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Post by mwardncsu on Oct 20, 2014 15:31:11 GMT -5
when the slot limit starts is there still a limit on how many fish a person can keep a day?... Yes - the limit is 2 per person / per day year-round. When the slot is in effect, you cannot keep any fish that are inside the slot...... And I agree with you on the enforcement issue - though anyone can call DGIF to report poaching.... |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2014 8:44:32 GMT -5
I realize it is a public fishery and the guy was in his rights to keep that fish as he was not breaking any regulations in doing so - that said, we all have to be good stewards to the resource we have - you are correct mward, but just because it's legal, doesn't make it right. Every member and lurker on this site knows (or they should by now) what we and the DGIF are trying to do at SML....... |
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BentRod
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Post by BentRod on Oct 21, 2014 9:14:41 GMT -5
I understand being within their legal rights. I don't think any of us are saying to stay away and don't fish it at all. It's an awesome lake and theres plenty of fish for everyone to enjoy. We're saying help us protect what we have. All I ever hear about is NC catch and kill tournies being held at SML and/or fish frys being held. To me, that's not sending the right message whether they intend to or not. Certainly they're not destroying the fishery, but if you come as a club and not just random individuals, send the right message. That's all I'm saying.
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Post by shepncsu on Oct 21, 2014 12:20:35 GMT -5
Are you guys really serious?
I am sure that it is a waste of time to respond and will likely just set off another round from you guys. However, it's hard to sit back and watch you guys spread rumors and accusations about what North Carolina did to your lake this past weekend.
It is a fact that one of our members caught by far the largest striped bass that he has ever caught and decided to keep it. It was 36 inches long, not 38. Another 36 inch fish was also caught and it was released. It is true that a replica mount can be created these days, but he kept the one fish.
It is also a fact that our group kept and “killed” enough fish to have a fish fry on Saturday afternoon. Yes, we had a fish fry – we all wanted to eat some fish. Larger fish were released and smaller fish were harvested for our fish fry. I feel sure that we will eat some fish the next time we come to Smith Mountain. I just do not see what that complaint is all about.
No one went home with a cooler of fish. One guy did go home with several catfish. Several of our group have no interest in keeping any fish at all.
We come to Smith Mountain lake a couple times a year to try and catch some stripers and enjoy some good times together. We don't expect a lot of hospitality from you regulars but we also don't expect to be insulted by this site running amok over the fact that one excited individual decided to keep a larger fish.
With the climate and attitude that you are creating about guys from NC (with Mward the obvious exception), it's a dang shame that we will have to sneak in under the cover of darkness the next time that we visit.
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BentRod
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Post by BentRod on Oct 21, 2014 12:42:26 GMT -5
Are you guys really serious? I am sure that it is a waist of time to respond and will likely just set off another round from you guys. However, it's hard to sit back and watch you guys spread rumors and accusations about what North Carolina did to your lake this past weekend. It is a fact that one of our members caught by far the largest striped bass that he has ever caught and decided to keep it. It was 36 inches long, not 38. Another 36 inch fish was also caught and it was released. It is true that a replica mount can be created these days, but he kept the one fish. It is also a fact that our group kept and “killed” enough fish to have a fish fry on Saturday afternoon. Yes, we had a fish fry – we all wanted to eat some fish. Larger fish were released and smaller fish were harvested for our fish fry. I feel sure that we will eat some fish the next time we come to Smith Mountain. I just do not see what that complaint is all about. No one went home with a cooler of fish. One guy did go home with several catfish. Several of our group have no interest in keeping any fish at all. We come to Smith Mountain lake a couple times a year to try and catch some stripers and enjoy some good times together. We don't expect a lot of hospitality from you regulars but we also don't expect to be insulted by this site running amok over the fact that one excited individual decided to keep a larger fish. With the climate and attitude that you are creating about guys from NC (with Mward the obvious exception), it's a dang shame that we will have to sneak in under the cover of darkness the next time that we visit. Here's the issue - it's not one excited individual that's caused our perception. This has been going on for years and I don't know who all is in the club or not - no idea - I'm sure it's a great club and we definitely want you guys to come and enjoy yourselves. The problem is we see big fish leaving the lake every time we hear the word "NC guys" and have for years, so naturally there has been a perception created that "NC guys" don't respect our fishery. If it was a one time deal, we wouldn't even turn an eye. I honestly don't think you guys did a thing wrong last weekend and hate you took the brunt of the frustration, but it's a frustration that has been boiling for years. |
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Post by mwardncsu on Oct 21, 2014 12:50:09 GMT -5
shepncsu - not to start another round, but this was not about "1 fish" - and it was certainly not about spreading rumors and accusations - I don't think anything has been falsely stated here. It is about the overall message regarding the need to protect and release our larger fish when the conditions allow it and the responsibility that comes with everyone that enjoys the fishery - from VA, NC, WV, or wherever. Perhaps I could have addressed this a little differently to start - sure - but I've said my piece on why it hit me the way it did.
As multiple folks have said, not trying to say to stay away and not enjoy the resource that is all of ours to share - and certainly don't want anyone to feel they are "sneaking in under the cover of darkness" - to the contrary, very often before those trips folks have reached out to me and others here for advice and pointers - including guys from your group - and I believe more often than not you've seen a lot of "hospitality" in the information shared both openly in this forum as well as in private messages or other forms of communication before those trips. I think it is because of this "hospitality" extended by a number of us that sometimes we feel "betrayed" and causes a lot of the passion you've seen here. A lot of folks here do a lot of things in many ways to help make this the best fishery it can because of the passion we share - and with the passion is going to come some defensiveness. I'm happy to have passionate arguments on the topic as it least it shows someone gives a damn - vs. those that are all too complacent on these issues.
I know many from out of state only come to SML a couple of times a year - but I'd like to see you and others that come participating here and sharing your experiences, sharing your views on the issues that affect SML (and/or your local fisheries), etc - the way to counter negative perceptions is to be seen supporting the efforts at SML and elsewhere which you also support personally regarding conservation aspects - which I know having personally met you and several others in the group you were with, that the majority do. Be seen supporting those aspects and you'll go a long way to helping counter the negative perceptions that exist - unfortunately all to often set by a smaller few.
I am glad you guys had a good outing, had some decent weather (wind on Sat/Sun aside) and that you had a chance to catch some nice fish - and appreciate your overall support of releasing the larger ones - and I am glad you guys got to enjoy eating a couple as well. And I at least welcome you back next time too - and would be happy to sit and drink a cold one with you, maybe even over a bite of fried fish and we can share and talk about our experiences and the issues affecting SML - and I'll even invite your newer guys onto my boat to fish and maybe in the process help educate those new to the fishery about these issues in the process.
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Gator
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Post by Gator on Oct 21, 2014 13:06:20 GMT -5
Amen mward!! All the more reason we should start the slot earlier. Oh and Shep, you darn tooting I am serious. Never been more serious.
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Post by 2 oars & a trash can on Oct 21, 2014 13:44:55 GMT -5
Maybe there are only 3 positions:
1. I don't keep any fish and return all catches as quickly as I can.
2. I keep everything I feel like keeping within the law.
3. Everyone else in the middle.
Maybe one guy in the middle yelling at another guy in the middle ought to have a look in the mirror.
Just a thought.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2014 14:01:18 GMT -5
Personally, I could care the less who kept what, I am more interested in who will keep what in the future.
Joni Mitchell... "Don't it always seem to go that we don't know what we got til it's gone."
I'm proud to be part of a group who does everything they can to not fall prey to our human instincts to destroy all that is good. To not take our SML for granted. And via conversations like these, regardless of the source, my hope is that a few more people will join us in protecting the future of our striper fishery.
Just throw back the big ones... Do it for our children.
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Post by mwardncsu on Oct 21, 2014 14:07:54 GMT -5
Maybe there are only 3 positions: 1. I don't keep any fish and return all catches as quickly as I can. 2. I keep everything I feel like keeping within the law. 3. Everyone else in the middle. Maybe one guy in the middle yelling at another guy in the middle ought to have a look in the mirror. Just a thought. Fair enough.... |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2014 16:27:47 GMT -5
shep, one has to look no further than leesville to understand the perception bentrod is talking about and I too am very serious with my comments. I totally understand that you guys did nothing wrong....but the perception is/was there. Why wait till things get out of hand before you post?  ?? |
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lund1
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Post by lund1 on Oct 21, 2014 19:56:18 GMT -5
Well....I'm from NC. Been fishing SML for 10 years. I can swear to the following;
- I didn't catch a single fish this past Sat.. Not a single one.
- I returned my unused baitfish to the lake...they were spunky as hell thanks to my new SBT II.
- I release everything else I catch....often before it reaches the boat.
- I have absolutely, unequivocally never received a private message from MWard telling me where the fish are...that must be some other NC guys.
- I've been on this board for a long time....never seen anybody quote Joni Mitchell before. Nice Yammy!
Lighten up Gentlemen....on both sides....reading this thread is like laying in bed listening to a cat fight in the neighbors back yard.
Hey NC - be respectful of something a group of really good people are passionate about.
Hey SML - leave the judge and jury to judge Judy.
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Post by mwardncsu on Oct 21, 2014 20:10:16 GMT -5
Fair summary Lund. Time to put this to bed - not much more that needs to be said. Can we go back now to plotting how we remove all the orange and red balls sitting off docks and no wake buoys that our shad will invarabily wrap around when pulling planer boards  |
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Post by catsnstripers on Oct 22, 2014 18:23:39 GMT -5
Is this a bad time to bring up conservation on our catfish too? To soon?
Travis
Catsnstripers
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Post by Gotcha on Oct 22, 2014 19:56:45 GMT -5
Is this a bad time to bring up conservation on our catfish too? To soon? Travis Catsnstripers Preach brother!!! |
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