ozark trout fisher Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 One thing I find extremely odd is that in the Meramec basin, where the MDC actually publicly encourages you to keep all the spotted bass you can catch up to the limit of twelve,I'm pretty sure you are still not allowed to kill them during the closed black bass season. Why is that? If the MDC is trying to get rid of them, wouldn't it make sense to be allowed to catch and keep them while they are spawning? Seems like a pretty good way to help reduce the population. Does this make since to anyone else on here?
flytyer57 Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 One thing I find extremely odd is that in the Meramec basin, where the MDC actually publicly encourages you to keep all the spotted bass you can catch up to the limit of twelve,I'm pretty sure you are still not allowed to kill them during the closed black bass season. Why is that? If the MDC is trying to get rid of them, wouldn't it make sense to be allowed to catch and keep them while they are spawning? Seems like a pretty good way to help reduce the population. Does this make since to anyone else on here? Might have something to do with the problems of identification. Some people wouldn't know a spot from a largemouth so they close the season to keep people from keeping largemouth along with the spots they catch. There's a fine line between fishing and sitting there looking stupid.
Chief Grey Bear Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 Too many will use the excuse of not knowing the diff between a LM and a Spot. That is the short version. Chief Grey Bear Living is dangerous to your health Owner Ozark Fishing Expeditions Co-Owner, Chief Executive Product Development Team Jerm Werm Executive Pro Staff Team Agnew Executive Pro Staff Paul Dallas Productions Executive Pro Staff Team Heddon, River Division Chief Primary Consultant Missouri Smallmouth Alliance Executive Vice President Ronnie Moore Outdoors
Al Agnew Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 I agree, though...they oughta allow you to keep the spots during the closed season (and also remove the limits entirely).
jdmidwest Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 Because all of the bass fall under the Black Bass Rule and season. Just different regs for each type. I agree they should not close a season on the spotted bass, maybe someone should bring this up. They need to change the reg. 3 CSR 10-6.505 Black Bass PURPOSE: This rule establishes seasons, methods, and limits for taking black bass. (1) Daily Limit: Six (6) in the aggregate, including smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, spotted bass, and all black bass hybrids, except: © On the Meramec, Big, and Bourbeuse rivers and their tributaries, the daily and possession limit for black bass is twelve (12) in the aggregate and may include no more than six (6) largemouth bass and smallmouth bass in the aggregate, except that the daily limit may include no more than one (1) smallmouth bass on the Big River from Leadwood Access to its confluence with the Meramec River, the Meramec River from Scotts Ford to the railroad crossing at Bird’s Nest, and Mineral Fork from the Highway F bridge (Washington County) to its confluence with the Big River. (4) Length Limits. (A) Streams: All black bass less than twelve inches (12") in total length must be returned to the water unharmed immediately after being caught from the unimpounded portion of any stream, including Pools 20–26 on the Mississippi River, except as follows: 1. On the Meramec, Big, and Bourbeuse rivers and their tributaries, there is no length limit on spotted (Kentucky) bass. "Life has become immeasurably better since I have been forced to stop taking it seriously." — Hunter S. Thompson
Justin Spencer Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 Am I the only one who enjoys catching spots. I understand they compete with smallmouth for space and food and grow slower than largemouth, but to me they have always fought more like a smallmouth than a bucketmouth. Much like the introduced trout to me it is just another sportfish I enjoy catching. I would be fine with eliminating them, but we know that is virtually impossible so why not enjoy catching them. Maybe i don't understand the negative impact they have on streams, I'd enjoy hearing some discussion for or against them. "The problem with a politician’s quote on Facebook is you don’t know whether or not they really said it." –Abraham Lincoln Tales of an Ozark Campground Proprietor Dead Drift Fly Shop
eric1978 Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 Am I the only one who enjoys catching spots. I understand they compete with smallmouth for space and food and grow slower than largemouth, but to me they have always fought more like a smallmouth than a bucketmouth. Much like the introduced trout to me it is just another sportfish I enjoy catching. I would be fine with eliminating them, but we know that is virtually impossible so why not enjoy catching them. Maybe i don't understand the negative impact they have on streams, I'd enjoy hearing some discussion for or against them. They're talking about removing the limits on spots in rivers only where they're non-native, not state-wide. I agree with those who've already posted...ID problems are surely the reason. I've also wondered why they don't remove the 12 fish limit, and also think they should amend the law (only for spots) that you can't "waste the edible portion of a fish" so that you can just toss the worm-infested fish on the bank and leave 'em, instead of having to drag them around in your canoe all day just to pitch them in the trash when you get home. Changing those rules would be nice for when MSA or other groups do a spotted bass roundup...they could really go to town then and make a big dent on the right day.
Justin Spencer Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 They're talking about removing the limits on spots in rivers only where they're non-native, not state-wide. In most of these streams that spots are non-native are largemouth native on these same streams? "The problem with a politician’s quote on Facebook is you don’t know whether or not they really said it." –Abraham Lincoln Tales of an Ozark Campground Proprietor Dead Drift Fly Shop
eric1978 Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 In most of these streams that spots are non-native are largemouth native on these same streams? Yep, and the SM and LM have reached a fine equilibrium and pose no threat to each other, especially considering they both occupy rather different niches on the same river. The spots thrive in the same places the SM thrive, so they compete directly. And the spots never get very big but reproduce in great numbers.
Outside Bend Posted February 23, 2011 Posted February 23, 2011 Am I the only one who enjoys catching spots. I understand they compete with smallmouth for space and food and grow slower than largemouth, but to me they have always fought more like a smallmouth than a bucketmouth. Much like the introduced trout to me it is just another sportfish I enjoy catching. I would be fine with eliminating them, but we know that is virtually impossible so why not enjoy catching them. Maybe i don't understand the negative impact they have on streams, I'd enjoy hearing some discussion for or against them. I don't really have any malice towards the critters, as long as they're in the rivers they're supposed to be. I kinda liken it to the striped shiners I always catch on the North Fork- they're fun, and they can break up the monotony on a slow day, but I'm there to catch something else. As for the spotted bass/closed season question, I'd never thought about it. OTF's right, it doesn't make much sense. I could see identification being an issue- but if you're not sure it's a spot, don't kill it. <{{{><
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