[jodeven]

Dan

In a prior post you asked:

"Hey guys, better yet, take a few minutes from your fishing time and help me change the regs so there are more options for early bass fishing"

How can we help? As an avid bass fishing nut I would be interested in a longer season as long as the fishery is not hurt.

Joe O
[email protected]

 

[djkimmel]

I've debated this topic a BUNCH on this website and others in the past two years. Anglers like you are why something is finally beginning to happen. We just don't know exactly where we'll start yet because the MDNR is presently holding the cards inside their vest. Don't need to go into that just yet other than to mention the old saying about those who forget the past are likely to repeat it (something like that anyway).

If you haven't read it yet, I've posted the main results from the 1992 MDNR spring catch-and-release bass study on my site here.

I've also posted my commentary on it based on reading the entire study and many more from around the country, and from talking to the research biologists from this and many other studies. It's much longer I know, but I like to be thorough. Some people/things require it. At the end of my commentary Part 2 I cover the options it looks like we have right now. It might be helpful for now just to read that part. I have shortcuts at the top to go to that section.

This will give you an idea what needs to be done by anglers who really want a change. It often only takes a few dedicated and determined persons to make things happen, especially when a great deal of support from other anglers appears to be there. I posted on all these boards so I (and the MDNR that are reading them too) could see where the support level is now. It is very high, which is good.

The science is behind allowing much more spring catch-and-release bass fishing also, which is really good. The specifics will depend on determination, apparent support or lack of, and how much lake associations end up involved since they often fight anything that might have more people on 'their' lakes.

I will add much more to my website on this topic in the next few months including my letter to the MDNR which is finally about ready to mail. Just being more knowledgeable and making informed decisions helps all of us - that's whether you (the rhetorical you) agree with me and others with the same opinion or not.

I like the web and forums because a lot of people have the opportunity to get to information they couldn't before easily. People can also choose to read and participate or not. That's why I started my own forums, so anglers could discuss these things specifically if they want to and may be anxious to publicly state their opinion on some boards where the persons 'running' it often jump on them for opposing opinions.

I like this board which is why I read and post here a lot. I'll post some things here and mention others that I don't so people who want can get to the info. I'm cooperating with Ron Spitler from the Michigan BASS federation on this topic since they are so far 100% in agreement with me on wanting statewide legal catch-and-release bass fishing from Jan 1 until each regular opening day. Pretty simple.

You've already done a lot just by publicly posting your opinion here. Thanks! If you would, read some of the info I post. Feel free to discuss with me. I have strong opinions which I do my best to demonstrate why. I don't hold things personal. I like to hear what others think whether we agree or not. I debate firmly, but I can still be friends with anyone who can do the same and not make it personal. No problem.

As more things can be done, I'll post them so anglers can choose to be involved at the level they want. The more anglers that know what's going on and read the stuff and ask about it, especially publicly, the better for all of us. It's the American way.

 

[jcheetam]

Dan, you have my support and I will help in any way possible. I'm a big supporter of a statewide catch and release season for bass, and I try and educate new (and seasoned) anglers on the benefits of catch and release and "selective harvest" for all species. Give me a shout if you ever need to...

 

[No More Mini]

Well I finished reading them FINALLY and I must say Dan you have certainly done your homework. I too will help in anyway I can.

Mini

 

[MadWags]

Dan,
You have my support on this as well.
Shall I contact the Govenor?

 

[J.C.C.]

Well Dan, I have to say that that is quite an impressive presentation of FACTS. Although I am not a tournament bass fisherman, I do very much enjoy bass fishing as do a lot of my friends. We do practice catch and release any time we catch them too. I think I can speak for them and say that you have our support. Just let us know when and what we need to do be it E-mails or letters or ???. Keep up the good fight!

Jim

 

[BASSINBOB]

You have my help if you need it up here Dan, good work

bassinbob...

 

[h2o]

You can count on me!!! As long as other species are in season and we fish for them, your going to catch bass, BECAUSE YOU CAN'T KEEP THEM OFF, even though you don't target them. And that is the WAY IT IS!!!!. Period point blank. So the sooner they open a season for catch and release the better it will be on clair because fisherman CAN'T KEEP THEM OFF. It makes NO sence at all, to have other game fish open but not BASS. It just makes no sence to me. I wish someone from MDNR can explain that. Everyone catch's bass out of season virtually everybody, because you CAN'T KEEP THEM OFF. And i want the explaination to be total facts. Seeing bass is ever so abundant, and virtually everyone catch's them because other game fish are in season the fishery is not being harmed. They tell you not to target them but let you fish Dah. How does that make sense. Your fishing, you catch a bass out of season so you move than you catch another bass than you move and catch another bass,,,, ALL DAY LONG, why because YOU CAN'T KEEP THEM OFF. So to conclude for now, DAN what can i do to help? It's so crazy all of this, you fish for pike or walleye because there in season and you catch bass, because YOU CAN'T KEEP THEM OFF. As far as I'm concerned if you catch any fish out of season you just CAN'T KEEP IT, it goes back as fast as possible. So lets be real virtually everyone catch's fish out of season because you can fish and keep fish that are in season, The only way there going to be able to stop bass fishing until June is to shut down the lake.

Everything I said is True. As long as you can fish for game fish your going to catch fish out of season and all you do is put it back.

I better stop now or this could be longer that Dan's.. lol

h2o<---says YOU CAN'T KEEP THEM OFF DNR........

 

[Nitro]

Dan,
I don't know if i can help you here in ohio,but let me know.
Shaun

 

[MadWags]

Hey h20!

Maybe you should keep your thoughts to yourself!
LOL!

Don't get mad I am just kiddin you.
I agree with you 100%!
I don't care where you fish in Lake St. Clair in the spring time, the first fish your going to catch is a Bass.
I once let a bare hook sink down while I was trying to net a minnow. Guess what? I caught a daug gone brown back on the hook. What the?

 

[h2o]

MadWags that was perfect, I'm still laughing good one. It's just true. If they let you fish you could catch any fish in the lake on any cast. So MDNR please open a State wide catch and release because that's what it is anyways. Without targeting.

h2o<---says I can feel it happening soon.

 

[madman24]

well, it looks like the troops are pumped. now give us something to do leitenenat dan ( forrest gump referance, btw your new nickname next time and everytime after i see you

)

i think if we get enough people together we can make a change. they cant ignore all of us, right?

dan, i want to thank you for being the one to invoke this whole thing. we all want to do something. but most, im sure, wouldnt know where to start. i know i dont. but your research through the years and experience in the field speaks for itself. i am proud to follow such a great leader ( who still kinda looks like babe winkleman from a distance to me

)

dan rules, nuff said!

madman himself

 

[djkimmel]

You guys are AWESOME! That's why this is my favority board.

I've been thinking a lot lately about just cutting to the chase (kind of like h2o did over and over and ove...r

- I don't paraphrase enough to ensure people know I've been listening, I want to do better so here goes - h2o, I believe you're saying YOU CAN'T KEEP THEM OFF? Let me know

).

I know I'm longwinded. I mean it took Mini 6 months just to read my study posts! That's just the first post on my website on the topic!

I guess I expect some of you other guys to be the ones to take up the slack and post the short, to-the-point posts most guys like to read. Thanks! I knew we could count on you.

Just what you've done here is a lot. Really! I will keep everyone updated.

Ron Spitler will represent the BASS federation view and we should be collaborating more now that he's back from Florida where they apparently don't have email

. We may even do 'good cop, bad cop' but we haven't decided yet. (Of course, I want to be bad cop

).

Something will happen. The writing is one the wall. I know some of the initial plans the MDNR will propose even though they're trying to keep it secret sort of, something that no government agency is very good at... but I understand why they do the things they do.

Where it ends up verses where it starts as far as the final outcome, will be different so I'm not real concerned about the initial design. We anglers will have a big say on where it ends up based on writing a few letters maybe, signing things maybe, and attending a meeting maybe and just voting.

The more determination we show them, the better, and probably the more straight-forward the final outcome. I think there's enough of us now around the state that realize what just makes sense verses what isn't realistic or productive (and is divisive too).

What I really want to get to eventually, is that we can fish as much as possible to maximize our opportunity on the majority of healthy waters, and get the positive influence on the economy and the future of fishing (and hunting even though I don't anymore), while being able to intelligently discuss issues that should be considered such as individual lakes or water-types that may need to be managed differently due to specific local issues, and how we might do that with the limited MDNR size and budget. Things like that.

We shouldn't be making things harder on the average angler or hunter and losing opportunity because of over-conservatism and managing to the lowest denominator. It doesn't work out well.

Even though a few lakes might possibly need consideration of more protection, I recognize many anglers get frustrated by complex and confusing regulations - another reason I want to make it statewide. Once things smooth out and anglers get used to the idea, then we can look at exceptions if necessary. It will work a lot better that way.

 

[garza7585]

Count me in as well...i'm a bass fisherman and nothin else comes close. I wont be satisfied with any other fish. Pike is a close to bass as you can go and like H20 said...you cant keep the bass off. Walleye are too boring...its all about the bass...

Where do I sign?

Jose

 

[h2o]

Yes Dan, YOU CAN'T KEEP THEM OFF. Maybe the MDNR can tell us how to keep them off, to abide by there rule. There is so many bass and everybody knows it, it's time to make clair a catch and release lake. People come from all over the country to catch and release bass anyways. All they say if asked is a dah I'm going for pike or walleye come on face the facts. It's catch and release now so the only difference would be for the DNR to say it is. Why because YOU CAN'T KEEP THEM OFF. How can you keep them off beside's not fishing and that's not going to happen with other fish in season, This is all a bunch of twisted words from the DNR because you don't have to target them, why, because YOU CAN'T KEEP THEM OFF. I'm just telling the truth and everybody knows it. Guys go into a little CONE OF SILENCE like on Get Smart the t.v. program. Quietly whispering to each other. But come on be honest everybody knows you CAN'T KEEP THEM OFF. Time has come for action and I for one when i fish and catch a fish out of season i just put it back as gentle and fast as possible and never feel guilty because YOU CAN'T KEEP THEM OFF. Someone anyone tell me how to keep them off and i don't mean stay home and don't fish. All the DNR did when they said you can't target them was try and make us feel bad when we catch a fish that's out of season. Because there everywhere. And than they say don't use bass bait's what the heck. Lure's are ment to catch fish period. Well i for one don't target them because you don't have to target them,why because YOU CAN'T KEEP THEM OFF. So they might as well Open catch and release statewide like most of the USA is now. And here's why BECAUSE IT'S THAT WAY NOW ANYWAYS so just please do it MDNR and make alot of people happy and help the economy out that way. Well Dan if you need a voice or help i'll try my best.

h2o<---says How many guys come off the lake now and say they caught 20 bass going for pike. It's just Nuts your forced to lie.

 

[madman24]

so what your saying is, you cant keep them off.

madman himself

 

[h2o]

madman it's the truth that's my point and i drove it home.

h2o<--says your protected by the truth.

 

[Roy Randolph]

Sign me up!

It's time for change

 

[djkimmel]

I suddenly have an idea to make this an 'official' movement by giving it a name.

I'm thinking - the "YOU CAN'T KEEP THEM OFF" Campaign!?!

 

[ABA]

Dan,

I am dead serious when I say I want to be involved in this.

I have contacts on a national and state level that is second to none.

Let me know what I can do because I deffinately what to be involved.