Paddlefish

[Barbelboy]

A buddy and I decided to take a trip down south to MO to participate in the snagging season. Talk about fun! These two are 45lb and 50lb. Not the biggest, but still a heck of a way to start the open water season!

[Alan]

Quote:

participate in the snagging season

it's all I got...

[riverrat56]

Looks like a good time!

Can I ask what you do with the fish? Does paddlefish acctually taste good?

[cluelessfisherman]

Paddlefish filter plankton for food and snagging them is the only way to catch them.

I have watched the snagging below Gavins Point Dam and most fish are released. You can only keep one per tag and there is a very strict slot. You can only fish for them if you have a tag as well.

Friends who have eaten them in the past rave about how good they really are! I hope to draw a tag this year for the fall run myself!

Thanks for sharing the pics Barbelboy! Looks like you had a great time!

[crazyice]

Awesome pictures!

[StillwaterAaron]

The Snagging is regulated and a tradition down there as much as Walleye opener is up here. They are some of the best eating meat I have ever had.

[CarpKing921]

That must be a blast. Nice fish, How long a drive is it?

[Barbelboy]

Alan,

I'm sorry I participated in a very popular, legal, MO DNR regulated fishing season. I'll simply use the response that I have developed for individuals who criticize others here in FM world. "Enjoy the outdoors in the way you choose, but do not criticize me when I decide to do so in a dissimilar, but legal manner" (by the way, I like your tag)

As for everyone else. Yes it was a blast. They taste delicious. I've grilled a bunch up so far...yum! I tried frying some in shore lunch, but it's so different from most fish I think I need more practice to get it right.

CarpKing921, it took us a bit over 9 hours from central MN.

[Alan]

Quote:

I'll simply use the response that I have developed for individuals who criticize others here in FM world.

Criticize? Where did you get that from? I never criticized you or anyone else here... I had just never heard of it before..so that's the only response I had. Hense the it's all I got. I had nothing more or less. It's something that looked interesting and at the same time I was bummed I had never heard of it. How you got criticizing you from that is beyond me...

[Barbelboy]

Alan,

I didn't mean to take anything out of context, but usually a highlighted quote about snagging with a frown face adjacent to it indicates displeasure. No offense intended or taken. I'd be happy to share everything I know about snagging paddlefish in MO. It's a completely different experience than any other type of fishing i've ever done. If you're interested I would suggest researching it online. Tons of info available.

[Alan]

It's all good...I was just surprised at your response..it's all good now..and I have been doing some research on it...cool looking fish...and nothing short of a cool way of catching a fish that would not take a bait as a normal fish would...

I guess I could have chosen a different smiley to use...I just never heard of it before and wanted to know more..

[CarpKing921]

Hey Alan, sounds like a road trip next spring or when ever it's in season.

[Alan]

Quote:

Hey Alan, sounds like a road trip next spring or when ever it's in season.

Now that would be a good time...big fish...I like it..

[Barbelboy]

Oh it's worth looking into. The ones I posted are only 40-50lb fish. They do get up to 100lb plus. Lots of places to go. Many states with seasons. Just look at the respective DNR pages, talk to locals, in some place you can even hire guides. This was my first trip, but I'd be glad to share any of the knowledge that I gained this year.

[LOTWSvirgin]

South Dakota has a season coming up not sure when forsure but I no its comng up

[StillwaterAaron]

Alan I must say that is how I took the comment also.

Darn internet is easy to misinterprate a comment. I had a trip down there planned and a couple days before we had to cancel it.

[ZapBranigan]

Huh I actually thought Alan coudn't view the pic's and could only read the text so I guess I had a whole different read on this. Oh well everything is all resolved. Great pic's that seriously looks like some kind of fun.

[ZapBranigan]

Ha I have a birthday cake pretty funny.