TrophyCatch Florida

TrophyCatch Florida

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
Largemouth bass are widely regarded as the premier freshwater sport fish in North America and the Florida largemouth bass grows to larger sizes and is a more challenging catch than any other black bass species. In Florida, biologists initiated protective measures to benefit the largemouth bass populations through a variety of programs focusing on anglers' fishing practices to enhance current efforts of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. TrophyCatch Florida, a state conservation program, is gaining major traction for its catch-and-release, incentive-based rewards program aimed at protecting largemouth bass populations.

The Florida TrophyCatch program is rewarding anglers for catching, documenting and releasing largemouth bass heavier than eight pounds. In just one month -- March 2015, the program had 397 approved submissions including eight Hall-of-Fame qualifying bass over 13 pounds! Anglers received prizes that month valued at more than $60,000 from TrophyCatch partners.

KP Clements of TrophyCatch Florida says the program collects valid information through citizen-science about bass to help the FWC better enhance, conserve and promote sustainable bass fishing. Additionally, the state-run rewards program may help excite anglers about freshwater fishing, which will encourage them to purchase licenses and fish more often. This could result in benefits to anglers, fishing-related businesses, local communities and the fisheries by having more support and funding for conservation.

"This program would encourage anglers to catch-and-release the biggest, oldest and most valuable bass," said Clements. "And with TrophyCatch Florida up and running, we can share information about fishing opportunities, point out popular fishing destinations and create a community that'll make fishing more enjoyable."

Additional comments:

• Every new registrant on TrophyCatch Florida has a chance to win a Phoenix 619 Pro Bass Boat powered by Mercury Marine anchored by Power-Pole and Navionics enabled charting system.

• Anglers can share their catches on the web and report their releases to gain 10 additional opportunities to for the boat drawing, with each verified catch.

• The program has a wide variety of prizes that start with at least $100 in gift cards from Bass Pro Shops, a Bass King Shirt, SpiderWire™ and prizes continue to increase including a free fiberglass replica as the size of the bass grows over 13 lbs.

• Registered anglers can help state conservation biologists to record data and supplement bass fisheries

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