Paddlefish Egg Deal Kind Of Wrangles My Feathers

[Wayne SW/MO]

I don't see any win for the average fisherman. Let's just say an average was $1K per fish and with a two fish limit it wouldn't be unrealistic that one person could make 30 grand and there would be many that would. That's assuming they put in at one ramp and fish one area, which many wouldn't. If you can sell paddlefish eggs than why not whites, trout, black bass? Is there a difference?

[Wayne SW/MO]

The one time I went I snagged a 15 lb flathead, and an undersize paddlefish. Does anyone know the mortality rate for undersize fish which have been snagged and released?

When I did a lot of snagging in the Osage, pre Truman, there were always a few walleye and flatheads snagged. For whatever reason, I never saw any spoons snagged between 12-15" and about 36". It always puzzled me. The small ones were rare and I would think the larger ones could withstand most hits. Of course this is all speculation.

[Chief Grey Bear]

As to the farmers in OK raising cane... DUH its not in their interest for any compitition even the other farms. This is one resource that could be well managed and a market value that could do a lot of good for MDC... Lets not forget there are Ranches that offer deer hunts and private trout parks and so on and so on. So the resourse IS being exploited to a degree on those farms and ranches that are pay to play.

Read it again. It is farms in Missouri that are being hurt. Duh. And there is no semblance of any correlation between high fence ranches, trout parks and free roaming, wild spoonbill.

Species need proper management and utilization. currently making the eggs illegal to have basically is NOT proper use of the resource and in fact could be argued by a good lawyer is in violation of the MDC own code ( wanton waste ).

Good luck with that one. Because you are now saying every fish cleaned, you must keep the eggs because a few find them delicious. Better go through all of those gut piles too. Lots of livers, hearts, and ribs left behind.

[fishinwrench]

The one time I went I snagged a 15 lb flathead, and an undersize paddlefish. Does anyone know the mortality rate for undersize fish which have been snagged and released?

Never compiled any mortality numbers but I can tell ya that after snagging season the coons, buzzards and turtles get fed pretty good.

I have had the pleasure of riding back to the ramp with a wet labrador retriever who found a dead spoonbill, or gar on the bank to roll in more times than I care to recall.

[exiledguide]

Never compiled any mortality numbers but I can tell ya that after snagging season the coons, buzzards and turtles get fed pretty good.

I have had the pleasure of riding back to the ramp with a wet labrador retriever who found a dead spoonbill, or gar on the bank to roll in more times than I care to recall.

I darn near fell out of my chair laughing............Brings back memories.....My beagle and rotten eggs from an abandoned nest

[fishinwrench]

LOL, Yep. Come back covered in mud and stick-tights and I still love'em.

Come back loaded with ticks...that's my boy, I'll fix it.

But come back all slimed up, smelling of dead rotted flesh....and I just wanna kick'em in the face.

[laker67]

Wayne talked about the fantastic snagging and walleye fishing prior to truman dam. Without looking on the internet, does anyone recall the name prior to being changed to truman?

[skeeter]

I see it different. I don't want any of our resources to become so valuable that people will make a career out of it.

Please believe me when I say I am not trying to pick a fight here and I couldn't agree with this Gentleman's statement more. But....has it occurred to anyone that this is EXACTLY what has happened with the Big Money Bass Tournaments ? Resources....valuable....career....ring any bells ?

[Wayne SW/MO]

Wayne talked about the fantastic snagging and walleye fishing prior to truman dam. Without looking on the internet, does anyone recall the name prior to being changed to truman?

I believe it was Kaysinger, or Kaysiger Bluff? I know they were surveying and talking to land owners in '57. That was when I heard about it from Fred of Fred's Fishing Camp on the Pomme at Fairfield.

[laker67]

good memory Wayne