Had an opportunity to bedfish smallmouth the last two weekends.  Once on the Connecticut River and the other on Merrymeeting Lake in New Durham, NH.  Both days were phenominal, with big numbers and big fish.  I caught an even 40 smallies this past Sat., averaging between 3 and 3 1/2 pounds, biggest being 6-4, which was my personal best (too bad my wife left the memory chip for the camera in our computer  >).

These were my first times fishing smallies on beds.  It was great, but I can't help feeling guilty about it.  I don't know if I'll do it again.  I catch my fair share year-round.....why did I feel I had to take advantage?  Anybody else suffer from this 'fisherman's remorse'?

Nope.

I've only caught 1 bedding smallmouth before, and I let it go immediately in the same area - no worse for wear.  I didn't feel too badly about it.  Now if I catch a fish and I nick its gills or drop it in the dirt on accident or something of that nature, then I feel bad.  

Nope.

I never intentionally fish beds, NEVER.

I bed fish for smallies every year and like bpm2000, I quickly release them in the spot they were, no worse for wear.  It's a personal choice to do it or not, and I choose to do it.

BASS has said for years that it's scientifically proven that fishing during the spawn doesn't affect the recruitment (number of baby bass that make it to maturity) in any way.  I know from experience that no matter how many great anglers hit a lake at a given time, they will NEVER catch all spawning bass.

Chad

I fished New durham last sunday. that water is cystal clear!! I have only been fishing for 4 weeks. I pulled a 4.5 and a little over 5 lbs smallies. I guess i was fishing beds. but i am woundering if its bad. just by some of the responses or is it considerd cheating. and can it really be that bad. I can see the ocassinal fish getting hurt and not protecting the bed but if you practiceing good catch and release? and are these good size smallies for only haveing 4 wks under my belt.

Ask Hannon  

Personally, I don't think it is sporting. The success of every bass that can spawn will only help me out in the long run. I don't care what scientific survey says that catching a spawning fish doesn't effect spawn success...an UNMOLESTED fish will do better than one that has been ripped off a bed, fought and released...bottom line.

WOW!!!!!!!!!!! STRONG OPINION

I knew this would be an interesting topic, but I think I'll join RW on the don't do it bandwagon.  I think what really sold me was when I lost my bearings and actually caught the same smallie I'd just released, thinking it was a new bed.  Judging by the semen trail hanging from it I'm sure it was male, but still.  The truth is it was too easy.

Btw......I'm clueless on sexing fish.  Any advice?

not that i'm for it or aginst it but do you just close your eyes and cast or just not fish till there done spwaning? I don't think any one is doing that but i could be wrong. I'm not trying get any attitudes from any one just trying to see the reasoning. its a fine line to me on what is intentional and what is still sporting.

I THINK IT PRETTY FUNNY THAT PEOPLE GET SO MAD ABOUT FISHING BEDS IF YOU OUT FISHING DURING THE LATER SPRING DURING THE SPAWN WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU DO FISH IN FORTY FEET OF WATER CAUSE IM SORRY IF YOU ARE FISHING IN WATER ANYWHERE FROM 15 TO A FOOT DEEP AND HOOK A FISH DURING THIS TIME YOU FISHING BEDS WHEATHER IT IS INTENTIONAL OR NOT I PERSONALLY PRACTICE CATCH AND REALESE TO THE EXTREAM CAUSE I DONT WANT TO KILL OR INJURED A FISH WEATHER ITS BEDING OR NOT BUT IT HAPPENS AND THAT IS WHERE ALOT OF ANGLERS GET THERE BEST FISH THE MOST AGGRESIVE FISH AND SOME OF THE BIGGEST BUT UNLESS YOUR FISHING IN FORTY FEET OF WATER DURING SPAWN YOUR PROBLY CATCHING SPAWNING BASS WEATHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT  AS LONG AS YOUR NOT OUT THERE HURTING THE FISH OR KEEPING THEM IM SORRY I DONT THINK IT AS BAD AS THE ANGLERS MAKE IT IN THE PREVIOS POSTINGS YOU TELL ME YOU POINT ON THIS PLEASE

One thing that truely needs to be remembered is that you will never see all of the fish that are on beds. Also, some have said it is unsporting. I'm sure these comments are saying that it is too easy. I know several people that for both large and small mouth have spent hours and have not gotten the fish to bite. You also need to remember that not every spawning fish will go after your lure.