Thanks Joefishin...

I forgot to add a solution to part of another problem. There are still some fishermen in Bass clubs that don't have good fish conservation skills. I think too many club members think just because folks fish tournaments they should automatically know proper fish care. I know it sounds crazy but look at how many times we see fish floating after a tournament weighin due to improper handling in the boat/livewell. A lot of clubs add new members every year that may be first timers.. help Educate them please.

We all need to have our local Bass Clubs spread this conservation effort each spring before their first tournament. Just go over the handling and general care for their catch. Make sure they know how to handle and hold a large Bass in the boat and for taking photos. Clubs can have a Guide or TP&W representative come give a class on Bass Care.

If you can... have your weigh in tanks set up and ready. Have your members know to bring large fish in early so it does not have to ride in their boat all day. Weigh it, Record it to be added to their end total and send them on their way.

Education is the Key to bettering the future of our sport.

Sharp knife, hot grease, yummm

This is going to get blasted, but if you guys really feel that way. Why fish for them at all. Just join Peta and be done with it.

I have witnessed the crowded cleaning stations at the lakes and I have also witnessed the dead and dying bass left after tournament weigh ins. We as fishermen are obligated to each other and to future generations to protect our natural resources. In a perfect world, people would only keep the "eater" size bass for their tables. In a perfect world, tournaments would use the paper tournament format (especially during the hot months). In a perfect world, the Sharelunker Program would not depend on bass removed from the lakes that produced them (IMO a successful genetics program should not remove superior genetics from any public fishery). I see nothing wrong with attempting to explain to someone that doesn't know any better that killing a big fish to eat is counter productive to the fishery. Tournament guys need to realize that paper tournaments are the only solution to fishing tourneys in the hot months of the year. That being said, as long as you are properly licensed it is your own decision and legal right to make those decisions on an individual basis. It is our right to express our concern over these issues and try to find reasonable solutions so that we can continue to enjoy this sport that we all love.

Looks like you are just trying to take this to the extreme to see what kind of reaction you can get.

I like fishing as much as anyone but I also realize that if you don't help take care of them, fishing in the future will be a lot less productive than it is now. Has nothing to do with Peta or any other radical ideas. It is simply trying to get people to be more aware of the need to help protect our resources while we enjoy them.

Here's the quick, clean solution. Limit all tournaments to the best 3;Not the best 5. Immediately saves 40% of the fish that are gonna die. BASS and FLW should lead the way.

I personally HATE the idea of a 3 fish tournament.

ban the snowbirds

Wow, I have been saying this stuff around here for a long time, but everyone seems to get mad when I advocate common sense, conservation, amd responsible fishing!

Its good to see that there are a few people around here that actually want to maintain our great TX fisheries, cause there are a lot of people that dont even care and think they can take, take, and take without any reprocussions!

Keep spreading the word!

CPR

Why;Can't you catch 3?

Oh...I also don't like the idea of paper tournament either. I think it's great for clubs but not for higher level money tournaments.

FZ1...now does that make any sense at all.....If I would rather a 5 fish tournament than a 3 fish tournament? Nice try...but work a little harder at being a smart a$$ next time.

What's wrong with 3 vs. 5?