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65 Posts
There is no doubt that the sport of modern lure angling is booming, and is expected to do so even more in the near future.
Just take a look at the new Veals catalogue and Henry Gibeys latest blog about the `new look` Sea Angler magazine to see what I mean about how fast things are moving.
It is so good to see that Sea angler propose to give `BASS` a column, lets hope they afford them enough space each and every edition. No doubt Henry will be monitoring this.
Now of course everyone should have the chance to experience the great thrill of fishing for bass using modern techniques. Who are we to keep this to ourselves. Indeed if I hadn`t read about it a few years back I would have missed out myself.
However, I worry about the average anglers attitude and undertanding to conservation at the moment.
A couple of examples happened this week which caused me to seriously question what we can do to balance this new found boom with conservation.
I was fortunate to catch my first two bass of the year this week. Unfortunately, I was in a fairly public spot next to a couple of other bait anglers and some passing walkers.
On both occasions my catch and release policy was met with almost abuse. One of the guys fishing next to me actually offered to buy the first fish, and calle me a daft .... for letting it go. He said `any fish he catches stays caught, be in my freezer`.
On the second a passer by was equally scathing as I returned the fish. With comments like `all that time spent stood there and then you put it back, crazy`. This guy was a sea angler as well that fished this spot regularly. When I mentioned having to conserve stocks, his attitude was that `Bass are half price in Tescos so there can`t be a shortage can there mate`
The most worrying aspect was that both guys then went on to quiz me about my gear and techniques. `What`s that is that your using then mate`, and `I`m off to get some of what your using.` Now if either or both of these so called `anglers` take up the sport or even worse tell their mates down the pub, god help us.
Now of course I cannot generalise and acknowledge there are a lot of responsible anglers out there. But this is not the first time this has happened and it does make you wonder. Is it because the average bait angler spends countless unproductive hours that produces this attitude?
Anyway, I did not make myself popular with both individuals, and to be honest such ignorance is upsetting.
My point is what can we, or should we, be doing anything more now to balance this huge increase in interest with keeping enough fish in the sea.
I said my bit to the two individuals concerned but I do not think for one minute they were interested in listening.
Perhaps a mandatory warning on each and every lure box, funded by the manafacturers - like cigarette packets! I don`t know. At least it has made me think.
Any ideas or thoughts on the future? Off my soapbox now!
Just take a look at the new Veals catalogue and Henry Gibeys latest blog about the `new look` Sea Angler magazine to see what I mean about how fast things are moving.
It is so good to see that Sea angler propose to give `BASS` a column, lets hope they afford them enough space each and every edition. No doubt Henry will be monitoring this.
Now of course everyone should have the chance to experience the great thrill of fishing for bass using modern techniques. Who are we to keep this to ourselves. Indeed if I hadn`t read about it a few years back I would have missed out myself.
However, I worry about the average anglers attitude and undertanding to conservation at the moment.
A couple of examples happened this week which caused me to seriously question what we can do to balance this new found boom with conservation.
I was fortunate to catch my first two bass of the year this week. Unfortunately, I was in a fairly public spot next to a couple of other bait anglers and some passing walkers.
On both occasions my catch and release policy was met with almost abuse. One of the guys fishing next to me actually offered to buy the first fish, and calle me a daft .... for letting it go. He said `any fish he catches stays caught, be in my freezer`.
On the second a passer by was equally scathing as I returned the fish. With comments like `all that time spent stood there and then you put it back, crazy`. This guy was a sea angler as well that fished this spot regularly. When I mentioned having to conserve stocks, his attitude was that `Bass are half price in Tescos so there can`t be a shortage can there mate`
The most worrying aspect was that both guys then went on to quiz me about my gear and techniques. `What`s that is that your using then mate`, and `I`m off to get some of what your using.` Now if either or both of these so called `anglers` take up the sport or even worse tell their mates down the pub, god help us.
Now of course I cannot generalise and acknowledge there are a lot of responsible anglers out there. But this is not the first time this has happened and it does make you wonder. Is it because the average bait angler spends countless unproductive hours that produces this attitude?
Anyway, I did not make myself popular with both individuals, and to be honest such ignorance is upsetting.
My point is what can we, or should we, be doing anything more now to balance this huge increase in interest with keeping enough fish in the sea.
I said my bit to the two individuals concerned but I do not think for one minute they were interested in listening.
Perhaps a mandatory warning on each and every lure box, funded by the manafacturers - like cigarette packets! I don`t know. At least it has made me think.
Any ideas or thoughts on the future? Off my soapbox now!
