Flathead issue:

[BottomBouncer]

Vote if you think all catfish should be labeled as game fish or just the flathead.

[Wise1]

I didnt vote.............I think that just one species would be a pain......................As I type this I am thinking what a Bitchkitty it would be to get them all classified................we may need Lobbysist for that broad of a spectrum of fish........................Thats over my head.............

I will say in principal I think it would be great to have them ALL classified as GAMEFISH

S

[MadCatter]

I voted for the Flathead ..

[BottomBouncer]

Same here.....it's a start. Start small, work to bigger things.

[Wise1]

I voted for the Flathead too.........

[cwcarper]

I vote flathead since this is the species that needs the most protection. I'm just wondering how states that have limits on catfish treat it -- do they lump the species together under "catfish" or is it species specific? Or does it depend on the state?

[DavidWS10]

I voted for flatheads only, but not because I believe it is the only catfish species needing protection. I just know that it will be easier to get one fish reclassified at a time.

It depends on the state. Some lump all cats together, while others place their limits on each cat species independently.

[BottomBouncer]

They lump spots, smallies and largemouths all together. Why not blues, channels and flatties? It's not like there aren't more fish in the sunfish family, which is what the bass is in........nobody goes around worrying about the bluegill......why worry about the bullhead?

[MadCatter]

it would be hard to lump catfish I think because of the huge size variation between the species .. you have some that can go over a 100lbs .. with reports of fish up to 350 in the late 1800s to bullheads that are basically small ... Small fish tend to be prolific breeders and their lifespan is very short .. You could put a size limit on each but something that has been clearly demonstrated on other posts and threads .. is that a lot of people have a hard time telling some catfish apart .. especially blues and channels ..

[mrfish/OH]

Took the words out of my mouth a lot of people have a hard time telling some catfish apart
I've seen alot of brown channel cats, someone might think that their flatheads are also channels. So now they can still keep unlimited numbers of flatheads ?
That's why they put WB, stripers & hybrid stripers together. That's what I'd like to see for catfish, a 10 fish limit with only one over 30" permitted and maybe NONE over 40" permitted.
Ohio DNR Ohio River Regulations (http://www.ohiodnr.com/wildlife/fishing/fishregs/ohiorivr.htm)
Here's the regs for the Ohio River:
Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Spotted Bass 6 (singly or in combination) 12 inches (no minimum size for spotted bass)
Walleye, Sauger, and Saugeye 10 (singly or in combination) None
Striped, Hybrid Striped, White, and Yellow Bass 30 (no more than 4 over 15 inches) None
Muskellunge 2 30 inches

I think the poll should be limited to flatheads and channel cats vs "all" which would include bullheads, yellow bellies, madtoms, etc.
As previously mentioned, blues are protected.

[flathunter]

The Commercial netters from what I understand are not after channels..Just trophy flats and blues..Blues are already protected in ohio waters.

[MISFIT]

I think the poll should be limited to flatheads and channel cats vs "all" which would include bullheads, yellow bellies, madtoms, etc.
As previously mentioned, blues are protected.i agree,jim.the blue,being protected,doesn't need limits as such,but i still think it should be included in a way as to ensure it stays that way,or even be further protected.i.e,not being sold in the state or something along those lines.the bullhead is a small fish which is not really a target as a food source,to any extent,and as far as i'm concerned,is in no danger of being exploited.they are be a favorite in some states,where they grow bigger and are very prolific,but not here.

[Ðe§perado™]

I'm with Wise1 on this one. make them all gamefish.;)

[BottomBouncer]

I agree with the idea of making them all game fish, but not just yet. We haven't even takin' off our training wheels.

[Ðe§perado™]

Good Point BB.;)

[mrfish/OH]

Based on the reply from the DNR there is NO commercial fishing done in Ohio other than in the Erie area.
That more less ends any protection from netting in the Ohio River unless something was done about how paylakes procure fish for their business.
I guess I'm having trouble understanding why some don't want protection on channels? No one's saying yoy can't fish for them & still keep them. Just have limits as to how many and the sizes.
Look how various smallie streams have been fished out, same could happen quick with channels, and most beginning anglers won't know a flathead from a brown channel cat. So if for no other reason than missidentification, they need to be put together.

[MadCatter]

I don't understand that part of their reply jim .. about no commercial fishing outside of lake erie ... I have looked at the license apps .. they sell commercial fishing license for the Ohio river .. at least that was my interpetation of the application .. even listed prices for extra tags ....... I am not sure you got someone with a full spectrum of knowledge of the situation.

[Wise1]

Sounds like the ODNR may need some education on the exact Regulations.............................I too noticed the comment about the Lake Erie Deal................sounds like some BS perhaps...............If I read it right .we need to point out the netters and they will be in hot water? ( with the ODNR ) .....................Hmmmm the ODNR on the river MUST notice netters...................WE should approach a net boat and see whats up...........

[MadCatter]

I looked again for the commercial license and all I can find is IN and KY ... It is quite possible that I read ohio river and mistook it for ohio ... it seems the commercial fishing might be coming from IN and KY

[mrfish/OH]

How many times have you heard people ask "How do you tell the difference?" With unlimited catches and trotlines, limblines legal, then how many small flats will be kept at channels? Also let me pose this question to those not wanting to protect channel cats? You're saying there's no need for a limit? How many is an acceptable day's catch? I know we've caught over 20 in a day several days a week. If I kept them, 20 fish per day okay to take from your spot? How about 100 with limb & trotlines by one person, do you think that's okay? What if 30 of those were flatheads, but they thought they were channels? I'm just having difficulty trying to understand why there's alot here who don't want all of them protected.
How many novice anglers would identify these fish correctly ? I'd bet if you did some sort of survey, you would be surprized of the errors. Most casual anglers fish several times in the summer & keep all they catch for a fish fry. If they knew there was 10 fish limit on catfish- it wouldn't matter if it was a flat or a channel !
http://www.fishingworks.com/Users/UserFolders/mrfishohio/PhotoImages/Big%20channel%20&%20boot.jpg
http://www.fishingworks.com/Users/UserFolders/mrfishohio/PhotoImages/Flathead%20&%20rod.jpg
How about bluecats too ? How many even knew they were protected in Ohio ?? They are in the Ohio River, but also in CJ Brown Lake and others. How many might keep 20-30 bluecats thinking they are the "lowly" unprotected none gamefish? ;) :D :eek:
http://www.fishingworks.com/Users/UserFolders/mrfishohio/PhotoImages/The%20catch.jpg
That biggest one's a bluecat. So is this one....
http://www.fishingworks.com/Users/UserFolders/mrfishohio/PhotoImages/2nd-blue-Jim_A.jpg

[atrkyhntr]

I too belive that we should at the least place flathead and channel cats together. This would bring more members/people aboard for a very worthy cause ;)
We must remember that numbers are an advantage all to themselves... I'll vote all for now but will change to flathead/channel cats in a heart beat:D

On another note...
If this does not get rolling soon we may have spring upon us and I am not sure if that is a good thing because more people will be fishing and maybe interested in the health of same or more people will be fishing and not online to become involved :eek:

I did have an idea... we could still have a website with a domain name for this cause where information would be available and forthcoming...
total coast:
Annual Cost:
$109.45 for the server
$12.00 for the domain name

For 10-12 guys thats like 10 bucks and its a done deal

Here is the host I use and the info posted above:
http://www.focalhosting.com/services/webhosting.php

Any ideas ???

[flathunter]

There is also free servers out there????

[atrkyhntr]

Thats true but I have yet to see one worth their own salt...
no cgi or php support for scripting... pop up ads or even worse...no subdomain division... the list goes on... guess you get what you pay for...

Also looks so very unprofessional and I could not ever see someone becoming seriously involved when they see the website is on a free server....
Would not own a domain name when using a free server...

If we couldn't get 10-12 guys to chip in 10-12 bucks for the a whole year, not a month but for the whole year, then we really should step back and say
"well we talked a good talk" :(

I've seen plenty of times where, such as this thread, people have many opnions about what needs done on a certain subject but when the time comes to jump aboard they miss the boat... Anyone who would chip in a couple bucks would then show their serious and in for at least the short haul if not the long one ;)
My humble opinion and 2 cents worth...

HEY !!! I've already shipped in 2 cents :D

[DavidWS10]

I pledge $10.00 to get this party started. Now, everyone match the money.

[atrkyhntr]

Hey DavidWS10
I'll start another poll with amounts listed ;)

Also did you ever find the necessary documentation for the tax-exempt status?
I've found most if not all but have not went past that point....

[DavidWS10]

Not yet, I've got to go down to the irs office, and my work schedule won't allow me to get there while they are open.

[DonnieP]

In Texas, Flatheads, Channelcat, and Blues are all gamefish.. Commercial fishing is allowed for Channels and Blues only... You should take care even if you get them declared gamefish doesn't mean that later on they will protected from commercial fishing..

Best way to protect them is to stop the netting.. Anglers, trotlines, juglines and such are not going to hurt the population that much, its the NETS that are catching all your trophy cats...

A good legislation against stocking wild fish in paylakes would be nice..

[atrkyhntr]

A good legislation against stocking wild fish in paylakes would be nice..

We'll need to do this :D
Very good idea

[MadCatter]

As I see it one of our most challenging obstacles will be the Ohio river .. this is where the netting is for the most part taking place, as I am understanding the ODNR replys, the nets aren't coming from Ohio, but from its neighboring states ... The Ohio river is governed by PA, WV.KY IN, OH, I might have even left one out, so even if we fix the problem in our state, its not going to amount to much until we can stop the nets from the other states.. Our inland lakes are rivers don't really seem to be facing quite the same problems as the ohio river. I have now read several replys that people have gotten back from the ODNR, they take the stand that over fishing by ohio anglers isn't a proven factor... I have been sitting back a few days trying to sort through whats going on ... Right now I am at a loss, first we say flatheads only, then we add channels, then take channels out of the pic .. now they are creaping back in ... I will stand by any decision that is made here, but I am going to state one more time .. we are going to have a tough time proving the channel cat is suffering from over fishing ... it is not harvested for paylakes .. it really isn't taken for food all that often due to pollution issues, alot of lakes and most rivers have advisories agaisnt bottom feeders as you all know .... This alone is a deterrent against over fishing. I feel we are going to have to somehow change the way the ODNR feels about the catfish... I think the Flathead is in the most danger, I also feel that if the Flathead is considered then that opens the door for the others .... It has been said that asking only for the flathead is going to alienate other catfishermen from our cause ... I contend that we don't need a petition signed by thousands of people .. although it would be a great thing .. I believe that the major obstacle is the ODNR's way of thinking .. that is what we have to change, we need to show them the improvement in fishing that other states have had when the catfish gets some favorable regulations. We need to show them what is going on with the sale of our resourses to private lakes.. IMOH a very well presented argument based on facts, will be the decisive factor... These people deal in facts and bottom line is we need some ... If we form a group, I will donate what I can regardless of what fish we try to protect .. I am not trying to eliminate the channel cat, just trying to win a war one fight at a time. In the next few days to a week we need to come to a decision on what we are going to do ... be it forming a website were we can share info and ideas, or an email system where we can do the same a little more privately. We have a lot of good ideas from varous sources. Lets keep this ball rolling .. .I would like to see some more people get involved here .. right now off the top of my head I am thinking there are less than 20 of us, that includes all those on GFO .. that is not a good response .. come on people stand up and be counted ... I have seen a few of you plege money .. I will pledge $20 to get this ball rolling, I know its not much but if we can just get a few more we can get a good foothold on the situation and that is at least a start ..:D :D :D

[atrkyhntr]

MadCatter

You've made allot of very good points...

I think we're close to getting something going soon... not sure is it is within a week or not...

I know a couple things that the DNR does listen to... numbers and we'll need them in both people and information that can be varified...

Once we do get started I belive this year will be best used by gathering info ... examples would be creel surveys at area tackle shops with easy to understand boxes that simply get checked...

simple questions

how many times a year do you fish for catfish
never 5 or less 10 or less 20 or more
how many do you catch
none 5 or less 10 or less 20 or more
size you catch
none not eating size 5lb or less 10 or less 20 or less 20 or more
catfish species you target
flats channels other
if larger catfish were available would you fish more
no yes maybe
toss in our favor questions like the one our poll asked:

Biggest threat to Trophy Catfishing is.....
Catch and Keep
Commercial Fishing
Trotlines, limblines etc.
Pollution of the waters
Indroduction of exotic fish
No threat at all, Trophy cats will be around forever


Your right we do need to centralize at some point

[atrkyhntr]

Ok guys we're good to go now...
Catfish Anglers Society is up and running stop on by and lets pull all our resources together for the good of all...
http://www.catfishanglerssociety.com/
or for ease of remembering
http://www.catfishas.com/
Hope to see you there!!!