fishing charters

As long as content is added on a consistent basis, especially a charter captain that is giving current info, I dont mind if he/she plugs the company for business.

FYI Gerry Gostenik is also a guide that is SRTICTLY catch and release. He fishes BASS tournaments and can be reached at this site (click here). Tell him Mini sent you. He is also a former Great Lakes Biologist....

As for the killing of fish, we all need to remember that it is legal to do so. The MDNR feels that the smallmouth population can survive if we all keep our 5 each day. This may be true and it is a persons right to do so, especially for food. BUt a charter captain can also instill some truth to the situation by educating his clients that the big ones arent as good to eat as the small ones. Let the big ones go and grow. The smaller more abundant fish are the ones that should be kept, if any.

With all that said, I do believe Catch and Release works, and I practice it 100% with bass. Walleye, crappie and perch are a different story. I will keep enough for only two meals, only if I plan on cooking one of them the same day.

Mini

It's the typical gomer attitude of the customers, the weekend warriors. These guys don't get out much so they're not understanding of what you guys are saying. I should know because I'm not too far removed from being a weekend warrior. Two and a half years ago, before I started the show, I'm not sure I would have understood your attitude twards the whole C&R issue. . .but thanks to people like, John, Kenny, Brunner, 'Nuge and so on I now get it. I think you guy's should come on the show in two weeks and talk about it. My audience is full of weekend warriors who need to hear this stuff. I've never been on a bass charter so I'm not aware of what the situation is, but I'm sure if we present it in a positve way, everybody will understand. If the customers start telling these Captians that catch and release is what they WANT to do, the Captians will have no choice but to comply. You have an open forum on my show. . .you have a voice. . .use it !
The change has to begin with us and I'm with you guys all the way. Education is the key ! . . .B.

You're a stud Bob,..what a great offer!! As Mini pointed out,...people have the "right" to keep their limit...and I'd go to my grave defending that right,...but common sense is the key here. There's EXCELLENT eating fish,..walleye, perch, crappie, 'gills.....and then there's even better "game fish" that are far more sporting and not as good eating....like Muskie, Bass, and Pike (just a personal observation guys,,,,,don't go off on me about Pike,..i just don't like all those "Y' Bones!! !!..LOL) Anyway,..if people came on to your show and talked about the thrill of catching MORE fish than they ever have before, via a guide's services or some friend taking them out,.....it'll do wonders to help spread the excitement of the sport and all it has to offer. It will also do wonders to encourage more people to practice C&R on a regular basis.....nothing at all wrong with telling a guide,....."I want to catch a few 'eyes to keep and eat,...but I want to spend a 1/2 day going after some TOAD smallies or a Muskie or whatever else we can catch.....photograph,...and release!"
There's a lot of options available,....but as you pointed out,...education is the key,.....and it's up to US to spread the word! Keep what you want to eat,...and release the rest......we'll be assured they'll be there the next time you want to go! ...Keep up the great job Bob...your show is a perfect venue for the sportsmen and women's voices!! We're lucky to have a show available like that!! Let's keep it going!!

Mac

"what most people don't understand is that we're up against a hundred years or more of the "well that's the way my dad and grandpa did it, so. . .""

Wow! Did you hit that nail on the head Camp-2-Fires! I've been off and on trying to change the Michigan bass season since 1987. Lately, I've been working at it with a vengeance. I'm just tired of waiting for people to come around, I guess.

Actually, your whole post there, explained what changing the bass season is mainly up against. I've posted research information including from Michigan, numerous fisheries biologist interviews, and explanations I've gotten right from fisheries biologists and I get a number of guys who want to oppose me BECAUSE. They just keep repeating the same, old tired quotes that the available research and data, and the majority of other states do not accept or support.

I've slipped a few times and gotten frustrated with this same old story approach since I've heard it all so many times before it pretty much ignores real data and information. I'm trying harder to take the approach similar to your suggestion. Give up on the guys who just can't change their mind and try to be even-keeled with the people who will, if not open to the idea, at least be fair about why they feel the way they do.

Catch and release does more for our bass than the closed season does. You catch and kill a big bass in any month and it's guaranteed to never spawn again. I do believe in responsible use of the resource. I'm not a purist who thinks you can't keep fish now and then for a fresh meal. I rarely do mainly because I'm not a big fish eater. It sure is nice to have a public resource like your show. Say hello to my friend Wayne Carpenter next time you talk.