Amble SAC wrasse ban

[BIG ZOOK]

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It was agreed at last nights AGM that wrasse will no longer be eligible to be weighed in at club and open comps run by ASAC.

The vote wasn't unanimous though, with the main argument being that a ban might affect attendances for future open comps. We will find out next summer.

It was felt that the killing and subsequent dumping of these slow growing fish was simply a waste, and we should be looking to protect the "non edible" species around our coast. I know a few lads eat them, but not enough to justify leaving a pile of dead fish lying around, going to waste after a comp.

I really think we have taken a forward step here, and would hope other clubs and opens might follow.

Well i feel that the whole fishing competition system is flawed:red:.I never keep/shoot anything that i cannot eat.But i dont have the answer too an awkward question about (comp )fishing either.How many fish are needlesy killed for the chance of a few lously hundred quid prize money?.

 

[Red5]

Well done Amble SAC!

 

[nick1]

Thats the point, bass ARE EDIBLE and wrasse ARENT. And am not saying keep every bass you catch either but at least the ones that are kept will be ate and not just thrown in the bin like wrasse.

 

[tonyfromalnwick]

I thought the whole point of the exercise was conservation....hmmmm ???

The whole point was to return fish that would otherwise be left to rot after the comps.

Trying to make anglers feel guilty about keeping a fish or two for the pot won't help your argument about bass. When do we start putting cod and whiting back then ?

 

[nick1]

I thought the whole point of the exercise was conservation....hmmmm ???[/QUOTE

Thats right conservation, so i take it you'll be returning every fish you catch then mr matchman. Not being funny but your login name suggests you fish matches and not every match is catch and release is it ?.............no

 

[Stewart 1971]

Off Topic

Off Topic

I see the thread is drifting but needs to be said there is a huge amount of sanctimonious tripe talked about Bass. Due to global warming / changing migration patterns / massively increased populations (delete according to your prejudice) they are becoming a more regular catch on the NE coast. But one thing they certainly aren't is endangered, or even rare, in fact in some areas of the country (fair enough not the NE) they are prolific to the point of being a pest. And the bobbins about being the UK's only true sport fish - how do you define sport fish? I've caught plenty of Bass to a decent size and they give a reasonable account of themselves but for "sport" I'd much rather fish for Smoothhound.

As for a 2lb Bass, well they are the perfect size for dinner for two, much rather take a couple of them than a fish of 4lb that is a prime breeding fish.

Back on topic I firmly believe Catch, Measure and Release is the best method for fishing matches but it would take a massive culture change to see it adopted more widely here in the NE. (and FWIW CM&R doesn't mean all fish have to go back, if you want to keep fish for the table you can you just don't have to kill needlesly for the weigh-in).

 

[big sid]

Congratulations to Amble SAC for taking the decission, gets my 100% backing. Lets hope there's other clubs out there who will take a long hard look at the way they fish there club competitions and follow your lead.
Personally I would like to see an increase in the legal sizes of many a species. A measure/points system. A catch and release (were possible ie pier matches). Fish being cared for and returned in a more friendly manner.

 

[big sid]

Am I the only one who disagreea with this. In my opion if you go fishing you cannot be choosy what fish take your bait and if that happems to be a wrasse then I think you should be able to weigh it in. When fishing through the summer for red codling everybody weighs them in even if they are just 1 pound but most people don't eat them because of the worms, so whats the difference if these fish are caught then killed and dumped ? As far as I am concerned a fish is a fish and if it is legal to land then so be it !

You'll never be the only one? Your fellow club members, I'm sure will share and support your views.

 

[RossW]

Good idea Amble SAC. I fished my first ever match a couple of years back and was surprised and disappointed to see dozens of flounder, some still alive, being chucked into a bin at the weigh. It doesn't matter how common the fish are, that's poor in my opinion.

 

[daren]

I totally agree and think its a great idea to ban them ! well done guys! i also think the sizes of fish caught and kept should be increased ( give you a better chance in a few years to get the big one )
hope other clubs follow in your footsteps mate

 

[Red5]

Good idea Amble SAC. I fished my first ever match a couple of years back and was surprised and disappointed to see dozens of flounder, some still alive, being chucked into a bin at the weigh. It doesn't matter how common the fish are, that's poor in my opinion.

Big up to Amble SAC on that count as well as they ask that Flounders be kept in a bucket to be released after weigh in after the Amble Open

 

[dizzydaz]

until clubs start thinking seriously about adopting measure and release it is not much more than well intentioned tokenism I'm afraid.

if i remember rightly the lads that fish the the matches organised by the tackle box in billingham are measure and release and various points are awarded wich in my oipinion should be the way forward for club matches

 

[northeast1]

I think it is good news and thou i dont fish comps from the shore and dont know what goes on, from what i have heard it seems to be very waste full with fish.

It is a good step in my opinion. Only kill what you are going to eat....sure loads will disagree thou.

 

[Davyred]

Great decision Tony.

Regarding the Bass argument, I'm a bit non committal at the moment. I think you'd be fighting a losing argument to begin with Paul, given the price of Bass in the shops, and especially the size of the farmed fish for sale. A 2lb Bass looks a monster compared to them, so anglers who are say 'less informed' will just knock it on the head to eat. The Bass I got in Scotland were all returned as I got just as much pleasure releasing them as catching them (as I do Pollack).

As for the Red Cod argument, I think Tony stated that Wrasse are slow growing, Cod in comparison are not, and can repopulate an area pretty quickly. No you can't decide what you catch, but you have to realise that some fish don't necessarily have to be killed just because you've caught them.

 

[Stewart 1971]

Bass

Bass

I think there are two different ways of looking at it. Bass reach breeding maturity at 42cm which is about 1 3/4 lb or so in weight. There are some who say that taking a Bass of this size is wrong because the fish has not had a chance to breed yet. Others (like myself) would argue it is better to take a fish of this size rather than a bigger fish of 4lb plus - the 4lb fish is young (for Bass), healthy and part of the breeding stock.

Both sides of the argument have their attractions. Speaking personally, a 2lb Bass cooked whole is perfect size for a meal for two, just being me and the Mrs a 4lb fish would probably end up with some wasted. So for me I'd rather keep the 2lber and return the bigger fish. I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable keeping a 6lb plus fish (not that I've been lucky enough to catch one) knowing full well that it was in the prime of its breeding age. But I would also never knock anyone who did so - as long as a fish is of legal size and is going to be eaten it is up to the angler what he does with it.

Regarding the supermarket farmed Bass, they are way under the legal size of 36cm and at a guess weigh no more than 3/4 lb to 1lb at most. I've been told they sell them that size as it is classed as a "portion" for a fish cooked whole for one person. Me I think they are way too small to eat, they are also miles smaller than a 2lb wild caught fish which will be more than twice the length if not more.

As for the pest comment - until recently I was living on the doorstep of one of the Bass nursery areas on the south coast. At times the school Bass of 20 - 30 cm would be so prolific you wouldn't have time to put your rod in the rest before one had grabbed your bait. So yes, in places they can be a pest, even if the comment was meant tongue in cheek.

One last comment on the OP. Since coming back to the NE I've fished one local club match. This was an "in the bucket" match and after years of fishing C,M&R matches I found I felt very uncomfortable doing so and haven't fished another. I agree with the Wrasse ban but what about other fish like Coalies and Flounder that will likely just be binned after the weigh in too.

 

[YoursTruly]

Been watching this thread and yes i agree with not allowing wrasse to be weighed in, our club took the decision to remove the species from the weigh-in list for two reasons, one of which was we did not see a need for allowing anglers to kill a fish purely for prizes and the said fish being dumped.
Now before anyone jumps on me nearly all the fish weighed in at our open are put to good use with the exception of eels (which i am pleased to say are no longer allowed at weigh-in).
The second reason cannot be mentioned on a forum for legal reasons, i am sure many who have posted on this thread are aware of the reason.
As for taking fish for the table i would have no problem with killing a 2lb bass for the table nor would i think the worse of any angler for doing similar.
I return to the water alive more than my fare share of cod, whiting, coalies, flounder etc.

 

[peter.m]

The topic was about a wrasse ban and I'm in favour. The reality is although this might cause some debate how many opens are won with wrasse? It's not going to kill the open circuit is it? Looking at records the majority of big open wins around here are codling, or in flat conditions flounder. The odd wrasse put back might dent someones chances but the ban isn't going to alter most peoples choice of venues, results or competitions on this coast.

Get further afield and try the catch and release matches and you'll be suprised how you learn to adapt and appreciate rockling . Fish a team match with bait packs so everything is down to how YOU perform on your peg is a great way of improving your techniques and tactics.