small mouth bass in the spring: I've seen quite a few photos of sm's on the Stage here recently. And this is the time of year when they are fairly easy to catch. Because likely they...

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

I've seen quite a few photos of sm's on the Stage here recently. And this is the time of year when they are fairly easy to catch. Because likely they are sitting on their nests and protecting their eggs from anything that gets too close.
My point is, you shouldn't be keeping these spawning smallies. They are very vulnerable right now. Please practice c&r at this time of year. Let them do their thing in the springtime. You can catch em and eat em later on in the year.

charlykilo Loc: Garden Valley Ca

agatemaggot Loc: iowa

Spiritof27 wrote:

I've seen quite a few photos of sm's on the Stage here recently. And this is the time of year when they are fairly easy to catch. Because likely they are sitting on their nests and protecting their eggs from anything that gets too close.
My point is, you shouldn't be keeping these spawning smallies. They are very vulnerable right now. Please practice c&r at this time of year. Let them do their thing in the springtime. You can catch em and eat em later on in the year.

You are correct, Smallies have very poor spawning success especially here in the midwest. They only spawn successfully on average of 1 year out of seven as I have read ! Have you noticed that you find a school with 2 or 3 good size fish with a bunch of dinks making up the rest of the group ? Thats how it usually goes unless you hit it lucky !

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

I used to fish Scott's Flat Reservoir outside of Nevada City for smallies in the spring. It's the only time I would target them because I could do it from my float tube - cruise along just off shore and cast up into their nests in the shallow water. A kastmaster. I don't know what they thought that was, but they would pound it. Most of the ones I caught would probably be considered dinks. Anything over 2 pounds or so was a monster. They all got released.

Jim Kay Loc: Franklin, Virginia

Add to that, all largemouts and Smallmouths larger than pan size should be released to further propagate these species. This could also be said of other species.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

The simplest solution is CPR during the spawning seasons to protect the resource…Catch…Photo…Release!

OldBassGuy Loc: Temecula, CA

OJdidit wrote:

The simplest solution is CPR during the spawning seasons to protect the resource…Catch…Photo…Release!

Yep, agree 100%. And CPR is all year for me.

kandydisbar Loc: West Orange, NJ

OJdidit wrote:

The simplest solution is CPR during the spawning seasons to protect the resource…Catch…Photo…Release!

Like that OJ!

Papa Jack Loc: Indianapolis

Well said

Jim Kay Loc: Franklin, Virginia

OK, CPR.

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

Spiritof27 wrote:

I've seen quite a few photos of sm's on the Stage here recently. And this is the time of year when they are fairly easy to catch. Because likely they are sitting on their nests and protecting their eggs from anything that gets too close.
My point is, you shouldn't be keeping these spawning smallies. They are very vulnerable right now. Please practice c&r at this time of year. Let them do their thing in the springtime. You can catch em and eat em later on in the year.

Well said Spirit Hope they listen🇺🇸🎣😎👍

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

OldBassGuy wrote:

Yep, agree 100%. And CPR is all year for me.

Myself also unless they are hooked real bad and won't survive and of legal size then they get eaten 🇺🇸🎣😀👍

agatemaggot Loc: iowa

OldBassGuy wrote:

Yep, agree 100%. And CPR is all year for me.

Same here !

florida Loc: Southwest Florida/ Virginia

Great EXPLANATION, why keep baby females full of eggs and then complain about too few fish? If you are that hungry go to the nearest food kitchen and C&R the small fish of little food value.