Quote:
Originally Posted by lsufish
For discussion purposes, I define pressure as the total volume of recreational fishing boats in the resource over an extened period of time. Ex: comparing 1995 to 2000 vs. 2000 to 2005, etc. If we want to get technical then we need to define what constitues a big fish. Obviously, a 28" fish that is caught in March 15th with eggs, will weigh more than the same 28" fish June 15th after they dumped their eggs.
Removing the spawn factor out of the equation, based upon your observation that big trout are caught in months with the least pressure, do you think it could be possible that there is a inverse correlation between fishing activity and large fish? Ex: High activity fishing pressure, Less big fish per capita, Vs. Low activity fishing pressure.
It could be possible that the creel limit isn't the issue and there are just as many big fish now, but with all the "pilgrims" on the water it is becoming more difficult to catch them with all the "commotion".
Again,
I dont know the answer, just trying to demonstrate there can be all sorts of reason that lead to less big trout... not one all encompossing factor.
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To me from what I believe fishing pressure is not that much of a factor, now will fishing pressure cause you to miss chances for big trout ,,yes that's why you don't catch many big trout on Saturdays as you would say a weekday . I don't believe it drives trout out just spooks them into deeper waters or off reefs .
When a guy big motors on a bank /reef ,throws his anchor , trolls up wind, trolls wide open ...this all plays factor to messing many people up in a shallow lake . But this lake had gill nets and still put out huge trout .....
Let's take Cajunwader, he likes to fish colder months for big trout and he catches them... So his best big trout months are Jan ,Feb..
My best big trout month were I catch the most trout over 7lbs is August , but I know why I catch them because like Bruce who knows the art of Feb I have done the same for August . I catch all them close to the channel like washout, 9mile , WC and long point and about 90% are caught on falling tide.. These bigger trout hang in deeper waters off the channel and will follow bait on high tide up on flats. And when tide starts falling they will retreat back to cooler waters and I catch them all close to channel....
August is a busy boat and fishing month so that tells me big trout are not driven away because of boat traffic .