MDC Public Comment Meetings -New SMB Regs

[fishinwrench]

Find me 2 gigging boats with a ruler in them and I might agree.

[Gavin]

2 gig boats with a ruler? You find that;)! Guessing you have not found any.

 

[Chief Grey Bear]

Find me 2 gigging boats with a ruler in them and I might agree.

Wasn't aware there was a length limit on non-game fish

[Brian Jones]

Catch & release River tourney rules, dunno.  Registration requirements so the MDC folks can gather Data at the weigh in.

As most on here know, I have fished river tournaments on the Gasconade and a few on the Meramec for several years now.  If more restrictive regulations aimed at improving the overall quality of smallmouth in our state's rivers have a negative effect on a few guys fishing river tournaments, then so be it.  Contrary to what some of these tournament guys want to believe, it isn't the FLW or B.A.S.S and even the most successful river tournament anglers are still buying their own boats, gear, gas, etc., and hold down a "real" job to make their living.  

I'd love to see the MDC to get involved with some tagging/studies of tournament fish on the Gasconade and Meramec like they did a few years back on Current with the Current River Smallmouth Association.  But for some reason, there currently seems to be a great divide between them and those hosting the tournaments.  

 

Believe me, they are going to get a LOT of local feedback at some of the open houses located out state that will be vehemently against any new additions/regulations, especially the proposed new areas on the Current/Jacks Fork Rivers.  

Back in June I had the opportunity to fish the Current.  In the group I was fishing with  was a guy from Birch Tree who is somewhat of a regional celebrity.  I vividly remember him conversing with a couple of locals at the Doniphan ramp, and specifically telling them that the MDC would soon be stepping in with more restrictive regulations because they refused to change their smallmouth harvesting practices.  So at least some people down in Current River country know what's coming and are supportive of it.   

[oneshot]

Interesting most here catch fish to eat. Cold water fish are mostly Trout, Smallmouth, Goggle Eye and Suckers. You take Smallmouth and Goggle Eye out of the mix cuts a lot of food from the people.

oneshot

[fishinwrench]

I don't think anyone is C&R with Goggleye.   Eat them up!   Smallmouth are a different story. 

[Chief Grey Bear]

I release hundreds of them a year. I also keep some. I probably keep 1 for every 50 I catch. 

 

[joeD]

Fishing regulations. Who cares? Not Missouri. Well, maybe a few people. Otherwise, what a waste of time and effort. And words. And good intentions. And self righteousness. 

Some of us obey the law. Some of us don't. Just like gun laws or drug laws or wife beating laws or tattoo laws or anti gay laws or anything else. 

Missouri smallmouth fishing will only improve when there are no longer recalcitrant hillbillies living near Ozark streams.. 

[oneshot]

Fishing regulations. Who cares? Not Missouri. Well, maybe a few people. Otherwise, what a waste of time and effort. And words. And good intentions. And self righteousness. 

Some of us obey the law. Some of us don't. Just like gun laws or drug laws or wife beating laws or tattoo laws or anti gay laws or anything else. 

Missouri smallmouth fishing will only improve when there are no longer recalcitrant hillbillies living near Ozark streams.. 

Don't have to be running around their neighborhood telling them what to do. Do they yours?

As far as Goggle Eye they are wanting to change regulations on them.

oneshot

[joeD]

No. It's what we call being a law abiding citizen, and a productive member of society. Don't be so disingenuous oneshot. That type of hyperbolic argument is nonsense and you know it.