FFS

So, I’m seeing reports of someone catching 29 Muskies and other reports of 10+ on the Fox River before daylight on opening day.  Just curious on people’s opinions on this.

Here’s mine:

A:  I feel that it is unethical harassment of fish that would otherwise not be caught.  I’ve not heard of someone catching that many fish in that short of time.

B:  I assure you fish are being snagged.

...

I get it, we’re over run with wake boats and everything too.  

W6,  "Why would I drive 8 hours from Illinois or wherever to fish for bass when you’re driving past thousands of lakes that are better"   Because from now till late Aug most days are too friggin hot fish, water temps are crazy hot, and boats are covered up with jet skis and tubers.  ​

It’s not a debate at all.  It’s fact that basically the only largemouth bass management up north, at least the Hayward office is to reduce numbers drastically.  

I'm not going to debate this further W6, if you don't agree all is well.

There are 10 families per week May thru October, and what I've shared is what I see.

I have no preference what folks fish for.  We all like what we like.

Beyond the folks that stay with us, I love to fish too, and can see what folks are fishing for when I'm out on Plum.

Are there Musky guys?  Of course, but they're a fraction of the bass guys.  It is what it is...

Have a great night :)

I don’t know any fishermen who don’t fish panfish periodically.  Can’t find better eating.

Funny, one of our folks sent this today...Another panfish guy in the northwoods....

Also W6, I know neighboring resort owners on different lakes (we try to help each other out booking wise, if they have a cancellation, or we have a cancellation, we do our best to help each other out)

Bass and pannies are what folks are looking for.

In regard to Canada, we exclusively targeted Eyes, smalllies, and to a smaller extent trout.

I don't know what to tell you W6, I'm not making it up, and I don't have a horse in the FFS race.

The Woodlands has 10 new families there each week from May thru October and pannies and bass are what almost everyone is going for!  

As I mentioned before that is solely my opinion based on the folks that stay with us.

For giggles I thought I'd ask AI, that's of course not the end all, be all, but it certainly aligns with what I've noticed.

Our customers frequently send us photos of their catch, and they're  almost all bass, Blue Gill, Crappie, or perch.

Actually Muskie fishing is more popular than ever.  I would say it’s almost the opposite of what you describe.

The thing with the bass is.  Why would I drive 8 hours from Illinois or wherever to fish for bass when you’re driving past thousands of lakes that are better?  I would definitely consider your resort an exception.  I would be like driving to Canada to fish bluegills.

Largemouth and walleye do not do well together, especially in small systems.  

I agree GOP, smallies and LM Bass are what most seem to target.

Musky fisherman are becoming way less than they used to.  Of the guys who come stay with us who live and breathe musky fishing, there isn't a single one under 40!

The only youngster I know who chases Musky is Suspended Musky's son - and he's learning from the best! 

Yeah, they dont promote the bass fishing up north, if its good people will come. Like Brent said most people just want to catch fish.  Tons of examples of people traveling to fish bass LM are by far the most sought sportfish in the country.  The Chip was becoming really good for LM, its been awhile so dont know if they've put a bounty of them there but I just targeted LM there a couple times and it was great.  Bunch of bass up to 4lbs why would you want screw that up.  I've fished the Chip for walleyes a bunch its a bunch of cigars,  it has/had far more potential to be a really good bass lake than it ever did a walleye lake.  My opinion is the DNR can spend a fortune stocking walleyes that is failing or supporting a good walleye fishery that will just be speared every few years. Or people can just embrace good bass fishing they dont get speared and show up for free. 

Absolutely G5!  If it’s on your boat, the temptation will always be there to use it in an unethical way.

Purchasing ffs does not make you less of a sportsman, how you choose to use it defines you as a sportsman.  with the if it's legal it's okay attitude, I wonder. It's legal to find a big colony of spawning bluegills and pound limits every day and feed everybody in the neighborhood. Sure it's legal but I don't think that's the definition of a sportsman. I think a sportsman puts the resource ahead of harvest, money(guides)or ego, or is at least is conscious of the resource. And for the don't judge me people all of life decisions should be made on judgments, we should judge everything and everybody😁

If you’re sniping, I say you’re less of a sportsman while doing so.  Simply put, it’s driving around looking for fish.  Similar to spot lighting deer except legal.  Doesn’t make it ethical though.