So Much for catch and release

[LarryG]

Last week, my lady friend and I were spider rigging for crappie, in a lake in georgia. This is the first time she has fished in a lake, I've taken her on the cumberland river a few times. Were about a half mile from the end of the creek, and here comes this 20ft triton, full throttle, 10 ft of water. Thery hit a couple of docks[fishing], and here they came full throttle. My friend asked whats wrong with those guys, nothing I said, they're bass fishermen, more like bassholes she said, right on the money.

[davidsa]

Last week, my lady friend and I were spider rigging for crappie, in a lake in georgia. This is the first time she has fished in a lake, I've taken her on the cumberland river a few times. Were about a half mile from the end of the creek, and here comes this 20ft triton, full throttle, 10 ft of water. Thery hit a couple of docks[fishing], and here they came full throttle. My friend asked whats wrong with those guys, nothing I said, they're bass fishermen, more like bassholes she said, right on the money.

I hear you Larry! Most bass fishermen are super people as are most of the fishermen and women I meet. A few unfortunately think they own the water and that it is OK to invade your space at high speeds. The same can be said of some drivers of cars, right

I always slow down in close quarters and avoid peoples space. This can be difficult to do at times. Down a KYL guys park out in the middle of the channel to crappie fish; basically sitting in the middle of the lake in the only way to get up and down the lake. The Channel is wide enough so that you can go buy without risk and in this case I may not slow down. My boat does not put out much wake on plane but puts out lots at slower speeds. I'd rather have a bassboat go by on plane +150ft away from me rather then slow down and create wake. These can be tough judgement calls at times as you approach another boat at high speed. All this said, I think respecting peoples space and being polite is the way to go and 99% of the time can and should be done.

[buckdroppings]

I tournament fish and eat bass. I don't see anything wrong with either one of them as long as they are done in moderation. Hence creel limits and shock surveys. Many of our lakes are "over-fished" for bass mainly due to tournaments. I don't think that hurts the population though. It just gives'em tighter lips. I personally think taking a few home now and then actually helps the overall population.

In the end though, nothing has an affect on our bass as much as mother nature herself, floods droughts lack of habitat. KDFW are not restocking because so many people are taking fish home. Bass are a product of their environment and bass in particular are fairly fragile. Same goes for the 10lber comment. Where the habitat and growth rate allows it we have'em otherwise we don't.