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SPECIAL FEATURE INSIDE: Warmwater Fishing in Pennsylvania Pennsylvania 800 JUNE 1984 HOTTEST NEW BASS TIPS FOR HOME WATERS page 4 FOOL YOUR FIRST MUSKY page 24 The Keystone t \ Official Fishing inciting Magazine For someone outside of government, the system of laws, regulations and policies is no doubt confusing. The General Assembly has entrusted the Pennsylvania Fish Commission with broad authority to regulate fishing and boating in Pennsylvania, and of course, our regulatory authority extends to reptiles, amphibians and other aquatic organisms. Most of our public is familiar with seasons, sizes, creel limits, and the various rules that boaters follow. These are all regulations, and violations of such regulations are criminal offenses. The 10-member Pennsylvania Fish Commission considers proposed regulations at public meetings and from there they move authorization of publication as notices of proposed rulemaking. More comments are taken from the public, and presuming no substantive changes are made, the proposal is usually finally adopted at a subsequent Commission meeting. This process is orderly and the public input is sought quite often before we even propose such regulations. Frequently these regulations result from suggestions from the public. The eight- member Boating Advisory Board is a great source of ideas and input, and we get similar advice from the Herpetological Advisory Committee. However, there are some people who believe that we should regulate by petition. Just the other day we received one with a great number of signatures, and all that was at the top of the page on which they all signed their names was, "We the undersigned believe that the change should be made as submitted." How do they know that whatever they signed is going to be attached to what they think it is to accompany? We have had a lot of experience with petitions, and speaking in all frankness, it would appear that a great number of these have been signed in a grocery store, a drugstore or at a bar, where under certain circumstances, rather than cause a scene, many people would be willing to sign anything. We have had a number of petitions analyzed and found that there were false addresses given; we have found such names as Richard M. Nixon, W.C. Fields, and Mickey Mouse, and indeed some of our own names signed on such documents. 1 have a feeling a lot of people who have signed these things are deadly serious and very sincere and we should not denigrate their efforts. We recognize that petitions are necessary for filing for elective office and each signature on those is very thoroughly investigated. There is also another method used by some to try to influence the adoption or rejection of proposed regulations. One of these occurred recently when the Commissioners were about to take a final vote on the prohibition of sacking contests and free handling at rattlesnake hunts. In an effort to influence the vote, members of one club were able to get landowners on about 10 miles of a stream to post their property the day after preseason trout stocking to be re-opened to the public only if the Commission made things come out "their" way. That has to be considered blackmail, and those who took part will find that there is a law by which they shall be civilly liable to the Commission for the value of the fish falsely procured and shall not be eligible in the future to receive fish from the Commission. It is a shame some think that they can get their way in this manner. There is an excellent system for getting ideas put into regulations. We prefer to stick with that system and hope that our public will, too. <=32L£E^ ad- O^u^ Pennsylvania JUNE 1984 VOL. 53 NO. 6 ANGLER Official Publication of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission 4 20 Bass Fishing Tips by Nick Sisley Use this heads-up advice on the latest hot tactics to increase your catches. 9 Try a Shore Lunch by Carole Webeck Miller All in favor of a delicious way to enjoy your catch say Mmmmmmmm! 10 Carp Fishing Tricks by Lefty Kreh Pound for pound, carp fight just like the biggest bass. Here are hints on how the experts hook up with the hawgs. 13 Special Feature: Warmwater Fishing in Pennsylvania 15 Dabbling for Muskies by D. Corky Cramer These tactics with a jig can let you enjoy fast action. 17 County Features—Crawford, Lawrence, and Mercer Counties by Darl Black These western Pennsylvania counties feature a diversified fishery. Straight Talk 2 Anglers Currents 23 Anglers Notebook 23 The Law and You 24 The Cover This month's front cover, photographed by Nick Sisley, shows a bass fisherman who used the latest successful tactics for Pennsylvania waterways. Be sure to add the article on page 4 to your bass fishing know-how. And for a lot more lowdown on warmwater fishing, check out this month's special feature, Warmwater Fishing in Staff Pennsylvania. EDITOR/Art Michaels GRAPHICS/Ted Walke PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION BOATING ADVISORY PHOTOGRAPHER/ Russ Gettig BOARD CIRCULATION/Eleanor Mutch J. Wayne Yorks, President STAFF ASSISTANT/Jayne Povleski Benton Ross J. Huhn, Vice President Clayton Buchanan, Chairman Saltsburg Pittsburgh Marilyn Black Calvin .1. Kern Nicholas Apfl POSTMASTER: Send 3579 forms to Pennsylvania Fish Meadville Whitehall Fairless Hills Commission, P.O. Box 167.1, Harrisburg, PA 17105- Walter F. Gibbs Robert L. Martin 1*73. Pennsylvania Angler (1SSN003I-434X). ©1984 is Charles Chattaway Titusville Bellefonte Monongahela published monthly. Second class postage paid at Harris Leonard A. Green Theodore T. Metzger, burg. PA. Subscription rates: one year, $5; three years, Sherwood Krum $14; single copies are 80c each. For subscription and Carlisle Johnstown Hawley change of address, contact Angler Circulation. Penn Jerome E. Southerton Leon Lyon sylvania Fish Commission. P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, Honesdale Bellefonte PA 17105-1673. Address all other correspondence to: The Fditor, Pennsylvania Angler. P.O. Box 1673. Har risburg, PA 17105-1673. : ••••• •'•;- -l •0 # . v-«r. N r" ".>- <: • -, Here are some of the newest success ideas for successful bass action. Ik Fishing Tips / AW by Nick Sisley photos by the author hile bass season now remains open year- round on Pennsylvania's rivers and streams and on lakes Wallenpaupack, Raystown, and Kinzua. the remaining lakes, reservoirs, and ponds in the state are closed to bass fishing from April 14 mto June 16. When the regular season opens June 16, the how-to of catching largemouth (smallmouth, too) is quite different than it might have been from late April through early June. Here are tips that can help you increase your bass catches during the first few days and weeks after the regular bass season opens. Before opening day make a concerted attempt to secure permission to fish for bass at a private pond. While the opening day of bass season may not draw nas many anglers to Commonwealth waters as the opening day of trout season, each year more sportsmen are turning on to bass fishing. Consequently, fishing some public waters can mean crowded launch ramps and not as much casting room as you might have expected. Many Pennsylvania lakes are noted for their clear bottoms and lack of cover. Still, most such lakes do hold a largemouth population. Try to locate as much Bminimal cover as possible, preferably before the season. The fish, though they frequent such cover, may not actually be in the structure. If they're feeding, the bass may be in even shallower water, perhaps between the cover and the shoreline. Try probing these areas with appropriate lures. Because many bass will be shallow, especially those actively feeding (and thus usually easier to catch), expect fish in "skinny" water to be spooky. Lean Btoward lighter lures, lighter lines, and soft touchdowns, and keep the boat and your casting motions as far away from the payoff zone as possible. 1^ I June 1984 fess love lily pads, and the early part of the regular of 8-inch to 10-inch bass. He thinks 1984 and 1985 are sason is no exception. If you fish a lake where lily going to be banner smallmouth years at Kinzua. One of ads are prevalent, try fishing a live minnow his favorite lures is the topwater Devil's Horse, fished Osuspended below a bobber. Cast so the minnow can swim around the flats in the back of some Kinzua bays. Stick right at the edge of the lily pad patch. baits and other topwaters with props are also very good, The majority of the state's bass will be finished but don't forget the Zara Spook in this same situation. spawning by opening day. However, to ensure top- P^^PTn|Another top smallmouth bait at Kinzua will be quality future fishing in your favorite waters, •the smoke-colored grub fished on a '/8-ounce or Bcarefully release any bass you catch if you suspect the fish JlJ^JUrounce jig. Galida recommends casting visible came off a spawning bed. Never take home more than you structure at Kinzua, like stumps (I bet this tip will work can use, even if that means keeping less than the limit. on numerous other Pennsylvania waters, too). Keep the Learn how to fish a jigging spoon. The technique is boat as far back from the target area as possible. Opt for to drop the spoon over the side of the boat until it light lines, soft rods, and Polaroid glasses to make it easier reaches the cover below, whether that cover is a to spot the underwater structure you're seeking. 0dropoff, shelf, cut bank, weed bed, or whatever.