Long time viewer of your show. What is the concept of throwing back bigger panfish? I would think you'd keep some so the little ones could grow and not compete for food. Please explain. Thanks
The idea is that there is a reason why select panfish get very large. Perhaps they have a genetic predisposition for faster growth, and a very competitive attitude, resulting in them getting more food and procuring better habitat than the rest. Many studies suggest that these traits are passed down from one generation to the next. In short, superior fish more likely produce superior fish, and a more desirable population structure, overall. That being said, I personally believe that many (if not most) panfish fisheries benefit from substantial harvest of average-sized fish. This helps prevent stunting and speeds growth rate for the reason you described. To tell the difference, really isn't as hard as most people make it to be. Simply compare the length to the girth and thickness of similar length fish in known healthy fisheries. For example, if you seldom catch a bluegill over 7" from a certain lake, and you can hold them up and see through them - they are most likely in need of being thinned out. On the other hand, I have seen places that had a LOT of bluegills that were five to six inches long, and had meat beyond their skull thickness if viewed head-on. They were very healthy and just need time to grow. This situation is common in new, man-made waters and in northern waters that have periodic heavy winter kill.
Awesome video guys! hopefully get to stick some of those this year on our channel!
I just subbed. I like the way that you guys hit the panfish.
Thanks for the great fishing info and your "talk" at the end......
Great videos Gents
Long time viewer of your show. What is the concept of throwing back bigger panfish? I would think you'd keep some so the little ones could grow and not compete for food. Please explain. Thanks
The idea is that there is a reason why select panfish get very large. Perhaps they have a genetic predisposition for faster growth, and a very competitive attitude, resulting in them getting more food and procuring better habitat than the rest. Many studies suggest that these traits are passed down from one generation to the next. In short, superior fish more likely produce superior fish, and a more desirable population structure, overall.
That being said, I personally believe that many (if not most) panfish fisheries benefit from substantial harvest of average-sized fish. This helps prevent stunting and speeds growth rate for the reason you described. To tell the difference, really isn't as hard as most people make it to be. Simply compare the length to the girth and thickness of similar length fish in known healthy fisheries. For example, if you seldom catch a bluegill over 7" from a certain lake, and you can hold them up and see through them - they are most likely in need of being thinned out. On the other hand, I have seen places that had a LOT of bluegills that were five to six inches long, and had meat beyond their skull thickness if viewed head-on. They were very healthy and just need time to grow. This situation is common in new, man-made waters and in northern waters that have periodic heavy winter kill.