Thread: panfish versus bass

one thing i hate is bass tournaments on the tiny lake i go fishing with my dad a lot.its like no matter where you go you are almost elbow to elbow to other boats fishing on tournament days.we go fishing to get away from it all,not be crowded on the lake with other people.at least i know all those tourny/bass club dudes won't be goin after crappies,brim,and other panfish.i guess we should try some other lakes and find other good spots to go sometimes,and find out what dates bass clubs are having tournaments on.im not hating on bass guys,just doesn't seem theres a lot of room for tournys on that tiny lake to me

taste !

Life is a great big circle. Started out on panfish, then bass, then catfish, then bass and
now panfish, panfish & more panfish.........of all kinds. Never cared to eat bass, but smallmouth
were pretty good. Not crazy about striper or sandies, but any perch and crappie can't be beat.
Fished the banks, from the boat, walked the banks, tried the tube and finally got into kayaks.
I'll stick with the kayaks from now on. Tried every rod and every reel, including fly fishing. I'll
stick with ultra light from now on, including fly rod. BnM jiggin' poles and 5' St Croix UL is my
cup of tea for what I fish for. It's all about eatin' what I catch now, and there are more crappie
& perch out there than anything else IMO. Comfy kayak seat, sandwich and cold drink for lunch,
and lots of action in my basket. It don't get better than that for me........til the table is set.
Enjoyed reading every post on this subject. Thanks to all for taking the time to share.

I dont target bass and end up catching plenty while crappie fishing in the summer up in the pads. I eat every single keeper bass i catch. It tends to make make bass fisherman angry at the boat ramp when i show them the catch i got that day. Ive cought 4 and 5 lb bass before on crappie gear. Its allot of fun but mostley just hard on my gear. Sport bass fisherman dont keep fish. I dont ubderstand it and i will never appreciate it. A large number of bass in a lake will only stunt the future generation of bass and a large number of bass in a lake are hard on pan fish. Bass fisherman that get mad at people for harvesting bass dont understand what thats acually doing for them. I guess what im trying to say is sport fishing is syupid. Catch em and eat em or have nothing but 12 inchers in a few years.

Originally Posted by Slab Slayen

I guess what im trying to say is sport fishing is syupid.

Well, I wouldn't say that.

Originally Posted by RetiredRR

Comfy kayak seat, sandwich and cold drink for lunch,
and lots of action ...

Substitute "float tube" for "kayak", and I'm with you.

Originally Posted by Slab Slayen

A large number of bass in a lake will only stunt the future generation of bass and a large number of bass in a lake are hard on pan fish. Bass fisherman that get mad at people for harvesting bass dont understand what thats acually doing for them. I guess what im trying to say is sport fishing is syupid. Catch em and eat em or have nothing but 12 inchers in a few years.

You are confusing bass population biology with that of bluegills and crappies. Where bluegills or crappies are present to feed on bass fry, bass don't tend to overpopulate like their smaller cousins. In protected waters, bass grow large, with a distribution of all sizes present if spawns have been successful. But a bass that is kept and eaten at 5 lbs. will not grow to 6 lbs.

That said, you have a right to keep and eat bass lawfully caught if you buy a fishing license.

Originally Posted by deathb4disco

Substitute "float tube" for "kayak", and I'm with you.

I loved my float tube for a long time. Sit right on the water, able to handle fish well and really
enjoyed everything about it...........until, I found a trot line with my right leg, and couldn't get
out of the water fast enough. Decided to get back out of the water and I just can't get back in.
Guess I'll stick with my 'yak. LOL