Thread: Live Sonar, has minimal impact

Originally Posted by NIMROD

I can see some points that big fish usually older and won't live long . Younger fish more productive in the spawn. But is it really good to remove all the big fish on some bodies of water ?

I think thats the million dollar question. I usually make it home with all my fish alive, but sometimes there is always that one good fish that just doesnt make it and is a floater within an hour or so even though you had a straight up roof of mouth hook set. It seems maybe stress is the factor. In that vid the Biologist basically says high temperature summers with warmer water, Thermoclines, the swing of water levels in flood control lakes and other factors produce a lot of stress. He says the fish are just so stressed they quit eating and die. That Crappie Connection vid is really a good one and both scope users and scope nay sayers should watch it. A lot of info and aspects that I never considered.

Originally Posted by Hammmerhead

I think thats the million dollar question. I usually make it home with all my fish alive, but sometimes there is always that one good fish that just doesnt make it and is a floater within an hour or so even though you had a straight up roof of mouth hook set. It seems maybe stress is the factor. In that vid the Biologist basically says high temperature summers with warmer water, Thermoclines, the swing of water levels in flood control lakes and other factors produce a lot of stress. He says the fish are just so stressed they quit eating and die. That Crappie Connection vid is really a good one and both scope users and scope nay sayers should watch it. A lot of info and aspects that I never considered.

Just remember your biggest fish usually the oldest ones . I remember Bass fishing and first to die in livewell were the big ones . They seem to be weaker and take less stress . I seen several times at Nimrod in hot weather more Bass died after a tournament . Many Bass died the next day . Figure Crappie weaker than Bass .

Originally Posted by NIMROD

Just remember your biggest fish usually the oldest ones . I remember Bass fishing and first to die in livewell were the big ones . They seem to be weaker and take less stress . I seen several times at Nimrod in hot weather more Bass died after a tournament . Many Bass died the next day . Figure Crappie weaker than Bass .

Yes, thats pretty much what that Biologist said. They will look strong and all good when you release, but they will swim off stressed and in shock and may or may not eat again. He said if you put them in your livewell, might as well take them home cause they may not live a few days to 6 weeks after releasing them. He also said just get your pics right then and release immediately if you're not keeping. Although I think they're pretty tough while they're in their natural state. I hooked a giant in the river last week, she barely fought, just flopped a bit and rolled on her side at the surface to show me a tennis ball sized belly. Jig tore out, made me sick. I followed her, pulled my plastic off and tipped the jig. She bit again and once again the hook tore out well before I got her close to surface. Im sure you have followed many big ones worth chasing and had many strikes and tail whips at the jig. I have followed them over 50 yards and it take 5 drops before you get them, but if they hear or see that boat or you spook them, its all off.

All one has to do is look at the crappie tournaments the last few years.

The tourneys release them and many anglers don’t keep all they catch.