This is a very bad idea.

[Johnsfolly]

3 hours ago, Smalliebigs said:

We would cull the smaller ones off the stringer and take good care of them hahahaha

Folks do that at the trout parks and urban lakes already. So that must be the best way to handle trout .

[snagged in outlet 3]

4 minutes ago, Johnsfolly said:

I don't agree with a catch and weigh in tournament that targets smallmouth on any creek or small river. Reading through the comments, it looks like Dillon Gross is the organizer. He does state that they are going to make attempts to keep the fish safe and be released after the tourney. He also stated that they have 90 lbs of catfish for the fry. If your fish die, then you could take them home or contribute to the fish fry. Still not a good idea in my opinion.

It says without gas motors.  93 degrees Saturday.  Those fish don't stand a chance. 

[Johnsfolly]

3 minutes ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

It says without gas motors.  93 degrees Saturday.  Those fish don't stand a chance. 

Agreed!

[MOPanfisher]

I used to live in Forsyth and.fished Swan Creek a lot, with Bull Shoals as high as it is I doubt they catch nigh smallies to be worthwile, however their population has improved since I was there so, maybe.  I truly hate to see it happen.  I have never seen an MDC issued fishing tournament permit didn't even think they issued one.

[fishinwrench]

3 hours ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

It says without gas motors.  93 degrees Saturday.  Those fish don't stand a chance. 

Well yeah, I mean please just throw them on ice.   

They aren't even gonna be fit for food if you drag them alongside a canoe on a stringer all day.   

Did anyone even think this thing through?    I think a casting or knot tying contest would have been a way better idea. How about a paddle joust canoe race?

[jdmidwest]

That is about as good as MDC putting bounty tags on them and calling it a "research study".  The decline in smallmouth and increase in pressure happened that summer and has never recovered.

BTW, can you run a jet boat on either of the streams??  I can toss a yak in the boat and make it legal, just tow it behind.   I might anty up and go for it that weekend....

[jdmidwest]

12 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

Well yeah, I mean please just throw them on ice.   

They aren't even gonna be fit for food if you drag them alongside a canoe on a stringer all day.   

Did anyone even think this thing through?    I think a casting or knot tying contest would have been a way better idea. How about a paddle joust canoe race?

Pistols at 5 paces would be a fair competition, I would even spend money to watch that.

[jdmidwest]

4 hours ago, Johnsfolly said:

Folks do that at the trout parks and urban lakes already. So that must be the best way to handle trout .

But, those are put and take fish.  MDC does not stock smallies, stream bred critters.

[jdmidwest]

7 hours ago, tjm said:

I think if MDC had any concern about our fish they would ban contest fishing, but that is an unpopular notion.

25 boats each on small streams if equally split or more (all 50?) on one stream will scare the fish bad enough that few should be caught?

MDC supports the harvest of legal fish to maintain their model of management.  Streams used to support the taking of fish for food, but then the herds came and nature can't keep up.

[tjm]

Contest fishing is the biggest reason there are hordes.