I have been contemplating a blog post regarding my thoughts on gun-control in the wake of all of the media and happenings with that topics in recent weeks. I came across the post below from another blog. Since I can't say it any better myself, I will just share the link. It is long, but a good scan will get you to the information that concerns you the most. Enjoy, and feel free to comment on my blog with your thoughts.
Summary of facts about gun control
Monday, December 31, 2012
Monday, December 10, 2012
An Answer to a Controversial Topic
I had a discussion recently with someone. It is a topic about which I have conversed on more than one occasion, but I have come to realize that not everyone shares my view on the issue. I find it hard to believe that so many people can be wrong, but I thought I would take a quick moment to voice the truth.
What is a better method to the sport?
Fishing with live bait vs. Fishing with artificial lures
I answer this question by defining the word "fishing". (This is probably not Webster's definition, but it works for me.) By doing this, we will determine that one of the above options is not even sport.
Fishing is the act of using a bait and specific actions to cause a reaction by a fish to make it bite. Sometimes this is just a reaction, and the fish bites out of curiosity. Sometimes the bait imitates a food item that causes the fish to naturally want to eat it. However, it is still artificial, so you are providing the fish a sporting chance to make the distinction.
When using live bait, this definition does allow the act to be defined as "fishing". Let's examine what live bait is doing. You throw a worm, minnow, or crawfish out into the water and wait for a fish to come. First of all, you are using something that the fish would naturally eat that carries the natural scent, flavor, and action. Where is the sport in that? Also, the bait is doing all of the work. You are not doing anything with the rod to create a certain appeal or action. Where is the skill/sport in that?
If it is not "fishing", then what is it?
By examining these aspects of live bait, I have determined that using live bait to gather fish is not "fishing". It is "trapping". For this, we will refer to Mr. Webster. He allows two definitions. Using live bait works for both.
Trapping
1.) to catch or hold as if in a net
(The "net" is the tractor beam coming off of an irresistable piece of food. The fish with no will-power does not stand a chance.)
2.) to take physical control or possession of something suddenly or forcibly
(By using something that does not allow the prey to have a choice to determine if something is real or not, the so-called fisherman is using force.)
Do not criticize me for using Webster's with one and not the other. It is my blog, and I can do that. If you are criticizing that effort, then you should probably keep reading. You are probably the one that has something to learn.
When is live bait okay?
I know what you are saying - "Stephen, you are being ridiculous in your interpretations. It is just fishing. What is the big deal?"
Don't get me wrong. I am not saying that live bait does not have its place. If you are fishing for food, you should absolutely use whatever you want to get the fish to bite. If you are fishing for sport, fun, or for the satisfaction of knowing that you outsmarted the fish, then live bait is out of the question.
I will never criticize someone for using live bait to catch food unless they are bragging about their catch, or unless they are trying for largemouth bass. Largemouth bass (in my opinion) should not be kept except in managed ponds and lakes due to their low reproduction rates. If they are not being kept for food, then live bait should not be used. Also, these bass are agressive eaters. They often swallow live bait before the hook can be set because of the human delay with a bobber. The hook then causes major damage to the fish. This often causes them not to survive. This can happen on occasion with artificial baits, but it is less likely to happen because of the timing in the hookset.
If you prefer to still go to the lake, river, or pond and not challenge your skillset and trick innocent fish into eating prey while you hide a hook in it, then go right ahead and keep on doing it. Just don't brag about it to me.
What is a better method to the sport?
Fishing with live bait vs. Fishing with artificial lures
I answer this question by defining the word "fishing". (This is probably not Webster's definition, but it works for me.) By doing this, we will determine that one of the above options is not even sport.
Fishing is the act of using a bait and specific actions to cause a reaction by a fish to make it bite. Sometimes this is just a reaction, and the fish bites out of curiosity. Sometimes the bait imitates a food item that causes the fish to naturally want to eat it. However, it is still artificial, so you are providing the fish a sporting chance to make the distinction.
When using live bait, this definition does allow the act to be defined as "fishing". Let's examine what live bait is doing. You throw a worm, minnow, or crawfish out into the water and wait for a fish to come. First of all, you are using something that the fish would naturally eat that carries the natural scent, flavor, and action. Where is the sport in that? Also, the bait is doing all of the work. You are not doing anything with the rod to create a certain appeal or action. Where is the skill/sport in that?
If it is not "fishing", then what is it?
By examining these aspects of live bait, I have determined that using live bait to gather fish is not "fishing". It is "trapping". For this, we will refer to Mr. Webster. He allows two definitions. Using live bait works for both.
Trapping
1.) to catch or hold as if in a net
(The "net" is the tractor beam coming off of an irresistable piece of food. The fish with no will-power does not stand a chance.)
2.) to take physical control or possession of something suddenly or forcibly
(By using something that does not allow the prey to have a choice to determine if something is real or not, the so-called fisherman is using force.)
Do not criticize me for using Webster's with one and not the other. It is my blog, and I can do that. If you are criticizing that effort, then you should probably keep reading. You are probably the one that has something to learn.
When is live bait okay?
I know what you are saying - "Stephen, you are being ridiculous in your interpretations. It is just fishing. What is the big deal?"
Don't get me wrong. I am not saying that live bait does not have its place. If you are fishing for food, you should absolutely use whatever you want to get the fish to bite. If you are fishing for sport, fun, or for the satisfaction of knowing that you outsmarted the fish, then live bait is out of the question.
I will never criticize someone for using live bait to catch food unless they are bragging about their catch, or unless they are trying for largemouth bass. Largemouth bass (in my opinion) should not be kept except in managed ponds and lakes due to their low reproduction rates. If they are not being kept for food, then live bait should not be used. Also, these bass are agressive eaters. They often swallow live bait before the hook can be set because of the human delay with a bobber. The hook then causes major damage to the fish. This often causes them not to survive. This can happen on occasion with artificial baits, but it is less likely to happen because of the timing in the hookset.
If you prefer to still go to the lake, river, or pond and not challenge your skillset and trick innocent fish into eating prey while you hide a hook in it, then go right ahead and keep on doing it. Just don't brag about it to me.
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