Why dont they make........

[Dom]

tags for the average angler like a kit we can buy and all you guys catching these toads could mark em so the next guy that caught her could get some info and we could use this site to post results , maybe a whole new form, the bass tracker form. Just thinking

what do yall think? I would love to learn where these big girls go thru out the year on the delta,etc..

[bassindon69]

Why don't we just tell you where they are Dom. That is what you want right? LOL!!! Hell, I could even start posting back grounds LOL!

Don.

[Mike]

Here is a kit, but I dont think F&G let you do it anymore?

http://www.fishtagger.com/buytags.php

[bassindon69]

Your right Mike. A while back there were a few kits out there but I think DFG stepped in and stopped all that. You can do it if DFG approves it.

Don.

[Dom]

Trust me Don I know where there at well suppose to be Jeremy has turned me on to this whole swimbait thing but I have not gotten into it so no I have not went out soley to chase em I have been in the boat when Jer called 10 lbder here BAM he nails her 9 lbder here bam he nails her

I am talking about migration routes perfect example would be Oroville I know the Largemouth live up the north fork by lime saddle and certain times of the year you can even get em in the south fork but where do they go In august the hot months are they shollow up under a shady log or do they go deep where the water is comfortable ? we all got our ideas but does anyone really know? If they did you would here of more big largies coming out of this lake during the hotter months.

So get out there and find em sir and yes post them back grounds I know that lake

[Steve]

Regardless of what DFG wants, I think its a horrible idea to let the public run around poking holes in fish. Especially big fish. Its just not a good idea because it can be done wrong, and you can cause infections and other such things.

Dom, if you really want to "tag" a fish for future identification, think about doing some sort of fin clipping. This will not hurt a fish at all as long as you only nick off a piece of the fin with very sharp cutters. For example, you could nick off a little piece of the rear lobe of the anal fin, or you could nick off the very top of the 4th dorsal spine. You could even come up with a clipping scheme unique to each spot you fish on your favorite lake. Then when you catch a fish with a clip, you know exactly where you originally caught it and you can get an idea of movements or residency.

Ive seriously been thinking about doing this on my favorite lakes to get a better understanding of the movements of large fish.

Just remember, a little clip will not hurt but a big clip will.

[JRock]

Welcome Back Dom, dude do you have the day off or what? As far as the fish tagging thing, I leave that up to Doug Hannon. Read Big Bass Magic by Doug Hannon, I think a lot of your questions will be answered.

Jrock

[Guest]

Wow.. I tried this 3 years ago!! Before I started to work in this industry.

I started a website and had tags made (That don't require a tagging gun) tags made for researchers. The tags were serial numbered.

You tag the fish and release them.. Later you go to my website punch in the serial number of the tag (the tag also had the website name on it) and then put in the lake, weight, where you caught the fish, how you caught the fish, a picture of you and the fish and you even get to name the fish.

Later when people caught that fish again.. they can go in and add how much it weighed... where on the lake they caught it... and on what. It would be cool to see who all has caught one fish... plus if the fish ate the same thing over and over again... and how far the fish moved... Plus there could be some cool names.

I'd make it again if you guys think it will fly. The tags were about $1 each.... but, you don't have to buy the gun. Would be cool to see that kind of stuff.

I had talked to Mr. Tony Warrington of the DFG (Head Enforcement Officer) and he didn't think it would be a problem sense the tags were made for scientific purposes.

Also - the tags were made to last 20 years!

[ash]

I remeber that website, but I had no idea it was your Tom. Was that the Outside the box website with Chris and some other chap? I thought it was brillant, but I can see the downsides in terms of guys going to poach a big fish area.

It would be an interesting year long tournament like a poker run style, tag a bass and then see if you can catch a tagged bass? HMM

[Guest]

It was me solo. I was so excited about it. I think its a killer idea still... what fun it would be to know who caught the fish previous.. and to track your fish for years after you have caught it.

Imagine catching a 2 lber on a rip bait and tagging it. Let's say you name it "Ralph Mouth" (which I named one of mine last time) Well in 3 years I see John Doe caught it on a rip bait and it was 8 lbs... and it was caught 10 miles from where I caught it.

That would mean all these things - that we could learn..
- The fish survived my catch
- The fish moved 10 miles
- The fish ate the same bait!
- The fish grew 6 lbs in 3 years on that particular lake.

and I'd get to see a new picture of it!

Wouldn't that all be cool?

A whole new twist to catch and release!

[Gator]

Hey Tom - How does the tag work without a tagging gun? This is something I would be interested in.

[Guest]

My little secret gator!
Call me and I will tell you if you want.
No reason to give away all my secrets!

909-559-1969

[Dom]

Sounds Like a great idea! Thats exactly what I was talking about.

Run with it

[Dom]

Thanks Jrock I will check it out, I have watched a few of his videos the guy knows his stuff thats for sure. No I did not have the day off just posted before work and I was able to stop by the house for lunch.

I got pretty cool hours mon-fri 8-5 (week ends off) should have this hot rod done by fall and back at it by next year.

[Guest]

Hey Steve - your kidding me right? You say tagging a fish is bad for them, but then you say go out and start hacking on the fish's fins?

Actually, the tags I have go through the dorsal fin.... so the fish is relatively safe from any infections and or injury. The tags are made and used by plenty of researchers and its really very easy to do. Any 3rd grader could do it with a diagram.

[Steve]

Hey Tom:

Nope I wasnt kidding at all, Im dead serious.

Youve got a PM.

[scott h]

Hey tom very cool! Im in I often wonder how many times these fish on the delta get caught, this would an awesome piece of info. especially in one particular area I fish the most, been working on figuring out how these fish move in and out from the bank and since I see boats fishing in both places I know they are catching fish but over time a pattern of migration is sure to take place! I wanna know.

[904dog]

Wow, Tom you never cease to amaze me! This is a great idea! I'm in. I caught and released an 11.35 at the delta and I often wonder about her. Every time some one weighs in a fish of that nature I wonder if it could be her??? I caught an 8lber at CL last summer and just nailed her again in the exact same place this year, its awsome to get feed back on a fish. We knew because she had one eye.(not reccomended for identification, STEVE) Shes back out there again released by the release boat so we'll see. OK Tom, so I'm sure you keep the excact location private untill someone enters that fishes ID right? Otherwise it seems as if someone could poach those locations and fish. Let me know, Steve...<><

[Guest]

The public will be able to see the Fish Size, Lake, Fish's name and who caught it. Anyone with the fish's ID # will be able to see all the details of the fish - Location, Bait, Weight,

I just bought the website name. It's a new name from what it used to be TaggedFish.com... its now BassTag.com Tags will be ordered in the next week or so.. Could take 4-5 weeks to get them. I'll keep you posted. Also, only use them where they are legal!

I plan on contacting Tony Warrington again on Monday. I spoke with him about it 3 years ago and he didn't seem to have a problem with it. I will double check it.

[Fish Chris]

Hey Steve, of course we agree on most trophy bass topics, and you know I respect your opinions.....

But before anyone says anymore, we must stop to remember, that our sport involves purposely sticking a sharp metal hook through bone and flesh, right from the start !

I think the proper tagging system with a few simple instructions, and maybe a small bottle of disinfectant, with a swab cap would be totally okay.

One side of the tag could have a simple tracking number and a website URL. The other could have the message, "Please release me"......

Of course a person would be free to report as much, or as little info about the fish as they wanted. If they didn't want to give away their spot, they could still put the amount of distance traveled (if any) but better than lying about any aspect of the catch, would just be to leave that box blank.

I think clipping a fin, while probably not harmful to the fish, would not tell enough info about the fish..... especially to anybody but the original catcher, and also, it might be the only flaw, on an otherwise flawless fish.

Just my .02 cents,
Peace,
Fish

[swimbait]

Tagging big bass would be fun if it was you and your fellow catch and release anglers only.

Tagging big bass is not cool when joe public catches a big bass with a tag in it and thinks they may have won some sort of prize. Pay to fish lakes often offer prizes for tagged fish. DFG offers money for tagged fish at the Delta. I don't care if you write 'please release me' on the tag, I guarantee people will keep the fish anyway to see if they've won something.

Another comment along the lines of what Steve is saying about damaging the fish.... I've caught about a half dozen EBPARKs tagged fish over the years. Many of them have moss growing on the tag and a raised piece of skin around where the tag goes in. I see a definite risk of damaging the fish if you do that kind of thing incorrectly.

I've also seen several fish with visible hand prints on them that either had a tag in them at the time or had the raised bump on their back and small piece of loose flesh that indicates the fish was tagged at some point. I believe the hand prints come from the fish being gripped too tightly with gloves by the guys that tag the fish. Don't believe it, check out this picture and look to the left of my hand:



The bottom line for me on this topic is that if one 15lb bass gets killed as result of improper handling, improper tagging, or as a result of being killed by someone thinking they won a prize, the whole thing isn't worth it.

[Jim Conlow Sr.]

And I think that it promotes catch and release rather than the oposite. Great idea

[Jim Conlow Sr.]

I think it would be great to tag tournament caught fish. Get as much info from the fisherman and then if caught again see if they went back to where they were caught as Doug hannon says they will.

[Steve]

I suppose a persons opinion depends on what they are trying to accomplish, and the level of education they have on fisheries managment.

Flat out, letting the public tag fish is a very poor decision, thats why its not allowed in most states. Its funny, being the duck hunter I am, that I get into this same argument with my duck hunting buddies about letting the public, non USFWS authorized, place bands on ducks.

And yes, fin clipping would only allow an individual to figure out what the heck is going on with his/her own fish.

I agree with Rob. I dont agree with FishChris. And as far as fin clipping goes, if ya know how to do it only the clipper would recognize that indeed somebody actually clipped a part off.

[Brian]

How would you feel if someone put a tag in your back, or cut off some of your fingers? I've caught bass with tags and there sometimes are big abcesses around the area. I think a bass would feel the pain throughout that time and the procedure is torture to them, let alone cutting a fin which they rely on for manueverability. We are all living beings and I don't think that we should go to the point where we are doing harm to another. Just my perspective.

If I was a bass, I would probably feel the same way about being tagged as I did when you ripped that hook into my mouth to catch me. Your argument is pointless and makes no sense. Unless you are a P.E.T.A supporter and you don’t really catch any fish.

[fourbizzle]

Wooch, what exactly are we doing to them then? I suppose that they find it fun when they chomp down on a frog and are hit with an eye crossing hookset on heavy braid, then hauled out of whatever snaggy slop they were buried in. Yeah thats just a freakin ball for them. Nothing like the horrible, inhumane torture or having a fin clipped.

How about a picture of one of those 3 spots that you have over 9lbs

[g-man]

Hes back!!!!

[Jim Conlow Sr.]

If you give good reasons for your opinion I may end up agreeing with you.
I would like to see all of the the pros and cons regarding this issue. I see what I think to be good statistical and semi scientific info comming back from tagging.
The scientists evidently dont always have it right if you consider the recent post regarding what the Florida Fish and Game dept publish with regard to the size of male Florida strain Bass as apposed to what some of our very knowledgable local fishermen know to be the truth.

[Guest]

Hey Fish,

I value your opinion and "Please Release Me" added to the tag would be no problem.

I am sure this would promote catch and release...

Also, you are right - you would be able to leave fields blank... However, I would prefer that they all be filled in.

The only fields I plan on making mandatory are the following.

Angler Name
Fish Name
Lake
Weight (from a handheld scale - no certification necessary)
Bait (Could be as simple as Jig, Swimbait or elaborate as Blade Runner White and Chartreuse Spinnerbait 1 ounce.)
Date
Time of Day Caught

Things that are optional will be

Photo
Area of Lake
Water Clarity
Approximate Depth of Water
Approximate Depth of Catch
Water Temp
Air Temp
Weather (Overcast, Sunny, Rainy, Partly Cloudy)
Line Weight
Rod

If you don't like it... don't use it. I can assure you that the tags in question are the safest tags for fish made. To make it even better, these tags are also the easiest to tag a fish with. I worked with a research company several years ago and told them my idea and they said these tags would be the very best for public use and are extremely fish safe and error proof on tagging. Remember No Gun, No Puncturing the fish's skin.... only the dorsal fin! They do not puncture the skin of the fish. They are state of the art and work with the dorsal fin.

I will give you the full details later this week... then you can all make your decisions on what you think of their safeness for the fish. Remember - once you catch a fish, you could take it home and eat it! So why wouldn't you be able to tag it, then release it, if it truly does no harm to the environment, the fish or anything or anyone else?

[77sunset]

Hey Fish,
I am sure this would promote catch and release...
Also, you are right - you would be able to leave fields blank... However, I would prefer that they all be filled in.
The only fields I plan on making mandatory are the following.

Angler Name
Fish Name
Lake
Weight (from a handheld scale - no certification necessary)
Bait (Could be as simple as Jig, Swimbait or elaborate as Blade Runner White and Chartreuse Spinnerbait 1 ounce.)
Date
Time of Day Caught

It wouldn't be realistic idea right now,cause of cost-wise.
But how much often I thought , how it would be nice , if itag could be verichip which has a function of GPS.
Remind me that I had a cat having a buried chip in his neck. I paid $80 for that surgical fee which include neutering.
Just imagine ! a fascinating things to do tracking your fish on your computer and it would become more addictive things more than this forum !!

here is linc about ID- chip http://www.wired.com/science/discoverie ... 2/04/51575

So tag could be like a safety-pin inside has grain rice size chip.

[Dom]

mean to start a war, No really I didn't...... I just thought it would be cool to get the info on the fish I dont care who catches it or where just how much she grew over what period of time,etc...

As for Bass and pain here is my take on it They dont feel it and heres what makes me think this did yall ever screw up as a kid and have your mom or dad yank ya by the ear? Well I did and
I went where ever my ear was being pulled not the other direction

I believe bass live and die thats it I believe its up to us to keep em alive so Catch and release for sure but I dont see any difference
in a hook thru the mouth or head (jerkbaits we have all did it) vs a tag If your against the tag then dont ever stick another fish with a hook its that simple your either a tree hugger or your not you can not have both.

Again just my 0.02

[Jim Conlow Sr.]

*NM*

[Guest]

Dom,

Do we really want Dee and George tagging all the fish they've caught on the Delta over the years. I don't know if I want my first fish over 10lbs looking like Jason Quinn.