Selective harvesting is needed on some lakes problem is it needs to be managed & no one keeps track of how many bass are being taken Unlike salmon Do you have a punch card for Bass Also Salmon tend to die when caught they just are not hearty as bass when it comes to C&R.
Salmon are stocked & managed Bass are not. Salmon grow much faster then bass so the recovery of harvest is much faster. Bass grow to about 2lb in a year then only average 1/2lb a year after that.On the wetside of the state.
A 5lb fish could be 10yrs old. Taking those would be like cutting down the old growth trees.
C&R works & many 1000s of hrs & $ have been spent studying this. Tagging tracking & logging have proven it. If you think it does not then please link us to some prove otherwise I can fill this page with links to many studies that prove it does no harm & what happen when tournaments in the past had big fish frys at the end on the day. Watch a few bassmaster tournaments on TV they always are talking about management & how much better the fishing is now.
Bass are needed to keep bluegill perch & other fish populations in check If there are not enough bass then those fish will become a problem to trout eggs Bass eat trout also but they do not eat the eggs. Also note bass are opportunistic feeders & will go after the weak trout natures way of cleaning up.
As for why C&R & what is our motivation I can only speak for myself. I can go out catch a limit & be done in 1-3hrs When I C&R I can fish all day & know that the next time I go there will be fish to catch again. The best part is its never the same one day to the next & I must figure out the puzzle every time.
Quote:I guess its possible to fish simply for the thrill of it. Maybe its to get proficient so you can win at tournaments (monetary gain).
Yes to get proficient & the thrill.
monetary gain
you need to fish a few tournaments then you will realize that you lose $ even when you win.
Why do people compete in anything Why race cars your just going in circles wasting gas. Why play golf you just hit a ball then walk to it & hit it again.
Now that makes sense. It's nice to be able to talk on this sensitive subject without raising hackles. I believe if you are going to practice C&R you must educate yourself in proper handling and proper gear. As for selective harvesting, you need to educate yourself not only on handling and gear but on proper fish management to better understand what fish to take in regards to lake conditions. I don't believe a fishery can thrive with absolute zero harvesting. The same can be said with too much harvesting. There needs to be a balance