H.B. 403 - protect our trophy catfish!

[Lowerider]

I don't know what I said that got your panties in a bunch but you seem to be the one that likes to "shoot first and ask questions later..." or at least that's the same accusation you used in another post calling out a respected member on this board just for trying to help a guy find his stolen boat.

The TN River system in your sweet home AL is arguably the best trophy blue cat fishery in the nation. It will only continue to be that way long term with continued conservation efforts.

I'll do the simple math for you - the more trophy size fish left in a body of water the better the chance a recreational fisherman has to catch it. Those that want food for the table generally don't keep large fish anyway - especially from the Ohio River. It effects tournament fisherman the most because we might have to throw back 25+lbers but it's a small price to pay for the sake of conservation.

[sweetwater]

I don't know what I said that got your panties in a bunch but you seem to be the one that likes to "shoot first and ask questions later..." or at least that's the same accusation you used in another post calling out a respected member on this board just for trying to help a guy find his stolen boat.

The TN River system in your sweet home AL is arguably the best trophy blue cat fishery in the nation. It will only continue to be that way long term with continued conservation efforts.

I'll do the simple math for you - the more trophy size fish left in a body of water the better the chance a recreational fisherman has to catch it. Those that want food for the table generally don't keep large fish anyway - especially from the Ohio River. It effects tournament fisherman the most because we might have to throw back 25+lbers but it's a small price to pay for the sake of conservation.

If you're refering to what I said to hurricanebob I think it's obvious I said it in jest, if you haven't noticed I joke around with him and carter1 and a few other people on here that I respect and I do mean respect. It has nothing to with my panties and I don't appreciate that reference. However, I will give you the benefit of a doubt that you were only making an innuendo and not taking another jab at me personally. If you're going to cut on me for wise cracking you should be fair and do the same for everyone else on here that makes a wise crack from time to time including the moderators.

You really need to go after Ohio, Indiana and Illinois as well as Kentucky if you want to protect the Ohio River catfish fishery. Most of the river is in Ky but there are reciprocal fishery agreements with most of the states that border the river with Kentucky. Without every state following suite your buddy across the river in Cinncinnati or J-ville could keep catfish from the Ohio that you couldn't providing he doesn't catch them in a Ky. tributary of the Ohio.

With that said, the Ohio River is a totally different situation then the Tenn River in Bama is. The Tenn. River is entirely inside Bama's borders from just west of Chatanooga to the Mississippi State line. Once again, you can't use that as a fair comparison. Also, just so all the facts are on the table, I don't fish for catfish and I don't consume them either. I think they are nasty, their taste is to strong for my liking and because I am of child bearing age I am not consuming the extra mercury and PCB's they contain. But if someone wants to take a few home, including a large speciman to eat they should be able to do so just as they can with any rough fish providing they are taken using legal methods. Before I end let me check something,,,,, yep they're still in place.

[Lowerider]

Arguing for the sake of argument? Banging my head into the wall...

WV and OH already have protective regs in place. IN had a proposed Bill that got blown up at the 11th hour when the commercial fisherman brought a strong lobby to the table. This is in spite of the state's lead fishery biologist highly recommending regulations be put in place. Politics at its best.

Just because there are other states that have yet to see the light doesn't mean we should just abandon KY's efforts. It's a domino effect. Obviously our challenges are greater given we have to lobby several states compared to those that did so in AL several years ago. That doesn't mean the improved results since reported by AL fisherman can't also happen here one day. It's not apples and oranges - it's catfish and river systems (the same).

My opinion is that it's common sense for those that enjoy fishing for catfish to be willing to sacrifice keeping more than one large fish a day if that means the fishery will be protected and sustainable for years to come. The flip side (your opinion) is that if restrictive regulations must also be applied to recreational fisherman than it's not worth it. Yes, we are all entitled to our opinion. Even those that don't even fish for catfish but still feel the need to call their Representatives and voice theirs?

[sweetwater]

Arguing for the sake of argument? Banging my head into the wall...

WV and OH already have protective regs in place. IN had a proposed Bill that got blown up at the 11th hour when the commercial fisherman brought a strong lobby to the table. This is in spite of the state's lead fishery biologist highly recommending regulations be put in place. Politics at its best.

Just because there are other states that have yet to see the light doesn't mean we should just abandon KY's efforts. It's a domino effect. Obviously our challenges are greater given we have to lobby several states compared to those that did so in AL several years ago. That doesn't mean the improved results since reported by AL fisherman can't also happen here one day. It's not apples and oranges - it's catfish and river systems (the same).

My opinion is that it's common sense for those that enjoy fishing for catfish to be willing to sacrifice keeping more than one large fish a day if that means the fishery will be protected and sustainable for years to come. The flip side (your opinion) is that if restrictive regulations must also be applied to recreational fisherman than it's not worth it. Yes, we are all entitled to our opinion. Even those that don't even fish for catfish but still feel the need to call their Representatives and voice theirs?

I consider it a matter of a few people in a select area wanting to tell everyone else in the whole state what they can and can't do in areas that may not need to be regulated in the first place. If you want the Ohio River regulated then go for that, not the whole state, and if you disagree with what someone says don't use personal knowledge whether it be their gender or state of origin to get a rise out of them. I'm all for protecting the rights and privileges of the common recreational fisherman and that's it. It's got nothing to do with catfish, Alabama, Kentucky, The Ohio River, my panties or Lowerider. That's my opinion and I'm done.