what you think you think?

[herringbone]

So, I’m guessing all caps means your still yelling? Just curious!

[ghostcomanche©®]

Oct 12, 2021 17:13:27 GMT -5 striperfan said:

I appreciate your research, BUT what is the mortality rate that you question? I see no % of C&R only "HIGH MORTALITY" well 80% sounds about right. ARE we sure that ALL Captains and Fishermen measure their catch and ONLY RELEASE THOSE FISH UNDER 22 INCHES? I DOUBLE DOUBT IT. Hey I am only trying to keep the STRIPER FISHERY AS THE ONE BEST IN THE EAST

You say "80% sounds abought right". Did you come to this number by research, or is it just a guess?

Please provide a link from your research, that shows the post mortality rate of all released stripers is 80%.

I am assuming you did research the subject to led you to that percentage?

[fishhunter1]

FYI - Here is the link to a local 2021 "hot water study" not SML Striper but similar conditions in WV water body.

muskymortality.weebly.com/

This study represents a collaborative effort of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (WVDNR), Muskellunge angling organizations, Coastal Carolina University (CCU), and West Virginia University (WVU). This study will help to determine whether Muskellunge catch-and-release angling during the summer poses as a significant source of mortality in southern populations. Studies will take place concurrently in the James River, Virginia (JR) and Stonewall Jackson Lake, West Virginia (SJL), as well as in a hatchery pond setting in West Virginia. We will model mortality rates of Muskellunge angled in the JR and SJL using telemetry data following angled and non-angled fish across the summer months and we will determine the factors that may lead to mortality of Muskellunge that are caught and released in the pond study.

[ghostcomanche©®]

Oct 15, 2021 11:27:48 GMT -5 fishhunter1 said:

FYI - Here is the link to a local 2021 "hot water study" not SML Striper but similar conditions in WV water body.

muskymortality.weebly.com/

This study represents a collaborative effort of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (WVDNR), Muskellunge angling organizations, Coastal Carolina University (CCU), and West Virginia University (WVU). This study will help to determine whether Muskellunge catch-and-release angling during the summer poses as a significant source of mortality in southern populations. Studies will take place concurrently in the James River, Virginia (JR) and Stonewall Jackson Lake, West Virginia (SJL), as well as in a hatchery pond setting in West Virginia. We will model mortality rates of Muskellunge angled in the JR and SJL using telemetry data following angled and non-angled fish across the summer months and we will determine the factors that may lead to mortality of Muskellunge that are caught and released in the pond study.

I read through the information provided in your link.

There was not one mention of SML striped bass post release mortality, so I fail to see the correlation between your link and the current discussion.

Muskie and striped bass are two different species of fish, with distinct different biologies and patterns of life. Comparing the mortality rate of the two is like comparing apples to oranges.

[fishnfly]

Let me throw this out there. I think the reason the fish are smaller is because they are spawning 3 to 5 lb fish out of the staunton river in brookneal and stocking them into our lakes. IMO there is very little chance a fish will grow big if it doesnt have proper genetics. I fish the staunton in spring ,leesville in the summer and smith in the winter. the size of fish in leesville is very similar to the size in smith. It is not improper regulations it is poor breeding. Leesville gets very little striper pressure and you would expect some monsters to still be caught out of there. There are some but not like they were 20 years or more ago. The size of the fish in the staunton has plummeted over the past 20 years and I think this explains the smaller fish, because this is where they are bread from.

[BentRod]

Smith Mountain fish don’t get huge with any consistency simply because of fishing pressure. I remember when I knew almost every striper boat on the Roanoke side. I couldn’t tell you who 10% of them are now when they pass by - the pressure is as intense as it has ever been. There may even be 40 or 50 guides now too.

While the lake has good characteristics for large stripers, it doesn’t have ideal summer characteristics like you might see in Tennessee or Alabama impoundments. We have cold water refuge, but we don’t really have the forage piece to go with it.

Smith Mtn fish do still get big, just not the huge trophy size some may desire, at least not with any regularity. It’s an awesome fishery nonetheless. In my opinion, keep packing it full of whatever striper stockings they’ll give us and it’ll be what it is.