If you are fishing in Michigan already PLEASE read this

[Big dreams]

I look at this time of year as an opportunity to force myself to pursue other species of Fish....Walleye fishing is a blast and they taste great...I am hearing some pretty good reports on Perch and Crappie....The Blue gills should be moving onto their beds....Steelhead are probably already running or darn close....

With Bass I would just as soon save my time, energy and financial resources to nailing down patterns during the Tournament season that doesn't kick off until June...It is a blast to catch the smallies in early spring on LSC but that doesn't help much to score points during the competitive season......Just my opinion....

The tournament weights are better in Michigan than they have been as long as I have been fishing....So to be honest I am pretty happy with the way things stand....Remember not everyone is as Conservation minded as people from this site...There are alot of meat hunters out there that will keep a limit every time they are out.....Just like most other laws some of the conservation laws are made to target the 10 percenters that don't value the resource...

You are spot on Moto.  I was fishing a tournament up North last year and seen something to this extent.  They were using live bait and catching bass one after another.  I seen them pack up and take off with a bare minimum of 10 bass to eat.  From listening to them, I could tell they were locals.  I can only assume they do the same thing all year long. 

To me it is kinda like gun laws and door locks.  They keep the honest person on track but do nothing for the criminals.

[djkimmel]

One of my greatest concerns has always been the decline in anglers and hunters. So I try to figure out what I might be able to do about it and then try to do it when and how I can. Other people do the same. Guess we need more people to do more. It's a complicated issue with lots of reasons but having more fishing opportunity in a state that can provide it won't hurt.

I'm not writing up any plans but I have my questions and some study data, and will follow up after I get a sense of where we are presently at in various peoples' thinking on this issue.

[Victor Cerabone]

Thanks Dan for bringing up the the issue of folks fishing "early".  I do miss the C&R season on Pontiac/Cass/Kent, however this is the deal we made to get early C&R on all the lakes.  I am in favor of looking at the regulations but we need to keep in conservation in mind.  We have great fishing here in Michigan and that should be our #1 priority. 

The decline of fishing licenses worries me a bit, but that seems to be how the world works.  I'm not sure any regulation can change that.  If it doesn't have a touchscreen on it people don't want it! 

Vic

[Mojo]

 I was wrong about what I said about Seths money boycott. Money does bring them to the table.

I wonder if we put a proposal together, and once they decline it, we as tournament fisherman stopped all tournaments, don't go, don't buy a license, for 2013, that would be a huge blip on the map, much greater than the results of the 2009 economic collapse. Our result would be enough so that they Must change the law as a direct result of the dnr not supporting the main people who support them.

Does it have to be that drastic ? But you wouldn't be able to fish for a year. Seems like a huge sacrific eh ? Not an option ?

Wonder if we could get a person whose name starts with pH D to do a study on the impacts to Michigan economy if all tournament bass fishing stopped ? Would all of us chip in to pay for that instead of a boycott ? Hmmmmm.

The poll we posted has already shown a vast majority of us support either a full open season or some form of C&IR in the spring and are willing to pay for it. It's a small minority who want to keep it the same, but when you agree with status quo, that seems to be the voice that is heard.

What about this option ?

http://www.greatlakesbass.com/fishing/scenario8.htm

As you can see, I'm one not to complain without a solution. What do you think ?

[djkimmel]

I don't think it is the only voice being heard. As I mentioned, I am hearing some good things through the grapevine. I'm not getting worked up, especially about worse case scenarios unless I were to find out that was actually the case. I don't think it is. I just don't have much more beyond that until at least this upcoming meeting.

No sense in talking about big responses before there is much of any evidence they are even needed. I doubt very many people would give up fishing for a year. I also don't think that would be the way to handle it. There are a number of better options that can be pursued before something like that anyway. Right now, I'm not worrying about the other options since I have no idea that they will be necessary.

I don't doubt there are a number of people who would love to see all the little tournaments go away. No sense in helping them out. The sheer number of them shows the amount of interest is there. It is one of the few growth areas in fishing. Maybe the only one?

[bigmojet]

I was part of a group that got a high school tournament with 10 schools from Grand Traverse, Leelanau and Benzie counties last May on Green Lake during the catch and release season. Our rules were basically a #'s caught with no measuring or weighing and immediate return of fish.Dnr had no problem and tournament was a big success for the kids.

What i wasnt prepared for was several letters to the editor from locals after an article was run telling the success of the tournament that were against any kind of fishing tournaments. I would love to fish year round for bass and i am not a tourney fisher. Just prepare for some small pockets of opposition from all sorts. Good luck!

[djkimmel]

They are there and will continue to be there, probably forever. Some people actually fight any change just because of these peoples' types of opinions. To me, that is a completely separate issue that needs to be addressed another way.

They say it takes all sorts. I just think there are some sorts you can ignore as long as they don't organize, or you just have to be more organized and more vocal. Of course there are people against just about anything. I don't recall ever speaking at a public meeting or hearing where there wasn't some kind of opposition. That's just part of trying to make any change.

I've responded to some of those ridiculous letters to the editors printed in some of the northern papers after some of our various events in the past. Usually, those letters are full of rumors and untruths. The kinds of things some people will read and say, that's ridiculous, but sure, others will be 'worked up' about.

You did the right and good thing with your youth event. Regardless of what a few codgers, isolationists or other people who don't like anyone on 'their' lake might say. Those kind will always be there whether you hold an event or not.

I still have my list of the various people/groups who were against a longer bass season and why they were against it, from last time. Once I see what the MDNR is thinking and/or willing to do, then we can talk about how or if to address the various opposition elements. Very little of the opposition had anything actually to do with protecting bass. As most people who know the truth and are honest will tell you, given clean water and good habitat, the bass pretty much take care of themselves.

[Mike S.]

Let's keep our fingers crossed. Mojo, you are on it man.  It would be really hard not to fish for a year, but for a good result, it would be well worth it.  We can all spend our money fishing Indiana.  They will appreciate it.

As far as a special license, another expense to most, I would be more than willing to pay it.  But, if it gets crazy like the price of snowmobile trail permits, it would suck bad.  Even if our license doubled, I would pay.  It's what I thoroughly enjoy.  Fishing is the only hobby I have ever had that relaxes me 100%.

[Frank]

I am friends with some people that make lures for at least part of there income.  these guys don't like the current regulations either.  I would feel wrong punishing them for something th is not their fault

Frank

[TheFishinPollock]

Big::::: I saw that article and the  responses.   We have a fine group of folks up here to deal with every year don't we ?      I tried to do that on my lake and  the association tossed a giant fit  . Said it was too small of a lake and the noise from our boats would be  annoying.    I ran one anyhows last year . Course they female dog about my boat constantly ."It's too fast, it's too loud"   

I tried to suggest a quiet time on the lake from 8pm to 8 am  . They said it was stupid so the first night right at dark on a completely empty lake. I did a few hot laps . Course they female doged the next meeting . All I said was well, you all decided we didn't need one .

Next year if ya get one together give me an email . I'll donate my boat  and time to give ya a hand.

[djkimmel]

Let's keep our fingers crossed. Mojo, you are on it man.  It would be really hard not to fish for a year, but for a good result, it would be well worth it.  We can all spend our money fishing Indiana.  They will appreciate it.

As far as a special license, another expense to most, I would be more than willing to pay it.  But, if it gets crazy like the price of snowmobile trail permits, it would suck bad.  Even if our license doubled, I would pay.  It's what I thoroughly enjoy.  Fishing is the only hobby I have ever had that relaxes me 100%.

Actually some in Indiana, with their only 400 or so lakes, wishes we would stop being so selfish with our bass in our 11,000 lakes and stay home a more often to reduce the pressure and issues on their smaller amount of water. They have enough of to deal with from their own anglers on such a small amount of water. My understanding is that they have voiced their opinion to our MDNR in the past that we should open our waters and help take some pressure off their waters (mostly for riparian issues).

I agree with them - why would you send anglers away from the amazing Great Lakes and 11,000 lakes we have to a state with 1/2,000th of the water? Makes no sense on so many levels.

[djkimmel]

I was part of a group that got a high school tournament with 10 schools from Grand Traverse, Leelanau and Benzie counties last May on Green Lake during the catch and release season. Our rules were basically a #'s caught with no measuring or weighing and immediate return of fish.Dnr had no problem and tournament was a big success for the kids.

What i wasnt prepared for was several letters to the editor from locals after an article was run telling the success of the tournament that were against any kind of fishing tournaments. I would love to fish year round for bass and i am not a tourney fisher. Just prepare for some small pockets of opposition from all sorts. Good luck!

Here is one of my old responses to the editor when someone wrote in to the Elk Rapids paper about one of our events way back. It's on the older part of the website - http://www.greatlakesbass.com/fishing/tmtourncol.htm

There was one old dude up there that use to complain in one paper after every tournament on Mullett Lake. And they printed his nonsense every time. His stuff was always full of lies and ridiculous exaggerations ('all those loud 300 horse motors ripping across the lake at 80 mph!!'). I only addressed him once in the same paper to clarify what actually happened and was done verses the crazy stuff he claimed.

I remember at one meeting way back where some locals complained about us wiping out their bass and wanted the town to deny us from using their ramp. One guy in particular claimed we would wipe out the (his) bass on Elk-Torch Lake with our spawning tournaments. I was not surprised when the local CO told me this same man had been issued a ticket for a bucket full of undersized bass. I can't tell you how many times at how many public meetings over the years I have been told the same things about the most vocal local complainers.

[bigmojet]

We are planning the same tournament on Green Lake with 20 possible teams(2 teams from 10 schools each) on May 19th.

I am trying to organize an evening tournament for 10 teams for a evening time the 2nd week of May on a small lake in Benzie County during the week so we could pretty much have the lake to ourselves so we dont have any issues.

We are just starting to get the kids fired up for these events so hate for us not to keep on giving them the opportunities just because a few.

[Waterfoul]

I was part of a group that got a high school tournament with 10 schools from Grand Traverse, Leelanau and Benzie counties last May on Green Lake during the catch and release season. Our rules were basically a #'s caught with no measuring or weighing and immediate return of fish.Dnr had no problem and tournament was a big success for the kids.

What i wasnt prepared for was several letters to the editor from locals after an article was run telling the success of the tournament that were against any kind of fishing tournaments. I would love to fish year round for bass and i am not a tourney fisher. Just prepare for some small pockets of opposition from all sorts. Good luck!

Those are the typical knee-jerk reaction comments from people who've never read a study or actually fished a tournament.  It happens, it will always happen, and we must continue to try to educate them if possible.

No one takes BETTER care of the bass in Michigan than a tournament angler.  I mean think about it... if they die in your possesion you are penalized and your chances of a high finish are greatly diminished.

[djkimmel]

We are planning the same tournament on Green Lake with 20 possible teams(2 teams from 10 schools each) on May 19th.

I am trying to organize an evening tournament for 10 teams for a evening time the 2nd week of May on a small lake in Benzie County during the week so we could pretty much have the lake to ourselves so we dont have any issues.

We are just starting to get the kids fired up for these events so hate for us not to keep on giving them the opportunities just because a few.

Keep up the great work. You are doing the right thing even if a few people can't recognize that. Some people just aren't happy. Nothing we can do about that but we can continue to do the right things anyway. Anglers and hunters still do more for our natural resources than any other group. We all know that.

[thedude]

I was part of a group that got a high school tournament with 10 schools from Grand Traverse, Leelanau and Benzie counties last May on Green Lake during the catch and release season. Our rules were basically a #'s caught with no measuring or weighing and immediate return of fish.Dnr had no problem and tournament was a big success for the kids.

What i wasnt prepared for was several letters to the editor from locals after an article was run telling the success of the tournament that were against any kind of fishing tournaments. I would love to fish year round for bass and i am not a tourney fisher. Just prepare for some small pockets of opposition from all sorts. Good luck!

Those are the typical knee-jerk reaction comments from people who've never read a study or actually fished a tournament.  It happens, it will always happen, and we must continue to try to educate them if possible.

No one takes BETTER care of the bass in Michigan than a tournament angler.  I mean think about it... if they die in your possesion you are penalized and your chances of a high finish are greatly diminished.

its a knee jerk reaction from people who just don't like bass fisherman in general - or own lake front property and think they own the whole thing. it surprises me the same people who get all grumpy over 20 bass boats on their lake are usually the same ones driving jetskies or towing tubers 20' off the end of everyone's docks.

This is kind of like the dove bill. This is not a popularity contest and shouldn't be. Leave conservation to the biologists and drop the politics.

[djkimmel]

If only we could... sure would save a lot of people some time and money.

[TheFishinPollock]

I rember that article Dan.   I rember when you guys use to come up here  and stay at the  no tell motel right on the river across from the shell station.     Use to go down and dream of  being up there doing what you guys did.  

As for that guy. He use to whine at the bar constantly about the tourney's.  The problem with Elk Rapids is it is full of people that don't live here and  feel they have a say in how we run our town.  
I'm sure Bill W  was one of the people that  whined the most. We have put up with him for far too many years and will probably have to for many years to come. His nephew asks me not to hold that against him LOL

[djkimmel]

I've forgotten so many things... but I do remember that guy. I think I might like his nephew.

[motocross269]

Dan....Didn't the Michigan Redman Trail used to have an early season tournament in Indiana or someplace down south....? I remember going down there early in the year and I think it was for a Redman......
The first Enduro (motorcycle) race used to be in Indiana every year also.....Maybe that is what I am mixing it up with...LOL...Oldtimers disease...