Why is Westernbass promoting killing of giant bass

Bob DeLorenzi · Post by **Bob DeLorenzi** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 7:32 pm

I don't post much but enough is enough.

A majority of this web site has to do with tournament bass fishing which promotes catch and release. Catch and release is the reason why our fishery is so good today.

I have been bass fishing all my life and I can remember in the 70â€™s fishing Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri when it was almost impossible to catch any good fish. Then they implemented a 15 inch size limit and the catching got drastically better. That also coincided with the time catch and release started to catch on with the bass fishing tournaments.

I donâ€™t understand why this website continues to promote posting pictures of dead fish, praising fishermen for their conquest, which is what used to happen 30 years ago just to boost a guyâ€™s ego.

I understand that it is perfectly legal to keep your bag limit of 5 for a day but it is wrong for a bass fishing website to encourage participants to kill fish. I also understand that there is going to be a bit of mortality while bass fishing and I donâ€™t believe in wasting a life for nothing, but I surely donâ€™t think it should be encouraged just to have your picture on westernbass.

Tony, I have been a supporter of your website for years, weâ€™ve been supporting the rally for years,
but what the !!!!!!!!@#$!@$^$%^&??????????????

Bob DeLorenzi

biteme · Post by **biteme** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 7:36 pm

Did I miss something?? I'd say that 95% of the members on this site are C&R that a pretty good percent. Go to the sniffer and look around.

ash · Post by **ash** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 8:04 pm

UMMMM Fish Fry.... tournament fishing or not this is not a group like Pita (misspelled intentionally) That does not tolerate people utilizing the resources, we are more focused on angler awareness. We have no idea if that fish was deep hooked, bleeding out etc... I do believe that the fish has contributed quite a bit to the gene pool and hope one day to catch one of my own (obviously not that one)

Posting a picture of a fish is not a horror, and I fear the day that it is.

Burke · Post by **Burke** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 8:07 pm

I agree with biteme. Most of the people on this site strictly C&R their bass. I keep small ones to eat but release any big ones that I catch. Since you're paying for a license to fish, I think you're entitled to keep some every now and then.

C&R is not the only reason that the bass fishery is so good. Good conservations practices has helped to increase the quality of fish in many areas.

In some instance, good conservation practices includes reducing the population of fish in certain waters. I remember years ago when you could catch crappie in Clear Lake by the hundreds, but due to overpopulation, you hardly saw one bigger than your hand.

Removing a few fish will not hurt the fishery.

Jon · Post by **Jon** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 8:12 pm

bahlzar · Post by **bahlzar** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 8:29 pm

anytime a pic is shown in someones front yard or in someones kitchen 90% of the people in here raise hell with whoever caught it.....thats not promoting it..

185vsfrog · Post by **185vsfrog** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 8:32 pm

I think Bob is referring to one of the pics in the photo section. The fish obviously looks dead.This time of the year in the delta, the water temp is at its hottest and there is very little oxygen dissolved in it. Fish have a hard time living in the livewells when it is like this. If you dont take extra precautions, your fish will die, fast. I understand and agree with you Bob, I sometimes see in the photos section, pictures of fish being obviously mistreated or dead. People should take better care of the fish during photos. Laying a bass on hot cement road and taking a picture of it is not cool. I see fish that look live with dirt on them in pictures. That is not cool. Stony and Gator should take these pics off of the website. Just my opinion............. Catch and Release, it is our future. I didnt waste 30 K on a bass boat to fish for bluegill, carp or sacramento pike. If we keep killing fish, our fishery will eventually suck just like saltwater fishing does now. Salmon fishing sucks, rock cod fishing is horrible compared to ten years ago, and even striped bass fishing in the bay is crappy. This is obviously due to overfishing along with polution etc. If we do our part, we can make our fishery last for our kids to enjoy.

MikeSouza · Post by **MikeSouza** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 8:33 pm

I bet 99% of fish in the pictures that are uploaded to this website are still swimming with other fish. Not sure where you came up with your logic about this site and it's members. They make these things called cameras these days and in split second, they capture the image you are pointing at. Then the fish is let go ALIVE. Did I miss something?

Ringer · Post by **Ringer** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 8:34 pm

Our G&F department said that the big fish were beyond prime breeding stock so it really did not take genetics out of the pool. I hate to see the old hens killed but if a person does it then they are not reading this website anyway.

Hollywood · Post by **Hollywood** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 8:55 pm

is it really that bad? come on now!

and last time i checked the name of this site was westernbass.com

not Catchandreleasewesternbass.com

everyone has a right to keep a bass and show off his catch.

StockOption · Post by **StockOption** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:14 pm

http://westernbass.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=31368&f=2

Guy Kelley · Post by **Guy Kelley** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:19 pm

I personely take offense that some yahoo comes on the site to say that stony and others are PROMOTING THE KILLING OF GIANT BASS.

When is the last time that stony or others assoceated with the ownnership of Western Bass have ever said or posted Promoting the killing of giant bass was OK.

Even though I have the right to fillet 5 huge fish every day 365 days a year, year in and year out. Dose not mean I promote or do it for that mater, and if I did its my busines alone.

Ya better get your facts straight befor ya start mouting off.

And if I am wrong I ll eat my hat.

Slippy · Post by **Slippy** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:28 pm

if you catch it, its yours..... i dont take hardy 1% of the fish i catch and thats only if i gut hook them.

bruizer343 · Post by **bruizer343** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:45 pm

are the pictures chosen or is it an automatic deal ?

From the story the guy didnt intend to kill the fish. I wonder if he knew his picture was going public and onto the web.

I agree with bones.

I killed a 9.3 last summer in the heat. She was given to people who used the whole fish for food..all of it.

sTony · Post by **sTony** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 11:57 pm

You know, I really don't know how to respond to this. I think that Bob knows me well enough to know I'm not promoting anyone killing anything. Fact is it's an extremely large fish that expired. Bones, as you already know, I really don't care what you think or have to say about just about any topic. I don't need to justify why I put that photo on the front page to anyone and by the time most people read this it won't be on the front page because we cycle MANY photos on the front page each week, 99.9% of which are live and in living color.

You know I used to really have a lot of fun taking care of this site. It was a labor of love. But lately the stuff that's been going on has really just put a downer on things for me. Now this.

I'm stunned.

You know, anyone figuring that they can do a better job of running this website merely has to make an offer to purchase the thing. If the offer is acceptable I'd move on.

sTony

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 4:57 am

jack morris · Post by **jack morris** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 5:38 am

Get a grip, not all people do c&r . If a person catchs a huge bass and wants to mount it or eat it that is his right. To put someone down for putting the pic on this website is insane, after all the fish was caught and it is big so let the person have his moment of glory. We do c&r by choice and it is a good thing but we do not have the right to control others who are not braking the law. Jack

drew · Post by **drew** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 6:03 am

Bob do have a good example of what you are claiming? Is there a chance this might be a case of mis-interpretation of what you are seeing and reading? You do know that most of the fish pictured in the posts are released?

I can't say that I agree with your statements. Most of the people who frequent Western Bass are fanatical catch and release advocates, almost to a fault.

mac (Doyle McEwen) · Post by **mac (Doyle McEwen)** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 6:06 am

Bob, the real question is, what is promotion of killing giant bass..Just because the picture was shown, how did you determine sTony or Gator did it to promote killing giant bass..Personally although I do regret the bass not surviving to fight again, I saw the picture as nothing more than informing me there were and probably still are giant bass in the Delta..

Of course we all would love to see those monsters returned to the water alive and well..And by far and away most of us go out of our way to see that happen..Now just think about this scenario, you are fishing and catch an 18 plus pounder (just for arguments sake) and as soon as you reach down and net it or lip it, it gives up the ghost and just expires..Now This is probably the largest bass you have ever caught, it is a shame it died, but die it did..Wouldn't you like to have a picture of it and maybe have that picture posted on this website..No doubt you would also explain the fish just died and there was nothing you could do about it..If sTony posted the picture for you, would he really be promoting the killing of giant bass or is he just showing what can be caught out there..

Those that are going to catch and keep these true trophy type fish are going to do so if their picture is posted or not or if anyone elses catch is posted or not..I think deep down you know this and even knew it when you posted..I like to think of it as an opportunity to educate people on how to better handle large fish rather than harping on if the fish died or not..Or if the picture should be posted or not, front page or anywhere else..

mac

Terry Smith · Post by **Terry Smith** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 6:39 am

Bob for you to SLAM Western Bass for this picture is truely unbeliavable. Since you say you have supportied this site for so many years then you would know that Western Bass is here to help people keep informed not to promote the killing of Bass. I have learned A lot from Western Bass and it's members and appriciate EVERYTHING THAT WESTERN BASS does for the fishing community.

Terry Smith

DeltaDan · Post by **DeltaDan** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 6:40 am

Houston -- We have a bleeder !!

g-man · Post by **g-man** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 6:42 am

Wow, lmao!!! Promoting killing of giant bass! haha! Thats the funniest thing i have heard on here in a while! Get over it! People catch and eat fish, or mount them, its there choice! I personally don't, but come on! As far as this site promoting killing bass, give me a break! lmao again!

Bill K · Post by **Bill K** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 6:48 am

Go to any website/magazine and you will see a photo section, whereby readers can post a photo of thier take. Be it fish, animal or fowl. Does that mean the publisher promotes or indorse's killing of that species. No, it is just a section for readers to use, if they so want to, to show their take, etc. I do not believe sTony or anyone with Westernbass promote killing of the fish, it is just a service of the site for us to use, if we desire. Maybe those that feel the way they do, should step up and start their own website and then they can control what is shown and placed on their website and not have the problems that they believe are occuring. It is real easy to complain, but very hard to step up to the bat and correct and/or handle a problem (that they precieve) is occuring. Let's keep this site going like it is and those that do not feel it fits their needs, move off and go somewhere else. Just my thought and .02 worth, which really means nothing to them. Bill K

Matt Moreau · Post by **Matt Moreau** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 6:50 am

WOW!!! That is truly a can of worms you have opend...

sTony you are doing a great gob and i know for a fact that all of us appreciate you. Thanks for everything you have done and given us!

TritonBrent · Post by **TritonBrent** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 6:55 am

Stony, you have a great thing here and do a great job with it. Dont let a uneducated off the wall comment like this get to you. Everyone on here (but 1 i guess) know's that is absolutely not that case at all !

Phil Burgess · Post by **Phil Burgess** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 7:13 am

biteme wrote:Did I miss something?? I'd say that 95% of the members on this site are C&R that a pretty good percent. Go to the sniffer and look around.

Dear mr. Delorenzi I do beleive that biteme said it correctly in his statment!!!!!1. If you would take a step back and look at the good this site is doing for fisherman throughout the west you would relize that promoting what you are talking about is about as far form the truth as one can get.. This site is here for the public to discuss fishing topics, sports, hunting and anything reguarding the outdoorsman!!!!1.

Stony and his crew in no way promote fish killing look at all the good they do for the sport of bass fishing, from there work on here to the pro teen tournament!!!!!!!!!1

I am a true beleiver that everyone is entitled to and opion and yours is yours but please review the facts reguarding the situation befor slandering our good friends here on westernbass!!!

Stony, gator, cooch, rexford keep it up we love you guys!!!!!1

Robert F · Post by **Robert F** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 7:15 am

THE INTERNET WILL CONTROL THE WORLD! Part of the problem is people believe that just because they consider WesternBass the savior and sole source of information on bass fishing it must be the case for the rest of the world. Many people take the same attitude to newspaper or television information as well. Get over it. Guys like sTony and venues like WesternBass are not the final determination of peoples actions. WesternBass is just one source for discussion and dissemination of information specific to bass fishing. Just because your opinion does not match the opinion of another person on this site does that mean that person has to leave? I think not. Information sources are just that. Read the paper, watch the TV news story, read or post your story or OPINION in an internet forum. Then draw your own conclusion from the information. As much as it frustrates sTony's ego, he is not in charge of all of our lives. He is no better than you or I and his choice of advertisers, edit of information and layout of the website should not be the sole basis for your personal thoughts.Take WesternBass for what it is. ONE SOURCE. Not 100 percent infallible. Run by just one mere mortal himself. As far as sTony's frustration with people disagreeing with his opinion, maybe it is time to stand back at reflect on your position. Just like the poor DFG officers that are forced to work under such back breaking dismal conditions such as making excuses all day for your poor performance. I say quit. Give somebody the job that wants to do it. That is what I did when I didnt like my career path. If you are here next week, we are glad to have you. If not, you are just a pebble in the path. Ask Randolph Hearst what became of his "empire"

Terry Smith · Post by **Terry Smith** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 7:36 am

Robert ( Crickets----CRICKETS----------CRICKETS)

PERSONAL attacks on this web site frustrates us all. Lets get back to talking about fishing PLEASE!!!!!!!

Robert how was your last fishing trip?

Terry Smith

bruizer343 · Post by **bruizer343** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 7:37 am

Everything I have learned in the last 4 years has come through this site, from this site or by people connected to this site.

My dreams of catching huge bass, lots of bass and running a tournament boat, for fun fishing is directly due to this site.

Fish die, as does everything else. Until WB.com has videos on stretching gill nets through delta sloughs...Ill be here forever.

All the videos have tought me something. The threads are endless.

Bob, you should have shown a bit of tact and emailed or PM'd Stony, being that you know each other personally.

Off topic: johnnyC, did you post the pics or did the guy who caught the fish ? If it was you, did he know where the pics where going ?

Love WB.com

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 7:39 am

sTony wrote:You know, I really don't know how to respond to this. I think that Bob knows me well enough to know I'm not promoting anyone killing anything. Fact is it's an extremely large fish that expired. Bones, as you already know, I really don't care what you think or have to say about just about any topic. I don't need to justify why I put that photo on the front page to anyone and by the time most people read this it won't be on the front page because we cycle MANY photos on the front page each week, 99.9% of which are live and in living color.

You know I used to really have a lot of fun taking care of this site. It was a labor of love. But lately the stuff that's been going on has really just put a downer on things for me. Now this.

I'm stunned.

You know, anyone figuring that they can do a better job of running this website merely has to make an offer to purchase the thing. If the offer is acceptable I'd move on.

sTony

WELL TONY: I HAVE TO TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU, THIS IS WHY WE ARE RETIREING NEXT YEAR, AND HEADED BACK HOME TO HAT CREEK, MAYBE TOSS SOME ROCKS AT THE TROUT FISHERMEN. PEOPLE ARE TAKING THE FUN OUT OF (BASS).

P.S. YOU DO A GREAT JOB, I AM SURPRISED AT WHAT YOU DO LET ON HERE..

JIGS

senko-guru · Post by **senko-guru** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 8:06 am

Taking a trophy bass is no different then taking any other trophy animal. We should all be thankful that we as sportsman can go out and be able to harvest a once in a life time animal. I personally believe in catch and release, but also feel that one is totally entitled to keep what he or she feels he has harvested. If people are going to complain about someone keeping a a trophy bass, then why aent people complaining about people keeping salmon, crappie, blue gill, catfish, trout.etc. etc, arent these type of fish forage for bass? Wouldnt there be an argument for people to say that if we take these fish the bass wont have nothing to eat to grow to trophy size. If people are going to complain about a trophy fish being kept, then maybe fishing is not what they should be doing, for dont you think that when you hook a fish it causes them pain?? I mean if people are going to complain about people harvesting a fish, then there is a group called PETA that you can join and voice your opinion there.

Bottom line is there is nothing wrong in someone keeping a fish of a lifetime!! We all as anglers strive to catch that one fish that gets our hearts pumping and makes us shake uncontrolably for ten minutes after we land it. I agree with most people on here about releasing a fish alive, but we should not judge others on their actions. Im sure everyone one of us have killed a bass in our lifetime, wether it was during a tournament and not intended, IT JUST HAPPENS.

As far as Westernbass being accused of promoting the killing of giant bass, that is just the most ridiculous accusation one can make. Why not look at it like this, maybe Westernbass is showing others how well our fish hatchery's are and what a great place california is to fish. This site is totally supportive of anglers and we should be thankful that we all have a place where we can come and be able to voice our opinions. People should eb thanking sTony and other moderators like Gator for their support for the anglers in the west. These people are giving us a great place where we can all get together and learn from one another.

In closing people need to relax and just be thankful that we are able to go out and have the possibility to catch trophy fish and have a place where we can all show are accomplishments.

Stony dont let the BS get to you and trust me there are a lot of us here that appreciate the time and efforts you, Cooch, Gator and Rexford put into this place. Keep up the good work and best luck to the rest of us on our next fishing endeavours.

Barry Watson · Post by **Barry Watson** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 8:07 am

What did Gildna Radner ( of Sat. Night Live) say when she discovered she had terminal cancer? " It's always something"

And on the forum. Its always something. LOL

Last year a big bass surfaced by our boat and just sort of sat there. I netted it and observed some sort of fungus on its head. We weighed it at 8 pounds plus and released it. That afternoon it was dead and floating, killed by something fisherman had nothing to do with, IMO.

Joe W. · Post by **Joe W.** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 8:11 am

sTony wrote:You know, I really don't know how to respond to this. I think that Bob knows me well enough to know I'm not promoting anyone killing anything. Fact is it's an extremely large fish that expired. Bones, as you already know, I really don't care what you think or have to say about just about any topic. I don't need to justify why I put that photo on the front page to anyone and by the time most people read this it won't be on the front page because we cycle MANY photos on the front page each week, 99.9% of which are live and in living color.

You know I used to really have a lot of fun taking care of this site. It was a labor of love. But lately the stuff that's been going on has really just put a downer on things for me. Now this.

I'm stunned.

You know, anyone figuring that they can do a better job of running this website merely has to make an offer to purchase the thing. If the offer is acceptable I'd move on.

sTony

I know it's not easy running a site like this but you're doing a good job and you really shouldn't let a post like this get to you. Just keep doing what you're doing and know that the majority of us appreciate your hard work.

The pictures here are posted by members, it's not as if the staff here posts them nor is it their responsibilty to know the story behind every picture. It was a picture of a big bass and that is all there is to it. Sure it sucks that it didn't make it but it happens. It's not fault of the site and they sure as heck aren't promoting the killing of toads.

Robert F · Post by **Robert F** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 8:29 am

Terry Smith wrote:Robert ( Crickets----CRICKETS----------CRICKETS)

PERSONAL attacks on this web site frustrates us all. Lets get back to talking about fishing PLEASE!!!!!!!

Robert how was your last fishing trip?

Terry Smith

Thanks for asking Terry. Took my brand new Z20 out for the first time yesterday. Only caught 6. Fishing was slow. The boat was not. What a great job I have to be able buy a beautiful new boat and fish on a Thursday. I may have to take a few phone calls over the weekend in exchange for the day off. Would you rather hear about that?

Tobe · Post by **Tobe** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 8:34 am

sTony wrote: You know, anyone figuring that they can do a better job of running this website merely has to make an offer to purchase the thing. If the offer is acceptable I'd move on.

sTony

Ok Tony,

You give me 200k and I will take it off your hands.
That's my final offer!

Terry Smith · Post by **Terry Smith** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 8:44 am

Robert F wrote:
Terry Smith wrote:Robert ( Crickets----CRICKETS----------CRICKETS)

PERSONAL attacks on this web site frustrates us all. Lets get back to talking about fishing PLEASE!!!!!!!

Robert how was your last fishing trip?

Terry Smith
Thanks for asking Terry. Took my brand new Z20 out for the first time yesterday. Only caught 6. Fishing was slow. The boat was not. What a great job I have to be able buy a beautiful new boat and fish on a Thursday. I may have to take a few phone calls over the weekend in exchange for the day off. Would you rather hear about that?

YES

New Z20 225 on the back it should run ith gas and takle 68.4gps 71.6gps light load am I about right on the speed?

Cooch · Post by **Cooch** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 8:46 am

In as much as we've agreed ta disagree over the years, and come to mutual agreement on issues as well, this one's got me puzzled. What, Jen kick yer butt on the water yesterday and this is the results of a 24 pack of Corona's killin' the pain? LOL

Respectfully, in my opinion, accusing this site and sTony publically, of promoting the killing of bass, is way on the wrong side of the absurd fence. We do thank ya fer this post though, the damn "click meter" sure went through the roof last night and this morning!

TWinger · Post by **TWinger** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 9:01 am

Stony, I as well as many others are to the point where these negitive people are driving the rest of us away. I know you are one who likes to allow these posts to go without removing them. But this is your site and you have your rules and if someone does not like it they can move on. I think it is time that you use your executive powers and use the eliminate Keys and send these
F' ers on to other sites. It has and always has been the right of the business owner to refuse service to anyone for any reason. I urge you to exercise this right. I am confident if you post a poll, you will find most will vote in favor of elimination.

Tell them to "grab some pine meat"

Robert F · Post by **Robert F** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 9:13 am

Terry Smith wrote:
Robert F wrote:
Terry Smith wrote:Robert ( Crickets----CRICKETS----------CRICKETS)

PERSONAL attacks on this web site frustrates us all. Lets get back to talking about fishing PLEASE!!!!!!!

Robert how was your last fishing trip?

Terry Smith
Thanks for asking Terry. Took my brand new Z20 out for the first time yesterday. Only caught 6. Fishing was slow. The boat was not. What a great job I have to be able buy a beautiful new boat and fish on a Thursday. I may have to take a few phone calls over the weekend in exchange for the day off. Would you rather hear about that?
YES

New Z20 225 on the back it should run ith gas and takle 68.4gps 71.6gps light load am I about right on the speed?

E-Tec 225HO. Didnt really get it up and runnin'. Too busy looking at all the new toys. BTW with me in it, I doubt it will ever qualify for a light load. Plus I rearranged all of my tackle and labeled ALL of my Planos completely filling the tackle compartment. That is one of the first things I show off to the gawkers.

Terry Smith · Post by **Terry Smith** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 9:42 am

Well good luck with the new boat but you should have bought A BassCat 2008 Cougar Speed and GREAT Ride.

Steve Reed · Post by **Steve Reed** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 9:50 am

I think the picture is fine. I mounted my first big fish, and yeah i will never take a big fish again, but at the time I wasnt familiar with the new techniques they had in taxidermy and if i knew that I didnt have to take the fish to them to get a replica made i wouldnt have.

I think that when we start to act like peta we need to stop and take a breath. I mean comeon guys we are are catching fish with sharp hooks, setting the hook with a lot of force, carrying the fish around in our livewell for 6 or 7 hours then reeleasing it in another area....i mean peta does have a pretty good argument against bass fishing

so lets not be like them, be understanding, know that some people fish to feed their family, and a big fish can feed them all

JT-Madera · Post by **JT-Madera** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 12:54 pm

Gee Bob D... did you just fall off the tomato truck with this post...what were you drinking.....it sure blew the top of your head open to attack sTony like that...I've opened my big mouth at times and regretted it..
I'm sure you ment well, but damn dude, are you wrong about WesternBass.com....and just to proud to admit an off the wall post..

Maybe you should consider doing a edit on your post...or delete...

JT

Colebass · Post by **Colebass** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 3:39 pm

you and your team do! I think it's a great site. I know we get some of this, but for the most part, we have some great folks that post here. Some add value, some don't, it's just like life!

Have a great weekend, and have a cool Corona!

DC

Bob DeLorenzi · Post by **Bob DeLorenzi** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 4:46 pm

My post was not a personal attack on Tony or Western Bass or any of its staff. I am sorry to Tony and to the rest of you that might have perceived it that way. That is not at all how it was meant.
I think you Tony are a great guy, who does a great job and I consider you to be a friend I have a lot of respect for.

My post was due to concern of the message being sent when pictures of dead bass are posted on the front page of this website. I feel the message is saying itâ€™s okay to kill fish. Well, yea, sure it is, but I suspect the great majority of the viewers on this website are tournament fishermen and if every angler kept their fish there would be no more tournaments. I was around fishing tournaments back in the days when we all took our fish home and ate them.

I understand that the person that killed that 13.35 lb. bass was fun fishing and that the fish might have accidentally died but do we need to see it on the front page of this website? That is a very sad sight for many of us that truly appreciate tournament fishing.

Yes, I compete and I practice catch and release but I also take a great deal of care to handle fish properly, by making sure my livewells are clean and in top running condition, by not handling the fish more than I have to, by making sure there is plenty of water in the bags when carrying fish to the scales, and by releasing the fish immediately in an area where they can recuperate from the stress of being caught.

For years now as well as very recently Jen and I have been observing at way too many tournaments lack of proper fish handling by anglers as well as some tournament directors. I felt I needed to speak up about it. Fish care is a priority to me.
This is my opinion and I donâ€™t expect everyone to share it.
And I am not a bunny hugger.

Sorry I wasnâ€™t able set this straight sooner but I have a full time day job and it does not allow internet access. Jenny on the other hand apparently had plenty of free time at work today since she frequently called me with Bob bashing updates.

Bob

Johnny C · Post by **Johnny C** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 5:39 pm

Now thats the Bob I know!!!Hey how come you don't look Italian..HA, HA..Maybe next year we can keep some fish and have a carp and banana BBQ my friend.

Hardshell · Post by **Hardshell** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 6:23 pm

there is a whole new group of tournament anglers out there and some old ones for that matter that need some remedial help on fish handling. Here are just a few that really bug me:

1) Guy has a good bag of fish so he only puts a small amount of water (to heavy) in the bag to bring the fish to the scales (long walk). Well as we all know he has to stop and wait for his turn and guess who suffers? Please error on the heavy side when filling those bags with water when you come to the scales and remember that 5+ pounder needs a bag to it's self!

2) Guy weighs in and on the way back to his boat or the relaese boat he stops to tell his buddies the story of the day, with a bag full of dry fish! Angler's make that weighmaster refill your bags with water before you leave the scales and save the chit-chat for the tailgate.

3) Deep lake tournament. Some are self release and guess what when you go down to release your fish there are floaters all over!
Anglers, if you don't know how to handle deep caught fish ask some to show you how. If you do know how but are afraid of the dead fish penalty, stop fishing tournaments!

4) Good sized tournament, limited docking area, guy goes and weighs in and returns to his boat to listen to the results while 50 boats wait to weigh their fish. What's the matter with this picture?

I'm sure there are a bunch more that get to others but these are the one's that really bug me.
This is all about caring. Caring for your fellow fisherman and caring for the resource. If you need help don't be afraid to ask someone how can help you, there's no shame in that.

Hardshell

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