Pretty interesting report the DFW did regarding deep caught bass on DVL

[Matt_Magnone]

for those of you that take interest in this type of stuff, you should give this a read. pretty much shows that what each angler does on the water truly does impact the fishery.

https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=78254&inline=1

[HawgZWylde]

Excellent read Matt, thanks for posting this. This is why we don't fish in water over 25-30ft deep in winter or summer. Sure we catch less but we rarely have to deal with barotraumatized fish. If we catch a Bass that shows any signs of barotrauma we needle it and put it in the well to recuperate. What got me was where it stated that up to 67% of the estimated legal size bass population were caught by just the tourney guys in one year(2012). I can only imagine how many fish are caught deep and thrown back without any treatment by all anglers. And it really does point to a smaller total population than years past. I hope more guys will take the time and learn how to properly needle and handle a fish after reading this.Or just don't fish deeper than 25-30ft.

Good post, thanks...

[Matt_Magnone]

Excellent read Matt, thanks for posting this. This is why we don't fish in water over 25-30ft deep in winter or summer. Sure we catch less but we rarely have to deal with barotraumatized fish. If we catch a Bass that shows any signs of barotrauma we needle it and put it in the well to recuperate. What got me was where it stated that up to 67% of the estimated legal size bass population were caught by just the tourney guys in one year(2012). I can only imagine how many fish are caught deep and thrown back without any treatment by all anglers. And it really does point to a smaller total population than years past. I hope more guys will take the time and learn how to properly needle and handle a fish after reading this.Or just don't fish deeper than 25-30ft.

Good post, thanks...

no thank you! you're always thinking about the bigger picture. it's killer! i too have sorta killed my deep fishing. i love it but man...

makes you wonder doesn't it? referencing my bedfish thread, makes a helluva lot more sense to do everything in our power to try and preserve our fishery when it matters the most doesnt it?

[DEVOREFLYER]

Interesting stats indeed. If 67% of ALL legal sized Bass are caught by tournament anglers then the skill set of the leisure angler must be really poor. I fish in fewer than 6 tournaments a year and the tournament rules for each lake/tournament I have fished in are different than the DFW regulations (size restriction, lower limit, reduced fishing hours, no umbrella/A rigs). These rules are to preserve the fishery and my experience is that tournament anglers take extra steps to keep the fish in good condition (penalty for dead fish at weigh in).

I am a little suspect about the study as Lake Perris has consistently produced more legal sized fish than DVL for the anglers that I know. In fact a Pro here that guides (Pete Marino) posts many pics of large fish caught deep during the winter at Perris. The Ice Jig at Perris in deep water in the winter is the go to method for a sure limit. On any given day you can count more anglers on Perris than DVL and it gets more fishing pressure (Tubers, Kayak and Shore) than DVL. I believe the reason for the disparity is Mr. Stripy and the overall size and quality of Bass at Castaic and Pyramid Lake is nowhere what it was years ago. Silverwood Lake was the premier Brown Trout fishery and they have all but disappeared due to the Striper. I am of the opinion that the Striper is much more the reason for the decline than Tournament anglers or fishing pressure in general. If DFW would raise the limit on Stripers or take measures to reduce the population I think you would see a huge rebound in bait fish and all of the other species.

[noleash]

for those of you that take interest in this type of stuff, you should give this a read. pretty much shows that what each angler does on the water truly does impact the fishery.

https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=78254&inline=1
Well,Well; the state of calif. actually doing something to protect and preserve the quality of it's resources! It's a start that DOES NOT need to be swept under the carpet by Mr Ignorant and selfish Kevin Van Dam wannabes! Next thing for the local DFW biologist to do is study the effects of tournament pre fishing and actual event has on Spawning fish and the subsequent effects on numbers of surviving juvenile FSLMB are! Then after the necessary implementations are put into effect, some man made habitats to protect the juvenile fish from their natural predators surly would be nice! It truly would be nice to witness the absolute explosion in quality of this fishery in the short while it would take to rebound from the relentless poundings of the ignorant and selfish whoremongers known as corporate America!:Big Grin: And GOOD LUCK to everyone!

[BassinPLS]

Interesting stats indeed. If 67% of ALL legal sized Bass are caught by tournament anglers then the skill set of the leisure angler must be really poor. I fish in fewer than 6 tournaments a year and the tournament rules for each lake/tournament I have fished in are different than the DFW regulations (size restriction, lower limit, reduced fishing hours, no umbrella/A rigs). These rules are to preserve the fishery and my experience is that tournament anglers take extra steps to keep the fish in good condition (penalty for dead fish a weigh in).

I am a little suspect about the study as Lake Perris has consistently produced more legal sized fish than DVL for the anglers that I know. In fact a Pro here that guides (Pete Marino) posts many pics of large fish caught deep during the winter at Perris. The Ice Jig at Perris in deep water the winter is the go to method for a sure limit. On any given day you can count more anglers on Perris than DVL and it gets more fishing pressure (Tubers, Kayak and Shore) than DVL. I believe the reason for the disparity is Mr. Stripy and the overall size and quality of Bass at Castaic and Pyramid Lake is nowhere what it was years ago. Silverwood Lake was the premier Brown Trout fishery and they have all but disappeared due to the Striper. I am of the opinion that the Striper is much more the reason for the decline than Tournament anglers or fishing pressure in general. If DFW would raise the limit on Stripers or take measures to reduce the population I think you would see a huge rebound in bait fish and all of the other species.

I'd 2nd this... the Stripers are the problem with the decline of all species at DVL!

[Brent]

Great post as usual Matt.

Let the fireworks and denial begin. I think I'll get some pocorn ready.
This proves what I've always suspected.

Now let's see what they do about it. Wouldn't hurt my feelings one bit to not have a tourny almost every weekend I get to fish.
I love this lake and to see them do something to protect it would be welcome. I looked in the holding tank yesterday for the ABA tourny and saw probably 10 - 15 fish that didn't look like they would survive, and thet's just at a glance. I always wondered how many fish die from riding around sloshing in a live well all day.
Pretty detailed study and a lot of interesting information.

Brent

[elbowlayer]

So its not good to fish deep or shallow, LOL. I'm just kidding, I am not an everyday fisherman and I don't fish tournaments and have been doing my best to learn proper techniques. In fact I went out with Pete on a guided tour to learn deep fishing techniques and how to "needle" them correctly. If anything Pete made sure I understood how to take care of the fish, to preserve the fishery. So I went out Friday, fished from my kayak, caught a few bass and posted a picture and a video. After I post on Facebook my picture the second comment is about fishing spawn fish. I go out once a week, release all my bass and now I'm getting **** for fishing they same way I for everyweek. I think knowledge is the answer to protect the fisheries , I'm the type of Guy who pics up trash on the water as I'm paddling around,the main problem are the guys who don't care if what they are doing is wrong

[DEVOREFLYER]

In my opinion HABITAT/COVER is a very important feature that is lacking at DVL. In the Delta the Bass fishing is off the hook and it is teeming with Stripers, the difference is the bait fish and fry have cover to hide from the predators. The same is true for all of the Bass lakes I have fished in the Southern states (stumps, timber, water lilies, water hyancith, reeds etc.) Lake Perris and Lake Skinner both have cover and Stripers and the Bass do not seem to suffer. DFW how about introducing some plants for cover at DVL. It's all about HABITAT and COVER.

http://i.imgur.com/3yizAmA.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/mYgT5G8.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/TkyeH98.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/MhgCsnH.jpg

[HawgZWylde]

First I think it should be pointed out that the purpose of our local fisheries biologist in this particular study was the mortality rate of tournament fishing, not what caused the initial damage to the DVL fishery. I think this study was done in conjunction with other ongoing studies to form a bigger picture for which to draw an overall conclusion as to what most of us DVL locals already know, it's a damaged fishery and we gotta figure out something to help make it better. It's a well known fact, confirmed already years ago by Kwin, that Morone saxatilis or Striper and a nearly 100ft draw-down are in fact what has done the most damage to the DVL fishery. I think this study should be taken in the context of a damaged lake's (DVL) recovery, or lack thereof and what we as anglers can do to help said recovery. It's a well known fact that the LMB population is far below what it once was and there are in fact missing generations of all species of finned and invertebrate life in the lake.

A big mistake is to compare DVL to other lakes. DVL is quite unique in the fact that it is steep and very deep with very little aquatic "flora" to sustain and protect juveniles and fry. There are no tules, no large grass/plant flats or any other aquatic jungles like at Perris or Skinner, or any other So Cal lake for that matter, only moss and algae covered rocks and decomposing wood. And the rapid draw-down has put the water level below where any grass or aquatic "flora" has grown since all plant life needs sunlight for photosynthesis. Now throw Stripey who's voracious appetite and it's ability to successfully spawn in DVL into the equation. It's a bloodbath down there.

Until this lake can see water level stability and a healthy fish population again, we anglers should do what we can to sustain, protect and improve the existing fishery by learning to correctly needle and handle fish caught deep to increase survivability. The tourney guys are quite visible and should lead the way, and yes there is indeed a big difference between the amount of fish tourney guys catch as opposed to the average and more numerous on average weekend and weekday warriors. Their paychecks count on that fact, and they indeed can tell you with fact that bag weights are far lower than the past. And while bed-fishing is another thread, it certainly applies here since we are talking about species survivability and enhancement. A small population of LMB and SMB fry and juveniles without the benefits of aquatic plants/jungles are sitting ducks for other apex predators so the more that can survive spawn, the better at the stage this lake is currently in, which is low and going to get much lower.

And indeed, I think limits on taking Stripers should be lifted and it should be all LMB guys duty to kill as many Stripey as possible when they are up (fall and winter) and more easily caught as most LMB guys are not set up for deep water Stripey fishing at other times of year. Hell, I'd even support a lottery who's winner would be allowed to commercially catch Stripey with nets to thin their massive herd. But in all honesty I am a biased LMB/SMB guy.

In this lake, look at the big picture and the future...


**I hope this isn't "rambly" as it's taken me couple of hours to write between the honey-do's I've been assigned...

[ShellBack USNRET]

Finally some real life studies on the causes and effects of Tournaments at the Jewel. And I agree with noleash’s comment, if they dig deeper more will surface.

When I first started fishing Diamond Valley back in 2007, this time of year LMB was everywhere throughout the lake, I mean EVERYWHERE. It was truly the Jewel that drove me to invest time, money, and energy to develop a sport I loved. For close to a year I stayed away from Diamond, that extra fee for tags, increase in entrance price, tournament pressure, and all those other things the Recreational Angler hate about the Jewel gave me a unwelcome to Joe The Fisherman feeling. Yesterday, was the first time I fished Diamond since May 2013. The line was out to Domenigoni Road, Yup another Tournament which I expected. I always give the Tournament guys a wide berth, and that's not my gripe. This time of year and I didn't see any Bass. The good ole days are just a memory. Now I read this article and can't help but speculate on the reasons why.

If anyone who denies that the constant pressure of tournament after tournament is not causing some negative effects to Diamond they need to read the article again “Tournaments are held on up to 85% of all weekends annually”. Add in the effects of holding tournaments during prime spawning periods, Stripers, water level fluctuation and you get an obvious decline in the LMB population at the Jewel.

If you still thinks tournaments are doing no harm. The article mentions culling. What happens to the culled bass caught in deep waters (deflated or not deflated) during their recovery time? Do they become prey to Stripers or that Ten Pound Bass? Let someone stick a needle in your lungs and see how fast you recover! Predator to Prey (if only for a brief moment). Just look at the stats on the number of improper deflating. Are you really a expert on fizzing/deflating? What's your error rational?

In response to DEVOREFLYER 67% comment….I’m one of those non-tournament stats…..Aka Joe The Fisherman….As a responsible and ethical recreational angler I can hold my own with a rod & reel….C&R, yes all green bass….but occasionally I’ll put under the knife other species, because I do eat fish (I show no love to Stripers, besides they taste good).

The answer to the puzzle is simple…..I don’t spend 85% of my weekends fishing.

DEVOREFLYER I’m not saying you’re pointing the finger, but for others who weigh-in on this post….Joe the fisherman is not the problem…Don’t start pointing fingers….let’s not go there! Just read the article again.

It’s time to make a drastic change to our fishery at Diamond Valley. It starts with a reality check for EVERYONE! 85% Come on! Give em a break!

[Stinkbait]

Do any of you or know tourney guys that do the shallow rockfish release methods? I think they do it on Atlantic swordfish too. Saw it on TV.

It's about a pound of lead with a grapple hook that goes through the jaw or inside the gill plate. There is a ring and rope attached to the outside bend of the hook. The weight gets the fish to depth and the rope reverses the hook out releasing the fish at depth. Same as the release crates, but portable.

[HawgZWylde]

Finally some real life studies on the causes and effects of Tournaments at the Jewel. And I agree with noleash’s comment, if they dig deeper more will surface.

When I first started fishing Diamond Valley back in 2007, this time of year LMB was everywhere throughout the lake, I mean EVERYWHERE. It was truly the Jewel that drove me to invest time, money, and energy to develop a sport I loved. For close to a year I stayed away from Diamond, that extra fee for tags, increase in entrance price, tournament pressure, and all those other things the Recreational Angler hate about the Jewel gave me a unwelcome to Joe The Fisherman feeling. Yesterday, was the first time I fished Diamond since May 2013. The line was out to Domenigoni Road, Yup another Tournament which I expected. I always give the Tournament guys a wide berth, and that's not my gripe. This time of year and I didn't see any Bass. The good ole days are just a memory. Now I read this article and can't help but speculate on the reasons why.

If anyone who denies that the constant pressure of tournament after tournament is not causing some negative effects to Diamond they need to read the article again “Tournaments are held on up to 85% of all weekends annually”. Add in the effects of holding tournaments during prime spawning periods, Stripers, water level fluctuation and you get an obvious decline in the LMB population at the Jewel.

If you still thinks tournaments are doing no harm. The article mentions culling. What happens to the culled bass caught in deep waters (deflated or not deflated) during their recovery time? Do they become prey to Stripers or that Ten Pound Bass? Let someone stick a needle in your lungs and see how fast you recover! Predator to Prey (if only for a brief moment)

In response to HawgZWylde 67% got me question….I’m one of those non-tournament stats…..Aka Joe The Fisherman….As a responsible and ethical recreational angler I can hold my own with a rod & reel….C&R, yes all green bass….but occasionally I’ll put under the knife other species, because I do eat fish (I show no love to Stripers, besides they taste good).

The answer to the puzzle is simple…..I don’t spend 85% of my weekends fishing.

HawgZWylde I’m not saying you’re pointing the finger, but for others who weigh-in on this post….Joe the fisherman is not the problem…Don’t start pointing fingers….let’s not go there! Just read the article again.

It’s time to make a drastic change to our fishery at Diamond Valley. It starts with a reality check for EVERYONE! 85% Come on!

You misunderstood the context in which I said that. I am blaming no-one. I'm only saying since the study only covered tournaments, one can only imagine how many fish are caught by other than tournament anglers and added to the equation. I'm simply suggesting that all of us could do a better job at helping the Bass population recover. I fish DVL every week, many times multiple times a week and have for years, so I'm just as guilty as the next guy. And I DO NOT fish tournaments. My response of being surprised is based on the fact that a single group of guys and gals who fish less than 52 days out of 364 days in the year could catch up 67% of all legal sized LMB's in the lake proves the LMB population is way down. Perhaps you should reread my post. And I'm certainly not bagging on the tourney folks either as they are much more inclined to take better care of the fish because if they don't, they get penalized at the scales for weighing in dead fish and they in fact want that fishery to become healthy again for their future tournaments. And if you read my post thoroughly, you would see that I put all the blame for the damage on a 100ft draw-down and Stripers. Sure, we anglers do some damage, but in a healthy fishery it would be miniscule compared to what the draw-downs and Stripey do. ..

The only drastic change I see that would eliminate the damage to the DVL fishery would be the elimination of Morone saxatilis...

I would add that I would like to see a cove on the East end and a cove on the west end closed to fishing during spawn, at least until the numbers come up. That is I'm sure drastic to some but it just might have a positive effect on the survivability of more eggs, but once those eggs hatch and the fry become juveniles Stripey won't care, it's the ultimate poacher...

[DEVOREFLYER]

A number of ways to put the fish down, some are quite simple. I will have to look for that Popel Pocket Fisherman that the kids had when they were small and make a rig and put the needle away.:Big Grin:

http://seagrant.oregonstate.edu/sgpubs/onlinepubs/g05001.pdf

http://www.wpcouncil.org/bottomfish/Documents/200705_Closure/BF_Releasing_Methods.pdf

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishingSportFishingInfo.rockfishcon servation

[ShellBack USNRET]

Corrections and Revisions were made to my original post. I don't imply that you or anyone were placing blame or pointing the finger.

After monitoring this site for year's the Recreational Angler appears to take a back seat towards the Tournament circuit at the Jewel. That tend to come across the wrong way. I have always given the Tournament Guys a wide berth. In previous posts elsewhere, sometimes Joe The Fisherman gets hit on the chin. And in my opinion, the posture at Diamond is Tournaments gets head of the line privilege/leeway because "it's money involved".

Now with a study being posted, how could one ignore the pressure generated by 85% of Diamond weekend population being Tournaments. I agree that water draw down and striper's are part of the equation. Non Tournament practices hold a share as well, but when our numbers appear to be at 33% and fish less than the pro's I could put up a good defensive (Even for the ones who put some under the knife).

You don't enter a tournament to wish a fish, I consider Tournaments as having good to excellent Angler's who knows how to get after their target. Responsible and Ethical, skilled in the art of bringing weight to the scale. Loaded with high tech gear and in a small body of water with limited cover & structure other than to go deep, the prey is at a huge disadvantage. Hell, if you had a expert chasing you down 24/7 you'll give way sooner or later as well.

Nice pictures of what a good habitat should look like, but do we really think Diamond will ever look like that. Not in my life time! So Diamonds Valley Cover and Structure is what it is.

The answer was when the Lake's ramp was closed and the Bass had a half time break.

With a declining Bass population, maybe cutting the number of Tournament permits should be seriously considered. I don't see cutting the number of fish brought to the scale helping, it just means more culling. It was mentioned that improper deflating cause mortality, so unless everyone becomes a resident expert on fizzing/deflating, more deep water bass needs to be brought to the launch for proper treatment. I'm by no means a fish doctor or fish expert, but I do see the number of Bass at Diamond declining.

We can all put our 2 cents into the why, but you can't ignore a controlled study.

Can't wait for San Vincente to re-open, my only wish is the Tournament Circuit will take some lessons learned from Diamond and put some good resolutions in place to preserve the fishery.

Side note: Several weeks ago while fishing at Lake Perris (I believe that one that Pete Marino won) I saw the weighed in fish being released at the launch ramp. Not sure if this was a isolated Angler or all the Anglers releasing their bags at the launch ramp. Since this period was during Pre-Spawning time wouldn't it have been better to relocate these fish throughout the lake? If, this is a standard practice, how long does it take the fish to get back on station?

[HawgZWylde]

no thank you! you're always thinking about the bigger picture. it's killer! i too have sorta killed my deep fishing. i love it but man...

makes you wonder doesn't it? referencing my bedfish thread, makes a helluva lot more sense to do everything in our power to try and preserve our fishery when it matters the most doesnt it?

Yes it does Matt. Especially with this major draw-down occurring. The fish, while fewer, look so much healthier than a few years ago. I hope we don't see a repeat of those bad years...

[seal]

Eliminate stripey Hawgz? Boy that's a good one! You are one funny guy.

Think there might be a lake maturity issue also. DVL is still trying to find a balance and the fish will figure it out, man is only going to have partial control. Trying to make a perfect lake from an imperfect design (from the fish's viewpoint) is going to be awful difficult.

[HawgZWylde]

Eliminate stripey Hawgz? Boy that's a good one! You are one funny guy.

Think there might be a lake maturity issue also. DVL is still trying to find a balance and the fish will figure it out, man is only going to have partial control. Trying to make a perfect lake from an imperfect design (from the fish's viewpoint) is going to be awful difficult.

Not trying to be funny seal. Wishful is more like it. But this goes beyond just a maturing reservoir. DVL is unique in it's structure making it the perfect candidate for Striper overpopulation. Combine a huge draw-down with thousands of voracious Striper, you got a major kill zone bowl. And I am realistic, at this point in the game it would be next to impossible to eliminate them, but they can be better managed by removing limits on certain bodies of water like DVL...

[seal]

Not trying to be funny seal. Wishful is more like it. But this goes beyond just a maturing reservoir. DVL is unique in it's structure making it the perfect candidate for Striper overpopulation. Combine a huge draw-down with thousands of voracious Striper, you got a major kill zone bowl. And I am realistic, at this point in the game it would be next to impossible to eliminate them, but they can be better managed by removing limits on certain bodies of water like DVL...

Slot limit, lower take number to 2 to start. But I also think there is a bit of panic involved and can't get away from that opinion I'm sorry to say. I know you don't want comparisons but the only way to see into the future is to compare the lake to a more mature reservoir that has gone thru level ups and downs and various population swings. Unfortunately the goal of the reservoir is not to please fishermen, if it was a stable water level during spawning periods would be a plus and also high levels till fry have a chance to mature leaving more structure. But that's pie in the sky stuff. Every little bit helps and certainly addressing take is a part of it.

I don't think your idea on isolating coves for protection is going to work out either. The lake is for fishermen that don't only fish for LMB's and eliminating them from fishing good areas (coves) because LMB guys can't stay off the beds is not really fair to them.

Lot's of challenges, surprised the "experts" didn't see this coming, or did they?

[Stormcrow]

This is a quality publish.

It tells us a couple of things:

1. Deflation of deep water fish, whether exhibiting signs of Barotrauma or not, should be deflated regularly and properly as a responsible part of catch and release on the part of bass anglers fishing our so-cal waters.

2. Deflation does not eliminate mortality entirely

3. Reducing bag limit in winter time may become a commonplace. Get ready for that.

Please don't hijack the thread guys...This has nothing to do with the spawn, or stripers, or anything else. It was a BAROTRAUMA study. Further, Quin's results are significant....REALLY SIGNIFICANT...His "p" values were FAR less than (.05)

Certainly, what should be taken away from this by EVERYONE reading this article is to learn how to properly deflate LMB and make it part of your normal Catch and Release protocol on the water at DVL when fishing deeper than 25 feet.

[fshnritchey]

Slot limit, lower take number to 2 to start. But I also think there is a bit of panic involved and can't get away from that opinion I'm sorry to say. I know you don't want comparisons but the only way to see into the future is to compare the lake to a more mature reservoir that has gone thru level ups and downs and various population swings. Unfortunately the goal of the reservoir is not to please fishermen, if it was a stable water level during spawning periods would be a plus and also high levels till fry have a chance to mature leaving more structure. But that's pie in the sky stuff. Every little bit helps and certainly addressing take is a part of it.

I don't think your idea on isolating coves for protection is going to work out either. The lake is for fishermen that don't only fish for LMB's and eliminating them from fishing good areas (coves) because LMB guys can't stay off the beds is not really fair to them.

Lot's of challenges, surprised the "experts" didn't see this coming, or did they?

First off ANYBODY that doesn't think striper populations don't affect LMB populations are fooling themselves. A. They compete for the same food source and B. The stripers prey on the juvenile LMB. The larger stripers have more offspring so keeping the larger stripers in the lake only means larger populations of stripers. The proof of the affect of stripers in other Southern California reservoirs has been proven over the decades as stated by an earlier post. Granted there is no getting rid of them once they have a foothold, but maybe an unlimited limit should be in order where fisherman can literally take as many as they can catch out of the lake MIGHT help. Secondly almost every reservoir that has an excellent LMB population has a no fishing zone for the spawn where the fish can go unmolested throughout their spawn. The fact that DVL gets such incredible tourney pressure and doesn't allow the fish some sort of protection from the tourney anglers is a recipe for disaster. And although there are lots of anglers on the lake that aren't fishing for the LMB the majority of money spent in the area and that are going to the lake are LMB fisherman, it would be an investment in the future of the lake to give these fish a sanctuary during the spawn.

[seal]

First off ANYBODY that doesn't think striper populations don't affect LMB populations are fooling themselves. A. They compete for the same food source and B. The stripers prey on the juvenile LMB. The larger stripers have more offspring so keeping the larger stripers in the lake only means larger populations of stripers. The proof of the affect of stripers in other Southern California reservoirs has been proven over the decades as stated by an earlier post. Granted there is no getting rid of them once they have a foothold, but maybe an unlimited limit should be in order where fisherman can literally take as many as they can catch out of the lake MIGHT help. Secondly almost every reservoir that has an excellent LMB population has a no fishing zone for the spawn where the fish can go unmolested throughout their spawn. The fact that DVL gets such incredible tourney pressure and doesn't allow the fish some sort of protection from the tourney anglers is a recipe for disaster. And although there are lots of anglers on the lake that aren't fishing for the LMB the majority of money spent in the area and that are going to the lake are LMB fisherman, it would be an investment in the future of the lake to give these fish a sanctuary during the spawn.

Wow a bit of an aggressive response. First off I didn't even mention striper predation, the combination of stripers, lack of structure and lower water level has had a very obvious impact on LMB's, I've found more LMB fry in stripers in some years than shad! I addressed other areas of impact but I do not believe that a cove dedicated to LMB catch and release is going to be approved and when referencing other fish to be caught I am speaking about not only stripers but certainly trout also.

[fshnritchey]

Wow a bit of an aggressive response. First off I didn't even mention striper predation, the combination of stripers, lack of structure and lower water level has had a very obvious impact on LMB's, I've found more LMB fry in stripers in some years than shad! I addressed other areas of impact but I do not believe that a cove dedicated to LMB catch and release is going to be approved and when referencing other fish to be caught I am speaking about not only stripers but certainly trout also.

@ Seal- I wasn't responding to your post only it just was how I submitted my reply by clicking on your post at reply with quote. I am a newbie on the postings and always click on that to respond to posts. I apologize if you felt I was attacking your post in particular. That was not the case at all. I was just responding to the topic in general. Sorry again if you felt I was attacking you and your post that was not my intention at all. - T

[seal]

No problem! If the bed fish would always be released at the point of catch and a C&R only policy would be put into place during spawning season some of these concerns would be resolved, but tournament anglers would not like that policy but at the same time are very concerned with the health of the fishery, a bit of a conundrum.

My big pet peeve is with non tournament anglers that think they need a glory shot and place their fish in a live well to later on take the big multi-largemouth picture. I see no reason for this other than the need to post a glory report on these websites. The thought that none of these bass are harmed is ludicrous, many take very good care of their fish but many do not which means loss of life for no good reason. Yesterday saw it at Silverwood, don't know why but it bugs the crap out of me and I'm not even that sensitive when it comes to the ugly green fish.

[noleash]

Well,Well; the state of calif. actually doing something to protect and preserve the quality of it's resources! It's a start that DOES NOT need to be swept under the carpet by Mr Ignorant and selfish Kevin Van Dam wannabes! Next thing for the local DFW biologist to do is study the effects of tournament pre fishing and actual event has on Spawning fish and the subsequent effects on numbers of surviving juvenile FSLMB are! Then after the necessary implementations are put into effect, some man made habitats to protect the juvenile fish from their natural predators surly would be nice! It truly would be nice to witness the absolute explosion in quality of this fishery in the short while it would take to rebound from the relentless poundings of the ignorant and selfish whoremongers known as corporate America!:Big Grin: And GOOD LUCK to everyone!
And once again Nole Ashs' terrets syndrom speaks at will! The real story here is that nobody in particular is the "Bad Guy" AS Devorflyer pointed out the real problem on this particular lake is in FACT habitate! As a matter of FACT with petitions and the influance of these BASS clubs something could be implemented into action to introduce some types of aquatic plant life and man made Portible "specifically desinged" habitate to protect small fin fishes and of course juvinile basses from inileation! As is apparent, these implementations wouldn't come easy but if we ALL quit pointing fingers at each other and worked together we all could make the differance that would get the attiontion of the whole state of calif and restore the quality of potintial that is availiable!:Big Grin:and good luck to everyone!

[Brent]

Call me slow, dim or whatever, but at what point in the article was habitat, cover, stripers or anything else mentioned.
People! The article is "ONLY" about the effects of barotrauma and if barotrauma by itself has this kind of effect, now add in your habitat, stripers, etc. and then you'll see how messed up it really is.

Brent

[chompot]

And once again Nole Ashs' terrets syndrom speaks at will! The real story here is that nobody in particular is the "Bad Guy" AS Devorflyer pointed out the real problem on this particular lake is in FACT habitate! As a matter of FACT with petitions and the influance of these BASS clubs something could be implemented into action to introduce some types of aquatic plant life and man made Portible "specifically desinged" habitate to protect small fin fishes and of course juvinile basses from inileation! As is apparent, these implementations wouldn't come easy but if we ALL quit pointing fingers at each other and worked together we all could make the differance that would get the attiontion of the whole state of calif and restore the quality of potintial that is availiable!:Big Grin:and good luck to everyone!

Havasu has done the artificial habitat thing..... it works.

[Matt_Magnone]

leave it to me to stir the pot a tad. hahaha. needless to say, like several had said, this post isnt about the bed, stripers or any of that jive simply to raise awareness of the health of a fishery and what precautions we need to take in order to keep it healthy. the fact of the matter is that a lot of anglers let it ride and fish until a problem pops its ugly face up and looks us in the face. before these issues even show themselves, im doing my best to put it out there that anglers, whether they give a damn or not, can make change happen. it really rests on our shoulders as anglers. the fact of the matter is that the lake needs help.

[seal]

Call me slow, dim or whatever, but at what point in the article was habitat, cover, stripers or anything else mentioned.
People! The article is "ONLY" about the effects of barotrauma and if barotrauma by itself has this kind of effect, now add in your habitat, stripers, etc. and then you'll see how messed up it really is.

Brent

From a thread jack perspective this one is on the bottom of the list. If you bring up a subject that has the purpose of discussing the health of bass and then post it under the Diamond Valley section of this website then obviously other concerns about the health of the fishery are going to be brought up. If you want a scientific discussion of barotrauma (is this even a word cause spell check doesn't think so) only and it's affect on bass then I would have suggested that this thread be started under a general topics area.

But I would think that discussing all the concerns can only be a good thing if nothing else to bring more awareness to the subject.