Here's a bit of a story first.
When I was younger, my father would take me fishing fairly often. He loved to do it, and I always went with. We would do to the Jersey shore or some lakes and cast a line in. Never from a boat. I get seasick in about 5 minutes when I'm on a boat. Fishing was always a pretty good time, but sometimes you caught a few fish, and sometimes you caught nothing. That's how it goes. I eventualyl became bored of fishing because fo all the waiting around. I wasn't into fishing for "the hunt." I just stuck a big juicy worm on the hook, threw it over and waited. My thrill came from bringing the fish in.

Now, on the the dilemma. I remember this one time (at band camp) where we went to a stocked lake. I know many lakes are stocked, but this particular one was man made. In fact, I think they were farming fish in it. Fish in a really big barrel. So anyway, you were pretty much guaranteed to catch multiple fish, because there were so many fish in the pond. And the fish were pretty big. At least 2-3 pounds minimum. My uncle caught a 15 pound cat fish. It was so much fun, because it maximized the "bring em in part" that I liked so much and minimized the "waiting" and "chance." The downside is that you had to pay for the fish you caught by the pound.

I haven't been fishing in 10 years, but I would like to take a few friends fishing as they've never been. I want to make sure they catch a few fish. Do you think it's unsportsmanlike to go fishing at a "fish farm?"

If you know of a "slam dunk" fishing place in the Bay Area, please share.

 

Well I think it's a double edged sword.

The waiting and the chance are the integral parts of fishing that make drinking beer and getting high of the utmost importance. And those in turn give way to the comraderie of it all. Holding a pole and staring at the water isn't very bonding, but getting buzzed and laughing at your friends when they slip down a muddy bank and fall in the water is!


Back to your question.... yes it's unsportsmanlike. Not to say you wont have a good time, and perhaps more importantly....give your newbie friends enough of a thrill from hauling a good one in to give the real thing a try.

 

There is a small stocked lake (more like a pond) south of San Jose, before Morgan Hill, just off 101. You can see it on the right as you drive south. Sorry I don't know the name. Not sure how much fun it would be for adults, but kids would love it.

 

I don't think it is unsportsmanlike. Tying lead weights to dynamite, throwing it into the water, and then netting the fish as they float to the surface, now THAT'S unsportsmanlike.

 

on a similar note...
my father, me, and about 15 cousins/uncles hunt. Deer every winter, and some of us small game when its in season. Also my father and his brother also shoot skeet regularly in a league.

Well my father and this same brother went to a farm where they "stocked" it with grouse. He said it was the worst hunt he ever went on. He went because they gave you two dogs to hunt with along with a scout (guy to watch and guide them and the dogs) Well the dogs put up a few birds, way out of thier shot line, so they went to another part of this "farm" and there were piles of wood along the open field, the dogs immediately ran to the piles and a grouse flew up. As they got closer the guy actually started kicking the wood, and like 10 grouse popped up. They got a few, but thought it was terrible (not morrally because they are hunters after all) but even hunters cant stand hunting knowing they are going to get a kill. Its the thrill of the hunt i guess, or the fish for that matter. At this "farm" there was not thrill, just a bunch of dumb grouse that should be out in the open not lured there, so some rich lawyers and doctors can shoot.

Also NYS Encon places quail in the woods every fall, this isn't so much "stocking" the woods, but again it is. These quail must be hunted or they will die from coyote or the cold that winter (quail aren't very smart).

This ins't the same as stocking a lake but, I guess it is in a way. It all comes down to what your there for, if your there to get a buzz and tlak with your buddies and catch fish then that sounds great, but if your there to test your skills as a fisherman, I think you should review your morals...

just my very long opinion.

 

I used to fish for snapper and grouper commercially, we used hook and line. Now when I go fishing I'm usually in the river either wading or in my canoe. Hardly ever use line over 4# test. Can't see fishing in a fishfarm pond, that's like shooting fish in a barrel, or dynamite fishing (using a stick of dynamite to knock the fish out with the concussion) for the uninitiated.

 

TheOldMan,

Can you explain to me the signifcance of waders? Ar they for distance? or for better vision into the water?

Couldn't you just throw your line farther to make up for lack of waders?

 

Never having fished, i always assumed it was more of a social sport, yanno, hanging with the ppl you went with and such, maybe the emphasis on actual fishing has gone up over the years.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by LostWaffle
[B]TheOldMan,

Can you explain to me the signifcance of waders?

 

A lot of fish like the shallows at certain times of the year. The main reason that I use waders is because of damn cold water. In the summer or in semitropical climes I don't use them, just wade into the water. I have caught many bass in less than 18" of water. When you are fishing Permit they like the flats, sometimes less than 2' deep and they are a narrow tall bodied fish. Pike love the shallows in the spring, getting them to hit a lure is another thing though at that time. Polarized sunglasses give you the best vision, whether you are high or low on the water. Try and match your waders to the water and surroundings and wear a t-shirt similarly colored, it all helps to hide you from the fish.

Most of the time for casting I am using lures in the 1/10-1/4 oz range and you don't get a whole lot of distance with them. I prefer fishing with ultralight tackle, and taking big fish. I've landed 10 and 12 pound bass on 2# test on a rod where the largest diameter was 3/16 of an inch. Gotta love Carbon Fiber.