TWRA Commission meeting 8-29-30

[MadBomber]

FA & I attended todays Commission meeting.  I have good news and bad news!</p>

The good news is that TWRA recommended that the Commission approve raising the creel limit for spotted bass to 15 per day per angler in the Chickamauga tailwaters in 2008.  The bad news is that the limit only applies from the dam to South Chickamauga Creek.  All other sections of the river stay the same, 5 bass per day.</p>

This will be particularly good news for folks who fish the Riverpark Area.</p>

If the recommendation is approved as proposed, it raises some questions in my mind about enforcement, which I voiced at the meeting.  I also asked the Commission to consider lengthening the affected area to Suck Creek.  Most of us who regularly fish the river know that spots are the predominate species for many miles down the river.</p>

Here's my issue.  Suppose my partner & I catch and keep 25 spots and then decide to go downriver to try for smallmouth.  When I pass South Chickamauga creek, am I in violation of the creel limit until I return?  This will be a question for our local Officer.</p>

For those of you who are fairly new to the forum, here's the issue.  Where Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Spotted Bass share the same habitat, the spots tend to dominate and take over, gradually reducing the population of LM & SM.  Spots are the #1 predator species of LM & SM.  The only recourse we fishermen have is to harvest spots. We need to take out as many as we legally can.  This will also improve the overall quality of spots as well if we primarily take out the smaller fish. We can leave the 12" or larger fish for the Tx guys.</p>

Besides, they are mighty tasty.</p>

The commission will vote on the recommendations at the October Meeting.  In the meantime, EAT MOR SPOTS!!</p>

Oh well, it's a start.  This time last year, I didn't think there was any chance of getting any increase.</p>

 

[Liveliner]

In my opinion it is just not common sense to make a small segment in a large impound to have a different creel limit.  There without a doubt needs to be the limit increase in the upper Nickajack.  However, it should range to include the effected areas and defined as an area that would be typically fished in a one day's outing.  I think a more practical approach to this would be to include the entire area from upstream from the Suck Creek TWRA Ramp to Chickamauga Dam.  That way if you put in at the nearest down stream ramp and desired to fish upstream, you could do so and still be legal returning to that ramp with the increased limit. </p>

On event days where TVA and TWRA are using the Riverpark Ramp, it would highly restrict your right to fish in that area and legally keep the increased limit.  To run back down stream could put you at risk.</p>

 

[MadBomber]

Oh, as a side issue, the spot problem has become so bad on Norris lake that TWRA is recommending removing the creel limit aLogether.

 

[TWRA3305]

This appears to be an enforcement nightmare to me. I hope they reconsider. Not on the creel...just on the area. I do see the problems associated with spots and see that an increased creel limit is in order but this issue sure will be a tough one for the local wildlife officers. Even more stressful for the law abiding sportsmen who may run into the game warden outside that area with to many fish.

I always lean on the side of the sportsmen....but that would be tough for both sides. Law violators know the laws better than officers and that's how they can get around them sometimes. Tough call...just a tough one.

 

[Fat Albert]

<font color="#ff0066">Hey guys and gals.... the Madbomber done good again today...and they all remembered the gray bearded one from the past performance and his presentation in front of the commissioners...Matt, he did present the point that it would be difficult for you and the rest of our good law officers to do their job.  I think they will take that into consideration in Oct.  MB does get a smack on the back for doing such a good job...BTW, drove the little white truck and I, OH, so wanted to ride up there in the wild Yellow thingie.....FA 

</font>

 

[Liveliner]

Thanks for posting your comments on this issue Officer Majors.  You are a true friend of the real sportsmen demonstrated by your commentment to your job.  Thanks

 

[MadBomber]

It's a strong message from TWRA to the Fisherman to raise the limit on spots.  However, it doesn't mean a thing unless we are willing to harvest the little devils.  An 8" spot has more meat on it than a 10"crappie.  They are just as good to eat also.  Another issue I see is one of communicating to the casual fisherman who use the riverpark that spots are good to eat and legal to keep.  I think many of them are afraid to keep any small bass because they don't know how to tell the difference between a spot and a largemouth.  Maybe we can get some durable placards made up to post at the fishing piers along the river.  </p>

Anyway, I believe the limit change will pass.  It is a beginning, and it will be a on-going process that, if successful, will improve our fishery.</p>

The following is an article written by the Chief of the Fisheries Division of TWRA:</p>

<font color="#3300ff">Spotted Bass Identification and Creel Limits</font></p>

<font color="#3300ff">Recently TWRA received several calls and correspondence from anglers expressing concern about spotted bass identification and their more liberal creel limits in certain Tennessee reservoirs. These anglers were concerned that they might unintentionally keep numbers of largemouth bass over the limit while attempting to limit out on spotted bass. Several years ago when we first proposed liberalizing creel limits on spotted bass in east Tennessee we were also concerned with this and looked for one single characteristic that both anglers and officers could rely on. The character we settled on was the small patch of teeth on the tongue- spotted bass have them, largemouth bass generally do not. The word "generally" refers to the unusual trait of largemouth bass to occasionally exhibit a small tooth patch. This oddity shows up in one in every 100 to 150 largemouth bass. <u><font color="#ff0000">So even if the bass with a tooth patch is a largemouth, for simplicity sake, we consider it to be a spotted bass.</font></u> That way no one has to wonder if they are exceeding the limit or what species of bass they are keeping. Please refer to the Fishing Guide for a drawing depicting the location of the tooth patch in the mouth cavity.</font></p>

<font color="#3300ff">You may have wondered why we liberalized creel limits on spotted bass in the first place. Why should we be worried about this small member of the black bass family that usually measures less than 12-inches in length? Several years of fairly intense sampling of black bass populations in reservoirs have indicated that in certain waterbodies, the proportion of spotted bass in the population is increasing, apparently displacing largemouth and smallmouth. In some instances, the percentage of spotted bass in electrofishing sampling has increased from less than 20% to currently exceeding 50%. The quality of the black bass fishery- fewer largemouth and smallmouth- is at stake. Additionally, pound for pound spotted bass are recognized by many anglers and biologists alike as the scrappiest and most aggressive of the black basses, out competing largemouth and smallmouth for food and space. Their food habits are worrisome as well. Studies 10 years ago at Norris Lake indicated that adult spotted bass feed more heavily on black bass offspring (all 3 species) than did largemouth and smallmouth. So to counteract this shift in spotted bass abundance and dominance, we have proposed more liberal creel limits on these reservoirs that allow anglers to take home more of these smaller cousins of the more preferred largemouth and smallmouth. So far, the reservoir type exhibiting this population shift has been upland, storage impoundments with high water clarity. However, anglers around Chattanooga are expressing concern for increasing spotted bass catch rates they are seeing on Nickajack and Chickamauga, two mainstream impoundments. TWRA is currently evaluating this situation and we will report the findings to our Commission sometime next summer.</font></p>

<font color="#3300ff">What can you do as an angler to protect largemouth and smallmouth bass fisheries? If you fish waters with liberalized spotted bass creel limits, please take as many as you can of all sizes, within the creel limit, of course. Encourage other anglers to do the same. Our creel surveys show that anglers have been reluctant, so far, to focus their efforts on harvesting spotted bass in the lakes with liberal creel limits. </font><font color="#ff0000">Anglers need to realize that TWRA does not have the manpower to remove these tiny dynamos from all these bodies of water for you. You must do it for yourself and for the other anglers that enjoy the bounty of fishing experiences we have in Tennessee. </font></p>

<font color="#3300ff">Bill Reeves</font></p>

<font color="#3300ff">TWRA</font></p>

<font color="#3300ff">Fisheries Chief</font></p>

 

[Liveliner]

Bottom Line is that anyone who calls themselves a fisherman and sportsman should be ashamed of themselves if they release a small spot back into the wild.</p>

Keep a full limit for everyone in your fishing group.  If you do not want to eat them, I can assure you someone on the bank would love to have them.  Just be sure to inform the perssons that you give them to to understand that your fish adds to their creel limit.  In other words, do not give three limits to a fisherman fishing alone.</p>

 

[Kingfish]

While bluegill fishing below the Chic. Dam we have been catching and eating spots all summer. They do taste good. I would not know how to explain my creel limit if fish were caught at the dam but pulled my boat out at Suck Creek?

 

[SeqBass]

I smell a fish fry !!emoHungry emoFish emoHungry emoBeer

 

[rsimms]

MadBomber... thank you for your commitment and effort to this cause. I've been following this Wildlife Commission business a long time and I know it is time-consuming, difficult and tiresome job to try and wind your way through the bureaucracy to try and accomplish what you believe in. LOTS of people talk the talk... but rarely will they actually walk the walk. You have and regardless of the outcome you deserve a big group hug.emoGrouphug

 

[Liveliner]

I second that emotion -

 

[SpurHunter]

 Way to go Madbomber! We need to eat more spots!!!

 

[harbuck handyman]

I have yet to see any evidence that anything can be done to stop the spots from displacing the other black bass.I wish it would work ,but,I just don't see it having any impact.I am not trying to be negative about it.i used to fish Blue Ridge Lake a lot.The Smallmouth still rule there but the spots are multiplying .Hiwassee Lake has already turned the corner with more spots than smallmouth.I fish Lake Martin in Alabama a lot because my parents have a waterfront home on it.When my dad started fishing
it 40 years ago,it was a largemouth lake .Now you might catch one largemouth to 50 spots you catch.The story on Blue Ridge is that the local tournament club guys intentionaly brought a bunch of Spots from Chatuge and turned them lose because they are easier to catch.If ther is an answer to this I think it will come from fisheries biologists.Telling everyone to kill all the small bass they catch is not the answer.You can talk about checking for tooth patches ,but a lot of people will make no distinction if they are fishing for meat and plead ignorance to enforcement officers.And,a lot of anglers will probably start practicing catch, kill ,and release of young bass similar to the way a lot of people toss a chub or a sucker on the bank when they are fishing for another species that they would prefer to eat in the false assumption that it is taking up space that could be occupied by their favored species.This a complex issue that may not have a solution.In any event ,science should take precedent over sentiment.

 

[MadBomber]

 HH, I completely understand your pessimism and I'm sure many people share your view.  The only thing that gives me some hope that we might make a difference is that I'm talking about a river where in each case, you mentioned an impoundment.  What I don't feel like doing right now is throwing my hands up in the air and giving up.  Soddy Creek used to be covered up with spots, but it's not so much anymore.  What happened??

 

[SNUFFY]

I had the pleasure of seeing the MadBomber in action at a TWRA meeting in Knoxville a couple pf years ago. I can attest to his ability to lead the charge on the problem with the spot population everywhere. He did a great job in presenting the problem and offered some solutions which apparently have come fruition in this last meeting.
Great job Al !! Keep their feet to the fire. Persistence pays off !

 

[drumking]

MB just another good ole boy from Spring City that knows his stuff. He is accomplished in more areas than gab. Excellent bass fisherman, pro video and reproduction man, teacher, prayer warrior, family man, and my good friend. emoGeezer