A plead to the KDFWR

[geobass]

This is only my opinion. This sounds like the first step to stop ALL fishing. When you increase the size limits without a biological reason, it sounds like PETA to me.
If you want to eat what you catch, kill (or harvest), this is your right.
If the bass size limit is raised don't you think those same people eating them now will not eat a 21" bass?

[kc]

You are exactly right with slots. Most who will eat a 14" bass will eat a 21" bass. The difference is that all of those slot fish won't get hauled to the weigh ins (or get knifed) which will have a impact -- look at Dale.

kc

[chunknwind]

Hey...18" isn't big enough to keep??? If you want a true trophy fishery, make the limit 27". Then the lake will be FULL of smallmouth for you to catch and throw back. My main question would be why would anyone even bother to fish for bass in a lake where there are a ton of stripers that are on average MUCH bigger than any bass is ever going to get in the same lake? I throw ALL of those "trash" brown fish back as they are too small....even the 5-7 lbers....I wouldn't even keep an 8 for mounting. I know I'm gonna catch some flack from elnut for calling his brown fish trash.

He he he trash brown fish, that's a classic. I can't wait for Elnut to see that one.

[elnutsmalljaws]

Hey...18" isn't big enough to keep??? If you want a true trophy fishery, make the limit 27". Then the lake will be FULL of smallmouth for you to catch and throw back. My main question would be why would anyone even bother to fish for bass in a lake where there are a ton of stripers that are on average MUCH bigger than any bass is ever going to get in the same lake? I throw ALL of those "trash" brown fish back as they are too small....even the 5-7 lbers....I wouldn't even keep an 8 for mounting. I know I'm gonna catch some flack from elnut for calling his brown fish trash.

And to think I USED to like Cumberlandguy1 until he trashes my breed. Are you kidding me, 5-7 pound Smallies are too small. I am glad that you would throw back the 8 pounders for someone else will have a chance to catch them. I have caught my fair share of Stripers out of Cumberland with a 29 pounder being my largest, a couple more over 20 and a bunch in the 16-18 range, but there is ABSOLUTELY no comparison in the fight between Striper and Smallies. Pound for Pound, tie their tails together and a Smallie will drown a Striper. Catching a 20lb Striper on 14-17 lb test, 7'MH rod on a Shiner pulled behind a planer board or downrigger in no test in fighting skills at all. I don't meat fish, I fish for the fun of it and love a good fight. Anyone that has landed a 6lb Smallie on a 6lb leader on 10 FNF rod knows the definition of a FIGHT and the best one at that. I will say the enjoyment of a topwater bust by a Striper at night in April or May on a Sliver or Redfin is very exciting, but the actual fight is not a good as a Smallmouth. Hell for the fight, lb for lb, there is none better than a 3-4 lb Brownfish from Dale in December, considering the speed, jumps and flat out mean attitude. Stipers fight good, but they are still behind the Smallies and even Hybrids pound for pound. Keep chasing those TRASH-FISH Stripers and leave all the Smallies to me and both of us will be happy. At least, I know of one fisherman that won't be adding to the traffic at Dale for a while.

[mhall]

Sing it Woody, Sing it, hell I'd divorce my wife for a ten pounder. I also agree with Bonefish, it's not just about the smalljaws.

[SSKY]

I will respond to that statement, I have caught marlin that would burp on lake stripers. In the process of catching them it is really not that much fun. If you get the chance do it, then do it. Smalleyes are the most fun fish that you can catch on mono bar none including saltwater, bonefish included.If you slow fight a striper it is really not much more of a fighter than a carp or drum with small line of the same size of fish and the stripers always run to open water away from trouble. With heavy braid and in close quarters the musky is scary awesome.

[LarryG]

SSKY try a steelhead in a fast water river, then maybe you will change your mind about what a fighting fish is.ALL fish are fun to catch. there are just three species that I have not caught, grayling, squawfish,and char. caught an amur two years ago, and the jumps were fantastic, sturgeon,they have an awesome size, and so did the alligator gar i got that was over 5 ft long, but any fish is worth fishing for.