Box
08-05-2004, 01:22 PM
There was a thread (or two) a year or so ago about smallies and how taking a limit of them was perceived.
http://www.walleyecentral.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=7&topic_id=3102&mesg_id=3102&listing_type=search
http://www.walleyecentral.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=7&topic_id=3047&mesg_id=3047&listing_type=search
In a nutshell, a person asked about what people thought about eating them. At the time, I suggested my opinion that as long as they were legal, I would not complain about it. I still do share that thought about "if it's legal, I won't hassle you", even though I never keep bass of any kind, and rarely does anybody in my boat.
However, after spending much more time fishing for smallies this year and last, and learning more about them, I certainly appreciate the comments other had about how the populations could be harmed very fast if people caught and kept their limits. I finally have had time to see how many nice smallies can be caught quite easily, and thinking about all these fish being killed makes me sick. I don't tell people my spots anymore for fear of that.
Anyway, I wonder why the limit on these is still so high? I am in MN - limit 6. I guess it might not be a problem because people rarely keep them these days. But you certainly could see where a local population could be wiped out very quickly and rather easily.
So... this post is prolly just me rambling, but looking back on my words from years ago, I would change my mind and I would agree that smallie fishing should almost be totally catch and release or a very reduced limit set, as others here, including Bob J, have stated. Smallies are indeed a special case, and a heck of a cool fish. I have a blast the past couple years, and especially this year.
-Box
(I guess you do need a limit to be set, so catch and release tournies can still exist... though I don't fish any, except a couple buddy contests.)
http://www.walleyecentral.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=103808
http://www.walleyecentral.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=7&topic_id=3102&mesg_id=3102&listing_type=search
http://www.walleyecentral.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=7&topic_id=3047&mesg_id=3047&listing_type=search
In a nutshell, a person asked about what people thought about eating them. At the time, I suggested my opinion that as long as they were legal, I would not complain about it. I still do share that thought about "if it's legal, I won't hassle you", even though I never keep bass of any kind, and rarely does anybody in my boat.
However, after spending much more time fishing for smallies this year and last, and learning more about them, I certainly appreciate the comments other had about how the populations could be harmed very fast if people caught and kept their limits. I finally have had time to see how many nice smallies can be caught quite easily, and thinking about all these fish being killed makes me sick. I don't tell people my spots anymore for fear of that.
Anyway, I wonder why the limit on these is still so high? I am in MN - limit 6. I guess it might not be a problem because people rarely keep them these days. But you certainly could see where a local population could be wiped out very quickly and rather easily.
So... this post is prolly just me rambling, but looking back on my words from years ago, I would change my mind and I would agree that smallie fishing should almost be totally catch and release or a very reduced limit set, as others here, including Bob J, have stated. Smallies are indeed a special case, and a heck of a cool fish. I have a blast the past couple years, and especially this year.
-Box
(I guess you do need a limit to be set, so catch and release tournies can still exist... though I don't fish any, except a couple buddy contests.)
http://www.walleyecentral.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=103808