“These results suggest bed fishing may not cause population level declines in reproductive success or number of fall recruits.”

Assessing Population Level Impacts of Catch-and-Release Angling on Reproductive Success and Recruitment in Florida Bass Micropterus floridanus

John Hargrove , Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Nick Trippel , Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Eustis, FL  Mike Allen , Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
James D. Austin , Wildlife Ecology & Conservation, Assistant Professor – University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Black basses (Micropterus spp.) are the most popular recreational freshwater sport fish in North America. Although the majority of captured bass are released alive, studies have identified negative consequences associated with catch-and-release angling.    In particular, fishing that targets bass as they defend their spawning nests (bed fishing) has been shown to negatively impact reproductive success as a result of brood loss due to nest predation. Our study evaluated the impacts of catch-and-release angling on fall recruitment and reproductive success in Florida bass (Micropterus floridanus). Eighteen replicate populations were established to mimic local Florida lakes, and in ten ponds nest guarding adult bass were targeted using conventional fishing tackle. Nine months after establishment, all ponds were drained, recruits were enumerated, and fin clips were collected for parentage analysis. Greater number of nests were detected in unfished ponds, however no significant differences were observed in the number of recruits across treatments. Reproductive success was similar in both fished and unfished populations with most fish contributing few offspring. Contributions were detected for both males and female fish angled from their nests. Combined these results suggest bed fishing may not cause population level declines in reproductive success or number of fall recruits.

TBF Anglers Win BFL All-American
Richardson tops boaters, Burgess paces co-angler field

A pair of anglers representing The Bass Federation claimed top honors and $170,000 at the prestigious Walmart Bass Fishing League All-American over the weekend at Kentucky Lake.

TBF member Curtis Richardson, of Belleville, Ontario, won the boater division, while fellow Federation member Bob Burgess, of Charleston, West Virginia, topped the co-angler ranks. Held June 18-20 out of Paris Landing, the event pitted the top 49 boaters and top 49 co-anglers from across the 24-division BFL circuit.

Photo courtesy of FLW

Richardson, 31, earned his trip to the BFL All-American through the 2015 TBF National Championship in April on Grand Lake Oklahoma, where he finished fifth overall and first among boaters in the Eastern Division.

“I’m absolutely speechless,” Richardson said after holding off hard-charging rivals Jeremy Lawyer and Billy Schroeder for the victory. “This win means a lot for my family and I, and my fishing career. I’m still trying to take it all in.”

Richardson weighed 15 bass for a 66-pound, 5-ounce total. He collected $120,000 in prize money for his efforts, plus the chance to fish for $500,000 as a pro in the 2015 Forrest Wood Cup on Lake Ouachita in August.

Richardson relied heavily on magnum spoons, which he fished on bars, ledges and shell beds near New Johnsonville, Tennessee, and also threw a drop-shot rig on day three to fill out his limit.

Burgess, a TBF member since 1985, qualified through the 2015 TBF National Championship from the Mid-Atlantic Division.

Photo courtesy of FLW

“Put me around fish and I can catch them,” the 66-year-old, longtime tournament competitor quipped after the weigh-in. He was also quick to credit his partners for much of his success. “I was fortunate enough to get paired with three of the best fishermen in this thing, and that made the biggest difference for me,” he said. “They were all on good fish and finished second, third and fourth.”

Throughout the event he mainly fished a homemade bucktail jig in a stop-and-go fashion, though he did score a 4-pound bass on a 10-inch swimbait on day three. In all, he sacked 13 bass weighing a total of 52 pounds, 6 ounces, including a monstrous day-three limit that tipped the scale at 24 pounds—and earned $50,000 plus a co-angler berth in the Forrest Wood Cup.

Burgess also thanked TBF for giving him the chance to fish the BFL All-American. “It’s a great organization that gives grassroots anglers the opportunity to fish events they otherwise couldn’t,” he said.

For more information about state federation memberships and all TBF tournaments and programs, visit www.BassFederation.com or call 580.765.9031.

About The Bass Federation
The Bass Federation Inc. (TBF) is the oldest and largest organized grassroots fishing, youth and conservation organization in North America. TBF is 100 percent member owned and a proud member of the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame. TBF affiliated federations and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 fishing, youth and conservation events annually. Serving the fishing industry for more than 45 years, “TBF is owned by those we serve and dedicated to the sport of fishing” and proud “Partners In Fishing” with FLW.

Southern Divisional Ends on High Note

Joshua Queen of Lincolnton, NC was the most consistent during the three day, Southern Divisional at Norman this week. He was rewarded for his efforts, with a spot in the upcoming TBF Federation National Championship next spring. His limits consisted of 13.10 pounds, 12.15 pounds and 13.00 pounds for a total of 39.09 pounds. Not only was he crowned the overall champion, he also took home the Ranger Cup bonus money of $1000 as well. There were a lot of fish caught today with a total of 48 limits weighed in on the last day.

By far, the most popular baits this week were a shakey head and a jig, which were pitched, hopped and skipped around the numerous boat docks on Lake Norman. Most fishermen said they could catch a few fish each morning on a topwater bait, but when the sun came out and it got above 90 each day, the fish would relocate to the shade of the docks. A spinnerbait and a square bill crankbait also caught a lot of fish each day.

North Carolina won the state team competition edging out South Carolina for the title. Defending state champion, Team captain and President of Alabama, John Hall made the presentation, of the rotating trophy, to Phillip Sain, the North Carolina President.

There were also fourteen anglers who qualified to move on to the Federation National Championship next spring. The top two anglers from each of the seven participating states were awarded the championship invitations.

AL:Justin Marbut – Michael S. Luster

FL: Wayne Black – Glenn Bush

GA: Steve Barber – Adam Wood

KY: Steven Taylor – Brian Hickey

NC: Joshua Queen – Brian Fritts

SC: Nelson Walker – Tommy Lindler

TN: Brandon Perkins – Dale Presley

A special thanks to the many volunteers and workers that helped this week. It all went very smoothly because of your efforts. Thanks to North Carolina President, Phillip Sain and his club for hosting the 2015 event. Visit Lake Norman and Visit Charlotte & Mecklenburg County Parks & Recreation were also great host and sponsors of the TBF Southern Divisional. Thank to everybody that contributed.

For a complete list of daily results, state team results and top qualifiers from each state, click on the links at the bottom of this page.

Day 3 Big Bass went to Richard Phillips / Alabama with a Lunker tipping the scales at 6-02.

View Final Day Results

View Pictures of Final Day