Paddlefish

[x-ring]

Anyone ever shot one? Seems to be the bigest legal thing to shoot in Oklahoma.

[rmo8jlt69]

NO, dont shoot paddle fish, there is not that many of them, go to your state fish and wildlife website and check them out. they are pretty damn ugly fish though.

[x-ring]

Actually paddlefish are plentiful in Oklahoma. They are a popular fish to catch this time of year. They are caught by snagging as they go upriver to spawn. Check this out: http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/fishregs/paddlefishregs.htm
Plus they are tastey ;)

[x-ring]

Acouple of other paddlefish links: http://www.nativefish.org/Articles/spoonbill.htm http://www.nativefish.org/Articles/Pre_Paddlefish.htm

[salter]

I know in Alabama they are protected. You can get a real stiff fine and jail time should "the man" catch you with one.

[x-ring]

They are hurting in a lot of states. The daming of our river systems has really hurt their migratory/spawning cycle. Oklahoma has been very agressive in their managment. Untill last year they had a special season for snagging. they are now open year around with a daily limit of one. Bowfishing and spearguns are on the list of legal equipment now.
:)

[Merk]

As a kid I would snag & catch spoonbill at Gavins Point Dam on the Missouri River (Nebraska and South Dakota boarder). These fish get huge up to 90lbs, maybe bigger.

I remember times when my dad and grandfather would come home and toss the fish in the snow for me to clean. Funny how I use to think cleaning fish was a privilege. I have a picture that I look at often with my dad, grandfather and uncle each holding up two fish (that was the limit) all over 50lbs. I think the biggest they every snagged was 87 lbs or 78 lbs, hell I can't remember it's been too many years.

Depending on where you're fishing there are still restricted seasons on these fish. In fact some places you have to buy a tag, like a deer licence. Once a certain number of fish are caught the season closes by the sound of a horn.

O'the good old days.

[x-ring]

Wow I sure hope the rest of the country lears a thing or two about managing these fish from Oklahoma. 100+ pound fish are not uncommon and they are being reintroduced and stocked above many dams in our state.

[Prater]

Chad,

If I could only get away from the garage sale...:mad:

[x-ring]

LOL, Wife has the truck so I have no way to get my boat to grand on sunday :( So i'm going to hook and line it at Thunderbird with someone from work, unless you and a truck can get out of that garage sale. Shoulden't you be wrapping it up by then anyway?

[Prater]

Made a couple hundred today, we shall see what happens tomorrow. I have to get my tanks filled up before i go anywhere. they are all about 1000psi.

[x-ring]

Steven, Give me a call tomorrow on my home number If you can be done by around noon I would like to try a quick trip to Murrey or Elmer Thomas. We can't spear at Elmer Thomas but I was there yesterday, not diving, and vis looked really good. I think i could handle its current temp.

[Prater]

I know I wont be able to make it. Wife does not get home until 3PM so I have to be there with the sale. I also checked on my reg and it is not designed for anything under 45 degree water temps. I think the first thermocline would put me too close to a freeze up situation. We will have plenty of time after you get back from the gulf.

[x-ring]

Yep we sure do have fun today. I'm going fishing.