Keeping Big Bass

[Anonymous]

Why are we so angry when we see someone keep a trophy bass?


Before we get into the season and everyone starts catching (and keeping) bass, I wanted to start a healthy discuss on why us bass addicts get so irate when we see a big bass being caught and kept. For this discussion I will define a trophy bass as one over 20” in length and weighing more than 6lbs.

So why is it every time we see someone report or post a mention or picture of a big bass they have kept, a huge dispute over what is ethical ensues? Usually many heated posts are made and they typically become very personal. Showing the anglers passion for the sport but also creating conflict in an unhealthy manner. So how do we move beyond flaming the angler who chooses to keep a large bass (legally)? I say we educate them on why we are so passionate and concerned with that big fish being taken.

First off let me say that I have never judged anyone who has kept a large bass for personal reasons, to eat or have a mount made, and I won’t as long as that angler is obeying the laws and regulations set forth by the WDFW:

LARGEMOUTH BASS
No min. size. Only BASS less than 12" may be retained, except 1 over 17" may be retained. Daily limit
5. Bass may be caught, retained, and released alive from a livewell until a daily limit is in possession.

SMALLMOUTH BASS
No min. size. Only 1 BASS over 14" may be retained. Daily limit 10. Bass may be caught, retained,
and released alive from a livewell until a daily limit is in possession.

As with most fish, the growth rate of largemouth bass is highly variable and depends on food supply and environmental conditions. Largemouth can grow to more than 2 pounds their first year under ideal conditions, but in nature about 0.5 pounds is normal. Females are normally larger than males and the maximum size of the Northern largemouth is about 10 pounds with males seldom exceeding 5 pounds.

About 5 pounds of live forage are required for annual maintenance, and 10 pounds of forage are required to add 1 pound of gain to largemouth bass. With such a slow growth season and rate for Northern Strain Largemouth bass in the Northwest, you can see that it takes many years for a bass to grow to trophy size. In some cases Northern Strain bass have been reported to be over 15 years old. So you can assume that a 6+lb bass is anywhere between 6-16 years old.

A bass over the state regulation length of 17” may seem nice as a large table fair but what most people don’t realize is that a fish of this size or greater is old and the meat is not very good. Two bass of a smaller size (say less than 12”) and youthful will have more flavor and fair than one old one. With the potential of 5 bass under 12” that may be retained, this would make for a far better meal.

On a side note, taking bass in the slot limit out of a lake, helps to ensure continued growth and balance to that particular eco system. Allowing other bass to grow and have ample forage. Example: if 5 bass fill a tank and have x amount of forage food to eat, they will only be able to consume 1/5 of the forage each. If you take the same tank and only have 3 bass with the same x amount of forage you now have 1/3 consumption of forage per bass. Every lake in the state struggles with this healthy balance and this is why a slot limit was created. Not to say that the slot limit is the answer but it does help lakes not to become over populated, leading to a stunted bass population. Keep in mind too, with all this information, lakes in the Northwest are not stocked with largemouth bass.

During spawn individual females usually contain 2,000 to 7,000 eggs per pound of body weight, with an average of about 4,000 eggs. The female usually lays a few hundred adhesive eggs at a time. Usually at spawning the weight of eggs in females will be 10 percent or more of her body weight. Larger fish tend to have larger eggs and therefore larger fry but fewer eggs per pound of body weight.

When trophy bass spawn not only are they laying less eggs, but those eggs are carrying very strong genes. The chances that those eggs of a trophy largemouth grow to be another trophy are very high. Thus, quantity gives way to quality. This is one of the biggest factors avid bass anglers become indignant when someone has kept a big bass. That bass has the potential to bring life to more quality fish and to do so for many years. And just about every trophy bass is going to be a female.

I want everyone to see both sides of the coin here. It is completely legal to keep one 17” or larger bass. At the same time realize the passion us bass anglers feel toward these trophy largemouth and the damage it can cause toward that particular lake by taking them out. By putting that big fish back, not only are you ensuring future quality spawned fish, but the chance someone else will have the joy of catching it again are 100% greater. I hope this helps any young or old anglers to understand why we bass fisherman feel so strongly about our large quarry.

Sited Information:
SRAC Publication No. 200
WDFW Rules and Regulations




fishnislife

[spindog]

I'm truely for putting these fish back - I've released 2 over 10LBs, and 6lbs-8lbs to many to count.
For one like you mention it is the gene pool! These are the true blood line or genetics for future generations.
Also every lake has its own make up, but big predatory fish help with checks and balances of other species as well as their own. Makes a healthier lake!
Even the trout fishing is better where theres a combination of big predatory-Trout and Bass.
Renewed resource- you get to catch the fish I put back, and I myself have another chance at it, and its only gonna get bigger!
I found I'm not able to even keep a possible state record.......released a 11lb 7oz, weighed on my digital tournament scale.
What a feeling watching these monsters swim off, with the possibility of catching them on a new day!
Typically they are full of eggs, harms the year class of bass-their offspring have the best genes/survival rate and are wiped out.
Its hard when you do your part to protect the fishery and someone else doesn't understand or care.
SELECTIVE HARVEST- taking some of the smaller fish will acually give you bigger bass and a healthier fishery.

Good Bassn' to you

[Trent Hale]

This is very true. Years ago I was one of the bassers out there keeping any that could eat the hook. At the time it was fun and very tasty. Now when I fish the Lks I don't catch the fish one after another like I did years ago. Now I C&R every time I fish no matter how big the bass. I shoot them with film instead. I don't need to prove any thing to my buddys they know when I'm out on the water, take a pic and throw them back. They see the pic's and then I rub it in.

[BassDood]

I agree with Trent and spindog. I know what I catch, I don't B.S. and pics don't lie. I release every big fish...matter of fact...every bass I catch. I like to think someone else can catch it or I might the next year. It makes me feel good. Just me. Tho I don't judge the guy that keeps a trophy, or a limit, as long as it's legal. That is their choice. When I catch THE one, I'll photo and get a reproduction. Again...just me.

[Anonymous]

fishnislife, thanks for a well thought out topic starter. (BTW, you should post this on your Blog as it won't get buried in the forum in the long term).

I'll state my personal and "site admin" positions.

I'm in favor of catch and release quality fish for all the reasons mentioned above, except I have no issue with keeping the under 12" fish, again, as well stated above. In reality I seldom keep anything because I generally have fish available from other trips such as bottom fishing. And I'm more partial to perch for freshwater white fleshed fish. That said, I can accept someone else's decision to do what they are allowed, as sad as it makes me feel to see it happen. I have no right to condemn another for following the regs as WDFW have laid out. If I had that level of passion I would work to change the regs, but frankly I don't. I feel bashing people only causes hard feelings and in my opinion does the exact opposite of what the basher thinks they are accomplishing. People that bash others are in my opinion demonstrating selfish and cowardly behavior and an inability to use what God gave them between their ears. A better approach is to treat the other person with respect and try to educate/explain the benefits of C&R, as fishnislife and others do.

As the site admin, our policy has been straight forward and I believe most people are aware of them. Absolutely no bashing another angler for making a choice which is legal to do so. The consequences are clearly spelled out in the site policies and acceptable conduct threads. There are other web sites you can vent on if that's what you need to do.

[BassinBomber]

Great post Jeremiah,..I also CPR every Bass I catch unless for some odd reason it dosen't make it in the livewell,..for those anglers that choose 2 keep the Bass they catch I agree as long as they are following the Rules/Regs that the WDFW has set forth then who am I to judge,..I may not like the fact that they are taking a Trophy Female out of the system but it is thier choice 2 do so,..there is nothing worse than a "stunted~lake" for Bass so keeping some of the smaller fish will definately help the others with more forage 2 consume,..also with the Pre~Spawn/Spawn arriving soon let's try and remember 2 go after the LARGER female and try and leave POPPA on the Bed that he is protecting,..JM2pennies!

TGL~BB

[Rich McVey]

With the quality of relpicas, a picture is good enough for me. Ive only ever had 1 SM prepared for me and that ended me ever eating them again. (I wont go into details) I stick with salt water fish and panfish for eating.

[fishaholictaz]

In my opinion there is no reason to keep a big bass. Replicas are great now and the big females can't taste better then the little males...


a majority off bass fisherman do not like to see dead bass:-& So if it you keep a big bass to mount and show off it really is defeating the purpose. If it is recognition you want a picture with a live soon to be released fish or a replica is the only way to go...

We need to stop giving cudos to people that harvest big bass. It is not cool and we need to show that. I feel a majority of big bass die because some guy wants to show it off. These people would not care to show off these dead fish as much if no one thought it was cool.

[marktfd88]

Great post. I also practice C&R. Have too in tourney's. My main reason is two fold. First, the number of years it takes to replace a trophy fish. The average age of a trophy bass in washington is 10+ yrs. Second, is the gene pool arguement. I want the best gene pool available for reproduction of the species.
Do I get pissed when I see that someone has caught and killed one, YES. Will I bad mouth the person. NO. It's the law and the person has made a personal choice. ( it's what America is all about, freedom, choice ). So if someone chooses to keep and kill a trophy that's there choice. All I can do is show them the benefits of C&R and hope they choose differently next time. What I do get steamed about and will aggresively go after someone, is when they break the law. I can't count the times I have seen weekend Joe's with illegal harvests of fish. People, know the rules and live by them. It is there for EVERYONE, to follow and abide by.

Just my 2.6894294 cents

Mark

[Mike Carey]

With the quality of relpicas, a picture is good enough for me. Ive only ever had 1 SM prepared for me and that ended me ever eating them again. (I wont go into details) I stick with salt water fish and panfish for eating.

which brings up a good point - and not just for bass - pictures in the "wild" are a thousand times more interesting then a gutted fish in a sink. I enjoy seeing the smile of pride or excitement on an angler's face after landing a new personal best. That gets me pumped up to want to go fishing!

[Bigbass Dez]

Great post. I also practice C&R. Have too in tourney's. My main reason is two fold. First, the number of years it takes to replace a trophy fish. The average age of a trophy bass in washington is 10+ yrs. Second, is the gene pool arguement. I want the best gene pool available for reproduction of the species.
Do I get pissed when I see that someone has caught and killed one, YES. Will I bad mouth the person. NO. It's the law and the person has made a personal choice. ( it's what America is all about, freedom, choice ). So if someone chooses to keep and kill a trophy that's there choice. All I can do is show them the benefits of C&R and hope they choose differently next time. What I do get steamed about and will aggresively go after someone, is when they break the law. I can't count the times I have seen weekend Joe's with illegal harvests of fish. People, know the rules and live by them. It is there for EVERYONE, to follow and abide by.

Just my 2.6894294 cents

Mark

I agree 100% with Mark !
My own personal feelings and thoughts to the matter is soly just that unless i witness some breaking the law or going against the rules of the state ! :batman:

[BentRod]

Great post. I also practice C&R. Have too in tourney's. My main reason is two fold. First, the number of years it takes to replace a trophy fish. The average age of a trophy bass in washington is 10+ yrs. Second, is the gene pool arguement. I want the best gene pool available for reproduction of the species.
Do I get pissed when I see that someone has caught and killed one, YES. Will I bad mouth the person. NO. It's the law and the person has made a personal choice. ( it's what America is all about, freedom, choice ). So if someone chooses to keep and kill a trophy that's there choice. All I can do is show them the benefits of C&R and hope they choose differently next time. What I do get steamed about and will aggresively go after someone, is when they break the law. I can't count the times I have seen weekend Joe's with illegal harvests of fish. People, know the rules and live by them. It is there for EVERYONE, to follow and abide by.

Just my 2.6894294 cents

Mark

I agree 100% with Mark !
My own personal feelings and thoughts to the matter is soly just that unless i witness some breaking the law or going against the rules of the state ! :batman:

Ditto. Badmouthing someone for following the rules is bad form. Not that it isn't ok to state ones opinion on the matter, but please do so tastefully. Now law breakers and tweekers......no holds barred!:rambo:

[Amx]

Have to go by the law/rules/regulations. I hadn't kept a bass for many years. Now I need to eat now and then. Smaller fish are best for eating, but a person has to clean too many fish to make up a decent meal, so I'll buy fishsticks at the store.

Altho some of those perch, crappy, and bluegill are pretty darn big.

I don't like the trout I've eatin over the past years. The best trout were those caught in the little mountain stream in Northern Californis and fried whole, altho I refused to eat the head. The crispy fins were GREAT!

[bcalvert]

I agree with the majority on this topic. Follow the rules that have been created by the state. If you break the rules your fair game for flame . With that said, I personally do not agree with the removal of a trophy bass (17" +) It seems like such a waste to take a pig home for self glorification. As others have mentioned the meat is better on the smaller fish. And as an added bonus, smaller fish in the fry pan means more fillet practice.

I personally do not enjoy the taste of anything that lives in water (with the exception of rice) but i do plan on taking some selected < 12" bass home to the family this year. For me this accomplishes two things... It improves the overall population of quality bass on certain lakes. It also fulfills the needs of my family to think i am the macho meat hunter that they want me to be. :rambo: - not really , but it sounds good! :jocolor:

[smoke14]

I have mixed feelings about this subject, as stated by many others if your within the law then you have every right to keep the fish and I dont want to hear from anyone if the fish I keep is within state laws. The gene pool theory cracks me up, by the time a trophy bass grows up in this state most of you believe it takes 10 years, there have been thousands of fish hatched by that girl, and she most likely wont live much longer so really what harm does it do to remove the largest bass? This doesnt mean I dont release most of the fish I catch, by the same token if I choose to keep a fish that is legal then you all should respect that choice just as I respect your choice to turn them all loose.

[ckim85]

just to play devil's advocate... for the record I am all for C&R bass. I enjoy fishing for them and realize how limited we are with trophy bass here in WA.

But certain bodies of water, such as many tributaries of Columbia have often been aggressively taken over by bass, which has negatively effected our native steelhead numbers. I don't have scientific proof of this, but it is all speculation amongst those hardcore steelheaders.

I've often read in many discussions where steelheaders and trouters often will toss a trophy bass into a bush in order to help the numbers of fish such as steelhead. I'm a firm believer that one fish tossed onto the bank won't be beneficial, but I do believe in preserving our native fish species.

What are people's take on this? Kill/keep the trophy bass in fragile waters that have effected our last remaining native species waters?

[smoke14]

just to play devil's advocate... for the record I am all for C&R bass. I enjoy fishing for them and realize how limited we are with trophy bass here in WA.

But certain bodies of water, such as many tributaries of Columbia have often been aggressively taken over by bass, which has negatively effected our native steelhead numbers. I don't have scientific proof of this, but it is all speculation amongst those hardcore steelheaders.

I've often read in many discussions where steelheaders and trouters often will toss a trophy bass into a bush in order to help the numbers of fish such as steelhead. I'm a firm believer that one fish tossed onto the bank won't be beneficial, but I do believe in preserving our native fish species.

What are people's take on this? Kill/keep the trophy bass in fragile waters that have effected our last remaining native species waters?

This may be a dumb question but Bass are not native to this region?

[ckim85]

they are not. I believe the only native species to this region are certain trouts, salmon, and char.

[smoke14]

they are not. I believe the only native species to this region are certain trouts, salmon, and char.

I searched for native fish of Washington and the Bass are native, they are not considered a non-native species per Wa. Department of Fish and Game.

I stand corrected the small mouth was brough over in the early 1800s they are native to the upper Mississippi and the Large mouth is Native to the Southeast.

[ckim85]

where did you see that bass are native to WA. absolutely in no way is any species of bass native to WA. they are extremely invasive. Take a look at many small lakes that were previously occupied by westslope cutthroat, now taken over by mass numbers of largemouth bass. Fact of the matter is, bass in general are very aggressive and compete directly with many native species in our local waters. Bass are very resilient while our native trout species are not. It's pretty commonly known of our native cutthroat trouts in lakes declining drastically when bass are introduced.

here is a direct report from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Northwest Fisheries Science Center regarding the effects of nonindigenous species in WA including largemouth and smallmouth bass in WA: http://blog.oregonlive.com/environment_ ... cies_1.pdf

and another report on LMB effect on pacific salmon in WA: http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/warmwater/libra ... impact.htm

EDIT: wait a minute...where does WDFW say bass is NOT a non-native?
Clearly states both LMB and SMB are introduced: http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/prospects/wa_sp ... tm#sm_bass