that to throw around for whatever to bite. they suggest if i do catch a bass or out of season fish to unhook it and toss it baack quickly, hmm sounds sneaky like if i found a bag of drugs and took it without knowing whats inside til i later found out to just bring it back to were i found it. yes this regulation is very ridiculous im fine with the oppenner but when your fishing for bass out of season it should be fine as long as no fish is kept! you cannot inforce what lures people can use and what people can catch because what the hell anything can be caught i can catch a freaking shark anythings possble! what are your guy's thaughts to this regulation. and if this is so in other states how would people be filming fishing shows and bass fishing out of season like in linders fishing edge when they show you how to catch bass in the spring! wouldnt they be getting fines!?

[edit]Edited out profanity - Glenn[/edit]

sorry for my slang internet grammor and spelling. Anyways I fish for sport and fun I do catch and release and when its in season ill keep MAYBE one if im feeling the munchies for one. I just think that what if someone was throwing a lure like a spinnerbait thinking it can catch panfish or

whitebass<--- open all year---- and has no clue of what lures to use and a warden thinks he's bass fishing or fishing out of season fish, arrest him for that reason, how would you try to explain it? All i can make of this is that I will have to lie and be sneakiy and cautious of whoes watching because i know manny of you guys do it too :-X In all whatever happens happens cant do nothing about it, I guess lieing is the way to go

yes i understand the laws but some are silly like this one cant control what you catch cant control what you cast out there but apparently some people will let it control there fishing but it wont control my love of catching bass :'(

[Quinte bass]

Your dilemma can be very simply solved!  Don't fish methods and locations where you suspect (out of season) bass may be nesting...Simple 'innit'?  If you love bassin and the species to the degree you profess....the aforementioned should be a given!!!!

[RichF]

If the Reg's say you can't target Bass...then that's it! Standard here in Ontario...Last Saturday in June before we can target bass. There are good reasons for these regulations....go figure. Ticks me off when I see guys using obvious bass tactics out of season, many are from south of the border...but by no means all! Claiming to be targeting pike/walleye! You aint foolin anybody.....go give your head a shake you selfish scoundrels! Shootings to good for them!

Rant over....

PS...'Scoundrels' was not my descriptive choice.....far from it, however the site software tempered the descriptive with 'scoundrels'...

Please tell my how it hurts the bass population if you catch and release now. They are far from spawning. The real "scoundrels" are the guys that catch a limit of bass, take them into shore, then go back out and repeat. I've seen that happen. I fish purely for sport and I spend a lot of time and money doing it. I pay taxes and I buy my license every year. I'm not the scoundrel here.

[RichF]

And another thing..What does more damage to the bass population..me catching and releasing all year or some one else catching and keeping his limit every time he goes out when the season is open?

[kikstand454]

wow.

i sure am glad i live in the F-L-A.

this is similar to liscencing here. in the winter... trout and reds move far up river esp spring rivers and hang out.

they will certainly hit some bass lures. also... sheepshead sometimes spend all year up in freshwater holes. many bream anglers and some bass anglers even (my brother has caught a few on crankbaits) catch them on accident.

the rule is here if you KEEP it... you have to have the appropiate liscence for it. salt or fresh.

if you are using shrimp... you have to have a salt liscence because youre not fishing for freshwater fish. even though you are indeed in fresh water.

i think your law of not even being able to target gamefish for months at a time is a fabulous reason for me to never ever move up north:)

i will agree with you though... there are lots and lots of people that couldnt care less about regulations on size or creel number or seasons and take what they want when they want and to hell with the consequenses. these people suck. there is no reason at all to take fish illeagally when it costs so much to do so.

might as well just go to a fish market and buy some fish. its cheaper and already prepared. people are just stupid though.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

i live in minnesota and the rugulation is i cannot target bass when not in season but season starts in may 29! way past spring so whats the point of spring tactics that so many of us bass guys use? i contacted the dnr and they propose to me that lures like topwater, frogs, big lures, spinners, inline spinners, grubs and what not would be obvious signs to targeting bass and out of season fish but i say i use lures like that to throw around for whatever to bite. they suggest if i do catch a bass or out of season fish to unhook it and toss it baack quickly, hmm sounds sneaky like if i found a bag of drugs and took it without knowing whats inside til i later found out to just bring it back to were i found it. yes this regulation is very ridiculous im fine with the oppenner but when your fishing for bass out of season it should be fine as long as no fish is kept! you cannot inforce what lures people can use and what people can catch because what the hell anything can be caught i can catch a freaking shark anythings possble! what are your guy's thaughts to this regulation. and if this is so in other states how would people be filming fishing shows and bass fishing out of season like in linders fishing edge when they show you how to catch bass in the spring! wouldnt they be getting fines!?

[edit]Edited out profanity - Glenn[/edit]

sorry for my slang internet grammor and spelling. Anyways I fish for sport and fun I do catch and release and when its in season ill keep MAYBE one if im feeling the munchies for one. I just think that what if someone was throwing a lure like a spinnerbait thinking it can catch panfish or

whitebass<--- open all year---- and has no clue of what lures to use and a warden thinks he's bass fishing or fishing out of season fish, arrest him for that reason, how would you try to explain it? All i can make of this is that I will have to lie and be sneakiy and cautious of whoes watching because i know manny of you guys do it too :-X In all whatever happens happens cant do nothing about it, I guess lieing is the way to go

yes i understand the laws but some are silly like this one cant control what you catch cant control what you cast out there but apparently some people will let it control there fishing but it wont control my love of catching bass :'(

You have alot to learn.

Start with your "grammor."  Perhaps that will enable you to understand the laws of your area and lead you to compliance.

Being "sneakiy" too "manny" times won't get you very far around here.

Hilarious.   ;D

[RichF]

What is everybody here trying to be an English teacher? Why don't you guys talk about the topic instead of bashing rookiesmallmouther's grammar.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

What is everybody here trying to be an English teacher? Why don't you guys talk about the topic instead of bashing rookiesmallmouther's grammar.

Sorry we upset your day.

That's how it goes here.  You don't have to be an English major, but a coherent thought isn't really too much to ask.

[Quinte bass]

As I said earlier, in the Northern States of the US, and in Ontario Canada, the Regulations are there with good reason!

"Pre-season angling is believed to have a profound negative effect on the nesting behaviour and ultimately the nesting success of these highly sought sport fish species. It has been proven by many studies that if adult male bass are caught and removed from the nest, the eggs or fry (young bass) become easy prey for small predators such as pan fish and perch. In just the few minutes that it takes anglers to catch and release the bass, the nest may be completely wiped out. Even if the nest is not predated upon, the male may abandon their nest after being released"

It all comes down to what individual anglers deem more important....their own selfish enjoyment, or the long term success of the bass population. It's not rocket science....is it?

PS...as to the grammar aspect, no one is perfect however a semblance of punctuation etc does lend a greater degree of understanding to the reading public, of the point the poster wishes to promote....

[RichF]

Don't worry. You didn't upset my day. I'd just rather hear comments on the topic because I think it's a good one. It just seems like I see way too many snide remarks about people's grammar instead of comments on threads. Yes it's nice to see proper grammar used but I don't think the rude comments are that necessary.

[RichF]

As I said earlier, in the Northern States of the US, and in Ontario Canada, the Regulations are there with good reason!

"Pre-season angling is believed to have a profound negative effect on the nesting behaviour and ultimately the nesting success of these highly sought sport fish species. It has been proven by many studies that if adult male bass are caught and removed from the nest, the eggs or fry (young bass) become easy prey for small predators such as pan fish and perch. In just the few minutes that it takes anglers to catch and release the bass, the nest may be completely wiped out. Even if the nest is not predated upon, the male may abandon their nest after being released"

It all comes down to what individual anglers deem more important....their own selfish enjoyment, or the long term success of the bass population. It's not rocket science....is it?

No it's not rocket science. Right now the bass are NOT spawning, so what is the harm in catching and releasing. Like I said before, I'm pretty sure keeping bass (whether they are in season or not) is obviously much worse than catching and releasing a bedding bass. A bass doesn't stand a chance at spawning if it's in your frying pan.