Just went electroshocking...

[fmoore]

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]

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]

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]

do they make an electric shocker for Tuna?

[Shark Bait]

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

[AlloyToy]

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

[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

[Fortunamate]

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]

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]

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!