releasing large bass

[zimmy]

I didn't get to chime in on the thread with the 60Lb fish before it was closed, so I thought I would raise a question. Please chime in if you can without attacking individuals

So I have read as much as I can find on the topic of egg fecundity and viability in bass. Based on the available research, data indicates roughly that a 12lb female produces s about 850,000 eggs, and a 55lb bass about 4,200,000. As to the issue raised about the viability of eggs in older fish, there is little data, but most of what i have found did not show a major decrease in viablity in the 50-60lb range/age class. Even a decrease of 50% in a55lb still gives about 2,000,000 viable eggs.

I know the argument becomes "it's legal so don't even question it when someone keeps a large ( or 2) fish." So should the laws be changed to protect large bass. Something similar to the red drum rules in NC (1@ 18-26" I think). Maybe a variation of that? I personally would not get anything out of keeping a big fish and
only would if it was not gonna make it.

[stormfish]

Sounds very conservative and all but I'm putting that 60lb bass on my wall...

[Clogston29]

So a 60 lb fish produces about 5 times as many eggs as a 12 lb fish according to your numbers. I would argue that keeping the large fish would have less impact on the fishery than keeping the 12 lb fish because the 12 lb fish has a much higher reproductive potential since it will live much longer and therefore reproduce much more often, producing more eggs each time based purely on those numbers. Now the genetic impact of removing large fish is another issue all together and one I don't know enough to comment on.

[Mike P]

Plus, there are 1000 (maybe add a zero or two to the end of that) 12 lb fish for every 60 pound fish.

What I've been advocating for years is a slot limit. Let guys keep one or two 22-27" fish for the table, and one 40"+ for their egos or a tournament. You probably do more harm to the fishery by culling out 28-36" fish than by culling one or two schoolies a man per day, and the occasional cow.

And don't feel I'm being judgmental by saying "keep one for their egos". My ego is as big as anyone else's

[Sluggoslinger]

If I get a 50, I'm keeping it. Sorry but i don't take much and it would be quite a feat for me.

[Brother Brian]

I agree on a slot limit but I would reduce the size from 20 to 24" and allow several 'tags' to be purchased per year for fish over 44".

[Canalman]

Originally Posted by Clogston29

So a 60 lb fish produces about 5 times as many eggs as a 12 lb fish according to your numbers. I would argue that keeping the large fish would have less impact on the fishery than keeping the 12 lb fish because the 12 lb fish has a much higher reproductive potential since it will live much longer and therefore reproduce much more often, producing more eggs each time based purely on those numbers. Now the genetic impact of removing large fish is another issue all together and one I don't know enough to comment on.

Wow I never thought of it quite like that before... I like that Josh

[PoPin Plug]

Originally Posted by stormfish

Sounds very conservative and all but I'm putting that 60lb bass on my wall...

ME 2...... once i get one!

[Slingah]

Originally Posted by Mike P

And don't feel I'm being judgmental by saying "keep one for their egos". My ego is as big as anyone else's

I like that Mike P...mine too

[zimmy]

Originally Posted by Clogston29

So a 60 lb fish produces about 5 times as many eggs as a 12 lb fish according to your numbers. I would argue that keeping the large fish would have less impact on the fishery than keeping the 12 lb fish because the 12 lb fish has a much higher reproductive potential since it will live much longer and therefore reproduce much more often, producing more eggs each time based purely on those numbers. Now the genetic impact of removing large fish is another issue all together and one I don't know enough to comment on.

That is only if you ignore the reproductive impact of all of the extra offspring from the bigger fish. Add in the chance of a 12lb fish making it to 50+lbs. It doesn't even come close.

I think the question I am really asking is, if the science supports releasing big fish, would people support a change in laws (and I am not saying it definately does, especially when stress mortality on big fish is factored). Obviously there are lots of people who really feel the need to keep a big fish.

I know it would be the same way down south if the slot on drum went away. You would have hundreds of 30-50+lb fish in the coolers on good days in the spring at cape point.( Edit note: I don't mean that statement in any way other than they live with the regs now, but if they changed alot of people would keep em)

[numbskull]

I know nothhhhhhhhhhhhhing........I know nothhhhhhhhhing!

[afterhours]

Originally Posted by Mike P

Plus, there are 1000 (maybe add a zero or two to the end of that) 12 lb fish for every 60 pound fish.

What I've been advocating for years is a slot limit. Let guys keep one or two 22-27" fish for the table, and one 40"+ for their egos or a tournament. You probably do more harm to the fishery by culling out 28-36" fish than by culling one or two schoolies a man per day, and the occasional cow.

And don't feel I'm being judgmental by saying "keep one for their egos". My ego is as big as anyone else's

damned straight.

[ThrowingTimber]

It would more than likely swim away. Im not a very good at being a hero.

[Tagger]

If I catch a 60 lb. Bass ? I want to be alone with it.....Naked ..

[Swimmer]

Everyone here needs to read "Striper Wars". What Zimmy said is true, but what Clogston said also is true. Its all in Russells book Striper Wars in such a way that everyone can understand. My only question with regard to the 60 pound fish would be how many of those eggs are healthy and viable from a fish that age?

[Skitterpop]

Originally Posted by stormfish

Sounds very conservative and all but I'm putting that 60lb bass on my wall...

Terrorist

[Skitterpop]

Originally Posted by Swimmer

Everyone here needs to read "Striper Wars". What Zimmy said is true, but what Clogston said also is true. Its all in Russells book Striper Wars in such a way that everyone can understand. My only question with regard to the 60 pound fish would be how many of those eggs are healthy and viable from a fish that age?

What does the big buck sow?

[CanalGuy]

Sure, you know I pull out 60lbers all the time I guess I should release my next one huh?

[Raven]

great thread....

it's not all about numbers and the viability of eggs,,,because a 60 lb bass
has "sometimes" healthier or larger eggs....or you have to look at the genetics of the individual bass.... also... IMHO = .02 cents
------------------------------------------------------------------------
After watching this guy milking trout
for their eggs and then the same for male trout....to fertilize the eggs......,
it was facinating to see the production....and it should be done with stripers too but in a saltwater hatchery....the same as we've done for the oyster.

unfortunately,,,,in the natural environment of the rivers, where the eggs get deposited
there are many predators and egg eaters.....but if you were to have intervention and raise those eggs to maturity in a controlled environment the growth rate could be phenomenal.

we have reached the point where we can make chickens any color we want... fish that glow in the dark...you name it... we have genetic engineering down to a science so why not apply it to the striped bass.

I guess when you walk thru a chicken farm that has
several million birds in it....it changes your scope of vision.

Pheasants (non natives of america) are raised 22 million at a time...with chicks shipped all over the world for example.

a flower breeder once crawled thru row after row after row of
ten thousand flowers to find a single one flower that had aroma....
or fragrance.....
which he selected and then ceremoniously destroyed the 9,999 non aromatic flowers to breed that single genetic strain.

thats where, i think we should be heading....instead of only down the conservation trail.... managing... size selection.