Catfish Tourney Rules & Possible Changes

[harvey lee]

I have been talking to another cat dude(Chris Hanson) about how contests are run and what might be changed to help save some of these bigger trophy cats.I fished a tourney this weekend and was not impressed on how they handled the fish during this event.

I was wondering how many others have this same concern and would be interested in getting together as a group and discussing some of these problems.After meeting together and looking at some of the contest rules and maybe coming up with a plan of sorts that would help regulate the handling of these fish during tournies then one could have another meeting with a represenitive of the Fisheries dept or the DNR and see what would be needed to change to regulate the contest rules.My thoughts are not to upset the people that put on these events but to help with keeping alive the fish.

I am not saying that anything can be done,but just maybe a few rule changes might help with saving some of our trophy or future trophy fish.Please post below if you would be interested in working with a sportsman group that have the same concerns as we do about the future of our cat fishing.I do plan on pursuing this and would and could use as much input as possible from the area cat fisherman so the right changes are made if it happens.

Thanks-Tom

[rushing]

I think the best bet would be to push for a catch and release flathead fishery or maybe just one fish with certain length restrictions. I do think if there has to be a contest involving flatheads it needs to be immediate catch and release and if the contests can’t accommodate that then perhaps there shouldn’t be any contests. This is all our fishery and if we can’t protect it from being exploited for a few dollars then there won’t be much left for anyone! Just my 2 cents.

[Larry FlatCaster]

I would be willing to particpate, This issue deserves a closer look.

thanks

Larry

[Gordie]

I also would like to help in any way that I can....

[Fish'n guy]

Harvey lee, If you need any help with organizing something I would be more than willing to help out. I too believe that a tournement can have its toll on some trophy catfish. Giant flats are just plain taken for granted sometime, and if people knew how long it took for a fish to grow that big in Minnesota waters they may just take a few more precautions to save a fish like this.

I think that a combination of regulation and awarness could help out significantly with these tournements. I think that if the fish has to be transported to a wiegh it in that there should be no tournement. Bottom line! If there is a way to do it without that, which there is, then I am all for having the tournement.

Big catfish such as that forty some pounder that died at Belle Plain are very important to the fishery no only because they are a trophy fish, but because they are and ideal spawning fish. They deposite high amounts of eggs, of which very few survive in the first place. If there are more eggs then there are probably going to be a few more that survive. There are, as many of you know, not as many of these big cats as the smaller ones. So take it easy on the bigger ones, so we can have as many as possible for later one.

If we all throw around some ideas then we may be able to get something good going!! This is a good thread

[harvey lee]

Guys

There are some things getting worked on to address these issuses and more.When the time comes I am sure something will be posted.

[gooseby10ga]

I would like to help in any way that I can....I am just a newbie at this but after catching just those (2) fish I can see how this can become an addiction. I went out this past weekend both sat and last night with nothing getting hooked, dispite have a couple good runs each night. I think I may not have been letting them have the bait long enough. I will be out this coming weekend to give it another try.

[I Da Man]

I'm kind of a late comer here....but I thought I would toss in my 02 cents...

I'm a believer that most people don't need rule/laws to do what is right. Has anyone talked to the organizers? I would "think" they would be very open to making changes for the good of the fish.

[honky kong]

i fish with rushing quite often and we have had some good discussions on the changes that we would like to see to keep these awesome fish around forever. keep us informed with the steps you are taking. i know i'd like to help if possible.