LM bass Pic

Post by **Fishing Freak** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 9:16 pm

A pic of a 4.75lb, 20.75" lm caught during a local derby.
Funny thing is it placed 6th, derby paid top 5.

This one ended up as supper, The spouse had Pickeral.

Post by **Fishing Freak** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 9:28 pm

another from earlier this year.

This one was 3.4lbs. Gut was full of crayfish.
took 3 in a derby with this one.

Post by RJ » Thu Jul 29, 2004 10:09 pm

Beauty buckets!

I have no problem at all with people keeping fish....but aren't the smaller ones better to eat?

RJ

Post by **Fishing Freak** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 7:32 am

Basically the only time I keep bigger bass is during derby's.
The ones I usually eat (which is few) are 14 to 16 inch fish.
I have caught two other 19's and another 21" the past 2 weeks, they were released.
Basiclly the only fish I eat are perch, pickeral, salmon, catfish, and yes a few bass.

Post by RJ » Fri Jul 30, 2004 7:34 am

I just figured for taste the smaller ones would be better...

Post by **Fishing Freak** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 7:38 am

I find that some place the fish no matter the size are strong.
These are the place I wouldn't even eat a small one, great fun fishing them but no good for the table.

Post by **wolfe** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 9:17 am

Fishing Freak,

do you keep the larger (derby) fish because they are stressed in the livewell & at weigh-in, etc? Just wondering, because I, too, would hope these bigger brutes could be tossed back to pass on their genes.

Those are some fat fellows & the head on that 1st one looks like an ox!

W.

Post by **Markus** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 9:25 am

I think there is some what of a myth attached to the smaller ones taste better belief.

More people catch small fish, therefore more small fish are consumed. You can get some big old fish that have lost the better part of their flavor, but for the most part the 4-5 lb bass taste as good as the 1-2 pounders.

It's a lot to do with preperation to. Big fillets need to be cut into smaller peices to be cooked as effeciently as the smaller fillets.

I'm positive, I could cook anyone a 1 pound bass, and a 5 pound bass, blindfold you and you'd never be able to tell which is which.

And I've said this before...there is absolutely no shortage of bass in our waters, so enjoy a feed of them if you're in the mood.

Post by **Fishing Freak** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 9:38 am

I agree Markus, I don't find a difference in taste of fish by size.
I do however find a taste difference in fish taken from different lakes I fish.
I find that bass from a deeper lake is better then bass from a shallow warm lake.

Wolfe, I don't have a livewell in my boat so thats why I keep my fish for eating during derbies. I do keep a few at other times when I get the hankering for a fish fry.

Post by **Paya** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 11:34 am

Well , because I do not keep fish I never taste bass.Is it any good ?
Markus ..your suggestion sounds very good to me.Can't wait to try your culinary magic

))

Post by **pikeie** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 12:52 pm

ya i would have to go with markus on this one there is defenatly no shortage of bass so i think its fine to keep a few for the table.

Post by **Cancatchbass** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 4:34 pm

Sorry guys. Hate to be the wet blanket here, but I have to respond to a blanket statement such as "There is absolutely no shortage of bass in our waters".

What is a "shortage"? Some bodies of water can withstand only limited pressure, and removing only a couple of quality fish could affect future populations. Others, like Erie, because of their sheer size, can lose some prime breeding stock and not see the fisheries collapse.

Every study and report that I've read about fish populations over the years (and there have been many, and most dealt with bass) stressed the importance of releasing larger fish of all species.

Contact any authority of your choice- maybe start with the OFAH- and see how they react to the "keep all the big fish you want since the supply is limitless" theory. The scientists at In-Fisherman would be shaking their heads in wonder. Have no lessons been learned after all these years?

Fishing Freak- none of this is being directed at you. You eat the odd bass. So? You are well within your rights and no-one can fault you for enjoying a fish-fry on occasion. You have released some beauties recently and I congratulate you for that. I also congratulate you on your derby finishes. Maybe we can convert you to a whiz-bang live-release tournament angler?

Anglers on this board rave about the Quinte walleye fishery. Let me tell you it is CRAP compared to what it was in the 70's and 80's. I fished there regularly and it was amazing! Hundreds of boats at the mouth of the Napanee River or at Sherman's or Green's or the Narrows with everyone catching fish, all day long.

But, the bay was pounded for years, summer and winter, with valuable spawners removed by the 1000's. Guys brought 10-15 pound fish home to show off, then dumped them.

Well, the endless supply had an end. The walleye fishery in Quinte is a mere shadow of its former self.

You might say there is "no shortage" of walleye in Quinte, (and maybe they are not threatened with extirpation), but think, for a moment about what you are missing- what could have been- and what caused the downfall of a once great fishery.

This rant is officially over. Unleash the hounds!:lol:

CCB

Post by **wolfe** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 6:13 pm

No "hounds" released on you, CCB, but here's one Wolfe who applauds your post and supports your opinion. For good eats, it's just not necessary to regularly remove the biggest and best from the breeding pool.

Again, Fishing Freak, no fingers pointed, as the occasional larger bass kept by you during derbies is not your normal practice. Good luck in your next derby, but by the looks of things, you'll do just fine with or without well wishes!

W.

Post by **Fishing Freak** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 6:14 pm

CCB

the day the 4.75lber was caught i only keep enough to eat. i actually released 2 18" and keep 2 14".

i would practice live release during derbies, but my boat does not have a livewell onboard. i've tried making one out of a large cooler and pumps, but that didn't help much. if you or anyone else have plans for a livewell, that actually worked at keeping fish alive for 7+ hours, i'd gladly build and use it.

Post by **Cancatchbass** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 6:33 pm

FF- I'm sure there were some posts, (maybe a year ago?) about building livewells for boats not equipped with them.

Hopefully some of the guys who participated in that discussion will jump in now!

CCB

Fish-Hawk.Net

LM bass Pic

LM bass Pic

hmmm ..I would love to taste that Markus

Oh man!

Livewell