The Bass Thing

[straw hat]

Walcrabass and fozzie; you are both right about the cross-breeding. While most species breed within their own species there is some cross-breeding.

[straw hat]

I went back and read most of the old entries on this subject. The varying opinions are interesting. Cheif Grey Bear, erin1978 and many others commented on not messing with mother nature. Mother nature is excellent at survival of the fittest. The fittest may be the best for mother nature but may not be the best for fisherman. What if the spotted bass is the most capable at surviving? I am rambling. What I wanted to throw in the pot is this. We often forget that it was man that set up the fisheries in Stockton. Nature set up largemouth, spots and smallmouths as river fish. The exceptions would be natural lakes such as reelfoot,swamps and the oxbow lakes. Along came man and produced the impoundments and subsequently the government managed them in order to produce fishing oppurtunities. Considering that these lakes are produced for recreation I think the ongoing conversation is appropriate. What is the best approach? I sort of agree with Bob, leave it to the MDC. I do fully agree that it would be good to submit your ideas to the state. It is the sharing of these ideas that provide the necessary input so they can manage the lake in a way to make the most out of it for us sportsman.

[Walcrabass]

I went back and read most of the old entries on this subject. The varying opinions are interesting. Cheif Grey Bear, erin1978 and many others commented on not messing with mother nature. Mother nature is excellent at survival of the fittest. The fittest may be the best for mother nature but may not be the best for fisherman. What if the spotted bass is the most capable at surviving? I am rambling. What I wanted to throw in the pot is this. We often forget that it was man that set up the fisheries in Stockton. Nature set up largemouth, spots and smallmouths as river fish. The exceptions would be natural lakes such as reelfoot,swamps and the oxbow lakes. Along came man and produced the impoundments and subsequently the government managed them in order to produce fishing oppurtunities. Considering that these lakes are produced for recreation I think the ongoing conversation is appropriate. What is the best approach? I sort of agree with Bob, leave it to the MDC. I do fully agree that it would be good to submit your ideas to the state. It is the sharing of these ideas that provide the necessary input so they can manage the lake in a way to make the most out of it for us sportsman.

[Walcrabass]

"Straw Hat", once again you have made a reply that seems to ring true. I agree wholeheartedly that man has already tampered with nature in building these impoundments. Whether we want to be in the "Fish Farming" business or not I would say that we are already there. The Florida or Florida/Northern cross Bass may not be the answer. But I believe they should be deeply looked into for Missouri. After re-reading all the posts on this subject I think that I can safely say these things:

1. We all want bigger Bass.

2. None of us want to wait in line to fish until another boat comes off the lake.

3. None of us want a smaller Bass species to infiltrate the larger species, especially when they grow slower.

Just one other thing. Does anyone else remember when the length for Bass on Stockton was 11 or 12 inches? Was the lake producing as many large fish then as it is now? I am all for increasing the length limit of the SMALLMOUTH and LARGEMOUTH to 16" and possibly instituting a slot as well. If anyone out there reading these posts has a personal contact with a Missouri Department of Conservation biologist would you please have them read these posts. It is no problem to contact someone at the Dept. but I feel as if a personal friend would put this task at a higher level. Thanks to everyone for their comments, I have gained a great deal of knowledge from them. I'll see you at the lake and I hope you have caught a bushel basket full of bigguns.

[Whack'emGood]

1. We all want bigger Bass.

I don't think this statement is necessarily true. "Bigger Bass" to me, is a relative term. I get just as much enjoyment catching a 7 lb bass out of Table Rock or Stockton, as I would catching a 10-12 lb bass in Texas or Florida. I always consider where I am fishing... trophy sizes of fish differ from lake to lake and/or region to region.

It is just like shooting par on a Championship style and length golf course is much harder than shooting par at what I call a "pitch and putt" style or little dinky executive type golf course.

I think both Stockton and Table Rock are in great shape and on the verge of really getting awesome for bass.

My .02

P.S. I agree with you about increasing the length limits for sure. I would love to see it increased to at least 16" for bass... maybe eventually 18". That all depends on what effect the scientific experts say those changes would have though.