My 2 cents (from CL thread)

I moved this from the CL report because it was not appropriate to argue in a topic that was about a fun camping trip.  So Eric, I'm not sure I agree with your stance, but I'm sorry for stepping on the recap of your get together. 

Mooch, you repeatedly mention the right to keep fish, but don't recognize any etiquette involved in this niche of the sport.  While keeping the bass isn't breaking any law, it isn't earning any respect either.  Not all will agree with my stance, but one guy admitted not knowing about it.  Having one person recognize that not all fish caught need to be kept is a small victory in my eyes.

Finally, there is Daviator.  I took it for granted that you were into bass fishing.  I see you fish the delta and figured that you knew what was going on.  Sorry for the flame job, seeing your reply set me off. 

I don't care if you all think I'm an a-hole and have to stand on an island by myself.  NCKA is a great community and has a brotherhood second to none.  But the catch and eat thing is out of control.  I feel that my stance on the love of bass fishing for sport and ethics (not food) makes me a minority whose time on this site is limited.  Let er rip. 

Kevin, you are a quality guy. I got to fish with you and Hobie Blue one fine day last year and I learned alot from you two in one short day. Your respect for the bass fishery goes unequaled( except for Bryan). Both of you have seen countless limits of bass taken by others fishing everyday over and over by the same people. Daviator is clearly not one of those kind of people who are on a march to keep fish no matter what the consequence. Therein the difference lies. We are all together fishermen and conservationists. Who like to eat fish.

While keeping the bass isn't breaking any law, it isn't earning any respect either.

..respect / etiquette from who? From the "Bass Pro Fisherman" who get's pissed off because "their big trophy Bass"  is getting whipped out because there are these guys (who by the way, pay for their fishing licenses) who enjoy eating them every now and then?

I personally don't like keeping any fish that's ready to spawn...especially Salmon. But I surely don't mind if someone else does - as long as they fish for it within the law.

Kevin,
I'm not against you on this.
I (as I said before) don't like to keep my fish of any sort.
But you I can't fault a guy for having a couple for dinner if he does it legally and in moderation. The fact still remains that people have different tastes and preferences and they have a right to that. The idea of us dictating that no Bass should be kept during the Spawn is Hypocritical. As stated earlier - how can we get mad at a person for keeping a spawning Bass but praise the angler who catches a Salmon, Steelhead or Sturgeon when they are in the Spawn.
Bass are one of the most hardy and prolific spawners in this country and in some lakes become stunted due to over population. To not allow for take, in many areas would mean overpopulation leading to stunted growth rates and unhealthy populations. Sadly the most popular time to fish for Bass is during the spawn weather you are a seasoned Bass Angler or a novice. Many professional tournaments are held specifically to coinside with the spawn.
This is only my opinion and I respect yours as well

Catching spawning bass has been debated for years.  Some anglers
are absolutely against it while others don't see a problem with it.  
Whatever your views are, think about this fact.  If you catch and keep
a bass off the bed in the spring, it will not be able to reproduce.  If you
catch and keep a bass during any other time of the year, it will also
not be able to reproduce.  

and they taste better prespawn or so I've heard.

C&R is cruel!

 

I don't care if you all think I'm an a-hole

I was reading the CL thread (with some envy, btw) and, on this subject, didn't find myself disagreeing much with anyone. I've only fished for bass a couple seasons, but I've never seen anyone walk away with a stringer of fish (bass), so I don't think it's a huge issue.

In terms of etiquette during the spawn, I think I'd lean towards bass tournaments during the pre-spawn/spawn doing much more harm in terms of reproduction than the occasional kept fish. I can say for a fact that if you disturb catfish during their spawn as dramatically as boats and harassment (catch and release -- maybe somewhere else?) of bass during a tournament, reproduction would be a fraction of "normal". I don't know about bass, but I'd guess the impact is similar.

What I'd *really* like to see is some smallish bodies of water, like the Woodward reservoir, set aside for paddle only vessels with very limited/no take rules.

What I like about NCKA events is the photo proof. Even during the spawn, at least the fish is released where it was caught.

Ben

Now that this thread is open I would like to extend to Daviator an invitation to the Albion Open where we will practice CKF+B( catch, kill, fry and burp)

The way I see it, if someone chooses to keep a fish here or there in moderation it should not be seen as a problem. Bass fishermen who catch 5, 10, 20 fish in a day, shove them in a livewell all day, weigh them and stress them cannot guarantee 100% survival of the fish after the release.  yeah they might survive til weigh in, but how do we know they all made it another week for sure?

I choose not to keep bass but that's a personal decision. I'm no saint so I have not earned the right to judge the actions of others who are within their rights.

..respect / etiquette from who?

From me for starters.  And the bass fishing community who you lumped together as a bunch who regularly get outfished by yakkers.  We kayakers may get a few over on them, but that is rare.

Bass fishermen who catch 5, 10, 20 fish in a day, shove them in a livewell all day, weigh them and stress them cannot guarantee 100% survival of the fish after the release.

I'd love to see the hacks that stuff 20 fish in a livewell.  I'd see 10 at most, anything more is a reach.  As for not living after release, another reach. 

Keep a fish every now and then, but why do it during the spawn?  Your take is guaranteed dead, a tournament fish is released to make another bed.  Sorry, I'm just not getting your angle.

The way I see it, if someone chooses to keep a fish here or there in moderation it should not be seen as a problem. Bass fishermen who catch 5, 10, 20 fish in a day, shove them in a livewell all day, weigh them and stress them cannot guarantee 100% survival of the fish after the release.  yeah they might survive til weigh in, but how do we know they all made it another week for sure?
I choose not to keep bass but that's a personal decision. I'm no saint so I have not earned the right to judge the actions of others who are within their rights.

Did some search and found some facts about C&R survival rate:

"The rate of survival for fish exposed to air for 30 seconds was only 62%, and those that were held out of the water for 60 seconds had a mere 28% chance of living to fight another day.   The researchers attributed the higher mortality among fish exposed to air to a significant reduction of oxygen content in the fish's blood.

If these statistics leave you wondering or unconvinced, consider the following analogy:  Holding a fish out of the water for 60 seconds or even 30 seconds would be like a human running full speed for a half an hour and then immediately being submerged in water for up to one full minute.   Many of us would not fare very well under those conditions and if we did survive, we'd surely carry some ill effects, some possibly permanent.

This study will change the pace of my Kodak moment and expedite the time it takes me to put my catch back into the water.  Ideally, keeping the fish submerged in the water while you take pictures will help tremendously toward making sure the fish doesn't eventually go belly up.

Some other important methods for handling fish you intend to release include touching the fish as little as possible, not squeezing the fish, and never putting your fingers inside the fish's gills.  The more you handle a fish and run your hand(s) along its sides, the more that fish is likely to be depleted of its protective slime layer, thus increasing its risk of fungal infection and decreasing its ability to gracefully cut through the water."

Making a Mountain out of a Molehill here.....and yes.....I would know bout that.  

I agree completely that we need to remain cognizant of the fishery and existing culture associated with each spot we choose for an event. One other point needing mention is that when an event takes place the impact on the spot is greater than the day of fishing.  What occurs is the introduction of the "great spot" to many people who may have never ever made the trek to begin with.  This has potential to add a ton more pressure depending on the fishing habits of returning anglers. If knowledge is shared please respect it in the future and do your best to go with the flow of those that came before you. In other words.....don't eff it up.


With that being said...it doesn't look like a slayfest occurred so the outta control catch and kill comments are a little far fetched. While it is bad form to keep spawners I don't think a whole lotta damage occurred and now everyone, who was not before, is a bit wiser.  

Thanks for the info Sonny, that really changes my views on my picture taking times as well.

Jeff

Thanks Sonny