A Question of Fishing Ethics

[VAbacklash]

I visit another fishing chat forum from time to time to catch up on what's going on in my general fishing area. This chat forums last big disscussion involved using bass of any size (limit of two caught by hook and line in my state) as bait. If they are used as bait, there is no way this can be enforced. Most of the comments were from crappie and cat fishermen and they were favorable to using them as live bait. Being a C&R bass fisherman, I have a BIG problem accepting this practice even though I don't have a clue if this hurts or helps the bass population in a lake heavily loaded with shad and other food sources.

I don't have any problems with anyone keeping their legal limit of any freshwater fish for consumption. I just don't understand, with all the natural shad that can be netted and minnows that can be purchased, why they feel this should be acceptable by bass fishermen. Your thoughts?

I just realized that I have posted this in the wrong area. Sorry!

[Cajun1977]

ok so the crappie and cat guys wanna use bass meat as bait  is that what im hearing?   they are a bunch of dummys

[Guest avid]

If it's legal, then we have no say in the matter.

Using bass as bait in Florida is illegal.

I like that.

But I believe in the state fisheries managers.  If they say something is ok, then it's ok.

[Marty]

I'm an artificials-only, C&R guy, so using bass as bait turns me off, although, like you, I don't know the effect it has on the fishery. The practice would be legal here, except minimum keeper size is 12", so that wouldn't make very good crappie bait.  :

[Lil Baby Cousin Ray-Ray]

how would they enforce the limit of two since the evidence will already be consumed.

[roadwarrior]

I fish live bait for a large percentage of my fishing, smallmouth and stripers. I have NEVER used bass nor do I know ANY OTHER fishermen that do. There are MUCH better alternatives, that is simply ridiculous! Bass are NEVER a better alternative than baitfish.

[KYbass1276]

Crappie and Catfishermen I'm sorry to say not as many of them share the C&R philosphy as most Bass fisherman. If it's legal then I say it's there right but if it's not I would turn them in, in a heartbeat. It has been my experiance and this isn't say all are like that but most guys I have seen fishing for catfish are the ones who are responsable for the huge pile of garbage and beer cans we find all to often on the banks. So why dosesn't it surprise me them using bass as bait.  

[KenDammit28]

i'm still trying to wrap my head around why someone would think that bass are a better bait for crappie than say...minnows..or that a bass is a better bait for catfish than say...bluegill?

It wouldn't be so much a legal issue for me as it would be an issue of logic.  The most predominant and easily catchable FOOD source(not competitor) would be my choice for live bait.

[Triton21]

I think in most states a fish that is defined as a "GAMEFISH" can't be be used as bait.

Kelley

[Bud]

   I know a bunch of Catfishing and  Crappie fishman.   I cannot believe they would use any thing like a bass for bait.

  All the Crappie fisherman use either natural or artifical bait.   The cat people use cut bait or some type of stink bait.

[Troutfisher]

Simple solution...use the crappie fisherman and catfisherman as bait.

[Wayne P.]

After reading this thread, I sent the Va. Game Commission an e-mail asking about using game fish for bait. The following is the reply I recieved:

"As long as you catch your bait via a legal method (on a hook and line)

and abide by the respective creel limits, it is legal to use a game fish

as bait.  

Since nets and seines are prohibited in the taking of any gamefish, it

might be a little difficult to catch bass fry on a hook and line (you

would still be restricted to creel and size limits on bass anyway,

including the fry).  

The bluegill would be the most logical bet."

[VAbacklash]

Many large fry or juvenile size bass are caught by crappie fishermen using minnows and 3/16 oz. bucktail jigs. Many bass fishermen have caught them on crankbaits with hooks that were almost too big for their mouths. I can only assume that they are catching them legally, but not intentionally for bait purposes. Or let's hope that is the case.

[Siebert Outdoors]

I think in most states a fish that is defined as a "GAMEFISH" can't be be used as bait.

Kelley

Thats how it is in MO.  

Ethics and Legal cant be put together.  I wouldnt do it.  Suckers/shad work great for cut bait anyway.

[NaterD]

I've never heard of this either... my buddies use stink bait who fish for catz

[FishTank]

I live in Indiana and a local bait shop sells baby bass for bait.  They are around 3-4inches and are grown at a local hatchery.  I have never used them as bait but they do sell them.  They also sell shad, crappie, and bluegill.  I have never heard of them being illegal but personally I would use something else for bait.  

I do have a problem with a lot of fisherman in my area catching bluegill, using them for bait and tossing the remains on the bank.  They have no respect for the lake, fish or other fisherman.   I might change my mind if it was not for the other trash they leave behind (beer bottles, wrappers, worm containers, etc.).  I look forward to catching a few of these guys in actions this year.  

[fishingJ]

It's not like we don't have the resources to catch fish without disrupting another species to do so. If using these fish as bait was our only option and it was used for food then OK but with the resources we have give me a break, it's crazy.