Birmingham Anglers Association

Re: holding barbel in a keepnet

What ever your thoughts may be on the subject of keeping Barbel in keepnets . Until the BAA ban it .It will carry on regardless of if you agree or if you don't agree with it . ?

Re: holding barbel in a keepnet

Here we go again,there’s already a 3 page post on here regarding this subject.How can a bailiff enforce a rule that doesn’t exist?Obviously this is a dig at me.I’ll repeat what I’ve said on previous posts on here,none of those fish came to any harm from being in the keepnet that was of sufficient size and was used properly.I have never seen Barbel come to any harm after being retained in keepnets and I’ve seen hundreds if not thousands kept in them over the last 30 years.To me it’s the safest way for it to recover after being caught.

Re: holding barbel in a keepnet

Put it this way, last year a very highly respected angler wrote in the press that the best place to o keep an eye on a barbel after its capture was in a well stacked out kerpnet and I'll go along with that 100%.
Anyone who thinks it's a bad thing it just out to cause an argument on the web
Retain or release.....no right or wrong way. Just enjoy your fishing

Re: holding barbel in a keepnet

Here we go again,there’s already a 3 page post on here regarding this subject.How can a bailiff enforce a rule that doesn’t exist?Obviously this is a dig at me.I’ll repeat what I’ve said on previous posts on here,none of those fish came to any harm from being in the keepnet that was of sufficient size and was used properly.I have never seen Barbel come to any harm after being retained in keepnets and I’ve seen hundreds if not thousands kept in them over the last 30 years.To me it’s the safest way for it to recover after being caught.

Re: holding barbel in a keepnet

I said that because he refers to bailiff posting the picture and as I was the one that took the photo on the main page then it it looks like it’s directed at me.Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I have made mi e clear on this thread and several others.Far too much bitching on forums and Facebook groups about what others are doing wrong,does my head in.If it’s not keepnets it’s the mat police or someone isn’t holding a fish properly or giving out too much info about a venue.

Re: holding barbel in a keepnet

I agree Stu, the 'bitching' can get a bit much from time to time, but BAA anglers are a mixed bunch, match/speci/predator and barbel, and will always disagree about some things, it's always the same with different branches of the sport. Like you say, it's no different over on Facebook, as one branch of anglers think they are better and more informed than another one, even though we nick rigs and tactics from each other in some degree.

I try and ignore it really, no point in arguing about something you know you're never going to agree on. When we meet on the bank, we're as nice as pie to one another!!

Still, I do think this forum is good, and more people seem to be using it now, which is also good, and you do deserve a lot of credit for being the only committee member (I think) that is genuinely active on here.

JC

Re: holding barbel in a keepnet

abrown, You're asking for anglers thoughts on this tired topic, well here's what I suggest you do. Don't raise this issue again as I believe most anglers on this forum don't really want to discuss it any further, it's done it's course. Each to his own whether you agree or not about keeping barbel in keepnets there are no rules either way. As for match fishermen, it's impossible not to use keepnets in match. How about you take a walk on any Wednesday or Saturday in the season on the Bridgnorth or Kidderminster matches at Bewdley and put your point over to some of the lads on the matches. Good luck !

Re: holding barbel in a keepnet

Issue about barbel in keep nets is unlikely to go away, given the EA consultation on changing or abolishing close season. I think that it is likely that the current close season will be abolished or certainly changed. Big implications then for match fishing. Do we really want barbel (or any other fish for that matter), held in keep nets and then man-handled for weigh in, at a time of the year when they are about to spawn or have just spawned? I think that responsible pleasure anglers would avoid fishing for them at this time, or if they did, would not use keep nets. The very nature of match angling would necessitate the use of keep nets and this could have major implications on fish welfare. I don't have a gripe with match fishing, but depends whether you go fishing to catch fish or to win contests.

Re: holding barbel in a keepnet

Mick to answer your last question first i’d say both!Surely an angler would enjoy catching fish to win a match?Also I think some of your comments are something I read all the time from anglers who obviously don’t match fish.An example of this when you make comments like “man handling of fish during weigh ins “.You seem to be tarring all match fisherman with the same brush,it seems that they have benn given this reputation of poor fish care,which is in my opinion wrong,unfair and quite often has no evidence to back it up.
As mentioned before these issues will always divide anglers and there is still a very much “them and us” relationship between match and pleasure/specimen anglers.

Re: holding barbel in a keepnet

Appreciate your point of view Stu. Not really having a pop at match fishing, although I have witnessed some poor fish welfare, mostly involving small clubs or "informal knock-ups". My point about whether or not keep nets should be allowed between March and June (if Close Season is abolished) is a valid question - just can't see match fishermen being prepared to concede that not fishing matches or using keep nets would probably help in our argument for abolishing Close Season. On balance I think retaining the Close Season would be preferable to all year round match fishing.

Re: holding barbel in a keepnet

I want the close season abolished personally,but I have wondered if those who want it to remain would still not fish the rivers during the traditional closed dates should it be abolished?Would the honestly stay away knowing they could fish it legally all year round?

Re: holding barbel in a keepnet

Never like to see barbel keep in keepnets. Just my opinion especially in the warmer weather seen to many dead fish fishing the Trent many years ago and that has stayed with me.

Re: holding barbel in a keepnet

Exactly!”many years ago “.Things have changed since then i.e keepnet technology,anglers attitudes to fish care etc.

Re: holding barbel in a keepnet

However Barbel retained in the margins will always be a hard sell for match anglers, and no amount of modern technology will overcome the fact that Barbel need well oxygenated water to survive. Of course the top match anglers or just considerate do take all care, but the concern is the others? It wouldnt hurt to meet on some common ground on this one Stu, Barbel numbers are dwindling, we all should do our thing.
Try if you can a reply that is without malice.

Re: holding barbel in a keepnet

"Barbel need well oxygenated water to survive"

Again, a total myth.......we stocked barbell into our club pool 10 years ago at 6oz, we have no aerators but they are now coming out at over 7lb and are some of the most beautiful fish I have ever seen. They are caught regular in matches and so are kept in a net. Another myth is that they don't spawn in still water, but yet we have small barbell again in the lake!!!! Their eggs are pink and can be seen on reeds during the spring bank clearing sessions.
I do wish people would actually do a bit of research before making a comment

Re: holding barbel in a keepnet

Well there you go,some FACTS!I’m glad you have seen first hand evidence moorey!My other point is that if you are resting a Barbel in the margins then where do you think a keepnet is pegged out?Yep in the margins!Unless you wade out to the middle of the river and hold it there do you?To suggest the decline in Barbel numbers is anything to do with match anglers and being retained in keepnets is nothing short of ridiculous!

Re: holding barbel in a keepnet

Another thing that people need to consider when seeing a few dead fish is what actually caused it. Lack of oxygen, poor handling, illness, old age or pollution.
9 times out of 10 its pollution that's caused lack of oxygen... algae booms etc etc.
I keep Koi and 2 summers ago I had a fish kill, lost 10 fish worth close to £1000......I was heartbroken. It turned out that the Wisteria plant I had growing over the pond was poisonous to aquatic life. I didn't know and during a week holiday the purple flowers had dropped and clogged up the filter system and polluted the water. If it wasn't for my son spotting a few dead fish and phoning me I could have lost the lot. I had to rush back and do an 60% water change.
The point I'm trying to make is, why do anglers want to blame other anglers for any fish fatalities? If you are that concerned about their welfare then surly angling is not for you. The genuine anglers who want to protect their catch do it as a matter of course and in a way they seem appropriate.

Re: holding barbel in a keepnet

OK perhaps I should frame it such, Barbel can go belly up after after being caught unless they are recovered properly with a good amount of oxygenated water through their gills. Carp are far more tolerant of depleted oxygen so you can't really compare.
As far as death by pollution, not oxygen depletion, pollution actually is the cause of oxygen loss.
I really thought it was common knowledge all basic facts, apparently not on here with a few in denial.
Brummy I have caught a few Barbel, from rivers my research is fairly comprehensive, thanks. Ibelieve you were asking for help as far as river Barbel capture recently, but you are now the expert.

Re: holding barbel in a keepnet

Do you ever get the feeling it's gonna kick off again?? It's a shame as mickgrove made some really good points there which the EA/Clubs would have to address if season changes were to be made.

The Barbel in ponds and koi carp comparisons are a bit moot but the chaps still entitled to his opinion Onelastcast, can we keep it polite pleeeeeeeaaase