Catfish Connections – April 2022

The Impact of Modern Equipment

Technology in sports, especially fishing, has garnered a lot of attention over time. Recently, live sonar has significantly impacted the fishing world, especially in the techniques and skills anglers use with it. This high-tech equipment has caused some anglers to question its impact on the fishery. Is the technology destroying our fish populations or is a high level of harvest the issue?

When I started fishing in the sixties, we fished from the bank, canoe, or jon boat with bamboo or stick poles, steel rods and reels, and cord for the line. Electronics did not play a role in our fishing and catching. We had to use instinct and lessons learned over time to fit the conditions and the waters we fished. We caught a lot of fish.

Then along came improved boating accessories and equipment, including electronic flashers. And, bam, our world changed. With this new equipment, we could tell how deep it was and where the fish were between the boat and the bottom. Our fish catching abilities aided by the technology improved.

Not long after this fishing tool entered the hands of some fishermen the paper graphs came along and more detailed screens and maps. At one time, I had spools of paper recordings, and again, my techniques changed, and catch rates improved. We caught even more fish.

Each time new and improved electronics were released, the time cycles between the improvements got shorter, and our fishing and catching rates improved. It is not surprising that we are now on upgrades and better electronics in increments of months instead of years. Cell phones are a great example of that.

If you are a fisherman that wants to fish for the pleasure (fun) of fishing and having some tasty crappie fillets, I recommend using the tools we have to do that without the pressures of trying to be number one. Ninety-six percent of anglers don’t want to compete and only catch the biggest ones. Standard size fish still bring smiles, relaxation, food, and the pleasure of experiencing nature.

For those of us that like competition and improving our skills and techniques, having the tools is a must. This is true in any sport. But just when we think we have reached the peak of achievement, records are broken.

As far as the impact of modern electronics on the fisheries, lots of studies are ongoing but it still comes down to how many fish we harvest and in what sizes. Even with the prolific spawning behavior of crappie, generations can be taken to their knees in reduced numbers either with electronics or without. I say, let’s be good stewards of our resources and don’t blame the techniques and electronics.

Just my two cents from an old fisherman.

God Bless and Good Fishing!

Dan Dannenmueller, Publisher