Larry Smith Snagging Paddlefish.

Im looking for a tree…… I think I need a hug! Or maybe I should hug a paddlefish?

Its legal and they do eat them. Whats wrong with that?

My hat is off to Larry. Like stated above, a new show every week. That’s a tough job. I know several guys that Larry has guided. Most like him alot. Some guys hate him. Such is life.

Some of you guys almost sound like you’d make love to a paddlefish.

IMHO snagging any fish doesn’t seem sporting to me. If you want to feel a heavy pull at the end of your rod just sit on your atv,tie your line to the dogs collar have him pull you around the yard.
Using the argument that it’s legal is childish. Prostitution is legal in Nevada, splain that one to your wife lucy.
and serious, its “snag and release”? come on man!
I loved watching Larry’s show, until last week. I’m going to miss the Chef guy too.

Its legal here in SD.. but it is a limited lottery draw for a “Paddlefish Tag”. Very limited numbers given out. It is only 1 fish limit, and you cant catch and release.
They only give out X amount of tags per body of water. They are thick where I fish. We accidentally run into them with flicker shads while trolling for walleyes all the time. Here is what they look like on the graph, they are all over the place this year. Here is one that got hit with a flicker shad in the tail. What a battle.

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Eelpoutguy wrote:

I’m going to miss the Chef guy too.

I’m going to guess that the Shotgun Chef will be having paddle fish on the menu here soon….

-J.

Jon Jordan wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>eelpoutguy wrote:</div>
I’m going to miss the Chef guy too.

I’m going to guess that the Shotgun Chef will be having paddle fish on the menu here soon….

-J.

Hmmmm? paddlefish tacos? might be onto something.

Eelpoutguy wrote:

Using the argument that it’s legal is childish. Prostitution is legal in Nevada, splain that one to your wife lucy.

Well, like prostitution in Nevada, if it is legal then it is a personal choice? My wife wouldn’t be upset if I snagged a paddlefish.

Eelpoutguy wrote:

and serious, its “snag and release”? come on man!

How big were the trebles they used?

If his snagging paddle fish is a little distasteful for you dont turn into his “Phil the Blind Guy” shows. Might be some political incorrectness there.

Pug – They were drop shotting with 12oz sinkers and large trebles – I didn’t catch the size.

Mike – Not really distasteful, just a bit unsportsmanlike for my taste.

Paddlefish are filter feeders and can only be snagged.
Had been long standing culture of harvesting padles for tablefare.

I know folks who go each year they can.

The tackle used to snag is regulated. It’s not a very big treble allowed.

Some folks enjoy the activity quite a bit.

Seems like this show (have not seen) was made for people who actually do paddle fish snagging… And not intended for all y’all who disagree. Maybe a fine line this gentleman is crossing if most his fan base knows nothing about, nor agrees with paddle fish snagging. But that is his line to cross and involves no illegalities, however touches a soft spot for some outdoorsman.

FB & RM – Well stated.
That show just left a burr under my saddle. Intentionally snagging fish is not my gig, that’s all.

Eelpoutguy wrote:

Pug – They were drop shotting with 12oz sinkers and large trebles – I didn’t catch the size.

FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:

The tackle used to snag is regulated. It’s not a very big treble allowed.

That’s what I thought. I think I saw a show on paddlefish once and I am not sure if it was a fishing show. It may have been this one Zeb Hogan – Monster Fish.

I seem to remember them using quite small trebles. I think this is also where I got the idea that they may be in danger.

Full Espisode

This is the show, hopefully this works

My only pet peeve of his is he says something along the lines of “I tell ya what” or “let me tell ya” or something way too often that it really annoys me.

Those trebles are big.

Back when it still legal for Salmon on Lake Michigan (ended in the early 80’s) we used # 9/0 or 10/0 trebles with 1,2 or 3oz lead molded to the shank…..

The season is going on right now in Williston, ND. They are shutting it down in a few days due to a high harvest of females. There is a tag system with a limits of one and an overall quota. Certain days are snag and release and others are snag and keep.

Most years there is an operation in place that cleans your fish, male or female in exchange for the caviar. This year they ran into difficulties and the Game and Fish is doing the cleaning.

Generally people use a 5oz weight and an 8/0 or 10/0 Treble. Unlike the show, in ND it is illegal to snag from a boat. Similar to Smelting in MN, Paddlefish season serves as the Spring drunk.

Went a few years and I have yet to get one. I cannot speak to the table quality of the fish. The Montana season opens soon.

Looks like Missouri has a stable population.

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Here’s a copy of the link.
https://www.umesc.usgs.gov/aquatic/fish/paddlefish/faq.html

mnrabbit wrote:

My only pet peeve of his is he says something along the lines of “I tell ya what” or “let me tell ya” or something way too often that it really annoys me.

I’ll listen to that all day over one utterance of “grab the frabill”.

I think I have about six days invested into trying to snag one and only hooked a couple for a short period of time. It is obviously a lot of work.

A co-Workers son just got a 97 pounder here in ND a day or two ago. Very impressive sized Fish
Paddelfishing is a big deal up here. They only harvest so many and the Season is short, closes May 8th.
They are not biters, this is how they are caught. And it ain’t easy.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_paddlefish

If every snagged fish is kept it doesn’t bother me, personally. But few things make me roll my eyes harder than the “if it’s legal there is nothing wrong with it” argument.

Having just returned from a successful paddlefish trip last night,I feel compelled to comment.
I guess I’m having a hard time with “unsportsman like”comments,as stated paddlefish are a filter feeder and snagging is the only means of taking them.totally legal here in ND and very well regulated,we also have catch and release days.
Snagging may not be for everyone,it is extremely demanding physically,with many coming home with lower back pain and sore arms and shoulders,unlike when slip bobbering,trolling,or casting cranks,activities I also enjoy doing.
Over the years I have seen paddle fishing evolve into a family activity,with many wifes,children,and girlfriends taking part.We are not a bunch of drunken bums slinging 10/0 trebles into the river killing pre historic fish.
A few facts ND does not allow you to fish from boats,10/0 and smaller trebles allowed,but only one per line,season is closed once harvest is expected to reach 1000 fish.We allow snagg and release,you may snagg as many as you can those days,but on snagg and keep you must immediately tag your fish and once you have used your tag can no longer fish.
The board at the confluence cleaning station,this afternoon showed a total of 826 cleaned,take into account the small number of anglers that clean thier own,should put it well under the 1000 fish.
As far as conservation issues,I believe we have very competent fisheries staff and trust thier decisions.I am no biologist,armchair or otherwise,so I will leave those decisions to people in the know!!
Rant Over.