Man I Hate

[pitchinthejig]

rboat and BB HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD!!!! Well put my friend Well put!!!!

Big fish grow slow, there are plenty of them in the lakes I fish and I catch many big fish and kill very few that I know about... Its just tough to kill a big fish knowing how long that fish has been alive and top of the food chain in those waters in til it makes a mistake and grabs the wrong lure...

I have PLENTY of big fish lakes around me, I have Lake O, Stick marsh, Lower St johns, Kissimmee chain, Harris chain and many more all within an hour to 1 and a 1/2 hour drive. I have big Golf course lakes that I have access to fish and put my bass boat in that no one else gets to fish... but still kills me to see a big fish die.

North GA We see you dont care to much about C&R as your Avatar is you holding a Bass in your house......

Fishing for food is far out dated because you can go to Walmart and buy a 4lb bag of Tilapia for 11 dollars... one plug along cost 2X that much for most of what I fish.

anyhow keep on sticking them fellas and have fun!

[CAdeltaLipRipper]

So, one fish in a thousand you caught dies. Eat it, and forget about it. No one laments that hamburger they just wolfed down. I wouldn't get too upset, you let all those other fish go. Some may have not made it, either. One thing is for sure, all had the chance to make it. No fish in history survived release into Crisco Bay.

harsh lol u still gotta feel bad for it theres not a whole lot of 7 pounders in the world

[K_Mac]

North GA We see you dont care to much about C&R as your Avatar is you holding a Bass in your house......

tdz105h you just can't let it go can you? You make an assumption based on the picture in North Ga's avatar. Maybe he lives on the lake on which it was caught and released it after the picture was taken. Maybe he filleted it and served the family. Maybe he keeps one in hundred. Maybe he keeps everything he catches, though I doubt it. My point is you don't know, and it really is not your business.

Most of us take catch and release very seriously and support it whenever we can. Taking a judgmental attitude toward those who keep fish for food does not help our cause. Educating people is a far better option. There are many bass fishermen who started keeping bass that now support catch and release, including me. I came around because I came to understand it was a better option most of the time. It was not because some self-righteous bass fisherman told me how wrong I was.

[ww2farmer]

tdz105h............. ..............yeah, thats about all I have to say.

[BassinMidWest]

I've done the same thing too, and hate it just as much as you do. I was fishing a C-rig felt a fish hit, went to tighten my line up to set the hook, but didn't feel any weight and went on fishing it on the same cast. 30 seconds later I feel a tug, and set the hook. Bring up a solid 4 ponder and it's hook deep, and ends up dying.

Not so much a big deal with small fish for me, but when it happens to a goodun, it really ruins my day!

[SirSnookalot]

Fishing for food is far out dated because you can go to Walmart and buy a 4lb bag of Tilapia for 11 dollars... one plug along cost 2X that much for most of what I fish.

I and many other Floridians see this almost daily and I'm sure it's common everywhere. Even before the economy turned sour but more so today we see people fishing for food. These people are not fishing with the highest tech equipment, have no idea of lures that cost more than 10 bucks. These people are using equipment barely a step up from a cane pole and many are still using that pole. We see them along the canals by the side of the road fishing for bass or whatever is munching on their leaf worms. We see them in the ICW or at the ocean with bag of frozen shrimp and a rusty hook taking home whatever is biting that day, they aren't fussy, just hungry and need to feed their families.

These people don't have the $11 for a bag of fish at the market. At one time I was high and mighty regarding letting fish go but over the years I've tempered that position. Doesn't bother me in the least bit to see a large bass or any other fish species taken home for dinner. Their fish , their business.

[bassfisherjk]

I don't like when it happens,but don't get to stressed out about it.

[grimlin]

What I don't get is why it's "OK" to keep bluegills,yellow perch and walleyes but not Bass?

[Lund Explorer]

What I don't get is why it's "OK" to keep bluegills,yellow perch and walleyes but not Bass?

Because bass are a lot like trout and have many fans that enjoy their beauty.

Probably the same reason why pork chops are eaten by more people than lamb chops. I mean, Mary had a little lamb, whose fleece was white as snow. Aside from Charlotte, who was friends with a pig?

[rboat]

What I don't get is why it's "OK" to keep bluegills,yellow perch and walleyes but not Bass?

These species, especially bluegills and yellow perch reproduce very quickly with a low mortality rate compared to bass. They can even reproduce too much and overpopulate a body of water quickly. Bass can do this too, but normally only in smaller ponds. These species also consume different food and have little competition for their food. The walleye may have to compete with pike, but normally will consume other prey at different depths. If you are talking of harvest for a food source, bluegills, perch, crappie, and walleye are considered a better tasting fish than bass. The walleye is usually considered one of the best tasting freshwater fish on the planet and are even commercially raised and harvested for the restaurant industry in some areas.

[grimlin]

Because bass are a lot like trout and have many fans that enjoy their beauty.

Probably the same reason why pork chops are eaten by more people than lamb chops. I mean, Mary had a little lamb, whose fleece was white as snow. Aside from Charlotte, who was friends with a pig?

I can understand that....after all I've released back crappies,perch and walleyes simply because of their beauty too.

These species, especially bluegills and yellow perch reproduce very quickly with a low mortality rate compared to bass. They can even reproduce too much and overpopulate a body of water quickly. Bass can do this too, but normally only in smaller ponds. These species also consume different food and have little competition for their food. The walleye may have to compete with pike, but normally will consume other prey at different depths. If you are talking of harvest for a food source, bluegills, perch, crappie, and walleye are considered a better tasting fish than bass. The walleye is usually considered one of the best tasting freshwater fish on the planet and are even commercially raised and harvested for the restaurant industry in some areas.

Walleyes and bass are pretty much at the same level of survival....if more people consume walleyes,then I can't see where the Bass population is even hurting if fewer people are taking them home.Specially considering you saying bass don't taste that good.

I just find it silly people get all worked up about a fish being taken home when there is hundreds or even thousands more in the lake just like it.

[rboat]

Walleyes and bass are pretty much at the same level of survival....if more people consume walleyes,then I can't see where the Bass population is even hurting if fewer people are taking them home.Specially considering you saying bass don't taste that good.

Sorry, but I do not agree that they are the same level of survival. Walleyes reproduce at greater depth and spend almost their entire life in deep water closer to the bottom. Few predators are found at those depths. A walleye will grow quickly to a size where it can survive most other fish. Bass reproduce shallow and are found shallow much of the year. As eggs in the nest many are consumed by raiding bluegills. In shallow water they become food for every bird of prey, eagles, hawks, osprey, etc. Every wading bird will also comsume small bass, egrets, herons, woodstorks, anhingas, cormorants, etc. Small mammals along the shore can catch fry. As they grow, larger bass, pickeral, gar and in the south, gators, will consume many more. A bass must overcome a great deal to become trophy fish and that is why C & R becomes more important. There may be many in the lake, but I doubt there are many that are truly trophy sized bass.

I am not saying people cannot keep a bass caught within the law. It is your right. I simply wish that all anglers would educate themselves to appreciate what that fish must endure to become a true trophy that all of us would like to catch, and if you release your catch more people may have that opportunity.

[jignfule]

Ya I hate it when I gut hook a big fish, but then remember all fish caught and release will die.

(eventually)

[LWD]

What is the law on PFA's managed for trophy bass catch and release only? If you hook one in the gullet and it's going to die is the angler required to keep it or let it go? I don't think there's a cold blooded angler among us. I mean almost all of us are guilty talking to the fish we catch in one way. We love them but we also eat them my .2 cents

[grimlin]

Sorry, but I do not agree that they are the same level of survival. Walleyes reproduce at greater depth and spend almost their entire life in deep water closer to the bottom. Few predators are found at those depths. A walleye will grow quickly to a size where it can survive most other fish. Bass reproduce shallow and are found shallow much of the year. As eggs in the nest many are consumed by raiding bluegills. In shallow water they become food for every bird of prey, eagles, hawks, osprey, etc. Every wading bird will also comsume small bass, egrets, herons, woodstorks, anhingas, cormorants, etc. Small mammals along the shore can catch fry. As they grow, larger bass, pickeral, gar and in the south, gators, will consume many more. A bass must overcome a great deal to become trophy fish and that is why C & R becomes more important. There may be many in the lake, but I doubt there are many that are truly trophy sized bass.

I am not saying people cannot keep a bass caught within the law. It is your right. I simply wish that all anglers would educate themselves to appreciate what that fish must endure to become a true trophy that all of us would like to catch, and if you release your catch more people may have that opportunity.

Studies has been shown Bass don't all spawn shallow.I don't believe there's any real concrete proof of that they all spawn shallow.

Bass been around for generations after generations...trust me they aren't going anywhere.With the resources now,most people are more knowledgeable in protecting and caring for our fisheries.There's more C&R being practiced more than ever.

I don't believe for one minute over population is only in small ponds.I find that hard to believe.

[rboat]

Grimlin, I respect your viewpoints and your thoughts on this topic. I simply ask you to respect mine as well. It is ok to disagree.

For a moment, Just look at the title of this website, (Bass Resource). The bass is most likely the number one most sought after freshwater gamefish in the world. Just look at the number of members on this site and where they live. That adds up to alot of fishing pressure and with the skills, high tech equipment, and information shared here. Our members are catching more bass all the time. If a few more anglers can be persuaded to release their catch it can only make the sport we love improve for all. Yes, some fish will die from injuries or handling. It is a part of the sport. Studies by B.A.S.S., FLW and several state fisheries have proven that C & R when practiced correctly, does work. I simply love this sport and encourage all to do their best to make it even better. Just my humble opinion.

To return to the original topic, I also hate it when a fish gets mortally wounded during my time on the water. I do my best not to let it happen. Sometimes it just does.

[NBR]

We really don't know how many fish we release don't make it. Several years ago a buddy and I were fishing in Ontario. He hook a nice northern pike on a medium spinning outfit with 8# line, no steel or fluoro leader. It took a while but we boated the fish, weighed it (16) and worked on survival for probably 15 minutes and she swam away. Later maybe 1/2 an hour I saw some thing floating with a sea gull taking some interest. We went over and it was the released pike.

I have a musky cradle so we got the girl in it and I'd guess we worked on her for 45 minutes maybe more. She swam away again with a bit more gusto than the first time but I've never been sure of the survival but if we fileted her for dinner she would certainly be dead.

Partially because of this I get bent out of shape when a fishing show host holds up a fish and talks and talks about how they caught the fish. Catch the fish, get a quick picture if you want and get it back in the water or put it in the live well for dinner.

[grimlin]

Grimlin, I respect your viewpoints and your thoughts on this topic. I simply ask you to respect mine as well. It is ok to disagree.

For a moment, Just look at the title of this website, (Bass Resource). The bass is most likely the number one most sought after freshwater gamefish in the world. Just look at the number of members on this site and where they live. That adds up to alot of fishing pressure and with the skills, high tech equipment, and information shared here. Our members are catching more bass all the time. If a few more anglers can be persuaded to release their catch it can only make the sport we love improve for all. Yes, some fish will die from injuries or handling. It is a part of the sport. Studies by B.A.S.S., FLW and several state fisheries have proven that C & R when practiced correctly, does work. I simply love this sport and encourage all to do their best to make it even better. Just my humble opinion.

To return to the original topic, I also hate it when a fish gets mortally wounded during my time on the water. I do my best not to let it happen. Sometimes it just does.

Indeed,I do respect yours. Just thought we were having a good discussion of opinions.

[North Ga Hillbilly]

North GA We see you dont care to much about C&R as your Avatar is you holding a Bass in your house......

I have kept one bass in my life, the one pictured, tho I dont feel that information is owed to you.

Your bleeding heart view towards bass is rather ridiculous and I find your assumptions as to my keeping or releasing fish a classic move from folks with your personal views. As said before, if I catch a fish legally I can do what I please with it.

Both of my parents are employed in conservation, one through the USDA Forest Service and another with the Georgia DNR. If you had a grasp on the science of fisheries management you would realize that many fisheries biologist feel your beloved C&R is detrimental to bass populations in many waters. Too many fish because people are too hell bent on releasing every bass they catch, leading to even large lakes having large populations of small under nourished fish.

http://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/pond_management.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/slot.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/harvest.html

And those are just a few from here on BR.

Fishing for food is far out dated because you can go to Walmart and buy a 4lb bag of Tilapia for 11 dollars... one plug along cost 2X that much for most of what I fish.

That is a point of view, one many will find ridiculous. The sense of connection felt through a long day of fishing/ hunting ending in eating what you took so much time to procure is one you are missing out on. You cry as to the morality of keeping a bass, yet feel no pain for the 3 or 4 tilapia that swam in polluted fish farms with ammonia levels rivaling that of the window cleaner you spray on your windows that later runs into the very streams you so covet... all to provide you frozen fish for $11. Much less at Wal Mart, supporting a bunch of foreign fish farmers while hundreds of thousands scrape by to survive in our very own gulf.

Think what you will, my ability to look my self in the mirror is not affected by your opinions, much less a fish, bass or not. I do feel tho that you should look into the origins of this past time as well as look into the way your pompous attitudes make you appear, hiding behind a keyboard or not.

-Greg Mavity

[SirSnookalot]

How did fish manage themselves before man ever fished?

[North Ga Hillbilly]

How did fish manage themselves before man ever fished?

With out fishing pressure, commercial and recreational, pollution, damming of rivers, change in topography, etc..... I'm sure it was a lot easier for em

-NGaHB

[Lund Explorer]

How did fish manage themselves before man ever fished?

I'm trying to figure out how any species survived the good old days of stringer pictures back in the early 1900's. Seems rather strange that we're now worried about one fish dying when some of those pictures showed hundreds of dead fish hanging in front of a handfull of anglers.

[rboat]

How did fish manage themselves before man ever fished?

There is evidence in the Smithsonian of the earliest humans using crude means of catching some fish. Before that, there were most likely more and larger predators to help balance the fish populations.

I'm trying to figure out how any species survived the good old days of stringer pictures back in the early 1900's. Seems rather strange that we're now worried about one fish dying when some of those pictures showed hundreds of dead fish hanging in front of a handfull of anglers.

In the early 1900's the earths population was a just a fraction of what we have today. If those practices would have continued without catch limits and fisheries. It is likely that some species would be extinct. Many bird populations were not protected and we now have about 1200 that are extinct. That number continues to rise even with some of the newer protection laws.

[piscicidal]

Sorry, but I do not agree that they are the same level of survival. Walleyes reproduce at greater depth and spend almost their entire life in deep water closer to the bottom. Few predators are found at those depths. A walleye will grow quickly to a size where it can survive most other fish. Bass reproduce shallow and are found shallow much of the year. As eggs in the nest many are consumed by raiding bluegills. In shallow water they become food for every bird of prey, eagles, hawks, osprey, etc. Every wading bird will also comsume small bass, egrets, herons, woodstorks, anhingas, cormorants, etc. Small mammals along the shore can catch fry. As they grow, larger bass, pickeral, gar and in the south, gators, will consume many more. A bass must overcome a great deal to become trophy fish and that is why C & R becomes more important. There may be many in the lake, but I doubt there are many that are truly trophy sized bass.

I am not saying people cannot keep a bass caught within the law. It is your right. I simply wish that all anglers would educate themselves to appreciate what that fish must endure to become a true trophy that all of us would like to catch, and if you release your catch more people may have that opportunity.

I'm not so sure that (red font) is a true statement. I would guess that, on average, Walleyes spawn shallower than bass. Walleye require rocky, moving water for successful spawning. On natural lakes, this means windward shorelines. Most states that have a Walleye population close the season during the spawn because they are so shallow and accessable.

[Dwight Hottle]

I'm not so sure that (red font) is a true statement. I would guess that, on average, Walleyes spawn shallower than bass. Walleye require rocky, moving water for successful spawning. On natural lakes, this means windward shorelines. Most states that have a Walleye population close the season during the spawn because they are so shallow and accessable.

That is absolutely correct. Walleyes spawn shallow mostly in current or streams & rivers. You can walk across the water on their backs when they are staging for spawn.