Release boats?

[Quillback]

1 hour ago, MoCarp said:

I think some local lake chambers might be greasing the wheels to get some tourneys at their lakes, with so many waters to hold them on across the US some go to wanting

 

For sure that is a factor.  Look at what the city of Grove did to bring the Elites to Grand.  

[snagged in outlet 3]

The last MLF in Alpena MI actually made me think about going there for a family vacation.

[Quillback]

Yeah looked like a neat place to visit and fish.  

[mixermarkb]

I agree with wrench and champ about migrant big bass in open water, but I'm not sure derby release has anything to do with it. I think it's as much about adapting to the most abundant food source than it is about looking for home territory.

We have taken a fish in the LMB that was genetically adapted over many years to being a shallow water ambush predator, feeding on sunfish, minnows, craws, etc, and placed it in an environment where the easiet, most abundant food source (giant shad schools) spends much of its life offshore. It only makes sense that over the years, the smartest and biggest of that species would adapt to the habits of the food source that is the best way to fill its belly with the least amount of effort. Prior to man made lakes, that used to be hiding behind a lay down waiting for a small bluegill to wander by, now I think it's following the shad schools, some of which are so big and thick I think they become both cover and food for the bass.

I'd be curious if the bass in natural lakes that don't have offshore schools of  threadfin shad but have lots of tourneys exhibit the same "homeless" behavior due to being relocated? 

[Champ188]

1 hour ago, mixermarkb said:

I agree with wrench and champ about migrant big bass in open water, but I'm not sure derby release has anything to do with it. I think it's as much about adapting to the most abundant food source than it is about looking for home territory.

We have taken a fish in the LMB that was genetically adapted over many years to being a shallow water ambush predator, feeding on sunfish, minnows, craws, etc, and placed it in an environment where the easiet, most abundant food source (giant shad schools) spends much of its life offshore. It only makes sense that over the years, the smartest and biggest of that species would adapt to the habits of the food source that is the best way to fill its belly with the least amount of effort. Prior to man made lakes, that used to be hiding behind a lay down waiting for a small bluegill to wander by, now I think it's following the shad schools, some of which are so big and thick I think they become both cover and food for the bass.

I'd be curious if the bass in natural lakes that don't have offshore schools of  threadfin shad but have lots of tourneys exhibit the same "homeless" behavior due to being relocated? 

Very good post. Lots to chew on. 

[mixermarkb]

-and for the record, I am very much in favor of the MLF or electronic type tourneys. It is 2018, we can do better than keeping bass in a livewell all day then dumping them on a scale.

[fishinwrench]

16 minutes ago, mixermarkb said:

-and for the record, I am very much in favor of the MLF or electronic type tourneys. It is 2018, we can do better than keeping bass in a livewell all day then dumping them on a scale.

That is exactly my point.  Everyone is quick to jump on every aspect of technology......until it comes to better, more conservation friendly scoring practices during tournaments.   

It wouldn't be such a big deal if there weren't so darn many tournaments, but they grow in numbers every year.

[176champion]

No matter what kind of scoring system a cheater is going to cheat, plain and simple.

[Quillback]

1 hour ago, mixermarkb said:

-and for the record, I am very much in favor of the MLF or electronic type tourneys. It is 2018, we can do better than keeping bass in a livewell all day then dumping them on a scale.

Same here, probably going to have to start thinking in inches like the kayak tourneys do, so many potential issues can arise when weighing fish and releasing them.  

We'll all have to start talking about our catches in inches, as in my best five went 94 inches.  

[fishinwrench]

What would be wrong with giving everyone a specific numbered token, something 2 inches long (for reference), not easily copied or reproduced, that has to be placed on the fish when photographing.  And scoring by 1/2 inches.  With either no limit on number of fish allowed to be scored, or set the limit to the 10 best fish per angler.   It might result in the occasional tie.....but hey, what's wrong with a few ties?     The results can be scrolled on a big screen TV for all participants (or spectators) to see.    

It would work just fine.