Breaking The Law

[hambone80]

I was appalled earlier today! I was at the tailwaters of Lake Springfield and the water was much higher than I thought it would be. This wasn't what really bothered me though. I didn't have any luck catching any bass today, but one fisherman sure did. This guy was more than likely fishing for cats, but I witnessed him catch a good sized largemouth on a shad. Then he put the bass into a bucket that he had. It really disgusted me. First of all I really believe in catch and release when it comes to bass, but the main thing is this guy was breaking the law. No black bass can be harvested until after May 24th. I walked over to the guy and asked him what he had in the bucket and he showed me. He had the largemouth that I saw him catch and two smallmouth(one of which was a lunker). I was totally shocked by his this. I mean the one smallmouth was as big as the one I caught earlier this week. Then he pulled out a giant of a fish. It was probably at least 4 and 1/2 pounds! This bass must have been a hybrid. It had the reddish/amber eyes of a smallmouth and the mouth of a smallie too, but the color was that of a largemouth. However, it didn't have the marking of either fish. It had some light markings along the side where a largemouths lateral line is and then it had light markings on its head like a smallie. I know of smallmouth and spots creating hybirds, aka mean-mouths, but what about largemouths and smallies? I guess anything is possible. Anyways this guy had the incredible smallmouth and completly awesome hybird as well as a respectable largemouth and smallmouth and was taking them for dinner. I made sure that he knew that he wasn't able to keep the bass because they weren't in season, but he didn't care. I wasn't about to get into a physical altercation with the moron, so I called the MDC to report it, but that was useless. People like this sicken me! Don't just let them get away with it. Say something to them if you see people in the wrong. Don't get into a fist fight over it though. I could have "made" him release the bass, but they were good as dead anyways because they had been in a five gallon bucket for some time.

Semper Fi

[bclift65706]

I cannot believe the MDC wouldent do any thing it is their job.I use to eat them but as I got a little older I figured out there is alot better fish to eat and realise any bass from the river measure take a pic and get a replica made if its a monster. I did keep a monster largemouth out of a farm pond that will look good on the wall but all smallmouth I catch stay in the river.

[hambone80]

I cannot believe the MDC wouldent do any thing it is their job.I use to eat them but as I got a little older I figured out there is alot better fish to eat and realise any bass from the river measure take a pic and get a replica made if its a monster. I did keep a monster largemouth out of a farm pond that will look good on the wall but all smallmouth I catch stay in the river.

Yeah, I think bass in general aren't that good to eat anyways. Crappie and walleye are incredible, but everyone knows that. In Missouri rivers and streams it takes about 5-6 years for a smallie to reach 15" or so. The hybird the guy had was a trophy bass for sure, but he didn't even know it or appreciate it. If I would have caught it I would have had it measured and released. Replicas of fish can be very well done these days. CPR(catch,picture,release)

[zander]

It depends where he was fishing as to whether or not it was legal. If he was fishing below the dam then you are right the fish would need to be released. But since Lake Springfield is an impoundment, if he caught the fish there, like it or not, it was legal.

[CBNMO]

I understand about keeping the bass is out of season now, but, I don't understand the implication that someone that keeps a bass to eat, is doing something wrong. Can you enlighten me?

[ollie]

There is really nothing that anyone can do IF the bass was caught legal. It is that person's right to keep what is legal IF it is legal to do so. I don't know what the rules are below the impoundment there, but if it is considered a stream then yes it was illegal. I personally think smallies are crap to eat, but largies to me aren't that bad fried up. I also won't eat trout because I don't like them either. Now that I think about it, I really don't take anything home anymore because I HATE cleaning them! lol If you like bass and you are within your legal rights then more power to you, but I doubt if I would congradulate you on your catch. I personally would like to see all smallies caught and released, but that is only my opion. C&R is a sticky subject with a lot of people. MDC probably didn't have the manpower in the area to answer your call hambone80. I know in my county and most there are only two field agents to cover the whole county. I'm not too sure, but there may only be one in other counties. They are stretched thin to say the least, but don't get mad, let your fingers do the walking to the phone number of the MDC hotline. Somtimes it takes time before they know there is a problem on a stretch of water. I fish a local stream that I thought would never get any enforcement, but eventually I kept hearing reports from others that it was be watched and people were getting ticketed. Hang in there.

[Phil Lilley]

We've had dozens of discussions about c/r vs c/eat. There are always going to be differing views on the subject, whether it's bass, trout or walleye- yes even walleye. People are passionate on both sides... both sides are within the law and both have every right to do as they wish (without ridicule, I might add). You can discuss it but be respectful.

As far as enforcement- agents can't be everywhere all the time. Greene County has 2 agents(?) and even if they get a call on a violation, depending on where they are and if they are on duty, they may not be able to check out each report.

I would say below the dam is considered James River and keeping bass would be illegal until opening day. These no mention in the regs about a special area below a dam which would be considered part of the impoundment above the dam.

[Fly_Guy]

I personally don't take many fish home to eat. I'll take trout from Taneycomo on occation, and from roaring river (stockers from 3 of the 4 trout parks are basically food paid for by your tax dollars, but more fun to get than the McDonalds drive thru). As for this fellow below lake Springfield, - what a jerk! It is possible however (giving the benefit of the doubt) that he is ignorant to the rules. Still, it's a shame to harvest such fish. Oh - and according to the USGS, largemouth/smallmouth hybrids do occur. Can you imagine catching one of 4 1/2 lbs? Simple respect for such a fish should dictate release.

[hambone80]

It depends where he was fishing as to whether or not it was legal. If he was fishing below the dam then you are right the fish would need to be released. But since Lake Springfield is an impoundment, if he caught the fish there, like it or not, it was legal.

It says plain as day at the tailwaters there shall not be any black bass harvested until after May 24th. It is considered the James River.

[hambone80]

I understand about keeping the bass is out of season now, but, I don't understand the implication that someone that keeps a bass to eat, is doing something wrong. Can you enlighten me?

There is no implication about keeping bass to eat is wrong. However, I was making a point that this guy was ignorant about the laws and after I informed him of the laws he didn't even bat an eye. Personally, I don't like the way bass taste and prefer to let them go, but if they're legal then go for it. It still going to bother me though. That's just my personnal feelings here. I wasn't trying to make this guy sound inferior for keeping bass. The issue I was discussing was blatant disreguard for the law.