KDFWR Looking for big bass for hatcheries

[dabassking]

Like many people have said, Texas is proof that this kind of program works with its Share Lunker Program. I think some of you all have made good points about how relying on the fishermen to take care of the fish during transport is sketchy and that the state should just shock them up to keep them healthier, but I think if they did that, more people would get upset that the state is taking trophy fish out of lakes without giving people the chance to catch them. Also, the state would have to use a lot of resources to shock up a decent amount of trophy fish. Let them work on other things and have the fish be brought to them.

[Wormin]

I love catching big fish,anything short of a new state record it CPR as fast as possible. Let say you put the boat in at first light and that 8lb fish nail your buzzbait right off are going to load the boat and take the fish to the bait shop probably not your going to fish another 4 to6 hrs now a fish that size in a live well is not going to do well. And what if you get to the bait shop and there closed I just see alot of good fish being killed by people trying to do a good thing as if they do it they have complete control over all the variables.

[inrll]

It does seem like the fish would be better cared for by the biologists doing shocking vs. being carried around in a live well for who knows how long.

The article says they will accept females over 8lbs and males over 6. Leaving it up to the average Joe to decide if a fish over 6lbs is a male seems like a crapshoot.

[SLP]

Taking the best fish from good lakes to supply the poor ones, hmmm sounds like socialism j/k

[Devils Horse]

Like the concept a lot. Agree with other posters, if KDFWR is serious about improving the bass size statewide, they need to use their shock boats and get the program started immediately. There are not enough 8 pounders that will be caught and survive to the so far unnamed bait shops.

Another thing they could do to help bass, and all fishing in general is never kill, or support killing vegetation in the lakes. Imagine what Ky lake would fish like right now if they hadn't killed the grass.

[SLP]

Like the concept a lot. Agree with other posters, if KDFWR is serious about improving the bass size statewide, they need to use their shock boats and get the program started immediately. There are not enough 8 pounders that will be caught and survive to the so far unnamed bait shops.

Another thing they could do to help bass, and all fishing in general is never kill, or support killing vegetation in the lakes. Imagine what Ky lake would fish like right now if they hadn't killed the grass.

While I agree about the vegetation KDFWR doesn't really have much authority of lake and water conditions when it comes to flood control reservoirs. I am under the impression the waters really aren't managed with fishing in mind.

[GeoFisher]

While I agree about the vegetation KDFWR doesn't really have much authority of lake and water conditions when it comes to flood control reservoirs. I am under the impression the waters really aren't managed with fishing in mind.

Did KY really spray the grass up north? I though the grass died due to flooding .........it is coming back ,but real slow.

[Devils Horse]

None of the lakes in south central Ky are ever going to have much aquatic grass, they get pulled down too far in the winter. IMO Ky and Barkley are a different story. I've always been told the grass was intentionally killed in Ky Lake, but don't know for sure.

And yes, the KDFWR has limited power over critical decisions that affect our water. Learned that years ago when 'aquaculturists' (a politician out of Bowling Green and a few other shareholders in Paddlefish caviar companies) tried to get a program approved that allowed them to stock Paddlefish, AKA Spoonbills in 5 central Ky lakes, then run gill nets for them in the winter. Just picture a huge gill net being pulled through Barren (or Nolin, or Rough) at winter pool.

Fortunately, we found out about some very low key supposedly 'public' meetings (political CYA) required for approval. Ranking KDFWR people were at the meetings, but despite their opposition to the program stayed quiet because they had been ordered by Frankfort not to take a public stand on the issue. For once we anglers united and raised holy heck. Later the Auburn University schooled Biologist who designed the program, also a major shareholder in a Paddlefish caviar company got his carcass thrown to the dogs and wound up facing criminal charges. The others skated.

[Flipper09]

Why would stocking Florida's here be any different from Tennessee stocking lake chickamauga, And the south end of Ky Lake.

[CaptObvious]

If my memory is correct, there was a different type of grass growing in Ky lake. I think it was leafy and it was all along the shores especially on the lbl of the lake. I have fish the Blood river area since 87. I don't recall seeing the hydrilla or whatever it is that's around today, not saying it wasn't there, just don't recall it. I remember fishing a mosquito hawk in that weed. Man, that was a good bait for that! Like I said said, my memory is not the greatest

[smashdn]

Used to love dipping the buck willows for bass too. I don't think the water gets up in them until well after the spawn now.

[CaptObvious]

Used to love dipping the buck willows for bass too. I don't think the water gets up in them until well after the spawn now.

Yep. If you pay attention while you're doing that you'll see a big ol northern water snake or two a hanging in that brush waiting for a tempting meal to swim by.