This is for you guys who give me and others a hard time about keeping a few for table fare.[sly]
According to Roger Wilson, one of the biggest concerns at DWR fisheries right now is LACK OF HARVEST. There is more of a “Catch and Release Mentality” among Utah anglers on some waters and that has resulted in overpopulation and stunting of some fisheries. DWR is preparing a list of some of the waters in which more harvest is requested.
Noo hard feelings, ---------------, yeah, right. [:)]
Leaky
I hug the occasional bass, just before he goes down the hatch! Tasty little creatures. Of course this is from waters that support a lot of largies. Tomegun beats me about the head and neck every once in a while to keep me in line![;)]
I’m with you TKB! I give them a nice little hug right before the go into the fryer.[;)]
The minority bassaholics have been responsible for most of the current regulations on bass in Utah. In addition to setting a ridiculously low (12") maximum keep length on bass in some waters, they have entirely restricted taking the occasional trophy or record fish for proper weight and measurement.
DWR is moving toward simplifying the “Fishing Guide”. That includes trying to make bass regulations pretty much the same throughout the state. Whoops. That will mean that it will be possible to keep more and larger fish. Gosh, that might even alleviate some of the overpopulation and stunting problems on a few of our lakes.
**I know that quite a few savvy anglers already keep a few of the smaller bass for the table, and it is actually good for the population in most cases. What I can’t believe is the brainwashing that bass fiends try to inflict upon “normal” anglers that it is a sin to kill a bass. **
Now, if that is not worthy of some good old fashioned controversy, I guess I just wasted my time.
Good topic, Leaky.
A long time ago in a galaxy right here in Utah I used to fish bass tournaments. It was a sin to keep any fish. I never did until after I quit fishing tournaments. I think largemouth are a decent table fish. I don’t usually keep them now because they are not high on my list of favorites to eat. I’d much rather have perch, whities, crappie, or catfish. If people think the trout fishermen are elitists they should hang out with the bass tournament crowd for a while. Apologies in advance, I’m sure everything has changed in the 12 years since I quit participating.
**Wilson is has his opinion. But, he speaks for the DWR. Not all interests in the state are served for the fisherfolks. The DWR folks have little or no experience in running bass fisheries except to let the fisheries sustain themselves.
If you want table fare, go to Smith’s. Its cheaper.**
Oh c’mon tommy, your not going to threaten to drag anyone behing your bass boat (on the freeway) if they eat a bass? [;)]
I think that it is mis-leading to say that catch and release is hurting our fisheries. Every fishery is different. The DWR is making a list of SPECIFIC waters where stunting is a problem due to overpopulating. This is most common with brown trout, brookies, perch, and the stripers in Powell. Don’t eat a bass thinking that you are doing a favor to the lake it came from unless it is one of the specific lakes with a problem. Selective harvest is the way to go. The happy harvester doesn’t need another excuse to freezerburn our fish.
Oooooooh, well, said, there TubeDude! Since when have you started to practice telepathy? You stole my thoughts!
Lol, just kidding. But yeah I have been thinking the same exact thing for years…almost published a thesis on it…environmental rhetoric and inequality. How special interests with lobbying power in environmental advocacy subvert and oppress others through creation of laws that protect their elite interests but simultaneously oppress other angler worldviews by forcing them to be complicit through institutional (DWR) legislation.
That 12" and under harvest reg is further environmentally unsound. Balanced ecosystems require a complex web of life to renew and self-sustain. Trying to cultivate ecosystems with a disproportionate (gigantic) amount of large predators…for ex. bass will inevitably result in a crash. There needs to be a natural mixture of phytoplankton, zooplankton, invertebrates, small fish, and diverse size ranges of predators to create a balanced community. Trying to produce fisheries with ALL gigantic fish and tons of them is hopeless. At some point…it will eventually peak and collapse as forage is overconsumed. We have finally learned the lesson with walleyes. Sure, some catch and release is good, but hey eating a bass is not a sin…sorry tomegun! Just my personal opinion. I love bass too, admire their beauty, intelligence, and fight…they are my favorite fish to catch…especially lmb. But I’ll eat them too on occassion.
Ah, but sadly, the majority of anglers are becoming “brainwashed” (in tubedude’s words), or as we communication theorists love to put it…have succumbed to groupthink. Catch and release is the norm. Eating a fish is a sin…you will be banished to the fiery underworld for it. Anglers across the country are ardently dedicated to complete catch and release fishing. Interestingly enough, this can be easily compared to the historic clash between “pot hunters” and those who thought they were better and classier because they shot for sport. In addition to problematic issues of inequality as a result of classism, issues of racism are also evident when catch and release anglers begin to stereotype and negatively label people of color who harvest fish as “poachers.” What needs to happen is that everyone needs to realize that other divergent worldviews all have their legitimacy and validity. We need to respect those who believe in catch and release ideology. But we must also respect those who harvest their legal limit of fish and not condemn them as sinners, poachers, or “locals.”
Finally, the DWR in utah is attempting to “pioneer” a new mode of thought. Well, better late than never I guess. But it will be quite the interesting and controversial crusade.
Leaky , are you sure this is refering to bass ? Sounds more like a trout thing . But hey , I could be wrong .
Leaky was just quoting from my report, and putting his own personal slant on it. Knowing the man, I doubt that he is going to launch a personal crusade to clean out the excess bass population. As a matter of personal standards he does not keep very many fish…of any species. However, like many of us, he likes being able to harvest a couple for the table, and he especially likes a chunky largemouth on his plate.
**As has already been suggested, the DWR stance is aimed mostly toward various “unbalanced” trout waters. Browns and brookies are the main culprits, where overpopulation is an issue. However, there are other waters recognized for having an excess of other species…like the stripers at Lake Powell. **
The new “Fishing Guide” is supposed to include some words on this subject, naming specific targeted waters. However, as the warm waters fisheries program comes into being, and more “biologicals” are completed, there will likely be changes in regulations to reflect a more open policy on bass and other species too.
WOW!
Thanks Dude,
You state my case better than I as always. [:)][:)] But alas, we all have our opinions and as long as they are reasonable and don’t try to condemn differing view points unfairly, well --------------, good on ya.[;)]
Leaky
Why do you think we all have to get along, be reasonable (in who’s opinion?), and tolerate other’s views? I think this concept is highly overrated…
**Oh yeah? I disagree. **
You gonna ban me?
Sure, if you want me to! LOL!
BTW, can we have a limited entry board based on how many posts a person contributes? Say 1500 posts to qualify???
Wow BLM,
That means in only 350 more posts, I’ll make it to the qualified level status too. Are you sure you would want me there so soon ?
I can hardly wait. LOL !
Go ahead and call me a bass hugger. I grew up where Bass are a native fish. I love Bass !
Bass Crock pot
2 lbs. Large Mouth Bass Fillets
4 slices bacon
3 onions
4 potatoes
2 bell peppers
Salt and pepper
Worcestershire sauce
Tabasco sauce
4 cans tomato sauce
Cut strips of bacon into 1-inch strips and dice onions. Cook on low heat until onions are browned. Add diced potatoes and bell peppers. Let simmer for 10 minutes.
Add Bass Fillets, tomato sauce, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of Tabasco sauce, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and then let simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Best flavor if prepared day before served and allowed to season in refrigerator.
Serves 3.
Bass stew
2 lbs. Bass Fillets
4 slices bacon
3 onions
4 potatoes
2 bell peppers
Salt and pepper
Worcestershire sauce
Tabasco sauce
4 cans tomato sauce
Cut strips of bacon into 1-inch strips and dice onions. Cook on low heat until onions are browned. Add diced potatoes and bell peppers. Let simmer for 10 minutes.
Add Bass Fillets, tomato sauce, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of Tabasco sauce, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and then let simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Best flavor if prepared day before served and allowed to season in refrigerator.
Serves 3
Ozark Bass
2 lb. fresh Small Mouth Bass Fillets
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. lemon pepper
2 or 3 shakes hot sauce
3-4 cups Aunt Jemima self-rising white corn meal
1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
1/2 cup cold water
Large bowl
Plastic bag
Rinse Fillets. In large bowl, mix all ngredients except corn meal. Mix well with hands. Cover with plastic wrap or plate to stop dry out. Refrigerate overnight, mixing every few hours. When ready, deep fry being sure not to over heat oil. Put corn meal in plastic bag. Shake 2 or 3 Fillets at once. Place on plate. When all Fillets are breaded, place in deep fryer. Be careful not to get oil to hot. Better when cooked not too slow and not to fast.
Serves 3.
Battered Bass
3 lbs. of Bass Fillets cut into 2" wide strips
2 cups Aunt Jemima pancake mix
1 (12 oz.) can 7-UP (Or better yet Beer)
2 cups peanut oil
Pour oil into a heavy large frying pan and heat until oil bubbles. Meanwhile, in a large bowl take the pancake mix and slowly add enough 7-UP to make the batter into a soup-like consistency. Mixture should be thin.
Drop pieces of fish into the batter to coat Place battered fish into hot oil and fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
Serves 3.
Southern Missouri Broiled Bass
Salt and pepper
4 Large Mouth Bass
1/2 cup melted butter
1/3 cup lemon juice
Few grains of cayenne pepper (optional)
1/2 cup grated onion
1/2 tsp. paprika
5 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
5 Tbsp. chopped parsley (optional)
Salt and pepper fish; place on foil. Combine remaining ingredients; pour over fish.
Close foil. Broil in oven at 450° F until done (about 1 hour). May also be put in baking dish with lid on top and baked at 450° F until done (about 1 hour).
Serves 3.
Besides being quite tasty, did you know that Bass make great catfish bait - dead or alive ? Too bad we can’t use them here in Utah, but then again we don’t have Blue or Flathead catfish here…at least not yet…
Sure…ban away. I could use a rest.
And, if you set up a board for 10,000 posts or more, I can be lonely all by myself. Nah…Dave would show up. I could handle TubeN2…but not Dave.
**Hey I like that idea!!!**
Them recipies sound really good thanks for sharing them