Nice little bass in KC

[raindogt]

Just wanted to share a nice bass I pulled in tonight. No tape, or scale, but guessing roughly 3 Lbs. and 20 or so inches. The cork is 11.5 inches long, and the reel is a large arbor about 4 inches tall from reel seat. Humor me, these are only approximations....

[ahi sashimi]

Indeed, I remember when you showed me the picture in person no that long ago...

Nice meeting you, BTW. They're still biting out there... been going out everyday to practice with my new 8wt to get in shape for some saltwater action. The 10wt will be here soon.

Steve

[MoscaPescador]

That's a nice healthy bass. Great catch!

[raindogt]

Hey Steve,

Good to hear from you. I have been targeting the hatchery rainbows that they stocked SMP with.

Doing alright- the fish seem to shut off at 8 am-- it's like someone flips a switch-- also, it is kind of hard to compete with the guys using powerbaits.....

On that note-- Here's a funny little story:

I was there today as the sun was dropping-- there was a guy who caught 2 trout using the weight, paste and wait 'technique'. (Throwing a trebel hook, gooped up with powerbait trout paste and a 'redneck rigged' weight and do the same thing that the catfishers do- sit on a lawn chair and listen for the bell...)

At any rate-- he was releasing them (improperly I might add)-- literally jaw lifting them and tossing them back as you see bass fishermen do.

I inquired as to how he was doing (knowing full well how he was doing) and he mentioned that he caught a few-- And I quote-- "I released 'em-- I just do it for the sport." Sport?????

To each his own- but I'd rather be humbled with a fly rod than pull a few in sitting and waiting for them to mosey across my bait...

// end of soap box//


Which bring a philosophical pondering to mind-- With hatchery trout, there is no real consideration to conservation. The fish won't last long in that water once the water temp. rises. They are put there purely to be caught-- and taken (there is no size limit, nor is there a creel limit, if I am not mistaken)

Should I impose the 'correct' handling info to the next catch and release guy? Or just let the fish be mishandled and likely suffer from it. After all, the killed ones will become food for some other wildlife in the wee hours of the night.

Any opinions?

[MoscaPescador]

Originally Posted by raindogt

Should I impose the 'correct' handling info to the next catch and release guy? Or just let the fish be mishandled and likely suffer from it. After all, the killed ones will become food for some other wildlife in the wee hours of the night.

Any opinions?

Impose? Maybe not. Educate? That's the better word.

I handle planters like I handle wild or native fish. The fish are released properly to live and fight another day. If the fish dies, it's one less fish that will be caught. That's one less fish for the newbie, junior, and gramps. Let's make sure everyone has a shot.

In many put-and-take bodies of water, planters serve as biomass for those ecosystems. At many of the stillwater fisheries, I consider planters Osprey and Bald Eagle food. In some of the streams, I consider them otter food.

MP

[Hardyreels]

Hey there raindog,

I haven't been seeing your posts for awhile you must be fishing. Nice bass lots of fun I'll bet.

Ard

[andywebb]

Where in KC are you fishing?

[raindogt]

Andy, I am on the Kansas side-- Jo Co. areas mainly-- I do some Mo. fishing when I can get the time. Where are you? Always looking for people to fish with.

I have a young family (2 yr. and 5 yr. boys) What is too young to hook them on a fly line? -- Usually fishing early morn before boys are up, or late eve. after they are all bathed and settling down for bed. Usually only get an hour to hour and a half per trip. I tend to stick to the local (5- 10 min. from home) holes (Lake Lenexa, SMP, etc.-also a few farm ponds).

Plus my wife thinks I go to see my girlfriend-- she doesn't know that I am fishing..... She might catch on if I were gone for 6 or 7 hours.