Spawners and snaggers

[fishmounter]

I'm so glad that "my" lake at the local nearby park is murky with it's usual algae bloom. It's pretty difficult to do any sight fishing for spawning bass, which I think is great. We get these guys that come in with a plastic worm on a big treble hook, snag a big female bass, then say that the fish tried to grab the worm. They end up keeping these fish that are full of eggs and take them home to eat. I've even seen guys trying to snag the big spawning carp that do their splashing and chasing each other right next to shore. If any California Dept. of F & W personnel want to contact me about this, it would be great! Just send me a PM or leave a message here and I'll contact you..

[Fourtogo]

Bucketeeres raping the waters bare

[DarkShadow]

Bucket Brigade in the house!

And don't worry about the DFW, they usually don't respond to the Cal Tip # on the back of your license.

[fishmounter]

I ended up calling the Riverside County Sheriff's office, and complained to them, then they told me they would contact the Riverside County Parks Dept. and in a callback told me that Park Rangers would spend some time this month and April at Fairmount Park as plainclothes fisherman to check for any illegal infractions and for fishing licenses. (they still carry their sidearm and badge and drive an unmarked car). They thanked me for being a concerned citizen and fisherman! He also said the county is putting a lot of money into that park for improvements. That is so awesome! Wow! I did not expect that!

[old pudd fisher]

That's cool Jeff I live about 3 miles from it but don't fish it to much because I always get skunked, but its a great place to practice my photography hobby. Remember this article in the newspaper that's me in the photo.

[DarkShadow]

That's cool Jeff I live about 3 miles from it but don't fish it to much because I always get skunked, but its a great place to practice my photography hobby. Remember this article in the newspaper that's me in the photo.

Waaiiiit....

Feral pigs?!

[Marley]

I am not an avid bass fisherman but I totally understand the draw. What I do not understand is 1) why is bed fishing even allowed at all and 2) because of the vulnerability of spawning fish, why is the fishing season not totally closed during the spawn? A potential world-record bass would have to be a female ready to spawn so wouldn't you want those genetics in her fry?

[DarkShadow]

What I do not understand is 1) why is bed fishing even allowed at all and 2) because of the vulnerability of spawning fish, why is the fishing season not totally closed during the spawn?

With the, lack of resources available to our DFG, managing any type of 'closure' during the spawning season would be an unneeded headache.

When will the closures occur? Would they be statewide? Big Bear and Silverwood bass tend to spawn later than some of the lakes in lower elevations. Would they have to adjust to each lake? Do you close the entire lake for fishing? Or do you close the lake for bass fishing? Can't I say that I was using a jig to try to catch a striper and I had an inadvertent largemouth inhale my bait? What if the fish is not on a bed? How can you tell if a fish is on a bed? Who's gonna enforce all these regulations?

Now, the bare minimum can be done, much like they did at Castaic (don't know if they even do this anymore) where they would buoy off select coves, which would prevent any boat access (but what about shore anglers?) Perhaps that's an idea that can be expanded to other lakes, but that would require time and personnel (read: money,) something that our DFG may not be rolling in right now.

Plus, you can also say that the Spring is probably one of the seasons where the outdoor industry in SoCal gets a big boost of revenue from anglers who go out to seek these fish during this time. I don't know how many of them would take to having a closed season.

[jdogg661420]

I am not an avid bass fisherman but I totally understand the draw. What I do not understand is 1) why is bed fishing even allowed at all and 2) because of the vulnerability of spawning fish, why is the fishing season not totally closed during the spawn? A potential world-record bass would have to be a female ready to spawn so wouldn't you want those genetics in her fry?

i dont know about what darkshadow is saying but i do know bass fishing is a multi billion dollar industry in america.. the thing is the largemouth bass arent threatened in any way in any water that i know of. in fact in cali at the lake i fish all the bass were planted very early when the dam was launched in the 70s and have been thriving since. even with new species being introduced striper and smallmouth. some say the fishing is dead compared to the early catch and release days i say catch and release has ruined fisheries and you can track it yourself the fish are all still there they are just all 100xs smarter then 40 years ago. the dinks have been caught tons esp on pressured lakes by the time they hit 20 inches good luck. buy all new lures the bass have never seen is the best bet but then you are always spending cash.. but it can pay off. its why they always make more and more lures now. and why it takes 10 reties or 10 diff lures to trigger a bite. oh and if you want to check the top 25 largemouth ever caught there is prob only a few if that, that were caught outside of the spawn.. now you know why its not illegal if they take away the spawn the full lot of sport fishermen for largemouth are going to be very pissed.

now on the main post: to me poaching is the worst offense to kill a animal and just leave it dead on the road for nothing. if someone kill it illegally to eat idk that to me is harder to condemn. a lot of people i see doing illegal things at my lake isnt because they are bad people its more of a ignorance thing. to me im not gonna call the cops and report them but i will mention that if they get caught they will be paying big fines for something petty. like keeping too small of fish ect. to me a lot of times they just dont know.. its like net fishing from the banks most the time you will see someone doing it they are foreigner and they can do it where they came from and dont know its illegal here. also when i approach them i do it friendly like i know them not in a negative manner talking **** ect. then you can at least get a feeling for who you are dealing with. if its someone shady then do what you gotta do. i would protect where i fish and its a big fishery.