OVER HARVESTING-
BIG FISH ..? What big fish .!
BIG FISH ..? What big fish .!
What happened to all the big fish . It seems as though every year the big fish have disappeared .. I know that BONNY .. STERLING .. PUEBLO .. UNION .. PREWITT .. DOUGLAS .. LONETREE and many many more other RES. hold monster fish. EVEN STATE RECORD .
Maybe all the big fish got smarter or maybe they all turned VEGATERIAN .. LoL.. What do you guys think..? Where did they all go..
steve
What do you guys think about this . Is this true in our waters for Wipers and other species. I know wipers dont spawn but they try to.
http://www.in-fisherman.com/walleye_insider/articles/wi0410_FallGrtLakes/
What happened to all the big fish . It seems as though every year the big fish have disappeared .. I know that BONNY .. STERLING .. PUEBLO .. UNION .. PREWITT .. DOUGLAS .. LONETREE and many many more other RES. hold monster fish. EVEN STATE RECORD .
Maybe all the big fish got smarter or maybe they all turned VEGATERIAN .. LoL.. What do you guys think..? Where did they all go..
steve
What do you guys think about this . Is this true in our waters for Wipers and other species. I know wipers dont spawn but they try to.
http://www.in-fisherman.com/walleye_insider/articles/wi0410_FallGrtLakes/
1 - 20 of 35 Posts
I agreetbmanivong said:OVER HARVESTING-
G
I think the big fish are still there. The problem is getting them to bite. My personal thought is this. There are way to many lures and baits. Think about it. You have a lot of lures in your tackle box. If you fish for 8 hours and change lures every 15 or 20 minutes how many of the lures did you really try? Not many. I still go by the rule that persistence pays off. Hook on a crawler and fish it for an hour or so and move to a different spot. Heck the fish don't know where you are. How many of us have fished beside some one or in the same boat and they caught fish and you didn't? Maybe luck has more to do with it than we think!
A combination of selfish pigs overharvesting fish, the fish growing smarter, lots of food for them to eat, and of course mismanagement and the downright destruction of big fish by the CDOW.
G
define big fish. I have caught some bruiser trout this year, not to mention the wiper from p-lo the other night. catching big fish has always come down to the proper technique and putting in the time (which explains why I am a lousy walleye fisherman). I'll bet there are plenty of state records still swimming around out there.
I believe, there are a number of factors that have led to the decrease in the numbers of large fish whether real or just perceived. Some of the decreases in larger fish being caught is a natural cyclic thing and sizes will rebound.
I believe that harvest practices and regulations do have a major effect on limiting the size of certain species in certain waters. There have been errors made in stocking certain species of both fish and forage in waters that have resulted in over competition for available food sources.
Other than that I don't know what has caused a decrease. I know it not because I am catching all the big fish.
Dan
I believe that harvest practices and regulations do have a major effect on limiting the size of certain species in certain waters. There have been errors made in stocking certain species of both fish and forage in waters that have resulted in over competition for available food sources.
Other than that I don't know what has caused a decrease. I know it not because I am catching all the big fish.
Dan
I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!!! Dan's the culprit! All them small fish pictures were just a cover up! ;DDan said:I know it not because I am catching all the big fish.
Dan
J/K
I agree on the technique/luck part, too. Some years, you are just "on fire" and some years you are not. I used to be all about crappie fishing and caught crappie regardless of bad reports. Earlier this summer, I was pondering about "where did all the crappie go?" and my inner-voices said, "You never really tried targetting crappie, fool."
When you're consistantly catching fish or even large fish, you're consistantly doing something right. Whether that something be lures, patterns, times you're fishing, weatherpatterns you're choosing to go out. Sometimes you get sidetracked and then there goes your streak. I now can't really remember the "so called" ideal conditions and time of year for crappie that we used to concentrate on. However, my general wiper know-hows seemed to have replaced what I used to know about the crappie. Feels like that's falling off too as I've been busy lately and the motivation drops off.
However, overharvesting is definitely a factor in some places. N Sterling Res used to have tons of wipers that were in the 20 to 23 inch range up until last year. This year, those decent ones seemed to have dissappeared in numbers. There were also tons of wiper fishermen last year and the many years before. Still, maybe I'm just not doing something right and afterall, I did go up there later in the season when smaller wipers are common. The bigger ones that we used to get were caught in the earlier parts of April as I recall.
1eyeReD
G
No doubt about it, large fish still exist in many of the lakes and reservoir.
I don't fish as much as some of you die hard fishermans, but I've been fishing in Colorado Since 1997 and have noticed that large fishes has declined. Pulling big wipers in isn't like what it used to be(1 out of 10 if even at that).
It's possible the decline can be due to the drought, which effected Jumbo, John Martin, Blue Lake and other reservoir/lakes. I have heard through the grapevine that people are over-harvesting. They drive 2-4 hours to fish and take undersize fishes or taking more than their limit, because they drove so far. Thats no excuse.
I've heard people taking 1-2 coolers full of wipers from Blue Lake, John Martin, N. Sterling and Pueblo.
But it wasn't my place to say anything.
Hopefully the fishing will get better in Colorado.
I don't fish as much as some of you die hard fishermans, but I've been fishing in Colorado Since 1997 and have noticed that large fishes has declined. Pulling big wipers in isn't like what it used to be(1 out of 10 if even at that).
It's possible the decline can be due to the drought, which effected Jumbo, John Martin, Blue Lake and other reservoir/lakes. I have heard through the grapevine that people are over-harvesting. They drive 2-4 hours to fish and take undersize fishes or taking more than their limit, because they drove so far. Thats no excuse.
I've heard people taking 1-2 coolers full of wipers from Blue Lake, John Martin, N. Sterling and Pueblo.
But it wasn't my place to say anything.
Hopefully the fishing will get better in Colorado.
Where have all the big fish gone? I have been asking this since i was 7 years old. Big Fish are a rarity, thats why they have Master Angler awards and state records. If everyone caught big fish there would be no need for these elite titles. I dont know, since I have frequent this board it seems to me Coloradians assume they will catch big fish alot. The places I'm from you catch big ones but master angler and above are rare and are not expected. Yet I catch the same size fish here, I just dont get it. I see pictures of big fish being caught all the time in Colorado, just because it isnt you doesnt mean they arent there.
I agree with epic its not that easy to catch a big fish. I have been fishing since a lil kid with my pops and through the years i just havent seen that many big fish. Some nice size ones here and there but big fish are hard to catch, that's why when u catch one it's such a joy. Another reason could be eyeguy caught them all.
I agree with everyone. But without us throwing away the little ones.. there be no future for big fish. I admit when I was a younger I took home undersized fish. They were the better eating ones.. But This message forum has made me a better and respectful sport fishermen. I thank everyone on here whos been there through it and has helped me to become the SPORT fishermen I am today.
Luck .. Oh yeah . Whenever me and my brother and WIPER_STALKER go fishing .. Its always them whos catching fishing not me. Maybe Im just bad luck..! ( never had thought about that one until now. LOL )
Techniques and lures. Yes and I believe that once a fish has been fooled by a fake lure it'll remember it. . Yes theres been a good number of times where Ive caught fish and theres still a hook in em. But yeah its bait that they were using and not a RAPALA or something. I think over fishing a lure some place may not work as it once did. But I have been to bass ponds where only a certain lure worked. ( Never got that )..IF YOU DIDNT KNOW .. CRAWDAD USE TO WORK ALL THE TIME FOR WIPERS.. Well now MUSSELS been the bait this year. DEAD CRAWDAD use to be a killer and now .. Only freshones will get it done.
I wonder if Fish go to school and learn how to survive from a hook. Meaning are they taught to spit out a lure or nibble on it until the bait comes off.. LONETREE .. the big wipers will nibble on it and then when the lines drifting .. DARN youve lost it boy. YES THOSE ARE THE BIG ONES THERE and it happens everywhere else. Using regular 1 hooks for wipers wont get the job done no more. You need to upgrade baby.. Ive watched as a buddie of mines fishing done in PUEBLO snagged all the little nibbles while With my size 1 hooks .. I was frustrated.
Big fish. Yes its true about if there were big fish everywhere there wouldnt be a record or a strive to beat that record. I think its just harder to come by the BIG fish we once saw all the time. Ive seen big fish being pulled out and never realizing if it was a record or not. because .. Well you just couldnt wait to take it home and brag about the catch to your friends and family.
Last year there once was a guy who probally caught a state record WIPER over at STERLING. The ranger came and checked his license and then over to his fish(s) he had caught. The ranger was stunned by what a MONSTER this guy had. The ranger wanted to know what the wieght of this sucker was and if it could've been the state record. He annouced it on his radio and was going back to the station to bring an official weighing machine. As the ranger pulled away the guy got nervous and packed up and left. When the ranger returned all that where there were a few crawdad shells..! TRUE STORY.
I think some people just dont know it or just dont care. My cousin Has a MONSTER WIPER in his fridge. Its been in there for almost a year. Thats probally the biggest wiper Ive seen . Most fattest. But he doesnt care about glory or a photo.. I dont know what hes waiting on but I WOULDNT EAT IT NOW. ( maybe 1EYERED i'll call you over to eat it .. LOL )
BIG FISH ..? What big fish.!
steve
Luck .. Oh yeah . Whenever me and my brother and WIPER_STALKER go fishing .. Its always them whos catching fishing not me. Maybe Im just bad luck..! ( never had thought about that one until now. LOL )
Techniques and lures. Yes and I believe that once a fish has been fooled by a fake lure it'll remember it. . Yes theres been a good number of times where Ive caught fish and theres still a hook in em. But yeah its bait that they were using and not a RAPALA or something. I think over fishing a lure some place may not work as it once did. But I have been to bass ponds where only a certain lure worked. ( Never got that )..IF YOU DIDNT KNOW .. CRAWDAD USE TO WORK ALL THE TIME FOR WIPERS.. Well now MUSSELS been the bait this year. DEAD CRAWDAD use to be a killer and now .. Only freshones will get it done.
I wonder if Fish go to school and learn how to survive from a hook. Meaning are they taught to spit out a lure or nibble on it until the bait comes off.. LONETREE .. the big wipers will nibble on it and then when the lines drifting .. DARN youve lost it boy. YES THOSE ARE THE BIG ONES THERE and it happens everywhere else. Using regular 1 hooks for wipers wont get the job done no more. You need to upgrade baby.. Ive watched as a buddie of mines fishing done in PUEBLO snagged all the little nibbles while With my size 1 hooks .. I was frustrated.
Big fish. Yes its true about if there were big fish everywhere there wouldnt be a record or a strive to beat that record. I think its just harder to come by the BIG fish we once saw all the time. Ive seen big fish being pulled out and never realizing if it was a record or not. because .. Well you just couldnt wait to take it home and brag about the catch to your friends and family.
Last year there once was a guy who probally caught a state record WIPER over at STERLING. The ranger came and checked his license and then over to his fish(s) he had caught. The ranger was stunned by what a MONSTER this guy had. The ranger wanted to know what the wieght of this sucker was and if it could've been the state record. He annouced it on his radio and was going back to the station to bring an official weighing machine. As the ranger pulled away the guy got nervous and packed up and left. When the ranger returned all that where there were a few crawdad shells..! TRUE STORY.
I think some people just dont know it or just dont care. My cousin Has a MONSTER WIPER in his fridge. Its been in there for almost a year. Thats probally the biggest wiper Ive seen . Most fattest. But he doesnt care about glory or a photo.. I dont know what hes waiting on but I WOULDNT EAT IT NOW. ( maybe 1EYERED i'll call you over to eat it .. LOL )
BIG FISH ..? What big fish.!
steve
Lets just face it, fish are a limited resoure, here in Colorado. Take the # of lakes and reservoirs around, and they're relative small sizes. Then add the high # of people fishing these bodies of water. The fish are simply getting slammed, on a daily baisis. Sure, there are some big brutes, even state records, swimming around out there. But think of all the hooks, and baits, and lures they've been exposed to. It's takes alot of time, knowledge, and luck to land a big one!
Yeah, some anglers will catch fish of good size regardless and consistantly which is one of those reasons we all strive for more know-how. I've fished on the same boats with some of my buddies and got outfished 5 to 1 or even 10 to 1 sometimes. It's luck of the draw on a lot of occasions.
Overharvesting is a factor, but another big factor, I think... Is the fact that a lot of our reservoirs are irrigation reservoirs. I'm willin' to bet quite a few of them lunkers will get sucked down stream if unlucky. It's really just a combination of many things. Like Epic said, though. You don't catch big fish all the time.
1eyeReD
Overharvesting is a factor, but another big factor, I think... Is the fact that a lot of our reservoirs are irrigation reservoirs. I'm willin' to bet quite a few of them lunkers will get sucked down stream if unlucky. It's really just a combination of many things. Like Epic said, though. You don't catch big fish all the time.
1eyeReD
I'm all for it. Steve, you cook it!!monkies_butt said:( maybe 1EYERED i'll call you over to eat it .. LOL )
BIG FISH ..? What big fish.!
steve
If I cook it .. Hehee.. The brother here isnt much of a cook ..
steve
steve
They are still around in full force; just the species you expect to be big like lake trout aren't anymore. This year alone, I have caught several master angler award fish of rainbow trout (probably between 10 and 20), brown trout(4 or 5), northern pike(2), smallmouth bass (6), largemouth bass(8), yellow perch(about 10) and probably dozens of master angler bluegill.ePiC said:Where have all the big fish gone? I have been asking this since i was 7 years old. Big Fish are a rarity, thats why they have Master Angler awards and state records. If everyone caught big fish there would be no need for these elite titles. I dont know, since I have frequent this board it seems to me Coloradians assume they will catch big fish alot. The places I'm from you catch big ones but master angler and above are rare and are not expected. Yet I catch the same size fish here, I just dont get it. I see pictures of big fish being caught all the time in Colorado, just because it isnt you doesnt mean they arent there.
If you fish rivers like the colorado, roaring fork, gunnison, white, or south platte, and you are not getting at least one master angler rainbow or brown nearly every time out, you must be doing something wrong. If you fish the yampa on a float and haven't caught master angler northern pike and smallmouth, you are doing something wrong. My largemouth bass and bluegill master anglers are based on a certain fishery (tom and blank), and my yellow perch numbers are from pure persistence at crawford.
All the big fish moved to the suburbs and live in track homes. They are also booking all the best tee-times on the weekend. Those bastards...........
Now thats funny...
I dont think there are fewer big fish...I think the full reservoirs have changed a lot of patterns we have gotten used to...Aurora, Lonetree, Boyd, Horsetooth, Douglas all have a lot of flooded brush and vegetation that they havent had in years...Aurora is up 20 feet...the swim beach is open for the first time in a couple of years...I just think there is a lot more real estate to cover on some of these lakes...also with the flooded trees and weeds comes a massive boom in microorganisms that sets the food chain booming...as a result more baitfish and more well fed lunkers who can be a little more picky when it comes to fisherman's offerings...so with the change in patterns and increased food supply it just seems like there arent as many big fish...I doubt it has changed much in a short amount of time...what should be interesting is the boom we have coming from this years baitfish and perch classes that are being generated at full reservoirs...the big ones are gonna go through the roof in a couple of years...the future is so bright we're all gonna have to wear shades...
I dont think there are fewer big fish...I think the full reservoirs have changed a lot of patterns we have gotten used to...Aurora, Lonetree, Boyd, Horsetooth, Douglas all have a lot of flooded brush and vegetation that they havent had in years...Aurora is up 20 feet...the swim beach is open for the first time in a couple of years...I just think there is a lot more real estate to cover on some of these lakes...also with the flooded trees and weeds comes a massive boom in microorganisms that sets the food chain booming...as a result more baitfish and more well fed lunkers who can be a little more picky when it comes to fisherman's offerings...so with the change in patterns and increased food supply it just seems like there arent as many big fish...I doubt it has changed much in a short amount of time...what should be interesting is the boom we have coming from this years baitfish and perch classes that are being generated at full reservoirs...the big ones are gonna go through the roof in a couple of years...the future is so bright we're all gonna have to wear shades...
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