Bass Questions

[big-o]

Thanks Marcus

Thinking about this senero .....I'm not sure what I would do...I don't catch real big bass ...so it would be real hard for me to her back...If i had kids with me , it would go back....role model.....but other than that i'm still not sure ..take a quick photo ,measure and put back or a great bbq



BIG undecied-O(Phil)<*!!!!><

[grumpy7790]

You set the Hook!!!

I believe in catch and release..........the whole targeting is over blown. Its the catch with no release that does all the damage.

If Ontario really wants quality fishing then lets see them implement slot limits where needed. But we all know that will not happen.

G

[Mick]

I don't know much about slot limits for bass (actually I've never even heard of such a thing) but there are slot limits for walleye all over Ontario. And the fisheries benefit as a result.

Mick

[Markus]

but there are slot limits for walleye all over Ontario. And the fisheries benefit as a result.

Mick

...as do the gill nets.

[BBRich]

In that scenario I would take about 500 photos of her, lol, then put her back. The biggest bass lay way more eggs than the 2-3lbers, and are more likely to produce more trophy class fish. Keep the 1-2lbers and if you want a mount get a replica mount!

[Markus]

and if you want a mount get a replica mount!

Replica's are nice for some people, but I'd perfer the real thing. It's my right to keep the fish and I don't feel I'll cause a devistating decrease in the bass population if I hang one on my wall.

...btw, same holds true with muski. If I hook a trophy, he'll experience the same fate.

[M.T. Livewell]

I am leaning towards Mark on this one. Assuming it is tournament day, that is. Otherwise they go back. I can't afford taxidermy.

M.T. Livewell

[MichaelVandenberg]

Just an FYI, removing a bass from a nest at anytime (in or out of season) does have an effect. The fry in the nest will be eaten by the time the bass gets back to the nest (if it does get back).

Specifically, the physiological stress of capture may compromise the ability of a bass to return to its nest, even it is released near the site of capture.

Outside the spawn, Catch and Keep does the majority of the damage (C&R does have a morality rate but it is small).

Quote taken from Black Bass Fishing Seasons in Michigan: Background, Research Review and Recommendations as published by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division April 2004.

Cheers,

Mike

[Markus]

It's all just part of the big picture. Anglers are not the only reason bass leave the nest. In there absense, crappie, perch, other bass, all have the oppurtunity to eat fry and sustain their own species survival.

Why are bass held in such higher regards than other species? Is it because we spend tens of thousands of dollars looking good when we fish them?

It's only a problem if the bass populations are low and need protection. This is not the case in most lakes. If it is, sanctuaries are enforced and respected.

I respect all regulations and I consider myself a very ethical fisherman, however I will never feel guilty about hooking a bass out of season while I'm legally fishing in open waters for another species.

[MichaelVandenberg]

This is always a hot topic is cause bass season is the very last species specific season to open and they are actively spawning while other seasons are just opening up.

There is never a problem with people fishing for spawning Walleye or Pike because the season for all species are closed during the spawn. Same with Trout, the season for other species are closed during their spawn. Perch and Crappie are plentiful and therefore fishing during their spawn is not that harmful. (Keep in mind on the species spawning locations and what other species are in those locations at the time of spawn).

Bass are the most vulnerable during their spawn because people are fishing for Walleye, Pike, Crappie, etc. in the location where the bass could be spawning. Hence the reason mother nature made male bass guard the nest...lol! Does that make it wrong?

With all that being said, the bass season in most states are open during the spawn and their are even tournaments held during the spawn where anglers specifically target bass on beds. Does that make it right?

Who knows. All I know is that I personally do not and will not target or put myself in a position where I could be catching spawning bass.

NOTE: Muskie spawn just as late as bass but given they are not as plentiful as bass and are typical harder to find when spawning, Muskie catches during the spawning time are rare.

That is all I have to say on this matter.

Cheers,

Mike

[topwater]

Specifically, the physiological stress of capture may compromise the ability of a bass to return to its nest, even it is released near the site of capture.

I'm not any expert in this field but I can only go by personal experience .When I was a young lad ,and yes I can remember that far back there was a bass spawning by our dock and not knowing any better I probly caught and released that bass 10 times during the spawn and it swam back to the nest every time.Now again I'm no expert but I don't think that fish could have been more stressed.
This is not to say they would always return to the nest but just the observations I made of one fish
By the way the last time I caught that fish was the day before season opened and on opening morning he was gone

[RJ]

I think the crux of this whole discussion is how high you hold a certain species in your eyes...

Bass guys want to preserve the bass...understood...

How about us Muskie guys?...Muskies are nowhere near as prevelant as bass...their spawn is around the same time as bass...but i don't hear anyone squawking about that...Muskies are caught during the spawn by walleye guys all the time...most of them mishandle the fish due to lighter tackle...and in most cases eliminate that spawning opportunity for that fish...

If I had to guess....that in most lakes and rivers in our area....there are more bass than any other species...except maybe cats on the Ottawa... ....incidental catches aren't hurting it....targetting them is wrong...we all know that...but I won't be moving out of the shallows throwing my pike baits....

Back to the muskies thing, How many people travel to this area to fish for bass?...not many I'm betting....now how many travel here to fish the Ottawa for a trophy skie?...I think you get my point... ...and so my post comes full circle...I think we should be protecting the musky fishery...but that's my opinion....

RJ

[Scum Frog]

Good discussion guys...not sure if I can add anything that has not already been said but here is my 2 cents.

The way I see it the question is should anglers be targeting the shallows for other species while the bass are out of season due to spawning.
Tough question, but the way I see it, If one is truley fishing for walleye, pike etc in the shallows ( and the individual angler is the only one who realy can answer the question ) then I have no problem with it. Lakes are inhabited by multi-species and the shallows are shared by most of them. For example in the same basic area of 5 ft of water on the Mississippi I have caught pike, bass, walleye and a slew of panfish.

The Bass populations in most waters around here are good, like said above, we should probably be less worried about the bass and more worried about musky during the spawn and late season walleye ice fishing.

[big-o]

I think the most important part of this senero is that it is a legal fish....and what it will boil down to is your own ethics...The fish is on the spawn but legal to take I have thought about this most of the day and I reach a conculsion for my self.....If I was alone ,the fish is coming home with me...if I have a partner to back up and verify the size it will go back...!!! I think for the rec type fishermen most of them would release it...I think if I was in a tourny and this fish would but me on top of the leader board it would also be making a trip to the scales......does it make it right ????


BIG-O(Phil)<*!!!!><

[topwater]

I must say when I seen this thread start I expected that a moderator would soon be required I have been on other discussion boards where this thread would of deteriated to name calling and finger pointing by now. I realise this is an issue that many people are very passionate about, and I comend all the Hawk-talkers for respecting others opinions it's an indication of the quality of members on this board
Now frankly I will be glad when bass season starts and we can discuss our catches intead of who was targeting what Hey toobinator how many days till bass season