Just went electroshocking...

fmoore · 07-03-2009, 01:40 AM

with a few guys from NH Fish and Game at a small pond here in NH. Man, what an experience!

They have these cables that hang down in the water and send out a shock wave about 10 feet. The fish float up, more or less stunned. Then we reach down with real long handled nets and scoop the fish up. Tonight we were only surveying bass. We put them in the livewell and after the 1000 second run was over we measured them and clipped the top part of their caudal fin off in order to "tag" them. I think we made 6 or 7 runs. We did net a state record creek chub but of course it wasn't caught by rod and reel. Unfortunately the biggest bass went around 4 pounds, but they were all healthy, fat fish. Many small fish which is good for the future of the pond.

It really sheds a whole new light on the habits of fish, shows you real quick where they are and where they aren't. I was also amazed at the amount of bait in the water. Just swarms and swarms. Never had any idea that the bait is so plentiful. I guess I just don't see it since I'm always looking for the big boys.

On a side note, I fished my first ever bass tournament last Sat with one of the guys who was on the boat tonight. It was his first as well. We got a solid limit in the morning and never were fortunate enough to cull the small fish out (ended up less than .75 pounds from the first place team). But, it was good enough for fourth and we won 50 bucks to split

Electroshocking is a real experience. It's a great way to learn about bass habits real fast. I know most guys here are satwater fishermen but I thought I'd share

oldmud · 07-03-2009, 06:25 AM

Well thanks for sharing that F, mighty interesting how they gather their info. to try to better the fisheries. Wish we could do that with Bluefin

Don

Gringo · 07-03-2009, 07:00 AM

I was doing survey work in the Essequibo River in Guyana years ago, and some local friends took me 'fishing' one night. They had this contraption using car batteries and the ignition coils from some kind of old Fords.

They did something similar, hanging two wires in the water and zapping the fish, scooping them up.

They didn't tag them, nor put them back though.

Told me it was cheaper than dynamite, and they never got skunked.

Captain Greg Sears · 07-03-2009, 08:59 AM

do they make an electric shocker for Tuna?

Shark Bait · 07-03-2009, 08:59 AM

Saw the same thing on the Big Horn in MT. Tagging that is.

AlloyToy · 07-03-2009, 11:28 AM

Any idea how many volts/amps they use???? Cool experience for sure

AT Grimaldi · 07-03-2009, 11:45 AM

I heard that the stick boats hit the fish with their poon and then send a jolt of electricity down through the dart to kill the fish and preserve its meat. Does that sound right?

I get the sense a mainiac was having fun with me on the dock when he told me.

Sticking just looks like so much fun.

- ATG

Fortunamate · 07-03-2009, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AT Grimaldi

I heard that the stick boats hit the fish with their poon and then send a jolt of electricity down through the dart to kill the fish and preserve its meat. Does that sound right?

I get the sense a mainiac was having fun with me on the dock when he told me.

Sticking just looks like so much fun.

- ATG

This is very true most stick boats do that like for example my dad and uncles boat the fortuna was originaly a stick boat it came with the zapping setup it just kills/or pisses the fish of faster but there is no mith there many stick boats do use the zapper system

fmoore · 07-03-2009, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlloyToy

Any idea how many volts/amps they use???? Cool experience for sure

Ya know...I din't think to ask. I'm sure it's pretty strong though because when I got on the boat they sternly told me not to piss in the water if I wanted to live much longer

It can't be too bad if it doesn't hurt they fish. They are temporarily paralyzed and swim away seconds later. I'll find out sometime next week when I go again. Hopefully we'll have a lull in the action where I can take some pictures of how things are done.

I asked the fisheries biologist, Gabe, if I could take the boat out on Stellwagen this summer. Answer was a blunt "No." Hey, I tried

Dads Dream · 07-03-2009, 08:17 PM

Hey Fintan

You're a young guy.....had you pissed in the water what would have happened to your unit? Did they offer any advice on ill effects on that?

Wait, I don't want to know

LOL

That was a cool post & story- congrats on # 4 place last weekend dude!

07-03-2009, 07:00 AM	#3
Gringo I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: 21.9 deg. N Posts: 2,185 Credits: 5,609.6 Boat: Contender 25, Hobie Mirage Home Port: Providenciales TCI BWI Best Catch: This girl who shoots the monkeys off my back. Occupation: Perfecting the art of the 7 day weekend.	I was doing survey work in the Essequibo River in Guyana years ago, and some local friends took me 'fishing' one night. They had this contraption using car batteries and the ignition coils from some kind of old Fords. They did something similar, hanging two wires in the water and zapping the fish, scooping them up. They didn't tag them, nor put them back though. Told me it was cheaper than dynamite, and they never got skunked. __________________ http://2gringos.blogspot.com/ There are very few personal problems that cannot be resolved with the proper application of high explosives.

07-03-2009, 11:45 AM	#7
AT Grimaldi My best friend has a 65 footer Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 60 Credits: 1,781.6	dispell a myth for me? I heard that the stick boats hit the fish with their poon and then send a jolt of electricity down through the dart to kill the fish and preserve its meat. Does that sound right? I get the sense a mainiac was having fun with me on the dock when he told me. Sticking just looks like so much fun. - ATG

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07-03-2009, 06:25 AM	#2
oldmud Crab mustard is good Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bath,Maine Posts: 830 Credits: 2,194.1 Occupation: retired/boat builder/tuna fisherman	Well thanks for sharing that F, mighty interesting how they gather their info. to try to better the fisheries. Wish we could do that with Bluefin Don

07-03-2009, 08:59 AM	#5
Shark Bait Salon puppy Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bedford, NH Posts: 113 Credits: 1,769.1 Boat: 22' Everglades CC Home Port: Plymouth to Portsmouth Occupation: enjinear	Saw the same thing on the Big Horn in MT. Tagging that is.

07-03-2009, 11:28 AM	#6
AlloyToy Sit down Shut up And fish Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 562 Credits: 2,676.6 Boat: Pacific V235HT "Alloy" Home Port: On A Trailer Best Catch: 42# Striper/150 BFT	Any idea how many volts/amps they use???? Cool experience for sure

07-03-2009, 08:17 PM	#10
Dads Dream Crab mustard is good Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 788 Credits: 3,010.8 Boat: 22' Sea Pro CC Home Port: Eliot, Maine Best Catch: 10 hrs~ 5 guys~ 1 fish ~ GBFT on a 50W Occupation: Stuck in an office	Hey Fintan You're a young guy.....had you pissed in the water what would have happened to your unit? Did they offer any advice on ill effects on that? Wait, I don't want to know LOL That was a cool post & story- congrats on # 4 place last weekend dude!