Topic: New BASS Size Limits (Read 2349 times)

bassman · « **on:** March 17, 2007, 11:30:40 PM »

The new BASS size limit comes into force on the 6th of April 07, the new legal size limit is 40cm from 36cm an increase of only 4cm. I personally would have liked to have seen it go up to 45cm, it would have then given them a chance to have spawned at least once. The new mesh size in the nets also goes up from 90mm to 100mm, so dont get caught out lads it could result in a big fine.

Acko · « **Reply #1 on:** March 18, 2007, 12:22:21 AM »

8 years Ive been trying to catch a Bass. Never had one. I hear they make great eating? Ive never tried it and Im not gonna till I catch one. When I do I think its going in the pan?
Do you lads think thats wrong? ive never bought bass from a fish counter but I will taste it one day.
I hope? lol
Ill probably keep it and eat it even if its undersize. Am I a Bad Booger?

Ringer · « **Reply #2 on:** March 18, 2007, 12:40:41 AM »

your wrong to keep it for the pan if its undersize paul but your not wrong to keep however many you like if they are sized.i've only ever had 1 that was just sized so i kept it and ate it.it was delicious so next time i catch 1 thats sized it will end up on my plate.

macky · « **Reply #3 on:** March 18, 2007, 12:43:57 AM »

its up to the indevidual if they want to take LEGAL bass

but just do me a favour lads

do a little research into a bass's growth rates and breeding cycle
you will soon learn the more u take the less there will be

PUT UM ALL BACK i say!

Ringer · « **Reply #4 on:** March 18, 2007, 12:51:58 AM »

same could be said for the cod.when cod are plentiful i put a lot back.bass are a novelty and rare species around this neck of the woods so when i catch one i'm not wrong in taking it for the pot.if they were a regular fish in my catch then i too would release most of them.

baza · « **Reply #5 on:** March 18, 2007, 09:33:28 AM »

i love eating bass its up there with a sirloin steak, but taking small bass is wrong and if the defra officers catch you with one there will be a big fine to pay, not to mention what macky said about the ethics of eating an undersized bass and the age of it. i only ever take a bass if thats what im wanting for my t, i see no harm in taking a fish or two for the pot if they are legal size, everything in moderation. if i catch ten bass a week then i would probably take two of these fish. as ive said in another post seals do more damage to bass than anglers do in my neck of the woods.

Baramundi Bob · « **Reply #6 on:** March 18, 2007, 09:54:02 AM »

I think if someone managed to catch 1 in 8 years the stock is not in danger.

I hadn't read Paul's post properly. Really shouldn't be taking undersized fish mate.

Baramundi Bob · « **Reply #7 on:** March 18, 2007, 09:58:46 AM »

There have been complaints about the new MLS for bass. You would expect it from commercial fishermen but there was also recently a challenge from some anglers.

Details On Leon's Site Here

Baramundi Bob · « **Reply #8 on:** March 18, 2007, 10:29:24 AM »

HI Tim,

There are a few bass around here in the summer mate. Colin Stainthorpe's sister (Colin might try to tell you it was him :o ;D) caught 1 about 7 pounds last summer from a rock mark in the Sandsend area (they were cod fishing at the time). I've also watched lobbers catch them to 4 pounds on a beautiful summers night whilst I was out walking my dog. They aren't rife but they are there. I had 3 one night off Whitby beach but they were only small so I put them all back. I would think the boulby area would be a good bet mate on them shallow scaers. There is a nice mix of sand and slate there. I keep meaning to have a try on the rocks but in reality I spend too much time bait collecting in summer to put any effort into anything else.

Dav · « **Reply #9 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:32:24 PM »

What i say is put em all back until there is a big enough healthy stock to be able to go out fishing for them and actually catch them on a regular bassis, As people have said bass are a slow growing fish , in british waters a typical 7 to 8 ish pound bass is liable to be around 16 years old and a breeder and a double figure bass could be anything upto 20 years old , so to me any bass you catch above 4lb should go back as these are liable to be breeding fish and older than our dog ,there for if we start taking all the good bass out of the system we are not giving them a chance to get a foot hold in our area ...by all means keep a keeper for the table ,ideal around 3lb mark which would be a perfect size to try and see what they taste like , but just give them a chance and dont keep many if your lucky enough to get some ,, Thats just my opinion and alot of other sensible anglers,
Acko there is alot of people who keep undersized bass ive always classed these as idots who havent got a clue , but thought youd know better mate , dont do it if you get one ...give em a chance bud ........keep us informed of how you get on though....

Ringer · « **Reply #10 on:** March 18, 2007, 03:19:42 PM »

put em all back for the seals and commercials to catch. >:(

Dav · « **Reply #11 on:** March 18, 2007, 05:13:19 PM »

Thats a total other story tim, at least we are doing our bit.....

Impact Sheila · « **Reply #12 on:** March 18, 2007, 06:01:37 PM »

Ive caught a fair few bass myself over the past few years. And I must add that all of them have been returned. If you look on my photos (see Lobbers pictures) you will see a picture of me with a double shot of bass! ;D. I think that these were the first two I ever caught, and for some bizarre reason I seem to hook into them even when im not targeting them!!!! I even caught one just under size out of Cowbar harbour in the summer when the sea was flat and I was scratching in a club match. It was amazing. The water was gin clear and I couldnt believe it when I got it close it, it looked massive in the water and was about 1/2cm under our club size limit. Its weird, some people fish for years and never hook into a bass. I think its all about my short casting and perhaps the traces that i use.....who knows ???

Dav · « **Reply #13 on:** March 18, 2007, 07:16:21 PM »

I know what you mean sheila , there is a particular spot i know, its 30 yd lob , two hook flapper jobbie ,endless fun with schoolies and the odd better fish , , had them on lugworm ,sandeels ,crab etc but find the best bait for these schoolies is ragworm ,with a floating glo bead with a size 1 to 1/0 hook tied to 12lb flourocarbon , in that particular place the bass do not want to know lures for some reason i think its because they are schoolies pre occupied with scraps n worms ,but not 100% , Ive now had my fun catching the smaller fish and have started to lure fish for them , in a different area ,with out much success......so far , They are right little go-ers arnt they on light gear ,cant wait till i get one on 20lb braid and a light set up ....

Acko · « **Reply #14 on:** March 18, 2007, 10:55:52 PM »

All very interesting I was only thinking of keeping 1 Bass anyhow. Im just very curious to see what It tastes like. I know the species is in trouble and If I caught a second third or any more fish they will all be returned. Maybe I should just buy a supermarket farmed Bass to try it? Only it was a challenge I set myself some years ago. To catch one and try it.
Ive resisted the temptation to buy Bass as I've been led to believe that the farming/fishing methods are questionable.
Ive never kept any undersize fish before Im a conservationist at heart

Baramundi Bob · « **Reply #15 on:** March 19, 2007, 01:00:36 AM »

Quote from: Acko on March 18, 2007, 10:55:52 PM

I know the species is in trouble and If I caught a second third or any more fish they will all be returned.

Paul, Bass is one of the only a few non quota fish in our sea. It is currently well within safe levels, its being fished sustainably and isn't in trouble (the bass management plan is more about increasing the average size of the fish). I wouldn't beat yourself up over eating a fish ;) (as long as its a legal sized one ;D).

Acko · « **Reply #16 on:** March 19, 2007, 01:17:47 AM »

Ive been beating myself up for 8 years trying to catch a booga lol. Probably will for another 8 yrs Gotta catch one yet.

smokey · « **Reply #17 on:** March 19, 2007, 12:16:55 PM »

If your a conservationist Acko,you really shouldn't be considering keeping ANY undersized fish,let alone one of the most pressured and slowest growing speices in our waters.

Ringer · « **Reply #18 on:** March 19, 2007, 11:49:47 PM »

http://www.paperboy.nl/?PID1=%402UN%26F8G%3C%5DEC6F%5F89D%25%3FL%5D%3B%409%2DU%28%5DQ%21%3C%2B6%27%3B%3EJG%2BV7Z%24%20%0A

Acko · « **Reply #19 on:** March 19, 2007, 11:58:49 PM »

PMSL Tim Nice one

Kayak, Shore & Boat Fishing Forums - Whitby Sea Anglers

News:

Author Topic: New BASS Size Limits (Read 2349 times)