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Originally posted by OptikerI think the disjoint is that DNR should be able to make quick decisions to manage the resource regardless of peoples opinions and/or politics. Unfortunately in our state, this is not the case. I think its ridiculous.
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.eyestrikefishing.com #predatorsstriketheeye
PREACH!!!
“…be a man and PM me.”
Thorough analysis statewide in 1 week? I’m sorry, but I find this hard to believe. This kill was much worse than 1989, 2000, 2010, 2013. Can anyone remember harbor water temperatures staying below 42 for a week or creek temperatures at or below 40 for the same time period? Lots of creeks stayed below 37. Our shallow creeks here were sterilized of most species except mullet. Per your data, which years were worse according to DNR?
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Originally posted by RADDADDYThorough analysis statewide in 1 week? I’m sorry, but I find this hard to believe. This kill was much worse than 1989, 2000, 2010, 2013. Can anyone remember harbor water temperatures staying below 42 for a week or creek temperatures at or below 40 for the same time period? Lots of creeks stayed below 37. Our shallow creeks here were sterilized of most species except mullet. Per your data, which years were worse according to DNR?
Not my data…DNR’s. But they say 2010 was worse. Yes, the water temp was low, but they pulled approximately 100 reds and 50 trout in one trammel net out of the harbor and all were doing fine. They sampled Beaufort, Charleston, Georgetown, Murrells, and Little River. I’m just the messenger, but they’re saying the dead are in the 10’s not the hundreds or thousands like some prior years.
Stephen Goldfinch
“Sleep When You’re Dead!”
I have been following this with interest and am concerned with next week’s temperatures as well. It looks like most of the lows are back in the twenties and cannot imagine this is going to help this situation. I will self impose all release this year, but I don’t keep many fish to start with.
The legislature has given DNR the ability to enact an emergency closure, but this will not and really cannot ever be used. Why? Because the wording in the emergency closure disallows attempting to fish for the species or something along that line, therefore putting all guides out of business, tackle shops, tackle suppliers, boat companies, etc etc. Reason being, if you are on your boat with fishing rods on it, you’re breaking the law. Much, much different that catch and release only, ie. zero creel allowed.
If DNR was able to make their own calls on such things, they could make a temporary catch and release rule enforceable by law. But, they can’t. If I’m wrong, please correct me.
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.eyestrikefishing.com #predatorsstriketheeye
In theory if November and December were warmer than other years with a fish kill then the fish may not have been as winterized before suffering the cold shock. Meaning the stocks could of been stronger and more tolerable to the week of he’ll we got hit with. I know this December was the best December fishing I can recall. All fish were fat active and strong and lots of them had a decent belly on them when I was catching them the week prior to the freeze. But I use not to do much December fishing prior to like 2013. I fished and searched a creek that has a ton of trout. I didn’t catch any which is rare for that area but I didn’t see anything dead and I could see bottom in most of the areas good enough to see leaves and oysters. I did notice the banks were covered in raccoon prints like never before but I couldn’t find any carcasses in the marsh or on the bank and there was no smell of dead or rotten fish. I will say the fishing I’ve experienced seemed to have 180d from December to January. But I was also catching fish in December like it was November. It definetly feels like winter fishing now. I soaked my hand for several minutes and my movements became slowed, stiff and numb. I can’t recall ever having the water do that to my hands. The fish could be in a form of suspended animation.
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Originally posted by OptikerThe legislature has given DNR the ability to enact an emergency closure, but this will not and really cannot ever be used. Why? Because the wording in the emergency closure disallows attempting to fish for the species or something along that line, therefore putting all guides out of business, tackle shops, tackle suppliers, boat companies, etc etc. Reason being, if you are on your boat with fishing rods on it, you’re breaking the law. Much, much different that catch and release only, ie. zero creel allowed.
If DNR was able to make their own calls on such things, they could make a temporary catch and release rule enforceable by law. But, they can’t. If I’m wrong, please correct me.
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.eyestrikefishing.com #predatorsstriketheeye
The law does state that, but it would only be for the species for which the order is given. In other words, it would be at the discretion of the officer if the person was targeting trout. If you’re fishing a floating rig at the mouth of a feeder creek with a shrimp or artificial, use caution. But that hasn’t prevented DNR from doing this in the past. A few years ago during the floods, DNR did it with the deer. If things get bad, and they feel it necessary, they’ll pull the trigger.
Stephen Goldfinch
“Sleep When You’re Dead!”
As Optiker has stated, this issue does not have to become so complicated. Enact legislation to protect spawning fish from May-August by disallowing harvest in that time period when there is a winter kill. Resume normal creel limits in September. How is this difficult?
I don’t believe “not so complicated” can be said in the same breath as “enact legislation.”
“…be a man and PM me.”
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Originally posted by RADDADDYAs Optiker has stated, this issue does not have to become so complicated. Enact legislation to protect spawning fish from May-August by disallowing harvest in that time period when there is a winter kill. Resume normal creel limits in September. How is this difficult?
Just because it seems like it should be simple to me and you, it’s not. Making law is a very difficult process, especially fish and game laws. You’re suggesting a law that closes fishing for trout in the middle of the summer. There will be people that come out of the woodworks to protest such a thing. Call them knuckle-draggers if you’d like, but they stop legislation, usually by appealing to non-fishing legislators.
Stephen Goldfinch
“Sleep When You’re Dead!”
I agree with Mr Goldfinch on this one. Sadly, the DNR cannot simply take into account the needs of the natural resource in question because the “knuckle-draggers,” if you will, are the first ones to cry foul. That’s why the wants of the hunters/anglers has to be a variable in the DNR’s resource management equation. Don’t get me wrong, I think the need of the resource should trump everything and be the sole variable but the fact of the matter is, it doesn’t and as long as we have those “knuckle-draggers” out there, it never will. Sadly, too many people “want” what’s best for them, “needs” of the fishery (in this case) be d@mned.
“…be a man and PM me.”
Knuckle-draggers won’t catch jack squat anyway. The people who understand the state of the fishery will support a spawning closure. Sad
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Originally posted by RADDADDYKnuckle-draggers won’t catch jack squat anyway. The people who understand the state of the fishery will support a spawning closure. Sad
I don’t disagree but in this case, those “who understand” are sadly, more than likely the in the minority.
“…be a man and PM me.”