Snagging These Giants Next Week

[Bird Watcher]

Not sure about Grand Lake, but they grow pretty rapidly in MO reservoirs. They can't reproduce very successfully, mostly as a result of dams on the Osage River. There's some natural recruitment in the Missouri and the other large rivers, though.

I think our difference in opinion must come from the implied statement within your response that MDC stocks Paddlefish. If they do, kill em all, they are no different than tailrace trout. My only experience with them are the naturally sustaining populations in OK.

Young paddlefish grow quickly, reaching up to 20 inches at age-1. After age-5, growth rate slows to about 2 inches per year. Maximum age is around 40 years.

I guess you meant they grow relatively fast? Those big fish people are killing are 25-40 years old. I'm 33. The thought of killing a fish as old as me is kind of sad, to me at least. They also only spawn every other year. Seems a lot less prolific than a lot of fish I can think of. If MDC stocks them, so be it. That's a different story. Oklahoma does not to the best of my knowledge. If they did, I might have a different opinion.

I know they did away with the three fish per day season in OK. years ago because the numbers were declining. Just last year they made Spring River a refuge to try and protect numbers in Grand. I would just as soon they close the whole thing for 10 or 15 years and let them recover, but they won't because they are way too valuable of a tourism resource to Oklahoma. That's straight from the biologists working the paddlefish check station at Twin Bridges two years ago.

Like I said, we are probably discussing two different scenarios. If they are put and take, take them.

[Seth]

Spoonbill are stocked every year. I don't think they can naturally reproduce in MO waters due to the dams. Essentially it is the same as catching and keeping trout from a park except they grow a lot bigger. A 100 pound spoonbill is a very old fish, but it's not like it was a wild fish to begin with. Killing a 100 pound spoonbill ain't like killing say a 100 pound catfish because that catfish will naturally reproduce millions of baby catfish. A paddlefish is just a big fish put for the pleasure of us to snag and it doesn't matter whether it's 20 pounds or 150 pounds as far as having an affect on the population of smaller spoonbill.

On a side note, I rarely keep spoonbill from the James anymore unless somebody wants one to eat. I just enjoy catching them. If I want some to eat for myself, I will keep them from the Osage below Bagnell Dam or from LoZ. The spoons from the James just have a funny taste to me unless they are smaller and have pure white meat, which I don't know until after I clean them. Most have a muddy looking meat though. I catch more big fish on the James though so that's why I keep coming back.

[drew03cmc]

Umm, can a fish with a size 15/0 treble run through its side survive and heal acceptably after release? I only ask because if these fish are being released with a possibly mortal wound, isn't that unethical?

I would like to catch a couple bills but honestly, I can't say the work for them is worth it. I have tried snagging and caught a few trees on the Osage below Truman, but no fish...

[laker67]

it would be nice to see MDC extend their "fair chase" attitude towards the fisheries too.

????????

[flytyer57]

If I thought snagging fish was ethical, I might do it.

But I don't, so I won't.

[Gavin]

Spoonie snagging...I wouldnt say that it is unethical. Outside of my experience...but not unethical by any means....Spoonies are worthless as a traditional sportfish because they wont eat bait, lures or flies on a consistent basis. We pay to stock them and they provide some sport and a cooler full of meat for those who chase them. Nothing wrong with that IMO.

[CLINTC]

If I thought snagging fish was ethical, I might do it.

But I don't, so I won't.

Just out of curiosity if you where fishing a tournament with $400.00 dollars of your on money with a chance to win 5000.00 and you snagged a 8 pd LM that would more then likely win it you would trow it back or keep it

[flytyer57]

Just out of curiosity if you where fishing a tournament with $400.00 dollars of your on money with a chance to win 5000.00 and you snagged a 8 pd LM that would more then likely win it you would trow it back or keep it

Throw it back.

I once foul hooked a huge steelhead, and everyone on shore where I caught it told me to keep it. Nope. Back it went.

[Stoneroller]

here's the explination. snagging is not sport fishing, I don't agree with it or taking fish by hand, neither are ethical and being as paddlefish are borderline endangered throughout their range because of man's mindless and greedy policies, in which the native reproducing populations are brushed aside in the name of $$$, I think it's of very poor sportsmanship to snag them or any fish. not to mention the irony of stocking a species because man has destroyed it's ability to naturally reproduce... either you are part of it or you aren't.

my opinion.

[Predator1]

Wow...all different kinds of opinions. I can appreciate each and every one of them. My wife calls them Gentle Giants. And yes they look like dolphins racing next to your boat. She does not like the fact I have to Snag them either. I never have returned one injured, but how many bass are returned not so good. However...no matter how they are caught, no matter how fun it is or how much work it is. God did not put these fish here just to swim around and eat microscopic organisms. And the MDC did not start a season for them just for the heck of it. There is a purpose for everything and I feel blessed to be able to HARVEST such a beast. Whether it be a 100# Paddlefish, 10PT Buck or a 12lb Bass. They all Cook up just nice in my oven, grill or skillet. And I am just as proud to have the privilege to enjoy it all.

Thanks to God and thanks to MDC.