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A minority group of commercial fishermen have joined together to combat
laws enacted on protecting trophy catfish. This includes a
proposed law to stop the transportation of trophy catfish across state
lines with the intention of retailing to stock ponds / pay ponds.
They are energetic in changing the current length laws among our States.
The root causes for this minority group are many, but outlined below are some broad highlights:
- Exploiting the main stream markets and profit regardless of the
damaging long term residual effects on the population of trophy
catfish.
- They believe in the “myth” of an over abundance of catfish.
This is not true for trophy catfish. Trophy catfish in comparison to
the general demographic of catfish are a rarity.
- They would want you to accept as true, that they are merely
harvesting big catfish for consumer purposes. Local catfish
market(s) demand catfish in the 1-3 pound range, not trophy catfish
which exceed 34 inches.
- Trophy catfish in actuality are wanted by this minority group for the
high profit margins they demand in the catfish entertainment
industry.
They are transported across state lines and sold to pay lake operators
for guaranteed, “fishing entertainment”. Many have witnessed
these practices first hand, it’s not uncommon to see catfish tankers
traveling from hot spot catfish destinations loaded down with their,
“cash crop”. In essence, your quality of fishing is being
diminished, and your resources being stole.
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Regions
of the country known for Trophy catfishing are being
pillaged, rest assured, Trophy Catfish from your region
are sitting in a pay pond as you read this.
DEAD
TROPHY FLATHEAD CATFISH PICTURE BELOW
A
CLOSER LOOK AT THE WASTED FLATHEAD CATFISH
| These
two flathead catfish would be considered a trophy
catfish for any sportsmen. These two flathead
catfish, laying in a hot bucket in over 100 degree
heat,
sadly, are victims of this operators greed. The Flathead
catfish on the right is already dead, eyes bulged from
the heat. The Flathead Catfish on the left, was still
slightly alive, gasping for air, tail slightly
moving. |
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Trophy
catfish take decades to grow. By removing these large catfish and
their genetics from the breeding pool, it takes years to restore them,
if at all. These catfish represent the icons of your catfishing
pursuits. The removal of these specimens for paid entertainment is a direct violation of sportsmen ethics.
These minority groups of catfish entrepreneurs are united, organized,
well versed, and solidly represented at critical decisional and
pre-decisional meetings and State Senate Hearings. We call upon
the sport catfishermen to unite with us. Make the decision to
take your stand, and fight to defend what is yours.
Representatives such as Ken Freeman, Phil King, and other well
established spokesmen will attend State hearings to contribute a voice
for the Sport Catfisherman. Your acceptance of this mission, and
support on this petition will be the power needed to defend our public
waters from exploitation.
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