Huge Largemouth <b>Bass</b> Caught In Texas

Gary Sims of Gunter, Texas holds up ShareLunker 538.
Larry D. Hodge, © Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Gary Sims of Gunter, Texas, caught Toyota ShareLunker 538 from Lake Fork December 12. The bass weighed 15.02 pounds and was held for pickup at Oak Ridge Marina, an official Toyota ShareLunker weigh and holding station.

Examination revealed the fish was caught previously on March 13, 2011, by Ed Carter of Broken Bow, Oklahoma. At that time the fish weighed 14.25 pounds and was 22.25 inches in girth and 25 inches long and was Toyota ShareLunker 518. The fish is now 22 inches in girth and 25.25 inches long.

Sims was fishing for crappie with a double jig in 30 feet of water near the dam when the big bass bit. “She made several long runs, and at first I thought it was a catfish, because we had already caught several,” Sims said. “Finally she came up and I lipped her.”

Lake Fork has now produced 250 of the 538 entries into the ShareLunker program.

Genetic information on file shows the fish is an intergrade, or a cross between pure Florida largemouth and northern largemouth bass. Pure Floridas are held for spawning, while intergrades are returned to the lake as soon as possible. Fish caught on or after April 15 will be recorded and entered into the program but will not be transported to Athens for spawning. Experience shows that fish caught late in the season typically do not spawn in time for the offspring to be stocked before water temperatures rise beyond the optimum level for survival of the fingerlings.

Anyone legally catching a 13-pound or bigger largemouth bass from Texas waters, public or private, between October 1 and April 30 may submit the fish to the Toyota ShareLunker program by calling the ShareLunker hotline at (903) 681-0550 or paging (888) 784-0600 and leaving a phone number including area code. Fish will be picked up by TPWD personnel within 12 hours.

ShareLunker entries are used in a selective breeding program at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) in Athens. Some of the offspring from these fish are stocked back into the water body from which they were caught. Other ShareLunker offspring are stocked in public waters around the state in an attempt to increase the overall size and growth rate of largemouth bass in Texas.

Anglers entering fish into the Toyota ShareLunker program receive a free replica of their fish, a certificate and ShareLunker clothing and are recognized at a banquet at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens. All fish accepted into the program become official entries whether spawned or not, and anglers still receive all program prizes.

The person who catches the season’s largest entry will be named Angler of the Year and will receive a prize package from G. Loomis. If a Texas angler catches the largest entry of the season, that person also receives a lifetime fishing license.

For complete information and rules of the ShareLunker program, tips on caring for big bass, a list of official Toyota ShareLunker weigh and holding stations and a recap of last year’s season, see www.tpwd.state.tx.us/sharelunker. The site also includes a searchable database of all fish entered into the program along with pictures where available.

The Toyota ShareLunker Program is made possible by a grant to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation from Gulf States Toyota. Toyota is a long-time supporter of the Foundation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, providing major funding for a wide variety of education, fish, parks and wildlife projects.

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Lindner Inducted into <b>Freshwater Fishing</b> Hall of Fame

Bill Lindner has been inducted into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame as a Legendary Communicator for his significant and lasting contributions to angling. This award is the highest honor that can be bestowed on someone in the sportfishing community. Bill joins his father Ron, brother James and uncle Al as fellow inductees. With over 36 years behind the lens, Bill Lindner is an internationally recognized outdoor photographer in the fishing, hunting and food preparation arenas. Chances are you have witnessed Bill’s photographic work on the covers of national sportfishing magazines, in print ads, on tackle and marine television commercials, and on the Internet. Bill Lindner’s underwater fish strike scenes are legendary. His unique underwater and dramatic action images (both still and motion) have appeared on postcards and calendars, and brought to life numerous television shows, DVDs, videos and internet content.

A lifelong sportsman, Bill’s knowledge and passion for fishing and the outdoors is reflected in every image. He has won three major Canadian bass tournaments, was the 2004 Storm Angler of the Year, and is a longtime member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America with numerous “Best in Craft” photography awards. Bill, along with his wife Kay, have authored countless articles and have
published a cookbook entitled Recipes From Nature: Foraging through the Seasons.

Based in Minnesota, Bill’s assignments have taken him from the Canadian Wilderness to the jungles of South America as well as the South Pacific. Some of his magazine credits include Outdoor Life, Saltwater Sportsman, Field and Stream, In-Fisherman, and North American Fisherman.

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Casting for a winner

Courtesy photo Bernard Donnelly holds up his Hall of Fame Trophy Catch largemouth bass he caught in Columbia County. It's 13 inches long, weighs 17 pounds, one ounce. Anglers must tell Freshwater Fisheries coordinators where they caught their bass, details of the Ôhoney hole' will not released.

published: Wednesday, December 05, 2012

By CHRISTOPHER TUFFLEY

christopher.tuffley@newssun.com

SEBRING -- Florida anglers should prepare for a challenge, and they have their work cut for them.

According to sdfish.com, in 1932 George Perry landed the largest largemouth bass in the United States, while fishing in Georgia -- a 22-pound, 4-ounce monster. That record still stands.

Florida's record fish weighed 20 pounds, 1 ounce. Caught by Fritz Frielbel at Big Fish Lake in 1923, it stood as the country's record until Perry came along. It is still is the state's largest documented catch.

In October 2012, the Freshwater Fisheries division of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission initiated its Trophy Catch Program aiming to lure anglers onto the water. The program has several goals: To break Perry's record, promote Florida's bass fishing and tourism, encourage conservation through catch-and-release fishing, and exciting younger generations to take up the sport.

Trophy Catch also adds vital information about the largemouth bass itself.

"It's really neat program," said Bill Pouder, administrator of Freshwater Fisheries in the FWC southeast region. "It's basically a program with incentives to get anglers out looking for fish 8 pounds and over. Part of the Black Bass Management Plan, the goal is to ensure Florida is the undisputed 'Bass Fishing Capital in the World.'

"There is a biological component," Pouder added. "Traditional, standardized samples do not pull in the bigger fish. But big fish are a good sign of a healthy lake, showing the right balance of water quality and vegetation. With this program, we can track which lakes produce the best and most fish. That way we can better manage fisheries in the future."

The rules of the game are straightforward.

First and most important, Pouder said, "the program is strictly catch and release."

Pre-register at www.worldfishingnetwork.com/florida/trophy-catch. Scroll down to the clearly marked icons.

There is no registration fee. Get a fishing license, go out and start flipping. Submit entries and that's it.

Bass fall into one of three size tiers called clubs. The lunker club bass are from 8 to 9.99 pounds; the trophy club from 10 to 12.99 pounds; 13 pounds or greater belong in the Hall of Fame.

To document lunkers and trophy fish the bass must be photographed on a scale with the weight readable, and photographed on a measuring board or alongside a ruler. The entire fish must be visible. Lunkers and trophy fish may be caught year round.

Rules for the Hall of Fame are stricter. Their weight and size must be documented by the FWC, so must be held -- alive -- until a coordinator arrives with a certified scale. Call (855) 358-7674 and a coordinator will arrive as quickly as possible.

Submissions of bass over 13 pounds may only be made from Oct. 1 thorough April 31. That is because summer is a stressful time for the fish. Any bass submitted outside those dates will be treated as the smaller class.

Anglers receive incentives, which rise in value with the size of the fish. They range from gift cards to tackle and more. Pouder said as more business partners sign onto the program the prizes will change, or become even more generous.

Everyone pre-registered is eligible for an end-of-the-year grand prize drawing of a bass boat, motor and trailer. Because the program began in October, the drawing occurs in 2013.

The entire state is taking part in the Trophy Catch program. Bass from any Florida lake are eligible. The Highlands County Tourism Development Council provided a grant for advertising costs outside the county.

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Rhinelander entrepreneur leads USA ice <b>fishing</b> team

Hand drill 50 holes through 40 inches of ice as fast as you can, and what do you have? Besides intense chest pain, you also have a picture of The World Ice Fishing Championship (WIFC), in which Team U.S.A. will be competing Feb. 16-17 on the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir near Wausau.

"It is a very athletic event. It's all-out sprinting from hole to hole, as many as you can catch in three hours," said Brian Gaber, U.S.A. Ice Team Head Coach and Rhinelander resident. Only hand drills are allowed. "We are working with the International Freshwater Fishing Association to make it an Olympic sport."

To maintain speed, heavy Sorrels with liners give way to sponsor-donated Power Boots from Sweden that weigh less than two pounds each. Footwear isn't the only change made since the team first came together in 2009.

"The first year we competed, in Poland, it was like we landed on Mars. Our gear was too big, everything was wrong," Gaber said.

Team U.S.A. went from dead last in 2009 to taking home the gold in 2010 when the WIFC was held in Rhinelander. "Fishing on home ice is always an advantage," Gaber said. "But the team also has been making modifications. We've had to downsize everything It's been a trick to change the way we do things to do it well. Many of the people we compete with eat two-thirds of what they catch. These are the best finesse anglers in the world."

The typical American ice fishing pole is more than twice as long as a Palm Rod, what is used in Europe and Asia. Their jig is much smaller, too. They fish from their knees, six inches from the water, Gaber said. As soon as they set the hook, they throw the rod and pull the line in with their hands.

The competition for the few spots on the teams from Europe and Asia shows the popularity of the event: Russia and Poland had 100,000 people compete for a spot on each of their teams, according to Gaber. In the United States, 50 competed and 11 were selected. Members of Team U.S.A. are from states spanning South Dakota to New York.

"All ice belt people," Gaber said.

The team has an assistant coach, Jason Gruett, also from Rhinelander, and a delegate from Minneapolis who communicates with all the other teams. "He is fluent in multiple languages, and attends the international meetings held in Rome each year. In September, they approved the location for the WIFC in 2013-Wisconsin again. We had to bid on it, like the Olympics," Gaber said.

In 2011 it was hosted by Ukraine, and Kazakhstan in 2012. The U.S. team did not place those years, but has high hopes for this year. They will be facing teams from Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada, the Czech Republic, England, Estonia, Finland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Republic of Moldova, Russia, Sweden and Ukraine. The event is hosted by the U.S. Freshwater Fishing Federation along with the city of Wausau.

"There is fierce competition between the top teams-the Russians, the Poles and the Ukrainians-in part because of geopolitical conflicts between countries," Gaber said. "But there is also this camaraderie because of the common denominator. Last year the Russians gave us a bunch of their Palm Rods."

The competition is a two-day event in a fishing zone divided into five grids that are each the size of a football field. One person from each country/team fishes each grid.

Gabor utilizes the tools of his business, Outdoor Technologies, LLC, to get detailed information about the underwater habitat of the grids.

Started in 2002 with his wife Sheri, Outdoor Technologies, LLC, uses advanced geographic information systems (GIS) and sonar technologies to give a clear picture of what is under the water.

"The side image sonar unit sees the bottom of the lake as if the water is gone…you see everything: rocks, stumps, logs, fish and it digitizes all of it," Sheri said.

For the Big Eau Pleine, Sheri reviewed more than 20 gigabytes of logged sonar data to identify key cover and bottom types on the lake. All the information will contribute to the game plan development for Team U.S.A., Gaber said.

They also use the technology to set up the boundaries of where the competition will be, with a goal of making sure there are key structures in every grid. "After the boundaries of the zone are set, we gather data around the grid, not in it," Gaber said. The grids are closely guarded before competition.

"Once the competition starts, everyone mobs onto their grid at the same time. [In 2010] other teams sent their members where we were because [as the home team] we had the advantage," Gaber said. He considers their tactics when making decisions about strategy, but doesn't subscribe to it.

"We don't follow people around; we make data-based decisions. Our play book looks like an NFL Sunday game plan; nothing is left to chance."

Interested in trying out for the 2014 U.S.A. ice team?

An informational meeting and registration will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 7, at Holiday Acres. The USA Ice Team tryouts are similar to the international competition, a two-day event in a fishing zone divided into grids. There will be two open heats for anyone wanting to try out, starting Saturday, March 9. The 2014 team will be announced after the event concludes on Sunday afternoon. Team member names will also be broadcast from the team's USTREAM channel (http://www.usaiceteam.com/).

The 2014 competition will be in Belarus.

Follow the U.S.A. Ice Team on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/USA-Ice-Team/318429564835351

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Your Favorite Shows ?

LgMouthGambler LocationCoral Springs, Fl My PB:Between 7-8 lbs Favorite Bass:Largemouth Favorite Lake or River:Toho Posted December 21 2012 - 06:52 PM

Bass Master, Scott Martin Challenge, and River Monsters. I used to watch Fishing with Roland Martin, Orlando Wilson, and Bill Dance when I was younger. Used to get up real early on Saturday to watch them, then go try some of the stuff I saw on Sunday morning.
Work Hard, Fish Harder
Fish Shimano, Fish Longer
Keep A Happy Wife
And Fishing Wont Be A Barter <",)))><{

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Books: &quot;Smart Guide to <b>Freshwater Fishing</b>&quot;

Canton, NY, Dec 20, 2012 — Freezing temperatures late last week didn't deter avid angler Mike Seymour from heading out for muskies on the St. Lawrence River. Seymour has been a licensed fishing guide in the North Country for over 25 years, and is a prolific outdoor writer.

He's sharing some of his knowledge in a new book. The Smart Guide to Freshwater Fishing covers everything from fishing terms, to trolling to the best fishing times. Todd Moe spoke with Captain Mike about his new book, and love of fishing.

Seymour enjoys fishing because it allows him to get outdoors, in the midst of nature. He releases about 90% of the fish he catches.

This time of the year Seymour fishes for muskies out of Morrisville, Ogdensburg and Massena. “We fish as long as we can get a boat in,” Seymour said. He didn’t catch a musky last week, but his son did.

The first part of Seymour's book teaches the reader about fishing, with sections for getting started; what gear to get, techniques, what baits to use (both artificial and live), where, how and when to find fish, how to release fish, how to handle fish, how to prepare fish to eat, ethics, rules and safety, and more.

Following that are sections on both fly fishing and ice fishing, along with an information section on the 50 most popular freshwater species in North America. “The book actually has a North American perspective. So that was a challenge for me—to present something in the book that people all over the United States and Canada might find useful for them,” Seymour explained.

“Fishing is just something everyone can do at some level, whether they’re just sitting on a dock, or for the guy who has the big boat. It's just something for everybody, and it gets everybody outdoors. No matter what your skill levels are, everyone can fish.”

Mike Seymour will sign copies of "The Smart Guide to Freshwater Fishing" at the Brewer Bookstore in Canton, from 1 - 3 pm on Saturday.

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Fly <b>Fish</b> for <b>Bass</b> with the Temple Fork Outfitters Hawgleg

Most fly rods are not designed to target specific species. They're built to a length and line weight spec. These are considered "generalist rods" and it's up to the fishermen to determine what fish species a rod is best suited for. For instance, just about any freshwater trout guide will agree a 9-foot 5-weight is the most versatile trout rod in the world. However, understand the rod was not built as a "trout rod."

But here is a rod designed specifically for bass fishing: the Temple Fork Outfitters Hawgleg. This 7-foot, 11-inch rod is balanced nicely for throwing large bass-style baits like Chewy-Poppers, Mega-Whammies and Dahlberg Divers. I was impressed with how well this two-piece, 9/10 weight rod handles; whether spot-and-stalking bass in shallows while wading or flicking baits from a kayak. The rod's length managed itself politely from a float tube too.

The rod stores easily and the cork grip is top-notch. A machined aluminum reel seat anchored the reel tightly, and the blank had a plenty of backbone for leveraging large fish from the nasties.

MSRP: $149

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Cabela&#39;s Dangerous Hunts 2013 and Rapala Pro <b>Bass Fishing</b> Released for Wii U

Experience the best nature has to offer on both land and waterTaking full advantage of Nintendo's latest console, the Wii U versions of Cabela's Dangerous Hunts 2013 and Rapala Pro Bass Fishing are now available for $49.99 and $39.99 respectively, Activision Publishing announced. In Cabela's Dangerous Hunts 2013, you will encounter the world's fiercest predators in this brand new hunting experience. You must remain alert as the all-new, advanced Prowler AI system makes for harder and smarter animal targets that have the ability to form pack hierarchies, coordinate complex group tactics and take advantage of the surroundings to set up deadly ambushes. In the new multiplayer Maneater Mode, you can combine your TV screen and Wii Remote with the Wii U Gamepad and invite a friend to join you on your hunt as you face oncoming waves of deadly marauders.
Using the latest top-of-the-line fishing gear, in Rapala Pro Bass Fishing you will assemble a master combination of rods and tackle boxes to catch the biggest fish in legendary freshwater lake environments across North America. Gamers can pilot their boat, cast their lines, reel in each catch, and access their fishing gear directly off the Wii U display screen. You can go fishing with a friend with easy, swap-and-go displays between the Wii U Gamepad and Wii Remote and Nunchuck controllers.

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<b>Fresh water</b> is the difference maker in <b>fishing</b>

If you found that new rod or reel under the tree Christmas morning, (I can’t imagine Mrs. Claus springing for both at today’s prices) this weather is not doing you any favors. Before you curse the foul weather, however, consider the fact that the mid to lower coast is still suffering from drought conditions and their fisheries continue to suffer greatly. They will tell you that any source of additional fresh water is a good thing for the saltwater fisherman!

I talked with Everett Johnson, owner and publisher of Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine last week and he said the only good fishing reports he received from his guide/writers last month came from the upper coast.“It is still bone dry down here and our bays have really suffered,” he stated while adding that even the drum fishermen have now run into problems they have never experienced with the texture of the meat.

As a rule, the average bay fisherman does not appreciate how critical freshwater is to the health of their fragile ecosystem. Surrounding marshes and swamps are not only breeding grounds for everything from small finfish to shrimp, but provide vital nurseries that support several species of game fish until they mature as well.

Excessive rain and minor flooding changes the catching game for local fishermen virtually every winter, but they are the lifeblood of our very unique fishery. Covet every drop of water that arrives via the Neches and Sabine rivers and consider local rains to be a welcome inconvenience.

Thus far, we have had neither too much rain nor too much cold to alter the bite on Sabine Lake to any extent. The fish have changed their patterns of late due to a change of diet, but the bite is still above average for this time of the year.

Two years ago, and it may have had something to do with our own min-drought, the redfish just covered us up and it was difficult to locate any numbers of big sow trout. That has not been the case this year, however, as local die-hard winter fishermen are not only still limiting on reds with ease, but catching good numbers of five-pound plus trout as well.

The surface temperature on some of the shallow flats was as high as 60 degrees this weekend and there is nothing in your winter arsenal that won’t work when the water is that warm. I talked with two Houston anglers Saturday night that caught 12 to 15 trout up to six pounds wading the north end of the lake on two very cold days early last week.

They started their wades after lunch and caught most of their fish just before dark on Corky Fat Boys. They returned to wade the same flat Saturday evening and caught 16 trout up to nine pounds four ounces on top waters. The same water was eight to ten degrees warmer. I realize that it doesn’t serve as much help to the average fishermen, but they caught their four largest trout after dark!

While all of that was going on we continued to catch our trout and most of our reds much deeper. The trout weren’t as large, we did have a few in the five pound class, but the numbers were certainly there. We were crawling Maniac Mullets and Corky Devils or five-inch paddle tails across the bottom in 12 to 16 feet of water.

If you just wanted to target redfish, all you had to do was tie on a crank bait or Swim bait and spend more time fishing 4 to 8 feet of water. We have done very well with a River 2 Sea Biggie that dives 3 to 5 feet and an H&H Usual Suspect Swim Bait. Not surprisingly, the crank bait bite was better in water north of the ICW.

For those of you that may not have noticed, the Maniac Mullet comes in a fast sink and a slow sink model. If you no longer have the package, the ones with the gold eyes are slow sink and the fast sinks have red eyes. If you haven’t developed any confidence in the Corky Devil over the years, however, you probably are not going to like the Maniac Mullet until it catches a fish in spite of you. Just ask Eric Roning the next time you are in Daley’s!

It is still just a little bit early to find many double digit bass staging on Rayburn or Toledo Bend, but the spoon and drop shot fishermen have been absolutely hammering a mixed bag of yellow, white and an occasional black bass as well as crappie and catfish. They are locating the fish with their electronics and fishing them vertically.

The most consistent bite this past week was anywhere from 22 to 30 feet deep over even deeper water. Tree lines and bends in the main river channel have been holding good concentrations of shad and fish. I received two decent reports on white perch in the Chicken Coop area above Pendleton, but the better bite on that end of the lake right now is apparently still in the major creeks.

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