Protecting The Bass Population?

[rangerman]

Why keep crappie, white bass and walleye? There are far less walleye in table rock, so why should we keep them. I mainly target walleye on table rock. I am not going to be upset with anyone that keeps his or her share of walleye. I do. Since the lake was built people have been keeping limits upon limits of bass. Boy, it really hurt the fishery didn't it. Some people find crappie as their species of choice, some white bass and some walleye. I target all of the above and bass.

Catch and release tournaments are about as damaging as anything is. Do catch and release fishers really think they are doing something special. They are not. The reason I pretty much gave up bass fishing on table rock is it is really not that challenging anymore. I can go out and catch my share at anytime. I have caught one 5 pound kentucky and bigger LM along with really nice smallies. I ate the kentucky. Try targeting a species such as walleye.

How about this, anyone that wants to release them go ahead and do so, I'll be right behind you catching those green backs and putting them in the frying pan, and I'll be smiling at you while I do it.

Personally, I hope the waalleye in table rock eat all of the bass. It would be GREAT!

[Sam]

I can go out and catch my share at anytime.

rangerman - Would you mind taking me fishing so you can show me how? 'Cause I've been at it for 50 years now, and that's a statement I sure can't make.

[Greg]

Do catch and release fishers really think they are doing something special. They are not.

Really?? That's news to me. I think most fisheries biologists would disagree. Catch and release helps everyone - both catch/keep and catch/release anglers. And it's been proven time and again to improve the size and quality of the fish in most any lake or stream. And that most released fish do survive. I know there are a few exceptions (such as bluegills overpopulating and becoming stunted) - but in general it works especially where very popular game fish like trout and bass are concerned.

I'm primarily a trout angler although I do occasionally fish for bass. And I do practice catch and release. But I never look down on or chastise anyone keeping legal fish. That's their right. In general I like these discussions and think they are great. But I do get a little upset when someone that keeps fish regularly states catch and release doesn't work or isn't worthwhile.

I'm proud of the fact that I haven't kept a trout or bass in years.

Greg

[ozark trout fisher]

No dead horses yet... it's just now getting good.

Well I'll admit it is kinda fun to read......................................................

[Phil Lilley]

Catch and release and now tournaments... man this topic is going places!

The perfect bass tournament:

Put a judge in each boat and have him weigh in 6 bass of the angler's choice. Once he has 6, he's done. OR weigh in each keeper and take the 6 largest- or is it 5. Whatever number.

Point is- release the bass where you catch them. Non of this parade to the weigh in table and released who knows where or how. Want more coverage- put a camera in each boat too. Want crowds... have a jumbo screen at the arena and project the event live as they fish.

These things are doable... just takes money.

[ryan]

Rangerman, I don't think anyone is saying don't ever keep a bass if you want to eat it, what they are saying is that don't go keeping big fish or ones that are full of eggs. Why anyone would ever keep a 5lb bass to eat is beyond me but it's a personal choice and your legal right to do so. I can assure you of one thing though, table rock doesn't fish the way it does because you have people keeping 5 pounders. Catch and release is a vital part of any fishery, being an advocate of conservation is all of our jobs. Eat fish if you wanna eat fish but don't keep the big boys let em swim and you can enjoy them for a long time to come. Im not trying to tell anyone what to do just suggesting a better way for everyone to be able to have a chance at catching quality fish.

[rangerman]

I am not saying keep the big LM and SM. I don't keep those and don't believe they would eat that well. Kentuckies are another story. Luv em, eat em up. Why keep crappie while their spawning, why keep white bass when they are spawning, and walleye and so on and so forth.

I have a dock near a popular tournament put in spot and have seen the bass floating that were released after the tournament ended. Lots of them. This is no crap.

My dad has fished the lake since it filled up, and I have pretty much since I was born. Sam, I have alot of stuff I do down there that is unconventional..

It works though.

[CaptainJoe]

Catch and release and now tournaments... man this topic is going places!

The perfect bass tournament:

Put a judge in each boat and have him weigh in 6 bass of the angler's choice. Once he has 6, he's done. OR weigh in each keeper and take the 6 largest- or is it 5. Whatever number.

Point is- release the bass where you catch them. Non of this parade to the weigh in table and released who knows where or how. Want more coverage- put a camera in each boat too. Want crowds... have a jumbo screen at the arena and project the event live as they fish.

These things are doable... just takes money.

Great idea Phil. Maybe that jumbo screen can be segmented into 10 little screens and we can watch 10 anglers at a time. As soon as someone hooks up, the screen would zoom into that angler. Each of the top 10 anglers can have a group cheerleaders to keep the crowd fired up and the crowd noise could be broadcasted to the anglers to keep them pumped up. We can have Vegas cover the event and give us odds on who will catch the next fish, the next smallmouth, utter a profanity, cry, etc. We can have instructors on the indoor tanks demonstrating what the anglers are doing. We can have tackle companies standing by selling the hottest bait catching fish. Whoever catches the least amount of fish would have to ride a Jack butt around the arena (sorry, couldn't resist) WE CAN DO THIS, PHIL.

[Phil Lilley]

Following that thought... if you're recording the catches and releasing all fish at the boat, you could allow LIVE bait. How about that for a twist!

[CaptainJoe]

Following that thought... if you're recording the catches and releasing all fish at the boat, you could allow LIVE bait. How about that for a twist!

Yea, that would change things. Instead of throwing the 9" swimbait that I used in CA, I can throw a live trout.