Gill Nets

[wjhfish]

Got my first real look at this operation yesterday. There were nets in Chester Frost, not sure how many but at least 8-10 nets. I stayed and watched as the two guys were pulling the nets just to see what was being caught. I witnessed several 7+ lb. largemouth being pulled in with the nets. I did ask what they do with the bass and they replied that they had to throw them back. What a waste! Later in the day I did go back into that area and netted 2 largemouth that were all but dead, maybe enough life to move a fin. I did try to bring them back by putting them into live well and get oxygen but that was a lost cause. I did end up taking them home and grilling them, there was no chance of them surviving. There were several bass, crappie, and other fish floating. I do not know the regulations, but I do know that the fish that swam into Chester Frost on that day had VERY LITTLE chance of survival there were so many nets. Sorry to bring this topic back up and I know it is a touchy subject, now I have seen with my own eyes why.

 

[WackemandStackem11]

It blows my mind that nothing is getting done about this. This lake is the only bright shining light that the state of Tennessee has to draw non residents liscense sales. People don't travel here to deer or small game hunt. But people come from all over to fish one of the best lakes in the country and Twra hasn't put a stop to this yet. Even if argue that it's not hurting the lake if you were a non resident paying to fish would you want to see dead bass floating every where? No it would cause me to not come back. Sorry rant over!

 

[beetlespin]

It's illegal to run them across the mouth of a slough but that seems to be the way I see most of them.

 

[drdetroit]

Whatever were the results of the petition that was on the CFF for members to sign and pass on??

Dr Detroit

 

[cast4bass]

Usually the boats laying out the nets have no numbers. Hard to report anything illegal. You would think with the money recreational anglers spend this would quickly be stopped. Many times they are poorly marked. I once got one in the prop. No fun.

 

[tndoe270]

Simply amazing to me they are allowed to run nets illegally or legally but TWRA places retarded restrictions on an umbrella rig but those guys can kill trophy fish and it doesn't matter. Nice job TWRA keep up allowing the nets to ruin our great fishery

 

[drdetroit]

Regulations Concerning Use of Commercial Gear
No commercial fishing gear may be fished within 100 yards of the mouth of any river, creek, slough, inlet, or outlet, nor shall any commercial fishing gear be set so as to extend more than three-quarters (3/4) across any stream, river, chute, or embayment.
Commercial fishing gear is prohibited within 1,000 yards downstream of any TVA or Corps of Engineers Dam or within 300 yards of any commercial boat dock or resort. For enforcement purposes, wingwalls and lock walls are considered to be part of the “dam”, and measurements will be made from their downstream end.
Gill nets, trammel nets, turtle traps, and trotlines must be checked at least once every 24 hour period. All other types of commercial fishing gear must be checked at least once every 72 hour period. Each time a gear is checked, any and all species must be removed from the net.
Each piece of commercial fishing gear, including trotlines fished commercially, shall be marked with a tag securely fastened to the head end of the line or net or to the float. The tag should measure 1 inch by 3 inches or larger. The name and current license number of the commercial fisher using the gear must be on the tag. Tags may be made from metal, plastic, or other non degradable material. The commercial fisher must furnish the tags.
The possession and/or use of any type of gear, which is not specifically authorized by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission, or which is not properly licensed, is forbidden. No commercial gear may be possessed on, or immediately adjacent to, any body of water where such gear is not authorized.

Dr Detroit

 

[Rhino]

I can't understand how this continues to happen. Even if it is legal, why is there not more monitoring of what they are doing? I've sat at the mouth of possum creek and watched them checking nets that appeared to be the complete width of the creek. I've seen multiple boats with well over the legal limit of large catfish. I've had my propeller caught in the nets several times. I've seen the dead and dying fish they leave behind. Why is it not so obvious what a great resource we have?Not just great for our fishing but a great business and travel resource.

 

[Javelin33]

It's absolutely ridiculous the places they put these nets. I've seen them multiple times stretched out across the coves in the right side of Chester Frost. There's so many fish that swim through there it's not even funny. They deserve to have them cut if the nets are in places like that.

 

[TR20bh]

A buddy & I hung up a jerkbait in a net stretched 2/3's of the way across Hideout slough. It was marked on the shallow end by a 2 liter bottle & no marking on the other end. Pulled it up to retrieve the bait & cut out a 6# bass & 1 more in the 2# class. One died & we got the bigger fish revived & released. This net was totally illegal from placement to markings! Can't believe this crap is allowed to go on!

 

[hookem]

I see them put out in Marion County Park.

 

[bricknbass]

Seen some sunday on the upper end of nick

 

[ThePrez]

The ones thrown ack after fighting the net for hours have slim chances of survival

 

[Hook1]

ThePrez - 2/15/2016 1:55 PM

The ones thrown ack after fighting the net for hours have slim chances of survival

I agree, but one things for sure. They have ZERO chance of surviving while in the net. Better to give them a fighting chance.

 

[Hiwassee Angler]

If you find them in the slough, report them. If nothing is done, destroy them. What are they going to do, turn you in for destroying an illegally placed net?

 

[SpeedFish]

I've said it before, you need to do a little more research on this topic. Look at what lakes used to allow it and how the fishing was back then and compare it to how it is now since they banned them on certain lakes. I think you will be surprised. I'm not for a ban, they keep all the trash fish cleaned out and therefore the gamefish thrive. Hell, look at it now, I don't see anything wrong with the game fishing on chick. Crappie, bass, catfish, all of those are plentiful.

 

[basscrazy]

Shoot you.

 

[BustinBass197]

I completely disagree with you speedfish these things destroy equipment and many good fish. I have ran thru three before. Had to be towed each time. Everytime I see one somehow it dissapears. Hard to fish without any equipment the way I look at it. I would say that TWRA would start paying alot more attention if there are nets on a daily basis dropped in front of the front door of the odffice at Harrison Bay. They are never marked. I had a conversation/argument with one of these guys one time about why he should mark his nets. I don't think it solved much because I don't think we were both operating on the same level if you know what I mean. I kept hearing banjo music!

 

[SlabDog]

Its no different than dynamite. Indescriminate killing of wildlife. Slatboxes should be mandatory, if anything, and a daily visit to each one.