Does Turn In Poachers work?

[Deitz Dittrich]

Are there any lakes that have a fishable population of dogfish?

I'm all about giving people the benifit of the doubt. But I cant stand it when people fish for "dogfish" and happen to catch 20 bass and no dogfish. It bugs the tar out of me. For those people, drive to Iowa, or fish the river that is open.

But its always the same people, I see them when they are 6 in my class... They are always the ones that break a rule and then look at you and say.. "Well so and so did it." They are no longer 6, but still act it.

Rules are Rules, if you dont like them.. tough!

[Sandmannd]

Well said Deitz. Couldn't agree with you more.

[Slyster]

Here's the definition of those sort of people.

sociopath (soh-see-uh-path, soh-shee-uh-path)

Sociopaths are interested only in their personal needs and desires, without concern for the effects of their behavior on others.

[ricqik]

Yes there are lakes that have a fishable population of bowfins. And I agree, if those peeps are catching bass after bass, they better change up or leave. That's quite obvious, they either know nothing about bowfin or is using that as an excuse to catch bass. But don't pass judgement on someone who can target and consistantly bowfin as trying to bassfish. Just like any avid angler of their prefered species, if they aren't catching their intended fish's, they usually call it a day. It's the slob that use other fish as an excuse that taint the few who really are true.

[Newcastle]

Yep-Thats really what it comes down to, are they catching their target species, and if not-are they making any adjustments to be successful in catching the target species.

I did stalk a huge bowfin last summer by accident--just saw a huge body cruising/looming across this clear shallow bay. Finally got up her and was a little disappointed-thought I was going to have a really trophy largemouth there.

[JimBuck]

I've got the TIP on speed dial....I haven't used it yet but I am more than willing if it means protecting our waters. Before I call I would approach the people and tell them what they are doing wrong (guilt trip) before I call T.I.P. If I hear the typical "sob story" saying they are going for large crappie with 3/4 oz. spinners or something absurd I will call almost always. I can't stand people who think they have a right to break the law over everyone else....boneheads.

[RiverBassGuy]

I was fishing weaver lake in maple grove last summer and a asian gentleman was sitting on the end of the dock jigging a live sunfish he had hooked through the dorsal. I called TIP as we were unloading the boat and I sat there and watched the DNR officer write him a ticket. He complained to the officer saying, "I didn't know it was illegal." DON'T FISH/HUNT IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE RULES one-who-thinks-I-am-silly!!

[RiverBassGuy]

Oh and it only took the officer about a minute and a half to arrive! They mean business when it comes to poachers

[Sandmannd]

Nice RBG, the ignorance thing is no excuse. Read the book or get someone to read it to you. You need to know the rules if you are going to be taking in these sports.

[Cyberfish]

I know Bowfin pro, yes he does fish for those things! He has his own story on his blog, but i have to take some credit for his "enlightenment"! Many years ago when we fished together, he would see these big fish boil at his topwaters and would not try to catch them because he wanted only to get bass.

I had to explain to him many times how Bowfin were way better than bass!

They are bigger

harder to catch

fight more

are much more challenging to land for sure.

The only reason bass have traditionally been a more respected fish is because they are much better to eat! But now that everyone is just throwing em all back anyhow we should consider the bowfin as the elite sportfish!

Well, it didn't sink into that ol skull of his right away, but the seeds were planted that would one day make him the BP!

Although he may just get dethroned this summer, as I will be spending 2 weeks on the ultimate bowfin lake this summer, gonna get me that state record i had on last year that spit my bucktail while doing a musky like tailwalk!

[Duffman]

Paaalease Cyberfish, don't tell me you've takin his jive hook, line, and sinker????

I mean, I know BP has repeated the same mantra over and over so much that he believes it, but I have a hard time thinkin you take it as gospel as well.

For years BP has argued against the closer of bass season and boasted about pre-season bass fishing disquised as dog fishing, yada yada yada....

Seriously, the dudes blog is 95% bass fishing, I as well as others have never been fooled by his shenanigans, I know you guys are buds, but please give the rest of us a little credit.

Hey BP, you ready for the Duffman vs BP weekly tournament again this year???? I'm good to go.

[dmc]

Cyberfish, I love your avatar. Very humorous!

[Cyberfish]

Are you guys actually gonna fish this year? I seem to remember you and bassputz were ties 0-0 almost every week last year!

[Cyberfish]

 Originally Posted By: dmc

Cyberfish, I love your avatar. Very humorous!

Captain Chaos!

Dumm dummmmm DUMMMMM!

[Duffman]

 Quote:

Are you guys actually gonna fish this year? I seem to remember you and bassputz were ties 0-0 almost every week last year!

Ouch, nice one.

Hey now, I've got all my limbs intact this year, there' no slowin me down this season. Unless I feel a nap coming on...

[prechlerker]

I called tip a few years ago cause some guy was catching walley a week before opener.Myself and a friend were driving by and the guy was throwing them under his truck trying to be sneaky about it. So i went and called. They said the local CO wasn't around but they sent out the sheriff instead.

[Cyberfish]

 Originally Posted By: Duffman

 Quote:

Are you guys actually gonna fish this year? I seem to remember you and bassputz were ties 0-0 almost every week last year!

Ouch, nice one.

Hey now, I've got all my limbs intact this year, there' no slowin me down this season. Unless I feel a nap coming on...

Yeah I hear you, more naps coming on for me every year, and BP, even his naps are taking naps!

No closed season on catching ZZZs though!

[Hammer Handle]

The lure in my picture is a Cornelius Lie lure from the 1800s....

No, I don't fish with it....

I like its "hooks". They are inside when the fish bites, and then they shoot out. The spring on mine is broke.

[Saint Paul Dan]

Very interesting topic and it's similar to the ongoing discussion I've had with a number of guys who practice this "pre-opener technique". Another element to this issue that I've noticed in the last few years is how people consider the walleye opener the ultimate fishing opener. Basically after I've given them the guilt trip for a few years they decide to wait until the walleye opener and then start to target bass. The moral debate of fishing for spawning bass never really resinated with them but I did manage to scare them with the possibility of getting caught. Their solution: Wait until walleye opener. Then use the same excuses, but now there are more species that have open seasons and more people out fishing so there is less of a chance to get caught. Last year on the walleye opener, I saw a number of boats just flippin under docks with a jig and pig. They didn't even try to conceal it by using a more multi-species bait. I saw them at the boat launch and they had the usual arsenal of rods that were al rigged with bass baits. I've never heard someone suggest these types of lures and patterns for walleye. Don't get me wrong, I would rather be using their set-ups compared to my jig and minnow but I don't know how they could enjoy themselves knowing that they were deliberatly breaking the law.