illegal...?

[rich_ace_G]

I noticed the abundance of panfish in my local pond (bluegills & pumpkinseeds). And not a lot of LMbass this year. I've read an article before that for the bass to prosper...there shouldn't be a lot of panfish (just adequate) in the area. I've been catching a lot of bluegills and pumpkinseed lately. Like 15 (mixed) and 1 to 2 lmbass in the mix. I'm determined to keep some panfish if I get 4 - 5. If I get less, I wouldn't. My question is can you keep them alive in a bucket for the time that you're still fishing? And either put them back if you only managed 1? I'm not sured if this was discussed before. I rarely keep fish. Most probably 2 so far this year.

 

[NADO]

I would think its legal since bass tournaments work around that principle. I would suggest that if you want to keep them like that you would need to have an air pump and also frequently change the water as they will just die otherwise.

 

[BASSMASTER19]

i wold try using large offshore minnow holders its pretty much a cage which you put in the water and tie to your boat or dock and it keeps your fish in there all happy and alive

 

[[email protected]]

get a collapsable fish basket, tie it to something on shore, and toss it out, they have a float top so it won't get hung up on bottom

 

[Alfiegee]

i wold try using large offshore minnow holders its pretty much a cage which you put in the water and tie to your boat or dock and it keeps your fish in there all happy and alive

Agreed with everything except I'm not sure how "happy" the fish are if they are in a cage :lol: . Not sure how happy I'd be in a cage.
But, yes, live wells in boats do allow for selective C&R and are not illegal as far as I know, and are used in fishing tourneys.

Alfie.

 

[Dave Bailey]

Agreed with everything except I'm not sure how "happy" the fish are if they are in a cage :lol: . Not sure how happy I'd be in a cage.
But, yes, live wells in boats do allow for selective C&R and are not illegal as far as I know, and are used in fishing tourneys.

Alfie.

A panfish has a brain not much bigger than a couple of grains of rice, they don't do happy. Or sad. They just is.

 

[Alfiegee]

A panfish has a brain not much bigger than a couple of grains of rice, they don't do happy. Or sad. They just is.

True enough Dave, I was just thinking along the lines that being exposed in a basket or whatever they might not be impressed by the fact that they can't get to their normal hiding spots in the weeds. I guess fish don't do unimpressed either tho :lol: .

Alfie.

 

[tangledspool]

I did notice the same where I use to fish...I even got some pikes last year....tis year "0" and bass....only 1 little one, everything else just the common boring pumpkinseed and bluegill

 

[FishingNoob]

I did notice the same where I use to fish...I even got some pikes last year....tis year "0" and bass....only 1 little one, everything else just the common boring pumpkinseed and bluegill

With the right gear, pumpkinseed and bluegill can fight as good as any bass, don't turn your nose up to these great game fish.

 

[rich_ace_G]

With the right gear, pumpkinseed and bluegill can fight as good as any bass, don't turn your nose up to these great game fish.

I love catching them. I have light action 5'6" rod with 4lb line and 2lb. leader. great fighters. My son actually love them than the bigger fishes because of the nice colours. I just thought it would help the bass population in my pond if the population of panfish will drop. They both somehow have the same diet. There are already tons of carp in there.