Sorry, I changed my quote in my last post .

Dtro,

The ball is roll'in and it is your frame dude .

No, just ribbing ya(with my last post as well). I always wanted to use that fraise

I see the need for a thread like this. All of us who have respect for these fish know from word of mouth or here on FM about the contests that are not run the best and it takes a small shove at first to move a mountain.

IMO, there is always, always room for improvement when transporting fish. Most of the guys and gals who run in these tourneys for catfish do not have $1500-$2500 live well systems like the bass pro’s have.

I sure would love to run in the Cats Incredible tourney next year and have been building up my equipment for it. One of my upgrades (still up in the clouds) would be converting a portion of my unused rod locker area in my boat to a some what state of the art live well (with in financial means). The idea started as a state record flat holding pen , but that pipe dream fades as every summer come closer to an end, but it got me thinking.

I can not help people set in their ways, but “I” as an individual can make a difference with how I conduct my self and learn from others (like I have here on FM) on how to keep this hobby I love going for many years and producing fish that I would like to see come from our local waters. Main thing, spread the "word"!

Let me tell ya a little story


When I got the flat in avatar a month or so back, I was shore fishing a fairly popular spot for rough fish and walleye‘s. As some of you know, it was caught during a raging thunder storm. Minutes before the storm hit, we had a truck and car pull up next to us. To our amazement, a young kid went out when the storm hit and tossed out a line next to ours and went back in his truck. Sure enough, I got my flat. Every one in his truck got out in the rain and was amazed at the fish I had got. His friend (I will add a very big boy) pretty much (as I remember) got in between me and the shore line. He wanted this flat to smoke it. He figured if I did not want it, he wanted it. I bugged around him and told him (kind of stern), fish like this must be released. He did not get irate or anything, but I could tell he would have loved to keep this fish. I was having trouble getting down the bluff to release the fish, but during this time my brother in-law stepped in and explained what we where doing and what should be done. After I released the fish, I came up talked with the young dudes. I think e struck a cord and they could very well be members of FM right now. I told them about the KOTC and what flat head fishing is about. I know we did well, because the driver of the truck got his first catfish several minutes later. He was so in awe of the fish, after his buddy said he would wanted to smoke the channel he just got, he so “no” and released the fish. I think we struck a cord with these guys and changed their views on these junk fish that they think are just infested in these waters.

Moral of the story, spreading the word is “key” in succeeding in what you think is right. Piece by piece, one person at a time. St. Paul can make a ruling, but as we all know those can be broken. If you instill a sense of pride about these fish in one fisherman, that will spread.

I never got their names or e-mails, but here is this guys first channel that was caught and released.







That is his "big" buddy in the back ground. I think we did change their minds on how catfish are a great fish.

I did not hold them back from smoking the channel, it was they who decided to release the fish (after our talk).

I think if we just express our idea's and thoughts to other's on shore, at the launch or hang'in outs, that will go a long way and could translate into these contest's. I think we are doing good in this forum!

Thanks guys!

Well done Shack! I have brought a few from the dark side myself!

Since everyone is busy patting themselves on the back,please answer this question...

Would a true catfishing sportsman even fish for cats during the spawn??? Take a good look in the mirror before judging others.

I think mother nature has a great protective mechanism in place when you consider how difficult it is to consistantly catch big cats (channels & flatheads) during the spawn. Seams like they take care of themselves during this period.

You can also ask anyone who has been putting their time in the last month how many big cats they've caught and that number will be very, very small.

"The Spawn" and Good catfishing do NOT go hand in hand, not like other species of fish.

I would say the few spawning cats that do bite, isnt effected as much as the pile of dead big cats the contest kills every year. I have some pictures somewhere of what this contest is like, but I cant post them, because it is against forum policy! I have sent copies of them to the DNR, and didnt even get a response back! This was about 5 years ago!

[quote=hansonYou can also ask anyone who has been putting their time in the last month how many big cats they've caught and that number will be very, very small.[/quote]

"Very, very???"

I love fish. I leave all species alone during their spawn. Perhaps having a get-together during the late stages of the spawn is worse than a fishing contest?

Just Something to think about.

kg2, welcome to Fishing Minnesota.

I agree with Hanson. Catfish/flats are not like Bass or panfish. They seem to fast during the spawn, protecting their nests. In some cases (and some experiences) it is a big waste of time fishing for them while they are spawning. Look at the reports as of late. I am a believer that if you are lucky enough to catch a flat when it is spawning, it is because it is defending its territory and not feeding. Plus it is hard to predict when a flat head is going to start to spawn and when they will end. We have an idea of when it happens and when it end, but it is not as predictable as other species of fish. Short of taking a 1 ½ months off during the summer, I try to do my best.

As far as I am concerned, I give every one in this forum a big pat on the back, for being a great bunch of dudes and promoting a great and healthy way to angle for these fish.

Keep it up guys!

kg2, I am not trying to Backdoor ya or nothing, but stick around and find out what these guys are about

For the record, I did NOT organize the Get-Together, nor did I attend the Get-Together.

I honestly feel as long as it is catch and release, if you are lucky enough to get a flat during the spawn, their is no more ill effects than when catching them any other time during the Spring, Summer or Fall. I think as soon as they hit the water, they go right back to their nest. Plus if you get lucky enough to catch a female or male while they are depositing their goods, I would suggest buying a lottery ticket.

You make it sound like we are dragging treble hooks and weights during the winter months when they are hibernating.




Hanson,

So is it because of the Spawn why you did not attend?

Hanson, you’re not trying to say you skipped out because of concern that you might be hurting the fish during spawn are you?


Kg2, welcome to FM/HSO. It’s nice to see you have the same concerns as all of us do about the fish. It’s pretty easy to practice those ethics with other fish during the spawn as season is closed for most of them.

As far as patting on the back goes, you have the right to that opinion, but the vast majority that frequent this forum, would give the shirt off that same back if they came upon a stranger that needed help on the river. Sometimes judging a person by what they type in an internet forum is a bad way to gauge a person.

I think the spawn period is an issue that needs to be explored. What effects are the fisherman having? Should there be a closed season in July? Lots of unanswered questions.

Well... my parents were in town visiting. Have to have time for the family too.

Another stated opinion.

Does having a get-together during the early /middle /late stages of the spawn worse than a fishing contest? Maybe.

Can any correlations be made between that and the spawn? Maybe.

If all fish caught that night were tallied the numbers were really low.

Do all cats spawn at the same time? NO.

Your mention to not fish during the spawn is very noble.
Given the differences of this species as compared to others, and given the spawn cycles makes for a very difficult if not unrealistic comparisons. Which would explain the need for fishing seasons on other game fish and why noodling for cats is illegal in most parts of the country.

Kg2 you bring up some good points. Along with other members. This is how our eyes and minds are opened up with the sharing of thoughts and ideas and............ of course.........opinions.

Shack!
If you touch me on the back again.
I'm pushing you in the river with my super anchor tied to your ankles.

So how many of you concerned catfisherman will be out and about at these live transport cat contests. Maybe we should be getting more video evidence to show the DNR since they are not present at some of them. I guess I just feel that we would be doing more for the fish by actually getting out and doing something than sitting in front of our computers. I hate being inside anyway

After talking with a few DNR people at the New Ulm office last fall about this, I know they know about the issues and said that the fisherman need to contact the DNR and also attend area meetings to state their concerns. They realize they have some issues but others need to say something to them instead of the threads here.