Wayne SW/MO

tpierce, wrench, did you measure all fish, or only over a set length?

Kevin Meneau is the smallmouth biologist and you can catch him at kevinmeneau@mdc.mo.gov. Another idea might be to see if you could find the time to face to face with him, he's in St Charles, don't know how far that is from your base? If you could make this happen, or someone, maybe we could get better answers. As far as the Alliance goes, they have and are pushing for more protection, but their voice is only as big as their numbers. Like Phil said, there has to be some consensus, a uniform front, to be effective. The front shouldn't be too complicated either. My suggestion would be that we would rather see them try and fail, rather than decide in advance it isn't feasible.

I don't think the MDC is that political, in fact that's one of it strong points and has been back as far as I can remember. I think the problem is, as it pertains to this, the fact that not all biologist are that interested, especially in a new workload. The other is this tendency towards pushing some species that aren't really native or are semi native at the expense of some native species. I think a lot of this brought about from biologist who are imported from other areas of the country and who possess different experiences and motivations. I think they also misread some of the demand for keeping fish, while there are some who want no regulations, many I think support some catch and release if its for the well being of the species. Are streams haven't exactly received a lot of protection and they suffer for it. Its not just smallies, I haven't seen a 5 pound Redhorse in years, and I'll bet the giggers don't either. They stick 10" Hog Mollies now, 20 years ago the wouldn't have. There are more people and they just keep coming while are streams stay the same, except with less water.

Great idea, now sell it to all those that have vested interests 6' above the present level.

Describe this fish tank? Who feeds and protects them in this "Fish Tank"?

There is a lot of sense in that method. Large males are generally fewer and lighter, but measure out about the same as females of the same class.

I suspect its because its not suppose to have any smallies. I'm not familiar with the upper end, although I've heard there are some in it, there were a few in the lower end before Truman flooded it. We used to pick up an occasional small one when White bass fishing the shoals above Fairfield. My gripe about the White Paper, and the plan in general concerning stream smallies, is that they start at the wrong end. I believe they should give them all at least a 1 at 15" and a small limit, and then repeal it if it offers no benefits. Not everyone is on the same page however. Several years ago I bitched and complained about people keeping smallies in lower Bennett during the winter. While I got sympathy, I could never get the agents to report a violation. I was also told after I made a suggestion, that a sign would be put up reminding people that C&R meant all species. I'm sure you've all seen the sign?

This "Development of a catch share program is voluntary. NOAA will not mandate the use of catch shares in any commercial, recreational, or subsistence fishery." and this " They may be assigned to individuals, cooperatives, communities or other entities, who would be allowed to fish up to their assigned limit." Have me skeptical, it sounds like the bottom line is "if its good for politicians needing favors to pass out we'll do it". Maybe not, but the possibilities are wide open.

Maybe its just me, but it seems to me they simply issued a paper supporting the "plan" we've been bitching about. What did I miss Chief?

I see one major problem, how much stream enhancement could you do for the price of a bridge? Then there's the fact that the high water is most persistent when the pressure is lowest.

For those who may have missed it. Smallmouth Bass White Paper Summary <==LINK

It does all sound back assward. We can't have more protection of our native smallies, unless they can become 15" or better, but they don't blink an eye in rushing to drop thousands of 10" Bows in a stream. Makes no sense, the rush to create trout waters while hmmm hawing about whether its sporting equal, and native, is worth a simple designation.

This very questionable, at least where the Big Niangua is concerned. I don't understand how increasing the smallmouth is bad, but introducing two other predators, neither native, is not a problem? A couple of creeks on the list have public access, and in fact rank with some waters that are on the list. The size of potential smallmouth should not be a criteria, at least not without some serious management and law enforcement. I'm always disappointed in these "papers" because all too often I think they lack the sensitivity that many Missouri natives would give are most popular native stream gamefish.

I repeat it would be a great fishery, maybe the squeaky wheel needs less grease so it can be heard. I think they should consider it, maybe a joint effort between MO and AR? I hate sound like a broken record, but I think they could lay off the "Eyes until they show more promise of a real fishery. The biggest economic impact of their stockings seem to be in the form of hatchery employee salaries. The biggest return seems to be for the shock boats.

The bottom line is simple, what was the guys name that caught the new state record Striper, or better yet the new record Brown trout? No peeking either. :lol:

I would think it would be in that range. Eric, as to the catfish rod, I'm trying to give the guy some credit for playing the fish.

I admit I haven't fished Eufaula since the 70's, I would assume it has changed its bottom structure. Texoma wasn't a smallmouth type lake either, but evolved over time. As far as Truman goes, it lies across a vague line that separates it between the South Grand and the Osage. I would think the Pomme, Sac and the eastern end would be smallmouth friendly, but not the west end.

Somewhere in there he says that some of the biologist may have been subjective, I suppose rather than objective. I thought some of the reasoning was questionable myself.

I don't think anyone ridiculed keeping the fish. Some did question it softly, but I think they were in the minority. Ray Scott the father of C & R, now there's a crock. Obviously many on here aren't old enough to know the beginning of BASS and the tournaments. The C & R came about because of a backlash from people over the large numbers of fish caught and killed in tournaments. That's a fact.

I was thinking it might take a little less skill and patience with that rig.

Anyone catches a 5# smallie in a Missouri stream I want proof before I'll believe it.

Warm weather.

I think it was quite a feat to land it on 4# line. Had he caught it on a BPS catfish rod, 20# Trilene and a 2 treble it would be different. As far as the Power bait goes, maybe he thought it was a Glo Ball, who knows? :lol:

Eric as far as the Scuds go, I simply can't see a smallie hanging around Scud habitat. It just isn't normally their their type of water.

Hope you had a good one.