LOZ Spooning has slowed a bit

[snagged in outlet 3]

31 minutes ago, Seth said:

Abiding by MDC regs is abusing the resource? And here I thought the point of those regs was to prevent that. Otherwise it's poaching and illegal. No wonder LOZ is still kicking out those big bags of bass! Must be due to all the tournament guys abiding by those regulations. 😁

I didn't think non tournament anglers were allowed to cull?  Is that correct?

And you are saying that tourney anglers can't be trusted.  A bunch of liars and cheats.😁 

Otherwise you wouldn't need the MDC to provide "boat officials, calibrated scales, and a web based live streaming platform to every bass club in the state. 😁"   

I'm just trolling you.  But seriously I don't see how you can reasonably defend the practice of hauling fish all over and killing some in the process.   You can when compared to catch and keep though I guess.  I wasn't that concerned with it when I thought it was just largemouth in lakes.  But then I got my jet boat and you guys are horning in on my river action.😂

[Flysmallie]

Don't you guys know that the fish belong to tournament anglers? They are the only ones that are allowed to abuse the resource. They shouldn't even let you regular fisherman target bass. 

[Walleye13]

I think the increased number of anglers and the increase in tournament craze has heightened the risk even if tournaments follow MDR regs. Seems like fisheries managers are slow to react these changes. Boat and tackle companies are driving the push to “grow the sport”. Over 400 boats at Pickwick last weekend for a high school championship!! Are you kidding me?? I’m sure they followed the TN DNR regs too

[DADAKOTA]

might as well add FFS to the list of harmful things to the bass population.

[fishinwrench]

I did it for years myself, and still occasionally do, so I can only condemn it to a certain point.   

I think tournament fishing is an awesome sport, I actually love doing it.  But at some point you have to realize AND OPENLY ADMIT when something you love is being grossly overdone.     🙄

60-70+ weigh-in tournaments every month, on every body of water is overdoing it.   If you deny that then I have no respect for ya.  Period.

[fishinwrench]

I actually asked, in a group conversation a few years ago, with 4 MDC biologists, 2 agents, and a hatchery supervisor......" If the number of tournaments isn't ALREADY excessive now, then at what point might you consider that it was?"  Double the amount? Triple the amount?  Could it EVER be deemed excessive?

I really pinned them down and kinda demanded an answer.  ANY answer. From ANYONE.    I wouldn't let them change the subject.

Nobody in the group would address that simple question, and the conversation (which was going very smoothly, and everyone seemed to be enjoying it) suddenly ended.   🤔 

 

Anyone here care to take a stab at it ?

@Seth ?  🤷‍♂️

[Jerry Rapp]

3 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

I actually asked, in a group conversation a few years ago, with 4 MDC biologists, 2 agents, and a hatchery supervisor......" If the number of tournaments isn't ALREADY excessive now, then at what point might you consider that it was?"  Double the amount? Triple the amount?  Could it EVER be deemed excessive?

I really pinned them down and kinda demanded an answer.  ANY answer. From ANYONE.    I wouldn't let them change the subject.

Nobody in the group would address that simple question, and the conversation (which was going very smoothly, and everyone seemed to be enjoying it) suddenly ended.   🤔 

 

Anyone here care to take a stab at it ?

@Seth ?  🤷‍♂️

when participation declines to the point where they are not feasible to run.  For example, if only 2 to 5 boats start showing up at the Wednesday nighters, or the Saturday morning jackpot tournies.  If the "charity" events can't draw enough to make them worthwhile, they will quit being held.  It will most likely happen when the fisheries peter out or it gets to expensive to fish them.  It won't happen in our lifetime. 

[DADAKOTA]

Tournaments will never be shut down by the State of Missouri.  Way too much money being spent by tourney anglers in the lake areas they frequent.  Probably factored into tourism dollars.  MO likes their sales tax $$$$.  I have seen 2 boats show, pay, and fish in a local tournament.  Tournament fishing is fun and some folks can make money at it.  If I didn't make money I would not fish tourneys.  However, the number that actually make money at it is very small.  If you don't finish first or second, chances are you will lose money.  Entry fees, lodging, food, fuel, are the biggest expenses but there are others such as insurance, tow vehicle/boat/trailer maintenance/repair, registrations, etc.  I do not see how most folks justify tourney fishing when they just lose money.  Sure seems to be no shortage of tourneys and folks that will pay to play.

[Walleye13]

Thanks for the feedback Wrench. Disappointing that no biologist would speak out, but not surprising I guess. As others said, not likely to change as long as people keep showing up for tourneys. All we can hope for is that fuel prices and inflation impact participation. This is a national issue if you follow other fishing forums. MLF format is the only answer as long as fisheries managers refuse to acknowledge it. We are at least fortunate that LOZ has more docks than any res in the country that provide some security for the bass population. 

[196champ]

Check out this tournament in Sturgeon bay, one of by best friends ended up winning it this year.

Each boat is given a scale, calibrated each day, and an app where the fish is weighed on video and released.

For the fish to count the scale and release have to be on camera, the format worked very, very well in his opinion.

the facebook link has great content/videos of action during the day.

https://www.facebook.com/sturgeonbaybasstournament/

http://www.sturgeonbaybasstournament.com/schedule/