Dead fish during day tournaments

[kc]

I like the idea of a DNR guy at every tournament and ticket the tournament director if a bunch of dead bass are weighed in. Like several have said on this post it is not rocket science. The key is a little information and preparation and make the tournament directors responsible. Maybe they need to have a pre-tournament meeting and explain to everyone how to keep their fish alive. They could even supply some ice and chemicals for those who aren't prepared. And if they still have too many dead fished weighed in - fine them. Tournament fishermen are quick to point out that "fishery problems" are because the meat eater keep too many but they have rules and I think tournament anglers should follow rules too. It is not difficult to ice and use chemicals to keep fish alive but it beyond me how many haven't figured that out.

My 2 cents...


kc

[Duayne]

You can't ticket someone for bringing in a dead fish when he could easily have caught 5 and cleaned them. The reg is 5 per person. A boat with 2 ppl could take 10 bass home if they wanted. I'm not a tourney guy and I do think weigh ins this time of year is a mistake, but the simple fact is, if ppl catch them they can kill them up to five per person. It seems to me like it would be kinda fun for the small medium deals to do a some low fee small payout catch and release tourney's this time of year or go with all night tourneys.

If you want something that will provide a huge help with little cost, go to Kroger and buy kosher/pickling salt (non iodine). Its right next to the iodine salt. Salt water retains oxygen much better than lake water and you won't have to cool it as much which means you don't have to carry as much ice and there is less chance of shock when put back in the lake.

If you want to keep from having to change the water as much, go to the pet store and get some chlorine/ammonia blocker. Don't add bagged ice without it, but its a good idea to use this stuff even if you aren't adding bagged ice as fish put off ammonia several ways and it is deadly to them.

[offdtop]

I don't believe it's the "weigh ins" that are the problem, it's guys taking steps to help prevent it. As mentioned way earlier deflate the bladder would save 75% of these fish because they are being pulled from 20 to 25 ft of water in a split second. A conservation agent should/could be at weigh in's and demonstrate the proper technique and this would take survival rates up drastically! Instead looking for wrong they could help promote what is right.....JMHO

[Tom Shepherd]

The only fish that I have had die in a livewell are fish that are hooked bad. Would they die if you turned them loose? Of course they would. Anytime you stick a piece of metal in an animal it has a chance to die. Just take care of your fish the best you can and most will be fine. The ice bottle technique works really well for me and keep the recirc on constantly. Another little trick I do is when it is really hot I will throw a bag of ice in the livewell before I leave home and this cools down the livewell before I even get to the lake.

[Duayne]

I think having someone at the weigh ins to assist in teaching proper methods is a wonderful idea.