Catch Confirms Trophy Bass Await Florida Anglers

Here’s a “fish of a lifetime” certainly worthy of mention.

FWC’s Tom Champeau was fishing with Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris (right) and NASCAR champion Tony Stewart (left) when he caught this 11-pound, 8-ounce largemouth bass.

Capt. Mike Tipton was guiding them on the upper St. Johns River near Three Forks Conservation Area when the big fish struck.

“Catching and releasing a trophy bass while fishing with the founder of our major sponsor was an incredible experience,” said Champeau. “The only way I could have scripted it better would be for either Johnny or Tony to catch her.”

Bass Pro Shops is a major partner for Florida’s new TrophyCatch program.

Champeau’s catch will be entered. But as an FWC employee, he is not eligible for any rewards other than a handsome certificate commemorating his catch.

“Catching a bass of a lifetime, with Johnny Morris and a racing legend like Tony Stewart, was the best reward I could ever ask for,” said Champeau.

Check Out Florida's Overlooked Fisheries

Long and lean largemouth sampled at Merritt's Mill Pond. FWC photo.

(The good folks at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission provide the following information about some of the state's smaller and lesser known bass waters --- waters well worth exploring.) 

By Bob Wattendorf, Drew Dutterer and Bill Pouder

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) works hard to maintain our status as the “Fishing Capital of the World” by actively managing fishery resources to foster the best fishing opportunities possible.

For obvious reasons, the FWC focuses a large amount of effort on big, marquee water bodies, such as the Kissimee Chain of Lakes or Lake Okeechobee, that are widely known and heavily utilized by anglers. But, we don’t overlook smaller water bodies that have great fishing potential, and neither should you. In many instances, smaller lakes may have fisheries that parallel or exceed those of big lakes when it comes to catch rates and size structure of fish. Just check out some of the recent results on TrophyCatchFlorida.com for proof.

Small lakes offer an alternative experience, accomodate smaller boats and are less crowded. Here, we offer a sampling of five smaller, public lakes around the state (one from each FWC management region) that might be flying a bit under the radar but are well worth exploring with rod and reel.

Lake Gibson – Southwest Region

Location: Polk County (just north of Interstate 4 and Lakeland)

Surface area: 480 acres

Lake Gibson touts a productive bass fishery, which has been hot lately for anglers in the Lakeland area. Recent monitoring suggests the bass fishery excels in terms of both the number and size of bass. This has been evident through FWC’s current angler survey; anglers are reporting an average catch of one bass per hour, which is more than double the statewide average. Electrofishing surveys on Lake Gibson paint a similar picture. Sizes of these bass ranged from a few inches (a welcome sign of successful spawning) up to a respectable 9 pounds. Several bass over 8 pounds were tagged in the last year as part of an FWC study evaluating catch of trophy largemouth bass in Florida. A tagged bass (9.5 pounds) has already been caught and released by a local angler. Lake Gibson is also home to quality sunfish and catfish populations, offering an opportunity for a multispecies approach to fishing on smaller waters. Lake Gibson has a single, public boat ramp off Socrum Loop Road and Lake Gibson Drive.

Alligator Lake – North Central Region

Location: Columbia County (east of U.S. Highway 441 – inside city limits of Lake City)

Surface area: 300-800 acres

Fans of Alligator Lake have not had much to be excited about in recent years. As with many lakes in Florida’s North Central region, it has been plagued by low water issues during the last decade. However, now anglers have good reason to be optimistic, as Tropical Storm Debby refilled it last June. The FWC was quick to take advantage of the lake’s restored water levels by stocking redear sunfish and bluegill in September 2012, and a stocking of largemouth bass is planned for this spring. Despite persistent low water conditions, there were a handful of deep areas that held water throughout the drought. These holes likely sustained enough fish to renew the fishery, as fish will grow rapidly due to newly available habitat and resulting forage. In August 2012, Bernard Donnell Jr. provided compelling evidence that at least one bass not only survived but flourished: He caught a 17-pound, 1-ounce trophy bass from Alligator Lake. If rainfall keeps Alligator Lake full, look for this fishery to quickly re-establish itself as a winner.

Lake Baldwin – Northeast Region

Location: Orange County (just north of State Road 50 and the Orlando Executive Airport)

Surface area: 225 acres

Among the hubbub of sprawling Orlando, you’ll find that Orange County is peppered with scores of lakes. Some are more deserving of your attention than others, and Lake Baldwin is one you should try. There, bass anglers have been experiencing some of the highest catch rates in the area. Bass are averaging 2 pounds or less; however, high catch rates are great for developing an interest in bass fishing for younger anglers. FWC staff have planted eelgrass recently, and the city built two fishing piers. There is also bank fishing in Baldwin Park, but the best fishing is done by a boat. A public boat ramp is on the south shore, and boaters with motors greater than 10 horsepower have to abide by a “no wake” restriction.

Lake Osborne – South Region

Location: Palm Beach County (just west of Interstate 95 and Lake Worth)

Surface area: 356 acres

Amid canals and the urban backdrop of south Florida, Lake Osborne provides exceptional opportunities for freshwater fishing. Here, anglers can target a myriad of species (largemouth bass, sunshine bass, black crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish, and Mayan cichlids). Lake Osborne’s sunshine bass fishery is a favorite among locals and is a blast when the bite is on. Sunshine bass are hybrids (produced and stocked by FWC hatcheries) of striped bass and white bass and handle the warmer waters of Florida much better than their parents. Look for them in open-water portions of the lake or deep, constricted areas such as the 6th Avenue pass that can funnel migrating fish. A large stocking of hybrids last spring should have this fishery primed this spring. FWC installed nine fish attractors throughout the lake, which congregate other species. John Prince Park provides bank access, a fishing pier and a public boat ramp.

Merritt’s Mill Pond – Northwest Region

Location: Jackson County (east of Marianna and U.S. Highway 90)

Surface area: 202 acres

Merritt’s Mill Pond is a spring-filled impoundment characterized by crystal clear water and lots of submerged plants.  The pond is known for having produced Florida’s state record (4.86 pounds) redear sunfish in 1986. The redear fishery has subsided somewhat but still produces quality redear, plus bluegill and spotted sunfish. The water clarity that makes Merritt’s Mill Pond a scenic gem makes sport fish exceptionally shy, which can present challenges to anglers and biologists. Despite the challenge, biologists routinely collect quality bass, and sampling over recent years indicates an increasing average weight of bass. With three access points and lots of protection from wind, Merritt’s Mill Pond is a small-craft-friendly lake, and paddlers may have an advantage in catching more and bigger fish.

Big Bass Plentiful in Florida Waters According to Nosca List

Did you know that two largemouth bass weighing more than the current world record (22 pounds, 4 ounces) might have been caught in Florida years ago?

One of them reportedly weighed 24-12 and was taken in 1974 at Lake Toho, while the other reportedly weighed 23-2 and was captured “circa 1880” in Lake County “near Altoona.”

These are but two of the hefty bass included in Paul Nosca’s All-time Top-25 Biggest Florida Largemouth Bass. The list includes both bass that were certified and/or documented and those that were not. Those two potential record-breakers are among the latter.

To bass of 20 pounds or more are included on the list, with the smallest of the top 25 weighing 17-12.

With Florida just beginning its TrophyCatch program, this list provides a great reminder of the big bass swimming in the waters of the Sunshine State.

Florida's Black Bass Management Plan Shows Success

Lynn Ogle's Trophy Club bass from Lake Istokpoga. FWC photo.

One year in, the Florida’s Black Bass Management Plan “is moving forward and producing some remarkable results,” according to Bob Wattendorf of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

Among the more notable were a trophy tagging study and implementation of TrophyCatch, a program to promote catch and release of trophy bass.

“FWC biologists tagged 136 trophy largemouth bass greater than 8 pounds in Florida’s public waters,” Wattendorf said. Thus far, “results are very informative,” he added, “and will help guide trophy bass management planning in the future.”

TrophyCatch officially began Oct. 1. Fifteen days later, Corey Dolan began the first entrant with a 12.3-pound bass that he caught in released at Lake Talquin. The program includes three tiers --- Lunker, Trophy, and Hall of Fame --- to encourage reporting and live release of bass heavier than 8 pounds.

Another achievement was development of a technique to spawn bass out-of-season, so advanced fingerlings of 4 inches or more are ready to stock when more abundant prey are available. “Now FWC biologists are conducting a small-lake stocking study to determine survival of advanced-fingerling bass in 11 lakes throughout Florida,” Wattendorf said.

Accomplishments also included the following:

• Staff observed and provided guidance to three national tournament organizations, with bass survival of more than 95 percent. FWC issued more than 2,400 permits, allowing possession of bass outside the legal size limits, with requirement that all fish be released into the tournament water bodies. “FWC is strengthening partnerships with bass fishing organizations and local communities to encourage large tournaments to come to Florida and to enhance facilities,” Wattendorf said.
• FWC teamed with other agencies to restore and enhance recreational fisheries. For example, at Lake Okeechobee, the Water Regulation Schedule was changed to benefit lake ecology. At Lake Apopka, a multi-agency task force identified five projects to restore the bass fishery, as the Florida Legislature appropriated $4.8 million for restoration work.
• FWC developed a position statement for managing hydrilla using a risk-based approach, and now incorporates public input into management plans, as occurred at the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, as well as Istokpoga, Apopka, and Orange Lakes.

Goals of the plan include ensuring healthy lakes and rivers, strengthening local economies by documenting and increasing economic benefits derived from bass fishing, and attracting major bass tournaments, which have huge economics impacts and enhance Florida’s reputation as “Black Bass Fishing Capital of the World.”

(This article appeared originally in B.A.S.S. Times.)

Lake Talquin Lunker First Entry in TrophyCatch Program

Corey Dolan's 12.3-pound largemouth is the first entry in Florida's TrophyCatch Program.

On the first day Oct. 1, the first day of Florida’s new TrophyCatch program, Larry Campbell, of Fleming Island, caught an 11.25-pound, 26.5-inch-long bass while fishing in the St. Johns River with his younger brother, using live shrimp. They had caught and released several 4- to 7-pound bass before Larry broke the 10-pound barrier for the first time in his 20 years of fishing. They found where they could boast online about their catch and posted it on TrophyCatchFlorida.com, an FWC website that is hosted by the World Fishing Network (WFN).

But . . . here’s what happened next, according to Bob Wattendorf of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission:

If only Larry had read the rules first and taken photos of the bass on scales, with the weight showing, and on a tape measure with the length showing, he would have had the first entry into the new Trophy Bass Club. However, without appropriate photos to verify the weight and length for TrophyCatch, his fish was at least entered into the Big Catch Program.

“Thanks for the AWESOME Big Catch Certificate. I don't have any other pictures of the fish. I'll know next time,” he responded graciously. “Things are just starting to heat up here. Thanks for the awesome recognition program.”

On Oct. 9, Marcus Arrendondo caught a 29-inch-long, bass with a girth of 24 inches estimated at 14 pounds.

If only he had called FWC toll free at 1-855 FL TROPHY (855-358-7674) while he had the live fish in his possession, an FWC employee would have come out to examine the bass, ensure it was live-released and healthy, and weigh it on certified scales. If it exceeded 13 pounds, it would have been entered into the Hall of Fame. FWC would have provided a free fiberglass replica from New Wave Taxidermy, and a bundle of other prizes.

Got One …

Then, on Oct. 16, Corey Dolan of Tallahassee got one. He landed a 12.3-pound largemouth bass on Lake Talquin and released it to become the first entrant in the TrophyCatch program. Dolan started fishing at sunrise on his last day off before starting a new job and was rewarded when, around 1:30 in the afternoon, a huge bass struck his artificial worm. Dolan manipulated both rod and trolling motor to land the 27-inch-long bass.

Dolan found TrophyCatchFlorida.com on his smartphone and ultimately connected with the TrophyCatch hotline. FWC biologists arrived at Coe’s Landing an hour later to determine a certified weight of 12.3 pounds – just short of the Hall of Fame mark (13 pounds) but qualifying for the Trophy Club. Dolan will receive $100 in gift cards from sponsors such as Bass Pro Shops, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Rapala lures, plus a long-sleeve Trophy Club shirt from Bass King, and discounts from New Wave Taxidermy, FishPhotoReplicas.net and SportsmanOnCanvas.com.

KP Clements, the FWC’s TrophyCatch coordinator, said that as the first TrophyCatch angler, Dolan will also receive a special one-day pass to fish at the famed Bienville Plantation and is entered into drawings for other prizes.

Marcus Arrendondo's bass weighed an estimated 14 pounds, but he neglected to call FWC while the fish was in his possession.

TrophyCatch includes three tiers to encourage reporting and live-releasing bass heavier than 8 pounds that are caught in Florida waters. Bass 8 to 9.9 pounds (Lunker Club) or those 10 to 12.9 pounds (Trophy Club) that are caught, documented and released can be reported online at TrophyCatchFlorida.com any time of the year. All that is required to qualify for prizes is a photo of the fish on a scale with the weight visible, and one on a tape measure or ruler showing the length. Bass heavier than 13 pounds that are caught between Oct. 1 and April 30 each year must be checked by FWC staff to enter them into the Hall of Fame Club.

The angler who enters the biggest bass of the year into TrophyCatch will earn a Super Bowl-like ring, from the American Outdoors Fund. If it is caught in Osceola County, the Kissimmee Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) will award the angler $10,000. In addition, if the angler is on a guided fishing trip, the guide will receive $2,500 from the CVB.

“TrophyCatch will enable biologists to better manage freshwater fisheries by providing valuable incentives to anglers for reporting and releasing their catches of trophy bass,” said Tom Champeau, director of the FWC’s Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management. The information will be used to evaluate and improve management strategies that produce more and larger bass.

“It is important for anglers to read and understand all the rules and details about rewards, which may change during the year, since they are provided by various sponsors,” said Clements (see TrophyCatchFlorida.com). However, just for registering, an angler is entered into a drawing for a Phoenix bass boat, Mercury motor and trailer.

Celebrities such as Glen Lau, Shaw Grigsby, Peter Miller, Terry Segraves, Alan Zaremba and Th3Legends  – Bill Dance, Jimmy Houston and Roland Martin –  are speaking out for TrophyCatch along with ODU Magazine, the American Outdoor Foundation and Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation. They are on board because it is clear that catching, documenting and releasing trophy bass will provide local economic benefits to the community, promote tourism, provide vital data for conservation managers, and recycle these top-level predators for other anglers to enjoy catching.

To keep informed, you can “like” TrophyCatchFlorida on Facebook.