Bob Todd River Hills Traveler Ignorance?

[hank franklin]

I just think the meat-fishing crowd ought to have a seat at the table when it comes to regulation and fisheries management.

I'm not trying to beat a dead horse either, but Bob Todd literally had a seat at the table; he's a member of the Smallmouth Alliance committee that developed the new regs. The regs were developed in some deference to the wishes of the meat-eaters.

What I think is a myth is this supposed large meat-eating constituency. I know many many people in the Meramec watershed and only one is a hard-core meat eater. The great majority--jet boaters, tournament types, canoe guys, outfitters, guides, etc. are all basically C & R. Sure, lots of people keep an occasional bass or two--I have too--but they C & R much more often than not.

This board is a good example of that also. Lot of different viewpoints and opinions, but most people here are C & R when it comes to smallmouth.

If I were on the MSA board I would challenge those who oppose the regs to back up this claim up some large meat-eating constituency. I personally don't see it.

[ColdWaterFshr]

I don't know, Hank. I think the catch and keep crowd still outnumbers the the C&R group in total #'s. And they keep more than the occasional bass or two. I've seen their stringers. They fish an area, they nail it.

[hank franklin]

I've seen stringers too. No doubt they're out there. And some of these guys I know on occasion will go out to fill a stringer. But more often than not they don't want to mess with it. If they get into a nice one, yeah some (not all) will keep it, but more just for show than for eating. And even if you're going for a stringer, it's not always easy to do. Most of the meat fishers I know will go for catfish way before bass. If they want a bass fry they'll go to a farm pond.

So they're more meat fishers out there than C & R? I really don't buy that at all. Times are changin.

I re-read Bob Todd's article in Traveler again last night. One of his arguments is size isn't everything. Another goofy statement, excuse me. All those photos on the bait shop wall are of smallish fish? What size buck does Bob have on his wall? When my buddies tell me about their fishing trips do they talk about all those 11-inchers they were slaying?

When you go out fishing why do you go? To catch a big fish!

[jdmidwest]

I am beginning to think the catch and keepers are really getting thick. I hit a couple of my honey holes this week and only came up with 4-6 inchers. I hooked a 12" largemouth tonite, first nice fish I have seen in places that normally produce a few 15-18 inch smallies. Creeks have been getting alot of pressure lately judging by all of the tracks.

[jdmidwest]

I re-read Bob Todd's article in Traveler again last night. One of his arguments is size isn't everything. Another goofy statement, excuse me. All those photos on the bait shop wall are of smallish fish? What size buck does Bob have on his wall? When my buddies tell me about their fishing trips do they talk about all those 11-inchers they were slaying?

When you go out fishing why do you go? To catch a big fish!

Maybe you go to catch a big fish, for most of us, its just getting out, getting away, and enjoying the outdoors. A nice fish is just a little bonus.

[ness]

darn, I almost posted something.

[KCRIVERRAT]

darn, I almost posted something.

Hell Ness... go ahead and post. Just remember your motto. "EDIT" first!

You missed a good get together down on Shoal.

[ness]

I did edit -- edited all the way down to nothing

Wish I could have made it -- would have been nice to put some names and faces to the handles and avatars. But, you know how it goes when you've got kids sucking up every minute of your free time.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Not to sound like CGB, but why?

That is funny. If you were to look back at my posts on this very subject just months ago, they would literally read word for word what you posted in this whole thread. Only I was villainized and he wants to fish with you.

But like they say, great minds think alike. Keep it up the good work.

[eric1978]

Only I was villainized and he wants to fish with you.

Don't forget, I voted yes on your "would you fish with me poll." I'll fish with anyone who doesn't keep smallies .