Thread: Tournament culling

I see this has received some discussion and has some good responses. Here is some additional info and the regulation(s) behind what has been said.

The Code states that [3CSR 10-6.405 (3)(A)] “Any species taking into actual possession, unless released unharmed immediately after being caught, shall continue to be included in the daily limit of the taker for the day when taken except as authorized in subsection (3)E of this rule.”

That subsection [3CSR 10-6.405 (3)(E)] states, “During the months of September through June, black bass released unharmed by participants in a bona fide catch-and-release fishing tournament, which requires entrants to have a boat livewell with adequate capacity and a pump constantly adding fresh or recirculating water, shall not be included in the daily limit, however, at no time may the daily limit be exceeded.”

Simply put... as of today, the Code does not allow “culling” of any fish other than black bass at any time.

Posted: 04 March 2013
-Daniel Schepis
Conservation Agent
Clay Co., MO

The Code states that [3CSR 10-6.405 (3)(A)] “Any species taking into actual possession, unless released unharmed immediately after being caught, shall continue to be included in the daily limit of the taker for the day when taken except as authorized in subsection (3)E of this rule.”

I would guess that once a crappie becomes included in your legal daily limit, the taker can do what ever he wants with them? Such as release them at end of day? Kinda seems to go against the release unharmed immediately thing, but I guess that is better than being labeled serial fish killer.

If they can be legally released back into the water at the end of the day. Can a team of two put 30 fish into their livewell and release the 23 they don't want at the end of the day before loading the boat for weigh in? Or do they have to keep them? During nationals we were only allowed 8 fish in our boat at one time. I am sure many were in violation that day of the culling rule.

Unrelated to tournament fishing. I do not eat fish but I like to keep some bigger fish for pictures and will put them in the livewell until the end of the day. I will then take some pics and weigh them if I have not already weighed them when caught and then release them at the marina or in some beds. Would be handy to know if I am in violation by doing this.

You can always release any fish you decide not to keep. It's just that once it goes in the livewell, basket or on a stringer it's part of your daily limit. For instance, you're fishing uplake from the boat ramp and have a slow day and only have two in the livewell and decide to release them before going back to the ramp. you turn them loose but decide to make one last stop at the last minute and hit a good spot and quickly catch 13 fish. That's all you can keep cause the two you threw back are part of your limit.

Thanks for the reply. Guess I won't have Bullock or Dixon hunting me down for my last post afterall.

Originally Posted by Jigging15

Thanks for the reply. Guess I won't have Bullock or Dixon hunting me down for my last post afterall.

LOL. Good to keep the scale turned on and know within a few seconds. Touchy situation, and can be tough to stay in compliance on tournament day.

I hear you but I am lucky to catch 7 let alone 30. I got another small scale that fits in my pocket to make it faster. Then can put he good scale on them before we head in and can use the beam.

Jared, I bought a scale that comes with 8 cull floats made by Rapala at Cabelas. It can store 8 fish at a time and automatically adds the combined weight of each fish you "store". Caz told me about it, its pretty slick. Kinda pricey but slick.