Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post

Grant · 05-11-2005, 01:43 PM

John --

Very good point about the stringer. I remember lots of catches of big smallies back when I was a kid in the 60s and 70s, and all the local "master anglers" bringing in lots as well. Back then, "Catch and Cook" was the rule rather than the exception.

Over the past 15 years or so, I've made it my practice to release 99% of what i catch -- and those that are kept are kept because they probably would not survive after release.

I've definitely noticed a drop in the numbers of large smallmouths caught in our favorite areas in over the past decade -- something that I (personally) attribute to tournament pressure and general over-fishing. That being said, I have also seen a LOT of very large bass all over the while scuba diving -- and this is very reassuring. I've also learned that smallmouths are very curious, and will typically follow a diver for quite a distance.

I type this just moments after printing out my 2005 fishing license. I'm planning to do some salmon and laker fishing over the next four-five days, and plan to have at least one salmon on my grill. As Dr. Lyon said in his book, I'll be practicing "Catch & Filet"...

Thanks for the very interesting update on the smallmouth population. This is great news.

05-11-2005, 01:43 PM	#4
Grant Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pennsyltuckey, Tuftonboro, Moultonborough Posts: 1,510 Thanks: 387 Thanked 234 Times in 128 Posts	Big Smallies John -- Very good point about the stringer. I remember lots of catches of big smallies back when I was a kid in the 60s and 70s, and all the local "master anglers" bringing in lots as well. Back then, "Catch and Cook" was the rule rather than the exception. Over the past 15 years or so, I've made it my practice to release 99% of what i catch -- and those that are kept are kept because they probably would not survive after release. I've definitely noticed a drop in the numbers of large smallmouths caught in our favorite areas in over the past decade -- something that I (personally) attribute to tournament pressure and general over-fishing. That being said, I have also seen a LOT of very large bass all over the while scuba diving -- and this is very reassuring. I've also learned that smallmouths are very curious, and will typically follow a diver for quite a distance. I type this just moments after printing out my 2005 fishing license. I'm planning to do some salmon and laker fishing over the next four-five days, and plan to have at least one salmon on my grill. As Dr. Lyon said in his book, I'll be practicing "Catch & Filet"... Thanks for the very interesting update on the smallmouth population. This is great news. __________________ "When I die, please don't let my wife sell my dive gear for what I told her I paid for it."