Aunts Creek

[jolicious]

Maybe I don't understand the process trying to be outlined here but I don't see how this would be any better than spreading the pressure out. All this does is put the pressure in smaller areas.

In my mind, it could work. Would take some effort, but....

We all know there are some well known spawning areas on every lake, right? Say there are, I dunno, 6 well known coves within a few miles of each other. 3 are off limits to boats period (ski boats, fishing boats - rope them off with buoys) for X period of time. When that time is up, mark off the other three.

I'm just spit balling here - I agree pressure on the open spots would increase, but more pressure on the same group of fish while the other group of fish spawns unencumbered.. Could work?

[Hunter91]

So let me get this straight. If you prefer the taste of bass over crappie or even walleyes, and you keep some legally to eat, you are a bad person?

[Boobie]

Ok my turn, What is the diff between someone keeping some Kentuckys or tourn fishermen pounding fish on their decks, they do it all the time. Don't act like they don't. BASS tourn guys do it all the time,EVEN ON TV.And you tourn guys watch them/support them by watching them. Quit fishing TR because because a tourn fisherman cut between me and the bank. Bout ripped his head off. Guess what state he was from.AR. The amount of people on that lake is crazy. That is another reason. I have been on that lake for many years and the sight of waves coming over the deck of my boat doesn't sound like a great day fishing. You guys can fight all u want about this issue. But that lake is not worth it to me anymore. Way overrated. Just my opinion.........

[5bites]

I grew up in IA, and we saw lakes absolutely decimated by out of state clubs, out of state recreational anglers, and local meat fishermen killing fish. Also a lot of that went on at Smithville, and it took its toll.

Your lakes got decimated by poor management and a conservation that either didn't give a crap about bass or had its hands tied. Other parts of the country are thriving with more pressure.

[5bites]

In my mind, it could work. Would take some effort, but....

We all know there are some well known spawning areas on every lake, right? Say there are, I dunno, 6 well known coves within a few miles of each other. 3 are off limits to boats period (ski boats, fishing boats - rope them off with buoys) for X period of time. When that time is up, mark off the other three.

I'm just spit balling here - I agree pressure on the open spots would increase, but more pressure on the same group of fish while the other group of fish spawns unencumbered.. Could work?

I just don't like the idea. The lakes are getting good spawns as it is. It's obvious because we are catching fish that didn't hatch and grow over night. The people that keep fish aren't hurting it nor are the sight fishermen. Guess what, neither are the fishermen that pretend to be taking the high road and not look at them yet still catch spawning fish but think if they didn't see the thing it couldn't have been spawning. Refer back to my report in April about jerkbait fishing. Those fish were moving over 10 and 20 feet of of bed to hit a jerkbait.

Anyway as I've said the lakes are doing great right now. Also as Phil said the conservation has a pretty darn good clue what's going on and what needs.

My other gripe is you are punishing guys like me that enjoy and work at being a better sight fisherman. If it did hurt the fishery I'd be against it but it's been proven over and over by studies that it doesn't hurt a thing. Do some homework. It's out there. Also as I've said history and time proves it's not detrimental.

[5bites]

This is to many loaded arguments in one topic that should have never happened anyway. This was a guys fishing report.

The bottom line is people's feelings and real life and proven fact aren't lining up.

[fishinwrench]

There is a fairly shallow 60 acre lake where I grew up that everyone considered "fished out".

One Summer they knocked 2 tiers off the dam to drain it and it turned a 60 acre body of water into a 10 acre mud hole. The fish started dying and it was so freaking full of good sized bass and cats it was insane.

We scooped up as many of the bass as we could that were still alive and tried to move them in coolers, trash cans and buckets to a strip pit 5 miles away but only a few made the trip alive (it was too hot out).

After that I just always roll my eyes when someone talks about a lake getting fished out. I just don't think you can do it even if you tried. Especially a lake the size of TR where fish can hide in 30+ foot of water.

So someone keeping a limit of fish really shouldn't freak anyone out, it just means more food and better conditions for the fish still in there.

[Bozinsek]

I've been following this thread and keeping my mouth shut (which is no small feat for me). Here's my take. We're all everyday fishers of TR. We are lucky. Maybe this guy worked all year to save money to come down here and try his luck. Probably spent 1200 -1500 dollars for a weeks worth of pleasure...Maybe his only time on the lake for a year. As long as he's following creel limits and whatnot, who am I to take that away from him. I'm sure by now He is regretting ever posting what might be a lifetime fishing memory. It just strikes me as wrong as why anyone would beat him to death. Personally, when I'm ready for a fry, I don't care where the fish are other than my belly!

[Bass Enforcer]

As far as table rock being pressured, I guess to some degree I would have to agree. But the pressure on table rock doesn't compare to that of Lake of the ozarks. Which by the way has received notoriety as being one of the best bass lakes in the country. Explain that...I would have to say one of the reason it remains as one of the best is because of all the yachts and/or bigger boats that many complain about. When they get on the lake it makes much of the lake unfishable. Thus giving the fish a break from the pressure. I dont believe the small percentage of people who keep the fish out of the rock will ever effect the population. I NEVER keep a bass out of the rock or any major water way. In fact when I plan on coming down and having a fish fry. I take fish with me that I have caught out of a local farm pond. Mdc does a great job managing our great lakes. I am confident they are aware of the lakes fish poulation and would address any concerns they have appropriately. I also believe they have great interest in managing table rock lake's fish population and not just bass, but ALL SPECIES. In my opinion table rock lake has become a better fishery over the years and I'm sure there are just as many people that keep fish now as there have been in the past. Though I wish people wouldn't keep them either but who am I? Just as someone said earlier, others who fish other trophy fish i.e Walleye or Catfish may hate that you say eat them instead just as you hate that they keep bass. Also, I don't think the walleye population is nothing as great as the bass population so why encourage someone to eat walleye instead of bass. Selfish?? Probably. By the way, if you deer hunt, let the trophy walk by. Maybe he will make it to my property and I'll send you a picture of him on my wall. That is if I don't miss. Haha.

[fishinwrench]

Mdc does a great job managing our great lakes. I am confident they are aware of the lakes fish poulation and would address any concerns they have appropriately.

Can't speak for TR, but on LO the MDC folk don't have a clue what's going on, and wouldn't listen to guys that are out there everyday that actually do know.

They wouldn't listen because they truly don't give a crap. None of them even FISH! EVER.

Probably don't even own a rod and a bag of Zoom's.