18-inch Smallmouth Bass Size Limit

[rsimms]

It doesn't affect us around here since we already have such a size limit, however TWRA is proposing a statewide 18-inch minimum size limit on smallmouth bass on all reservoirs, except Dale Hollow and Douglas. I've got a web poll running on <a href=http://www.chattanoogan.com/outdoors>Chattanoogan.com/Outdoors</a>. Share your opinion.

 

[foodsaver]

Why are Dale hollow and Douglas excluded? Seems to me what works well here would work well there too.

 

[TritonCarl]

What would be the daily creel limit if the size were changed to 18"?? Some of the lakes in yalls area is 1 a day over 18", correct?? Not sure how it would work on Pickwick, with it being in 3 different states. I'm guessing it wouldn't go into effect on Dale Hollow bc they currently have a slot limit, not sure of Douglas. carl

 

[Fuzzy]

I wish Dale Hollow would keep the upper end limit and eliminate the slot, but that could provide to much competition at the upper end. I will say that the slot is vicious during a tourney! I was the slot king at the Bassmasters Weekender series...thank god for spots and LM!
Nostalgia tells me they keep this high at Dale Hollow for obvious reasons...one of the best lakes I have been to in Tennessee..

 

[rsimms]

foodsaver - 8/31/2007 12:21 PM
Why are Dale hollow and Douglas excluded? Seems to me what works well here would work well there too.

They are excluded because they already have more specific "lake limits" on smallmouth. On Dale Hollow they use a slot limit... you can keep four fish under 16 inches and one fish over 21 inches.... but NOTHING in-between. I'm not sure about Douglas.

 

[rsimms]

TritonCarl - 8/31/2007 12:36 PM

What would be the daily creel limit if the size were changed to 18"?? Some of the lakes in yalls area is 1 a day over 18", correct?? Not sure how it would work on Pickwick, with it being in 3 different states. I'm guessing it wouldn't go into effect on Dale Hollow bc they currently have a slot limit, not sure of Douglas. carl

The proposal says that any existing creel limit would be unchanged... only changing size limit.

 

[Carl Guffey]

Douglas is one smallmouth over 20",including the Nolichucky and Little Pigeon, twenty years ago If a smallmouth was caught somebody brought it from cherokee. Thanks to cleaner waters and some Nolichucky flooding they are beginning to show up on Douglas as far down as the dam.

 

[polo-dog]

I think that if there is doccumentation that a limit like that helps the fishery then it is a good thing. If there is not doccumentation that shows that it is good for the fishery then I say that it is a bad thing until proven otherwise. I don't think that any species should be selected as more special than the other species. That goes for rainbow trout and other species too. I think that all of the species need our help and we shouldn't pick one and say that it will be preferred over the others. That's my $.02.

 

[fish4thepeck]

My passion is Smallmouth fishing. I have had the opportunity to fish with some great people who are also passionate about smallmouth. Here is my take on size limits. I love the the size limit but I'm a little biased. Personally though, I think catching spawning fish hurts a lake more than anything. Wonder why all the pros schedules their TX following that lakes spawning period. Most target big females and the stress thats put on a fish does effect the spawning. Most of the people I know practice c&r so a few people wanting to take some fish home to eat is fine with me. I think taking five 12" home to fry has far less of an impact than catching five big females full of eggs then dragging them around to weigh em. Weighing 25 lb sacks looks good on TV and sells a lot of fishing tackle. Every American has the right to our resources and I hope that when decisions are made that the commercial influence is not a factor.

 

[SpurHunter]

Good points made there!