Some interesting comments, thanks!
Before this takes a wrong turn, I in no way wanted this to come out as an anti-tournament thread. The issues I brought up affect all of us who fish.
No keeping bass during the spawn would be for all anglers, not just tournament anglers. Targeting spawning fish at all should be discouraged. Even removing the bass from the nest for a few minutes does have an affect on that bass protecting the nest.
Someone mentioned driving a long distance and not being able to fish after catching their limit. Not exactly what I meant. I regards to stripers, one would stop fishing for stripers after limiting out, but could still target other species. I do this myself if I limit out in summer. Grab a lighter rod and chase a few smallies or spots. Consider this, you are out with a friend on the lake striper fishing during August. You both limit out, but are still over fish and continue. You catch 5 more. Statistically speaking, if there is an 80% mortality rate on released stripers during the summer, 4 of the 5 you release are dead. Thats 8 stripers, or double your daily limit, that you and your partner killed during that one trip. It may be legal right now to do so, but I would argue that it is highly unethical.
I also disagree that education will not help. I certainly see your point. However, if enough people in a club are for making changes to the club tourny rules that are in line with what the fisheries people are saying (night fishing only in summer, 5 hour tourny in summer, don't release all at the ramp), changes can be made to that club. Same goes with the fish for fun crowd. I see this with new striper anglers. They are unaware of problems with post release mortality in summer. Hey, the fish swam away, it must be alright. Check that same fish a few hours later and its belly up. Concerned anglers will make adjustments to their fishing once they are aware of the problem. Sure, you'll still have a few who do not care.
I do agree that I would not want to see additional regs. Much better if we do the right thing ourselves.
Andrew
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