Release fish

I've heard that fisherman will target areas where fish have been released from tournaments. Is this an effective way to catch fish or is just as hard to catch them anywhere else on a lake. If so, how long after the fish have been released will it take them to bite? I know that bass bite mostly on reaction and instinct so I can see a bass hitting if the lure is presented correctly. What are some thoughts on this? Have any had luck with this method? Just was wanting to know if I have been missing out on something.

Hey OneShy,

I'm not sure that it is any easier to catch the fish, but the biggest thing might be that you are around fish, and that is something you may not be able to say in other parts of the lake. So, from a confidence thing, you may have an advantage.

While fishing in the back of a boat in a draw tournament, my partner took the last part of the day to control the boat, and he wanted to fish just outside of a very large bay where many, many tournaments are held. He believed there would be a ton of fish available. If they were, we did not present our lures correctly!! LOL

As far as how long until a fish bites again, I've heard and read theories that a fish won't bite again for a couple of days, then again I read articles where the same fish is caught sometimes almsot back to back. I think that what really stops these fish from biting is probably the riding in the boat for several hours, the stress of weigh in, and then release. I really don't know how long before you could safely assume they would be prepared to eat again, or if their instincts get beat up a little and if they would bite right away after release.

BTW, some call this pot licking... LOL Some think this is a little not fair. That the fish are easier to catch because they are piled up. As I pointed out, that was not my experience!!

Good luck,

Danny

Now this was told to us bye a guy who fishes tour.s on Dale --Me and a buddy was down at Wisdom staying a few days in Dec. brrrrr-Met this guy as we were loading our boat-He,s get to telling how good he is at fishing them Friday night tour,s--He points to a bank we can see tells us thats called the --------------------------------------------------------------
AQUARIUM that,s where they release all fish in the tour,s held here--thats big time off limit to fish there---We fished it did not have a hit-lol-But it was Dec.. and cold--:)

I think fishing release sites are hit and miss just like any other spot. Alot of factors come into play that decides if they will be willing to bite or even if they are around there. Boat traffic, temp, time of day, fishing pressure and water depth are just a few. I'll hit a release site if i have the opportunity but more times than not i get skunked doing this. JMO

I have had some success fishing known release bays. Had to rename the species "Sore mouth bass" lol

i fished a spot a few years ago at dale some locals called the aquarium and caught a 4.2lb smallmouth. my biggest to date. only fish my buddy and i caught all day. pig n jig.

Rarely will you not see a boat on a known release area..... especially at Herrington, Barkley, KY Lake, Nolin, Green River and others..... I could make a good example from the club i fish...but i won't...... "GET DOWN IN THE BOAT HERE COMES THE GAME WARDEN".......
I think Smallies and Kentuckies will leave a release area to travel to get back to the part of the lake they were in.

[quote=SuperSprint007;301761]Rarely will you not see a boat on a known release area..... especially at Herrington, Barkley, KY Lake, Nolin, Green River and others..... I could make a good example from the club i fish...but i won't...... "GET DOWN IN THE BOAT HERE COMES THE GAME WARDEN".......
I think Smallies and Kentuckies will leave a release area to travel to get back to the part of the lake they were in.[/quote]


"GET DOWN IN THE BOAT HERE COMES THE GAME WARDEN"....... Sounds like something I have seen before. LMAO!!!:eek: :D :rolleyes: