The Official BASS Size Report Thread

[roadwarriorsvt]

Thanks to CA_Bass for keeping some of the fish from his husband/wife tourney today. Here is some of what they caught:

WEIGHT----------LENGTH

3lbs. 10oz----------19"
2lbs. 7 oz.----------16 1/4"
1lbs. 13oz.---------15 1/4"
2lbs. 4 oz.----------16 1/4"
1lbs. 0oz.-----------10"
0lbs. 9oz.-----------10"

As for me, I snuck in an hours or so of fishing myself. My first 4 bass were sportsmen release right at the boat. Finally landed the last two before I left.

0lbs. 13oz.---------11"
0lbs. 13 oz.--------11"

And no, they were not the same fish!

[roadwarriorsvt]

Now according to the reference chart, all of these fish meet or exceed the average weight to length ratio, EXCEPT the 19" bass, it was underweight by 4 oz.

That was a trend I detected when compiling Stan's records. Almost all the larger fish, say 17" and longer, were underweight.

[Ca_Bass]

Just going off of my memory, but almost all my bass that I can remember catching at Wilson that were over the 17" mark were a little skinny. There were only two that I can recall that were long and fat one I caught in October 2010 she was 19" and about 4.5lbs...the other one I didn't actually get in the boat, she jumped(nice and high) and my lure came flying out , she was a solid 5.5lbs maybe 6 that was in 2006. The 19" from today didn't look malnourished or anything.

Maybe we could get a recommendation from the biologist you are working with to get some Florida bass in here. Maybe if the DLNR hears it from a reputable source they could be swayed. All I can say is 23" long 24" around 19.4lbs...they could put a dent in the red devils. As far as I know, the Florida bass are actually less aggressive, they just get older and grow faster. And they spawn with northern bass.

Time to go order my steez...Those top 3 bass were mine.

[roadwarriorsvt]

As much as I'd like some FL strain LMB, its against the law to import ANY type of bass into the state. I doubt any amount of effort/money would be spent to change the law just because we want bigger bass...

[roadwarriorsvt]

If anyone goes fishing this weekend, I'd really appreciate if you could record the bass' length and weight. Today's figures look a little more promising that what Stans records show in years past. Maybe the LMB are making a comeback!

[fish4fun]

I imagine tilapia and medakas would be good forage,And probably easy to raise, to supplement the lake. Maybe a Shad program as well.
Add a seasonal slot of 2 fish per person of 12-16" PBs,which could be closed based on catch by the dlnr and we might start seeing more big fish.
That might be a good start.

[Stan Wright]

The Talapia are easy to raise and make a great forage fish. We're all going to have to show up at the HFFA meeting this month. Check on what the hatchery is doing with the bluegill too.

Sounds like all our ideas might need some financial help....... Might be time to start figuring a way to add some money to help raise some forage fish.

[djverve05]

I believe stocking more bluegills, and crawfish would help the LMB out. The Tucs seem pretty good, but some of the LMB do seem kind of skinny.

[fish4fun]

Maybe another run at the Florida strain and the larger type of Tucs also?

[roadwarriorsvt]

If you try and bring in FL strain or a different species of Tuc, they will get confiscated by DAG. You couldn't even get a permit that you'll need from DLNR. Already checked all those requirements.

[Stan Wright]

I'm all for more bluegill...

[roadwarriorsvt]

I'm all for more bluegill...

I've already been reading up on "cage culture"....

[Ca_Bass]

What about a larger species of shad? I think that might give a good boost, don't know if the water has enough nutrients to support them though.

[roadwarriorsvt]

WEIGHT-----------LENGTH

1 lb.--------------12"
1 lb. 1oz.--------13"
1 lb. 13oz.-------15"
1 lb. 15oz.-------15"
------12oz.-------12"
------8oz.--------10"

[fisher dude]

I caught two bass one 18.5 and 20 inches both very healthy sorry no scale. I know couple years ago would rarely catch one if one did come up it was kind of rare for me and they all would have sucked in stomachs and just dragged them in no fight! Now days didn't catch any sick looking ones all healthy.