Quote Originally Posted by Col Forbin View Post
I think re-circ has its benefits - the largest being when you cannot pump in fresh water. Recirculating water in a livewell that has already reached high levels of ammonia and warm can actually cause some harm. Those Koolwell systems are nice, I wish I had one. The best thing to do is pump out about half the livewell water, and pump back in fresh water at least every hour. I have never lost a fish - but keep a constant eye on them this time of year.

Geo - I don't think banning tournaments is a good solution. However, I think the dead fish penalty in tournaments should be a little more than most are. At least it will keep the hadful of tournament anglers who don't work to keep fish alive a little more proactive.
How about a DNR member at EVERY tourney and EVERY weigh in. How about they TICKET those tourney jocks for every DEAD FISH. Wanton waste of the fishery resource is a serious offense....

Here is what really gets my goat. Most serious tourney guys get SICK about a guy taking a 5 or 6lb fish and cutting it up for a nice sandwich. BUT if that same tourney guy catches a 5 or 6 and carries it 30 miles in a hot, rocking livewell, and then weights a DEAD FISH, he has no problem with that. Personally I think THAT *****. If you've NEVER KILLED a fish in a tourney then you can bitch about the guy that harvests fish for the table. If you've EVER KILLED ONE at a weigh in, then you don't have any ground to stand on.

This time of year, it is stressful enough on the fishery. I'd love to see some rules to protect the fish.

* MAKE it a REQUIREMENT to use chemicals.
* Make it a REQUIREMENT to use ice.
* MAKE it a REQUIREMENT to protect your catch.
* NO DEAD fish......PERIOD.
* If it is obvious you're fish are going to die........you cannot weigh them.
* If you bring in DEAD FISH.......you're disqualified from your classic.

MAKE this a SERIOUS ISSUE.......cause right now, it is NOT.

Later,

Geo