Quote:
Originally Posted by Hooligans
Bass being a real predatory fish often follow divers around
Slightly off in the distance looking for what the diver may stir up
The diver himself becomes the lure
I have often “kneeled” on the bottom and watch a school of them circling me
Which I think puts the bass at a disadvantage
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how is that any different than chumming. for that matter, bass are predatory fish and like to feed on prey that is swept up in currents - is drifting an eel in an outflow an issue since it takes advantage of the bass's nature and puts him at a disadvantage. is trolling for tuna and marlin an issue because they are attracted to the prop wash?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sea Flat
To me, there is way too much of a guessing game while down there. Everything under water looks 20% larger than it actually is. I think a lot of mistakes would be made.
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i'd be willing to bet that alot more fish would die because inexperienced rod and reel anglers get excited by a 27" fish and have it out of the water for too long while searching for a tape measure and taking pictures. your making a big assumption that spear fisherman will not be experienced and aware enough to avoid or limit this.
Quote:
Originally Posted by numbskull
The two issues with spearfishing that bother me is the ability to cull the largest fish present and the ability to put out a dive flag and monopolize a spot. Add chum to the equation and the idea worries me.
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i can see the concern here. however, rod and reel fisherman can monopolize a spot too. you just need to get there first. and rod and reel fisherman can cull fish too. just release them until you get the size you want. not quite to the same degree, though.
also, i think spear fisherman will be a small group and have very little impact compared to rod and reel on stocks, etc.
note that all of this is said from a surf perspective, and i admit that i may be unaware or underestimating the effects on boat fisherman. but either way, i guess i do not see anything that entitles rod and reel fisherman to a resource that spear fisherman are not given access to. where's the line. what would be really good for the species is if we all stopped fishing for them.