Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations In-Fisherman Jan. Issue re-Bass off spawning beds.

Hey Guys/Gals, been a while since I have had a chance to drop by the forum. (It has been a wee bit rough at work lately).

However after reading an article in the January 2006 In-Fisherman magazine I had to drop by and see if anyone else has read it. The article in question is called 20/20 Bassin'. Basically it is all about how to catch Bass off the spawning beds. Is it just me or is this a little bit counter productive and short-sighted for a magazine that should be promoting active management and protection of our natural resources? (Yes I understand that many of the tips included are intended for Pro tournament fisherman but doesn't that make it even worse? Pro's promoting the depletion of a natural resource, intentional or otherwise due to fishing a species at the worst time possible?)

The article does make reference to a few scientists/researchers and their negative findings/opinions on 'bed-fishing' but then refutes their input with that of people who make a living guiding people to the spawning beds in search of bass.... hmmm... conflict of interest perhaps?

At worst the negative comments they make in the article center around bass not returning to the same bed... though they never mention the fact that during the time the fish is off the bed either the nest could be getting robbed, or they could be stressing the fish or the fish could be dropping eggs/milt when off the bed due to handling.

Maybe I am off the mark but I am seeing this trend written about and on TV programs more and more... in the effort to catch the biggest, egg or milt laden bass they are targeting those most vulnerable and often the easiest to catch with the worst consequences.

Sorry for the rant. ; )

P.S. I am not even going to get started on how 'Professional' Bass fishing seems to have become a serious misnomer... with all of the electronics in use today, now even including Biosonic fish activating sonic attracters... it seems to me the "Pro's" are treading on the doorstep of being rank amateurs in all respects. In my opinion a Pro is someone that protects the resource, actively pursues the betterment of the sport and the 'arena' in which it is played and does so without the use of every skill reducing gadget going. I expect un-skilled fisherman to suck up the gimmicks to compensate, but the top guys? Come on. Hell they might as well skip the casting and just throw a stick of dynamite in...

Ooops.... started ranting again... slightly off topic non-the-less.