Florida Fish Busters April 2006 THE BASSMASTER CLASSICWERE ALL WINNERS By: Bob Wattendorf, Division of Freshwater

Fisheries Management, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission The 2006 Bassmaster Classic played out in real time on ESPNs networks and thrilled nearly 22,000 fans attending the live weigh-ins at the Orange County Convention Center. In this 36th Classic, the worlds best tournament bass anglers broke record after record. Preston Clark, of Florida, claimed the record for the heaviest bass with an 11-pound, 10-ounce lunker that eclipsed a 30-year-old record of 8 pounds and 9 ounces, and several other fish broke the record as well during the three-day tournament. The heaviest single day creel of 29 pounds and 6 ounces was set the first day by Luke Clausen. His five-bass limit set the all-time record for the Classic, even exceeding the best previous seven-bass limit. He went on to win the $500,000 grand prize with a recordbreaking three-day haul of 56 pounds and 2 ounces. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) was a proud participant in the Classic working behind the scenes to help ensure the best possible survival of the bass after the weigh-in. To begin with, the tournament was permitted under Florida Administrative Code (68A-9.002), which sets the framework for issuing permits for black bass tournaments. Any club or organization that complies with the requirements of the rule can apply for these permits at MyFWC.com/permits. The permit requires compliance with strict handling guidelines in an effort to release 100 percent of caught fish alive. In return, the permit allowed tournament anglers to temporarily keep more than one bass over 22 inches in total length. Without the permit, both tournament and non-tournament anglers may each legally harvest and remove five bass daily, but only one can be over 22 inches in total length each day. Although tournaments like the Bassmaster Classic, and even local club tournaments, can be controversial, they help to generate a great deal of attention and interest in recreational fishing. The number of spectators attending the Classic and viewing live coverage of the event on

ESPN's networks bear this out. Over three days and five telecasts -- including live on-the-water coverage and each day's weigh-in more than 9.5 million viewers tuned in. From our perspective, recruiting new anglers that care about our fisheries resources, invest in the future of fishing and learn early the value of catch-and-release (a concept that was stimulated by the prevalence of fishing clubs and tournaments) is an important benefit of the Classic. Based on research findings (e.g., M.S. Allen et al. 2004. Simulated Aspects of TournamentAssociated Mortality on Largemouth Bass Fisheries. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 24:1252-1261) a measurable negative impact would not be anticipated from this type of tournament on fish populations of the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. This has been the consistent conclusion of Floridas fisheries researchers, since FWC fisheries biologists first published their findings on tournament impacts in 1983. Subsequently, in the 1990s, another FWC project evaluated tournament practices and helped anglers and event organizers enhance their live release skills. Research from universities, our own biologists and biologists in other states has consistently indicated that bass tournaments do not disproportionately impact bass populations. Creel surveys on Lake Tohopekaliga in fall 2005 showed 16,171 bass caught at a rate of 0.52 bass/hour. Of those, 13,750 (85%t) were caught by non-tournament anglers (who may keep up to 5 bass/day). Both groups reported an identical catch rate of 0.52 bass/hour. In Lake Kissimmee, 23,081 bass were caught (0.64 bass/hour), with 13,774 (60%) by non-tournament anglers at a rate of 0.51 bass/hour. These catch rates are more than double what is considered to be a good average catch rate, indicating the system is still producing a healthy fishery. The FWC will continue to monitor and evaluate the actual impacts of tournaments, the very-limited commercial freshwater fishing that exists and recreational anglers to create appropriate rules to manage bass populations for their long-term well-being and for the benefit of people. With 51 anglers participating the first two days of the Classic, 25 anglers the third day and a five-fish per day bag limit, the maximum number of bass that could be brought to the weigh in was 635 bass from an area of 77,000 acres, or at most 1 bass per 300 acres/day. The actual number weighed in for the entire three-day tournament was 595. Even if all perished that would not be enough to impact the fish population, especially in comparison to the normal nontournament angler harvest. FWC biologists supervised the weigh-in and reported an initial mortality of 5, 1 and 2 bass during the first three days. Realistically, however, our research on other tournaments held during January or February in Florida, using live cage studies to evaluate delayed mortality, have indicated 0-2 percent die subsequently. Using the higher figure (595 x .02) and adding in the known initial mortality indicates approximately 20 fish died following three days of tournament fishing. Florida tournaments during warmer months, although less likely to impact spawning, can result in delayed mortalities of up to 16 percent (the highest documented by our studies during a three-year investigation). Consequently, cool weather tournaments are preferable. Bass in the Kissimmee chain began spawning in January and typically spawn during at least a three-month period. Both gravid and spent females were observed during the tournament. It is possible that some were displaced and failed to spawn, but again in the big picture, the impact is negligible. Fry production is not a limiting factor in these lakes. A single pair of spawning bass

typically produces about 40,000 eggs at a time, and a female can spawn multiple times per year for 10 or more years. Survival to the fry stage is commonly less than half of that (20,000) and significantly less than one percent of those survive in the wild to become juveniles (200). The critical factor isn't the number of eggs but the habitat conditions that enable fry to survive the first year, and hopefully recruit into the fishery and begin spawning the next year. Remember, to maintain a population each adult fish only needs to replace itself once. By the way, multiple release sites were used in lakes Tohopekaliga, Kissimmee and Cypress that were evaluated by our biologists as having suitable conditions with most released along the eastern shore where the majority of fish were caught. The Kissimmee Chain of Lakes has been dramatically altered by water control structures and schedules to prevent flooding and ensure adequate water supplies for irrigation and drinking. Those effects along with impacts from pollution, non-native vegetation and subsequent control efforts severely impacted fishing quality in the early 1970s. At that time, an innovative habitat enhancement tool was pioneered on these lakes by Commission fisheries biologists that included drawing the lakes down to expose the bottom and simulate a more natural cycle of droughts and wet years, allowing the lake to purge itself. Subsequent refinements of the drawdown technique that help remove accumulated muck, exposing sand substrates which are more suitable for bass, bream and crappie spawning along with new regulations have helped these fisheries flourish. The string of Classic records that were broken this February attest to the success of these FWC conservation efforts. In conclusion, we strongly believe the benefits of tournaments include making people aware of the importance of maintaining quality habitat and quality fisheries and that these benefits far exceed the negatives related to fish mortality or spawning disruption.

The first 3,000 anglers to buy a five-year freshwater fishing license between now and the end of April will receive a package of free fishing equipment in the mail automatically. The license costs $61.50, and anglers can check MyFWC.com/Fishing to find out if the offer is still in effect and to find up-to-date fishing sites and forecast information. Shakespeare, Berkley, Central Florida Visitors Bureau, and Legend Labs are among sponsors providing a free soft-side tackle box, Gulp baits, hooks, bait saver and even a fishing towel. All license sales directly support fish and wildlife conservation in Florida and help recover federal excise taxes that anglers and boaters have paid into the system for use in Florida on Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration projects. Also, free freshwater fishing weekend is April 1-2. It exempts residents and nonresidents from freshwater fishing license requirements for those two days. All other rules apply, and the exemption does not extend to saltwater fishing. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says the free weekend is a great chance to take a buddy whos been wanting to give it a try or for parents who havent bought a license yet to take their children fishing for the first time. Submitted by: Bob Wattendorf, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Bob.Wattendorf@MyFWC.com