Mark O'Donnell Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 Hi ISA Guys, What has been the proper etiquette when it comes to fishing while the smallies are on the beds? If it really would make that much difference, I could hold off a couple of weeks. What have you guys usually done? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary L Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 When I lived up that way and even down here I tend to not fish during the Spawn. Especially with a rebuilding fishery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Kast Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 I saw quite a few fish on beds last week. I still kept fishing, but moved my way around the beds so I wouldn't disturb the fish. They weren't interested in anything I was presenting, and I wasn't persuing them actively, either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bterrill Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 I saw quite a few fish on beds last week. I still kept fishing, but moved my way around the beds so I wouldn't disturb the fish. They weren't interested in anything I was presenting, and I wasn't persuing them actively, either. The fishing is slower because x% aren't feeding, the bigger fish right now are incogneto. If you can stand fishing 7 hours and coming out with a handful of dinks-14"ers. It may just not be worth it. Bedding fish aren't interested in eating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kend Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 Yes, I fish. I don't target bedding fish. I don't wade during the spawn and post spawn---SMB beds/nests may be inadvertently destroyed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Clifford Posted May 11, 2007 Report Share Posted May 11, 2007 You nailed it, Bterrill. Fished hard all week, and with the exception of a few behemoths that I managed to lose, all fish have been "up to" the 14"-15" mark. The bigger fish will bite though, if you are in the right place at the right time. That's the luck part of it. As in- lucky to be able to get out when they do bite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve S. Posted May 11, 2007 Report Share Posted May 11, 2007 Since bass will not all spawn at the same time, the spawning period will be extended, which means no fishing for awhile if you want to totally refrain. I usually stop fishing or switch waters when it seems like we'd be in the "middle" of peak spawning on a particular water, but on either side of the peak period, I try to fish midriver current areas where pre-spawn and post-spawn bass might hang. I try not to wade, but that might not work as well on larger rivers. Sometimes I just go out to locate nesting sites, count nests and scope out the big gals. That can be fun in itself, but it is helpful to know where they nest so you can get an idea where they might be staging in pre-spawn for next season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Clifford Posted May 11, 2007 Report Share Posted May 11, 2007 I should add that I never target spawning bass, to answer the question....but I DO fish, and fish as often as I can. Winter is long enough to wait, no fish that is NOT on a bed is getting another 2 months from this angler.. Even if I wanted to target them the poachers took most of them from the beds in my spots on the Kank anyway....no B.S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric B Posted May 11, 2007 Report Share Posted May 11, 2007 I usually just fish for something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Trybul Posted May 12, 2007 Report Share Posted May 12, 2007 I still fish but I use more caution at this time of year like some of the things already mentioned. We are still stewards of the river and I hate to see the rivers abandoned by the most respectful anglers and left to the ignorant. Especially this time of year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Dells Posted May 13, 2007 Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 I should add that I never target spawning bass, to answer the question....but I DO fish, and fish as often as I can. Winter is long enough to wait, no fish that is NOT on a bed is getting another 2 months from this angler.. Even if I wanted to target them the poachers took most of them from the beds in my spots on the Kank anyway....no B.S. Then that would be the time of year to dress in camo with a digital and hide in the tree's and take pics of people carrying them out. Follow them to the car and photograph the liscence plates as well,turn in to nearest CPO! Jeez Mike if you see it turn them in, the fines are almost enough to make them think twice. You"ll feel really good about it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Clifford Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 You bet. I wish I would be present just once when it occurs. The signs we put up are only as good as the mindset of the anglers fishing these rivers. We did about all we can do- it's now in their hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Loebach Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 I was at Glenwood F.P. Saturday- yellow sign intact, but the sticker re: closed season peeled off. We need to do a check of these to see how many are damaged. I would work the fox but I need locations & signs. If the sticker is prone to tampering then maybe we should do new signs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Clifford Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 I presume there are no white reporting signs on the Fox, currently? Perhaps a sign-posting day is in order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Loebach Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 No white sign at glenwood- If you know locations i will help or do it myself, let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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