Catch/weigh/release thread

[Quillback]

I was over at JWM trailer in Reeds Spring today, saw this on the premises, made me think of this thread.

[Seth]

19 hours ago, Terrierman said:

Can't be much worse than releasing fish after hauling them around all day and going to the weigh in during 100 degree heat and then setting them free to float belly up.

Maybe on fish caught in deep water. Shallow water fish are already in hot water and used to it. I've hauled bass around for hours on many hot summer days and they are feisty enough that it's work trying to get them out of the livewell and in to the weigh in bag. 

The deep bite reigns supreme on LOZ in the summer. If that many bass are dying, PB2 would be a grave yard of floating bass carcasses that you could walk across the water on.

[snagged in outlet 3]

1 hour ago, Seth said:

The deep bite reigns supreme on LOZ in the summer. If that many bass are dying, PB2 would be a grave yard of floating bass carcasses that you could walk across the water on.

I'd agree with that.  Based on what I've seen in the trophy area at Taney sometimes.

 

[fishinwrench]

1 hour ago, Seth said:

If that many bass are dying, PB2 would be a grave yard of floating bass carcasses that you could walk across the water on.

There's a tracking study still going on in Oklahoma, and the results appear to be strategically kept relatively under wraps.   

Why they are being kept from going viral is pretty obvious.   🙄

As I understand it, a larger percentage than I even expected are found dead within 6-9 days, and NOT FLOATING.  With 3+pounders being the first to expire, and -2 pounders being the last to die.... and most likely to actually survive beyond the life of the battery (which is just shy of a month).

Of course you have a certain group that insists that attaching the tracking device (about 1/32oz). is the reason they are dying and sinking.   So WTFever.      Hook a crappie jig to a floater and see if it sinks.  😅

[Ketchup]

2 hours ago, Quillback said:

I was over at JWM trailer in Reeds Spring today, saw this on the premises, made me think of this thread.

Was fishing down in Ark. recently and that looks like the same or similar release boat they were using. 
 

 

[Quillback]

12 minutes ago, Ketchup said:

Was fishing down in Ark. recently and that looks like the same or similar release boat they were using. 
 

 

AGFC has a release trailer, I fished a tourney about 10 years ago where they used it.  They released the fish about a mile away from Prairie Creek where the weigh in was held.  Didn't seem to be worth the effort if you're only going to take them a mile away.

Live-Release Trailer

The AGFC Black Bass Program also has live-release trailers that can be used by local bass tournament directors to recycle their catch.

The use of live-release trailers by concerned anglers and tournament directors will be instrumental in bass conservation efforts and will help reduce the stock-piling effect of bass at popular access areas on our lakes. The trailers were designed with two holding tanks mounted with oxygen diffusers and come equipped with all needed equpment to fill and aerate the tanks. The tanks are approximately 200 gallons each and can handle approximately one pound of fish per gallon of water.

The Black Bass Program has a set of procedures available explaining the simple operation of the trailers as well as tips on how anglers can keep bass alive in their livewells. Anyone interested in using a trailer at their next tournament can contact the Black Bass Program at the Hot Springs Regional Office, 877-525-8606; the Hope Regional Office, 877-777-5580; the Mountain Home Regional Office, 877-425-7577; the Mayflower Regional Office, 877-470-3309, or the Russellville Regional Office, 877-967-7577.

[Ketchup]

16 minutes ago, Quillback said:

AGFC has a release trailer, I fished a tourney about 10 years ago where they used it.  They released the fish about a mile away from Prairie Creek where the weigh in was held.  Didn't seem to be worth the effort if you're only going to take them a mile away.

Live-Release Trailer

The AGFC Black Bass Program also has live-release trailers that can be used by local bass tournament directors to recycle their catch.

The use of live-release trailers by concerned anglers and tournament directors will be instrumental in bass conservation efforts and will help reduce the stock-piling effect of bass at popular access areas on our lakes. The trailers were designed with two holding tanks mounted with oxygen diffusers and come equipped with all needed equpment to fill and aerate the tanks. The tanks are approximately 200 gallons each and can handle approximately one pound of fish per gallon of water.

The Black Bass Program has a set of procedures available explaining the simple operation of the trailers as well as tips on how anglers can keep bass alive in their livewells. Anyone interested in using a trailer at their next tournament can contact the Black Bass Program at the Hot Springs Regional Office, 877-525-8606; the Hope Regional Office, 877-777-5580; the Mountain Home Regional Office, 877-425-7577; the Mayflower Regional Office, 877-470-3309, or the Russellville Regional Office, 877-967-7577.

Not sure the Missouri conservation dept. has trailer setups like that for use, not that my 5 minute search provided.  
 

I have a few guys that are going to test a catch/video/weigh/release outing over the next few months to start preparing for next March. I myself will be doing the same until i cone up with a system I’m comfortable using for a tournament format. Worse case scenario is we do it by length instead of weight. Lots of info online from the yak clubs on the ins and outs of using length. 

[Seth]

6 hours ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

I'd agree with that.  Based on what I've seen in the trophy area at Taney sometimes.

 

Those big gut eaters probably sit in the Big Hole and scarf em all up as the drift by. 😄

[Seth]

6 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

There's a tracking study still going on in Oklahoma, and the results appear to be strategically kept relatively under wraps.   

Why they are being kept from going viral is pretty obvious.   🙄

As I understand it, a larger percentage than I even expected are found dead within 6-9 days, and NOT FLOATING.  With 3+pounders being the first to expire, and -2 pounders being the last to die.... and most likely to actually survive beyond the life of the battery (which is just shy of a month).

Of course you have a certain group that insists that attaching the tracking device (about 1/32oz). is the reason they are dying and sinking.   So WTFever.      Hook a crappie jig to a floater and see if it sinks.  😅

The biggest downfall of dumping fish at an access is that tue meat hunters can easily target them with live bait. I know it happens on the rivers. Largemouth  in particular are prone to it because they will find the first piece of wood and hang out there for a while. Smallies seem to move on fairly quickly.

[snagged in outlet 3]

13 minutes ago, Seth said:

Those big gut eaters probably sit in the Big Hole and scarf em all up as the drift by. 😄

There’s a reason all the turkey vultures sit down by big hole when the water is off.