Bed Fishing

[Wart 57]

Why does BASS and FLW  Schedule a lot of there tournaments around the prime spawning time on a given lake? Seems like they follow the spawn so they can get better camera action on those bed fish. A 60 mile or better boat ride can not be good for the ones full of eggs.   

[5bites]

58 minutes ago, Flysmallie said:

 

I didn't say I didn't like it.

I used to be actually quite good at it and cashed some checks doing it. But I've also watched what happens when you drag a fish off of one. If it's a female that hasn't spawned yet and you put her back immediately then maybe, just maybe everything still works out. But if it's a male that is guarding the nest then it will have nothing to guard by the time it get's back.

I just think it's funny that die hard C&R fisherman  and those that want MDC to start stocking fish think it's perfectly acceptable to drag fish off of beds. That's what a hypocrite really is.

I'm not saying don't do it. I've done it in the past and I will probably do it again.

 

I'm not pointing to anyone specifically. The same as I assume you aren't saying I'm a die hard c&r guy. I do c&r on lakes but if others keep a few eh no biggie. As I've said many many times on the beaten to death topic HISTORY is proving its not a problem. Same with bed fishing. If it was hurting our lakes I'd be against both. Fish die. I saw two random dead bass this weekend. I don't think the sky is falling. 

 

 

But but you are correct. Pull a fish off the bed and no doubt nothing else is gonna step in to guard the nest. The fact is it doesn't have a detrimental effect on the population therefore I continue to practice it. The results speak for themselves just as they do for keeping fish. 

 

 

I imagine you understand what im trying to say. I don't think it hurts a thing but if someone doesn't want to do it then by all means don't. I personally think it's awesome being able to learn the attitude of a fish and try to figure him out. It's an element you only get to experience while sight fishing. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

I've bed fished a lot in the past.  Trout too!!   I personally don't prefer it.  I've hooked them on the bed and after a short fight just lowered my rod and gave them slack.  Most of them just swim back to the bed with the bait in their jaw.  Most fish don't put up much of a fight while spawning. 

Pete

[5bites]

I will say one inevitable problem with fishing around the spawn and that is I believe fishing tournaments become snagging tournaments. I can't necessarily say I have proof but I'll say I'm convinced anyway. 

[willyfish]

Bass fishing is big business. Fishing during the spawn is a big part of the "big business". If spawn fishing starts depleting the resource thus reducing the number of dollars in someones wallet, you might see a change. Until then deal with it, because it isn't gonna stop.

[DADAKOTA]

23 minutes ago, 5bites said:

I'm not pointing to anyone specifically. The same as I assume you aren't saying I'm a die hard c&r guy. I do c&r on lakes but if others keep a few eh no biggie. As I've said many many times on the beaten to death topic HISTORY is proving its not a problem. Same with bed fishing. If it was hurting our lakes I'd be against both. Fish die. I saw two random dead bass this weekend. I don't think the sky is falling. 

 

 

But but you are correct. Pull a fish off the bed and no doubt nothing else is gonna step in to guard the nest. The fact is it doesn't have a detrimental effect on the population therefore I continue to practice it. The results speak for themselves just as they do for keeping fish. 

 

 

I imagine you understand what im trying to say. I don't think it hurts a thing but if someone doesn't want to do it then by all means don't. I personally think it's awesome being able to learn the attitude of a fish and try to figure him out. It's an element you only get to experience while sight fishing. 

I understand what you are saying.  Bed fishing has been around as long as I can remember in this state.  The quality of the fishing in lakes you have fished in your lifetime does not seem to be affected by bed fishing or folks harvesting bass.  Is this your experience or is this view based upon a study?  Would the quality of the fishing actually get even better if bed fishing was not allowed and/or tournaments and harvest not allowed during the spawn?  Would we have better spawns?Are there any studies on this?

[5bites]

No studies just tournament results and general quality of fishing. I know that's not concrete for everyone but it does seem the weights and numbers of heavy bags have actually increased year round in the last several years. 

[gruber]

If you fish around the spawn period, you are going to catch spawning fish whether you like it or not, doesn't matter if you can see the bed or not, they are still there so what's the difference?

[Ealy]

6 hours ago, Smithvillesteve said:

Okay boys, not trying to start a heated argument or anything like that. Just want to get some opinions from you guys. Guys I respect about their bass fishing abilities and want to do things right. How do you guys feel about bed fishing? I read the reports in the KC Star this past week about the elite tournament at Bull Shoals and Norfork. A lot of those guys seem to be bed fishing. I was kinda glad the guy who won did not do that. I have never done it but I have never been able to go down a bank and see a lot of beds either. For whatever reason. And i dont know what the research says about yanking a big female off her nest and what that does. A lot of you OAF guys on here always talk about doing things right to make Table Rock the best it can be. I was just wondering how you boys feel about this after reading about it during the tournament.

This time of year, there are plenty of VISIBLE fish on beds. You can choose not to fish for those fish, but what is your alternative? We know there are plenty of fish that spawn back in creeks and pockets, but also there are those spawning on main lake points, bluffs, in cedar trees, boat dock lifts etc... I guess if a person is that concerned about harming fish during the spawn, he could just abstain from fishing for a couple of months. 

[Champ188]

I will bed fish a few hours a year for pleasure but not in a derby because I will not cart a fish away from its bed. Personal choice. Not an indictment of anyone who does.

Like others above have stated, I've watched many times as a fish I just caught and carefully released returned promptly to its nest.

As far as things being fine like they are, I'm with DADAKOTA. Why be content with the status quo when through some improved management practices, things might be tons better?