April events at Texas <b>Freshwater Fisheries</b> feature fun, food, fishing

There’s no better example of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department motto “Life’s Better Outside” than April events at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center.

Outdoor Fools Day April 6 will be followed by the Athens Big Green Egg Fest April 13. Up to five rainbow trout per angler can be harvested free at TFFC during both events. No license is required to fish at TFFC. Those wishing to harvest fish should bring a cooler or stringer since none are available at TFFC.

Improving your outdoor skills is the focus of Outdoor Fools Day. The event showcases outdoor recreation opportunities in East Texas while teaching some of the skills needed to enjoy them, such as camping, fishing, outdoor cooking, birding and more.

Openings are still available for cooks, so if you’ve been thinking about becoming an Egghead, now’s your chance. You can sign up to cook, taste or buy an Egg at www.athenseggfest.wordpress.com. The site also includes recipes from last year’s event to tempt your taste buds.

Both Outdoor Fools Day and the Big Green Egg Fest will run from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. While all Outdoor Fools Day activities are free with paid admission, an additional fee is charged for tasting at the Big Green Egg Fest. Those who preregister online can taste for $5; the fee on-site is $10. All proceeds benefit the Friends of TFFC.

The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is located at 5550 F.M. 2495 in Athens, about 75 miles southeast of Dallas. Admission is $5.50 for adults, $4.50 for seniors, and $3.50 for children age 4 through age 12.

For more information visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us/tffc or call 903-676-2277. A TFFC app is also available for both Apple and Android devices from their respective app stores.

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of alvinsun.net.

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Is New Zealand&#39;s <b>Freshwater Fishing</b> Under Threat?

Could the future quality of New Zealand's world-famous freshwater fishing be under threat? The Chief Executive of Fish and Game New Zealand seems to believe so and has made a plea to local anglers to send comments on proposed changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) and also the Freshwater Reform Proposals before the submittal deadlines of April 2nd and 8th 2013.

The below message was sent to all subscribers of 'Reel Life' - the newsletter of Fish & Game New Zealand.

25th March 2013

Future of freshwater fishing under threat 

The present government is hell-bent on wrecking the RMA. The key points are as follows:

The RMA is being dramatically changed to allow the development and degradation of sports fish and game habitat by farmers and industry.Lowland streams will have no legal recognition so will become 'farm drains'.Water Conservation Orders will ultimately go, with their previously recognised habitat protection and recreation values lost in one- size-fits-all 'regional plans'.Practically all the substantive case law that has been developed over the years around environmental protection (much of it with Fish & Game licence fees), will be lost.Current protection of the habitat of trout and salmon will be scrapped.

This is a plea for all anglers to ensure they have their say on the future of the RMA, the only real safeguard we have against rampant, unsustainable development of the freshwater resources trout and salmon rely on for survival.

You only have until 5.00pm April 2, 2013 to submit on the RMA.

Submission on the equally devastating Freshwater Reform proposals must be received by 5.00pm April 8, 2013.

Don't worry if you have never made a submission before – it can be as simple or as complex as you choose to make it, the most important thing is that you have a say.

Information on how to make a submission, suggested points to make in your submission, and where to send it are on our RMA resource page here.

Please, stand up for freshwater quality protection and the future of angling in this country – it's in your hands.

Bryce Johnson 

Chief executive 

Fish & Game NZ

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54.3-pound blue catfish sets new mark for Texas <b>Freshwater Fisheries</b> Center

ATHENS—Jordan Rethmeier of Garland and his father often fish in Lake Zebco, the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center’s stocked casting pond. They’ve caught some big catfish, but Saturday, March 16, produced the biggest yet, a new water body record blue catfish.

Jordan reeled in a 54.3-pound fish that was 47 inches long and 31 inches around.

Lake Zebco covers about 1.5 acres. A stream enters one end of the pond, and fishing piers line both sides. At the opposite end the pond widens and deepens, and that’s where Jordan was fishing.

“The bait was a whole four-inch gizzard shad set two to three feet below the bobber and left to drift as the wind blew it across the pond,” he said. “I was using a heavy spinning reel with 50-lb. braided line on our standard big-fish pole that we never thought would get seriously tested by anything. We set the pole down and flipped the bail so if it got a bite the fish wouldn’t haul off with it; it’s a good idea if you want to keep your rod and reel!”

Jordan sat down to rig a trout pole, and suddenly his dad yelled, “Jordan your bobber is gone and it’s not coming back up!”

Jordan continued his story. “The fish took the bait as all the other big ones do in that pond. They grab it and start swimming off. There is no playing around with those catfish. Once they decide to eat it, they rarely if ever let go. He took off on his first run, and I felt his full power! My eyes got big when I saw the huge swirl he made on the surface of the water! My dad said he must be a good one, 15 maybe 20 pounds.

“This fish was big and fighting like it; you could feel the power in every tail stroke! When he would start to get close to shore he would peel off line and head back for the middle of the pond. The difference with this fish was the endurance he had. He just would not tire out and kept peeling line whenever he would get close to the bank. There was one point when he went into a roll, and I thought I was going to lose him. When they do that it sometimes dislodges the hook. We didn’t get a look at him for quite a few minutes, but after each run, my dad kept raising his guess as to his weight, 20 to 25, another run, 30 pounds?

“Then we caught a glimpse of him and my dad just said, ‘OH MY! We may need a golf cart to haul him to the scales!’ The fight must have lasted eight minutes or more—just a tug of war with him taking line whenever he came in close and me pulling him back in afterwards. Thankfully he got tired out just before I did! I pulled one last time and got him close in, where my dad managed to grab him and pull him up on shore with my assistance since it was a bit too heavy for him alone. We both were speechless, and just knew we had a BIG one but didn’t know how big! Fortunately a TFFC staff member arrived with the golf cart to put him in, and it was off to the big scale. I was exhausted! We weighed him and measured him and couldn’t believe the numbers! 54.3 pounds, 47 inches long, and 31 inches around! All I could do was smile. We took him back to the pond and made sure he was doing OK and let him go. Truly a magnificent fish!”

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<b>Freshwater</b> sport <b>fishing</b> brings substantial revenue to the province of BC.

Freshwater fishing's economic impact has grown to over $500 million dollars a year in direct spending, and this economic activity is spread across all regions of the province.

Participation in freshwater fishing is also growing and predictions are the trend will continue, according to the results of the just-released 2013 BC Freshwater Sport Fishing Economic Impact Report. The report also highlighted potential for future growth - and showed that reinvestment of fishing licence revenues in BC's stocking, conservation and angler outreach programs is yielding increasing economic returns.

Using data from the 2010 Survey of Recreational Fishing in Canada, which has been conducted every five years since 1975, the report shows that the number of active anglers province wide grew 6% from 2005. These anglers represent over $546 million a year in direct expenditures on goods and services including accommodation; fishing, boating and camping equipment; licence sales; packages; air and ferry transportation expenditures and fishing supplies. After adjusting for inflation, freshwater fishing annually contributed $23 million more in direct expenditures than in 2005. Anglers also spent more per fishing day, $142 and $131 per day in 2010 and 2005 respectively.

While the benefits of this expanding industry are felt across the province, specific impacts vary by region. The Cariboo region received 11% of angling effort in the province, and was one of the preferred destinations by international anglers. The direct economic impact of freshwater fishing for the Cariboo region is $57 million. The Thompson-Nicola region received 18% of provincial angling effort, second only behind the Lower Mainland. The Thompson-Nicola region also placed second in total fishing package expenditures, with almost $4 million being spent on lodge, guided charter boat and fly-in fishing packages. The direct economic impact for the Thompson-Nicola region is $99 million.

"Angling is an increasingly important industry in the province - one that has remained strong despite the economic slowdown in 2008," says Don Peterson, President, Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC. "It's positive news for the province as a whole. A significant number of BC anglers live in urban areas and fish in rural areas, which represents a transfer of economic activity from urban to rural."

Freshwater sport fishing brings substantial revenue to the province of BC.

Highlights from the report include:

3,119 person years of employment (up from 2,500 person years in 2005)286,167 active anglers (up from 270,800 in 2005)$545 million in direct angler expenditures (up from $480 million in 2005)Every $1 invested in services delivered by the Freshwater FisheriesSociety of BC returned an average of $24 in angler expenditures (up from $21 in 2005).

"BC's user-pay model of fisheries service delivery is having a positive impact on enhancing public fishing opportunities and is also generating positive economic outcomes for the province," says Peterson.

The FFSBC is a private, not-for-profit organization largely funded by anglers through freshwater fishing licence revenues. It works in partnership with Provincial fisheries managers to deliver fish stocking programs that support 50 per cent of all fishing in B.C. lakes, conservation fish culture services for sturgeon recovery programs, and initiatives to enhance participation and access to fishing for all British Columbians. Stocking programs deliver between 6 and 8 million fish annually in 800 lakes and streams throughout the province. Through these programs, the FFSBC is working to ensure BC has the best freshwater fishing in North America.

Freshwater Fishing and the BC Economy was commissioned by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC and was prepared by Megan Bailey (Environmental Policy Group, Wageningen UR) and U. Rashid Sumaila (Fisheries Centre, UBC).

The economic impact estimates in the document are based on the 2010 Survey of Recreational Fishing in Canada.

For more information and to see the full report visit the FFSBC's website at www.gofishbc.com.

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<b>Freshwater fishing</b>

March 15, 2013

Santee Cooper System

Catfish: Fair. In both lakes the catfish bite has been inconsistent, with fish feeding well some days and other days being a little slower. After a prolonged period of low water temperatures the catfish’s metabolism will inevitably slow and they will feed less. Move from deep to shallow water depending on the location of the fish. Try drifting gizzard shad chunks or anchoring with cut baits, and don’t be afraid to look shallow. Crappie: Fair. With the cold water crappie fishing has dropped off, and fish are in a winter pattern. Fish are moving out of brush and moving along the ledges and creek channels.

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Midlands area

Lake Wateree

Catfish: Good. Catfish are scattered across the mudflats in 18 to 20 feet of water. Fresh gizzard shad or cut perch are among the most productive baits, and perfect bait sized 4 to 5 inch gizzard shad are thick in the channel and can be cast netted with a heavy cast net of 8 foot diameter or more. Look for the continuous band of bait from 20 to 30 feet down. Striped Bass: Fair. Striped bass fishing has slowed considerably in the last couple of weeks although live shiners or herring in the lower part of the lake will still produce. Look for schools of bait in the Colonel’s Creek area. Largemouth Bass: Slow. Lake Wateree bass fishing remains difficult and the fish seem to be turned off. Try finesse fishing very slowly with soft plastics, or slow roll spinnerbaits along the bottom.

Lake Greenwood

Catfish: Good. Drift cut bait across shallow flats at these times. A cold snap will push the baitfish back out to deeper water and slow the fishing considerably. Crappie: Good. Crappie action has been good at the forks of the Reedy and Saluda Rivers, and also below the 72 Bridge in the Quarters Creek area. Drifting and spider rigging in 12 to 20 feet using worms and jigs seems to be the ticket. Striped Bass: Fair. Few striper reports are coming in, but the best striper action is being reported jigging spoons in 25 feet of water. There is still some schooling activity being reported.

Lake Monticello

Catfish: Good. Patience is very important right now to catching big blues on Monticello. The most consistent way to catch big fish is to anchor on humps with baitfish nearby when you are marking fish underneath them; it make take the catfish a long time to feed, but eventually they will.

Lake Murray

Crappie: Fair to good. Lake Murray crappie fishing has been feast or famine recently, and on some days anglers are wearing the fish out and then the next day no one seems to get a bite. Most anglers are concentrating on the Kempson’s Bridge area up the lake and tight-lining in 10 to 12 feet of water. Purple and yellow jigs are the go-to color. Catfish: Fair to good. Blue cat bite is inconsistent from day to day, and the fish seem to be scattered and moving a lot. Best action is coming for channel and white catfish, which are holding in 10 to 15 feet of water on flats adjacent to the channel. Drifting cut herring is most effective. Largemouth Bass: Slow. Anglers fishing recent tournaments have had tough time, and just weighing in a fish has usually been enough to at least put you in the middle of the pack. Despite warmer air temperatures bass have stayed deep; try Carolina rigging with green worms or fishing Tennessee shad or shad colored crankbaits.

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Piedmont Area

Lake Russell

Crappie: Fair. Fish small to medium minnows or slider jigs in 6 to 12 feet of water around tree tops. Largemouth Bass: Slow. After feeding well for much of the early winter the largemouth bite has really slowed down. Try live herring or jigging spoons in deep water by the Lake Russell dam in 30 to 50 feet. Striped Bass: Slow. Very few fish are being caught right now.

Lake Thurmond

Striped and Hybrid Bass: Good. After being down for several weeks the striper fishing has really improved, and even some bank fishermen report really getting into the fish. There is good fishing in the Little River area, and the fish are starting to stack up down close to the dam. However, these fish are not feeding aggressively, although they may turn on when water temperatures start to warm. Crappie: Good. Look for 20 feet of water in creeks and fish only 2 to 4 feet below the surface. Best jig colors are black and chartreuse, brown and yellow, black and yellow, and black and chartreuse.

Lake Wylie

White perch: Good to very good. White perch action continues to be hot, particularly at night and in the Crowders Creek area, although on some days the schools may be difficult to locate. Look for large schools in 18 to 24 feet, and fish live minnows vertically or small spoons. Crappie: Fair. Crappie are still in deeper water, and 18 to 20 feet is good a depth to start prospecting. A good Lake Wylie pattern is to find deep boat docks or marina structure and drop a chartreuse jig all the way to the bottom and slowly wind up. Slabs can be caught this way on Wylie right now. Catfish: Fair. Cold water can slow the channel cat bite on Lake Wylie, but for blue cats this can be a good time to drift the deep flats on the middle to lower lake with cut bait.

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Mountains Area

Lake Jocassee

Trout: Good. Fish are suspended from 40 to 50 feet deep up to the surface over 100 to 200 feet of water. Target them with Bad Creek trolling spoons, or by trolling or drifting large minnows. Black Bass: Fair. Bass fishing has improved slightly, although pressure remains very low and few reports are coming in. Fish in 20 to 30 feet of water using dark green swamp crawler pumpkinseed worms Texas or shaky-head rigged, or try deep diving plugs. Catfish: Slow. A few catfish are being caught with cut bait fished on the bottom in 60 to 70 feet of water in the rivers.

Lake Keowee

Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Fair. Lake Keowee bass fishing is improving, but water temperatures are still very cold. The predominant pattern remains fishing very deep and slow with drop shot rigs or doodling shaky head worms. Target fish in 30 to 70 feet of water.

Lake Hartwell

Striped and Hybrid Bass: Good. Striper and hybrid fishing is good, particularly in the Conneross area, and some very nice fish continue to be caught. Trolling the major creeks is working well, and umbrella rigs are very productive right now. Look for the birds which will tip you off to where the bait and fish are. Largemouth Bass: Good. Bass are still doing well although up and down temperatures have slowed the fishing a bit from two weeks ago. Fish jigging spoons, crankbaits, or drop shot rigs in 10 to 30 feet around secondary points, at the mouths of major creeks, and on main channel points. Fish are also being picked up fishing jigs around deep structure and brushpiles.

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Best Tasting <b>Freshwater Fish</b>

In this order:

1. Walleye

2. Yellow Perch

3. Northern Pike

Not a huge fan of trout or salmon, but I've been told the dime bright specimens I bring home for the grill or the smoker are outstanding.

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Report cites continued growth in <b>freshwater fishing</b>

Freshwater angling is growing in economic importance in B.C. and the Thompson-Nicola region is among the hot spots, a new report says.

The economic impact report, commissioned by Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C., states that freshwater fishing's economic impact has grown to more than $546 million a year in direct spending, an increase of $23 million annually since 2005.

In relative terms, anglers spend three times more on equipment than downhill skiers and add almost as much as cruise ship passengers to the provincial economy.

Participation is also growing, a trend that is expected to continue, the report says.

Using data from the 2010 Survey of Recreational Fishing in Canada, the report shows that the number of anglers in B.C. grew by six per cent from 2005.

Benefits of the expanding industry are concentrated in certain regions. The Thompson-Nicola region, with 18 per cent of the economic impact, is second only to the Lower Mainland.

The region also placed second in total fishing package expenditures, with almost $4 million spent on lodge, guided charter boat or fly-in fishing packages. Direct economic benefits in the region total $99 million.

Results of the study show that the industry remains strong despite the economic slowdown in 2008, said Don Peterson, president of the Freshwater Fisheries Society.

"It's positive news for the province as a whole," Peterson said. "A significant number of B.C. anglers live in urban areas and fish in rural areas, which represents a transfer of economic activity from urban to rural."

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<b>Freshwater Fishing</b> (March 28)

1 Around Lakeland, Trenton Gilileo and Pauline Jarvis landed two bass — 10.80 pounds and 11.21 pounds flipping wild shiners around points and underwater structure at Saddle Creek Park. Adam Shuck caught a 9-pound bass on a red shad worm along the grass edges at Saddle Creek, reports Phillips Bait and Tackle. Lake Parker continues to turn out bass 7-9 pounds with an occasional 10 or bigger flipping cattails and cane grass. Bass up to 7 pounds at Tenoroc. Specks still good at Tenoroc on lakes 3, 4, 5 and B, and decent at Saddle Creek.

2 At Auburndale, Rochelle and Haines producing a few bass up to 6-7 pounds on topwater lures — frogs (Booyah Pad Crasher), buzzbaits and hardplastic baits — when conditions are right, reports Ron Schelfo at Ron's Tackle Box in Lake Alfred. Bass up to 4-5 pounds decent on bigger of Twin Lakes. Anglers braving the cold bringing in a lot of handsized shellcracker on Rochelle and Alfred, both along shoreline ledges and off docks with red worms.

3 At Winter Haven, mid-sized bass pretty good on Howard, Summit and Shipp, with topwater bite developing when winds aren't kicking up. Ron Schelfo said fishermen hooking up on Cordell Pencil Poppers and Booyah Pad Crasher frogs, or most soft plastic frogs. Specks still strong off dock behind McDonald's on Lake Howard, with a few shellcracker starting to show. Schelfo said fishermen catching catfish while going for specks or shellcracker on south chain. Water low in many canals on south chain, but you can still get through some of them.

4 At Lake Hamilton, mid-range bass most active on days preceding cold fronts. Still a few specks, but soon it will be shellcracker and bluegill.

5 At Lake Marion near Haines City, mixed bag with mostly specks and a few panfish, reports Eileen O'Leary at Bannon's Fish Camp. Shellcracker are bumping shallow lily pads, but no big catches yet. Specks hitting jigs or minnows in the area of Hermit's Dock and the southeast corner.

6 At Lake Pierce, bass and bluegill were decent before cold front, reports Jennings Resort. Bass 2-5 pounds hitting 10-inch worms, spinnerbaits and wild shiners. Some bluegill hitting minnows offered by speck fishermen, who are getting 8-15 per trip 9-10 inches. Just a handful of shellcracker.

7 At Lake Hatchineha, one fishermen released three bass 7-8 pounds up shallow on dark-colored frogs (junebug, watermelon red Horny Toad or Lane Toad-color Cane Toad), reports David Glenn at the Port Hatchineha campground. But bass off and on with cold fronts. Speck fisherman kept a dozen 12-13 inches and threw back smaller ones at hourglass.

8 At Lake Toho, Billy Mount III of Enterprise boated a 10.15-pound bass Sunday in the PVA Citrus Slam, which was won with 19.68 pounds. There was an 11-pounder released on a guide trip with wild shiners, reports Cody Detweiler at Big Toho Marina. Johnny Cisneros and Ismael Garcia produced 18.70-pound stringer Saturday in Mosaic tournament, with a 6-pounder for Garcia. Shad starting to bunch up, which should bring on schooling bite as it warms up. Specks picked up with cold snap in front of Red's. Water down 7 inches in the past week to 53 feet above sea level.

9 At Lake Kissimmee, Joe Bennett released a 12.20-pound bass Friday on a plastic worm while practicing for weekend tournaments, and added a 9-pounder in a law enforcement tournament, reports Leo Cosce at Camp Lester. John Wayne of Club Florida hauled up a 9.90-pound bass and won Florida Bass Federation Nation tournament March 17 with 25 ? pounds. Andrew and John Beeman weighed in 8 ?-pounder Sunday in Camp Mack Team Tournament, won with 24 pounds in 25-30 mph winds. Group from Alabama staying at Grape Hammock caught a lot of bass 4-6 pounds on wild shiners, reports Lacey Chandley. Bass mostly in 3-4 feet around isolated patches of vegetation on worms, Senkos, Flukes and frogs. Report of bass schooling in North Cove. Some fishermen going below State Road 60 locks into the river. Limits of shellcracker bedding in lily pads got a lot of attention late last week before cold front. Patty and Stan Reed brought in a limit of very good-sized shellcracker 1-1 ? pounds Saturday on red worms, Cosce said. He and Frank Kees caught 70 shellcracker in 3 hours last Thursday. Limits fairly common on beds around the lake, including Brahma Island. Specks hanging in there in lily pads/grass on jigs and minnows, and could spawn through new moon, but starting to thin out, Cosce said. Cosce caught 27 specks mostly 10-11 inches with one 14 ? inches Wednesday morning on jigs. No bluegill yet. Water 64 at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

10 At Lake Walk-in-the-Water, Joe McGuire landed a 10.87-pound bass Sunday in the Lake Wales Po' Boys tournament. Bobby Abbatoy and Phil Hayes won with 40.16 pounds for two days.

11 At Crooked Lake at Babson Park, bigger bass quiet over past couple of weeks, but return of warm weather should spark bite.

12 At Frostproof, look for bass to perk up once cold fronts ease off, and that should be soon. Lake Reedy producing bass up to 5 pounds.

13 In the phosphate pits south of Mulberry and Bartow, bass 5-8 pounds are more common now in bedding areas and over rock piles.

Freshwater Fishing (March 28)By DEL MILLIGAN TheLedger.comMarch 29, 2013 11:20 AM

1 Around Lakeland, Trenton Gilileo and Pauline Jarvis landed two bass — 10.80 pounds and 11.21 pounds flipping wild shiners around points and underwater structure at Saddle Creek Park. Adam Shuck caught a 9-pound bass on a red shad worm along the grass edges at Saddle Creek, reports Phillips Bait and Tackle. Lake Parker continues to turn out bass 7-9 pounds with an occasional 10 or bigger flipping cattails and cane grass. Bass up to 7 pounds at Tenoroc. Specks still good at Tenoroc on lakes 3, 4, 5 and B, and decent at Saddle Creek.

2 At Auburndale, Rochelle and Haines producing a few bass up to 6-7 pounds on topwater lures — frogs (Booyah Pad Crasher), buzzbaits and hardplastic baits — when conditions are right, reports Ron Schelfo at Ron's Tackle Box in Lake Alfred. Bass up to 4-5 pounds decent on bigger of Twin Lakes. Anglers braving the cold bringing in a lot of handsized shellcracker on Rochelle and Alfred, both along shoreline ledges and off docks with red worms.

3 At Winter Haven, mid-sized bass pretty good on Howard, Summit and Shipp, with topwater bite developing when winds aren't kicking up. Ron Schelfo said fishermen hooking up on Cordell Pencil Poppers and Booyah Pad Crasher frogs, or most soft plastic frogs. Specks still strong off dock behind McDonald's on Lake Howard, with a few shellcracker starting to show. Schelfo said fishermen catching catfish while going for specks or shellcracker on south chain. Water low in many canals on south chain, but you can still get through some of them.

4 At Lake Hamilton, mid-range bass most active on days preceding cold fronts. Still a few specks, but soon it will be shellcracker and bluegill.

5 At Lake Marion near Haines City, mixed bag with mostly specks and a few panfish, reports Eileen O'Leary at Bannon's Fish Camp. Shellcracker are bumping shallow lily pads, but no big catches yet. Specks hitting jigs or minnows in the area of Hermit's Dock and the southeast corner.

6 At Lake Pierce, bass and bluegill were decent before cold front, reports Jennings Resort. Bass 2-5 pounds hitting 10-inch worms, spinnerbaits and wild shiners. Some bluegill hitting minnows offered by speck fishermen, who are getting 8-15 per trip 9-10 inches. Just a handful of shellcracker.

7 At Lake Hatchineha, one fishermen released three bass 7-8 pounds up shallow on dark-colored frogs (junebug, watermelon red Horny Toad or Lane Toad-color Cane Toad), reports David Glenn at the Port Hatchineha campground. But bass off and on with cold fronts. Speck fisherman kept a dozen 12-13 inches and threw back smaller ones at hourglass.

8 At Lake Toho, Billy Mount III of Enterprise boated a 10.15-pound bass Sunday in the PVA Citrus Slam, which was won with 19.68 pounds. There was an 11-pounder released on a guide trip with wild shiners, reports Cody Detweiler at Big Toho Marina. Johnny Cisneros and Ismael Garcia produced 18.70-pound stringer Saturday in Mosaic tournament, with a 6-pounder for Garcia. Shad starting to bunch up, which should bring on schooling bite as it warms up. Specks picked up with cold snap in front of Red's. Water down 7 inches in the past week to 53 feet above sea level.

9 At Lake Kissimmee, Joe Bennett released a 12.20-pound bass Friday on a plastic worm while practicing for weekend tournaments, and added a 9-pounder in a law enforcement tournament, reports Leo Cosce at Camp Lester. John Wayne of Club Florida hauled up a 9.90-pound bass and won Florida Bass Federation Nation tournament March 17 with 25 ? pounds. Andrew and John Beeman weighed in 8 ?-pounder Sunday in Camp Mack Team Tournament, won with 24 pounds in 25-30 mph winds. Group from Alabama staying at Grape Hammock caught a lot of bass 4-6 pounds on wild shiners, reports Lacey Chandley. Bass mostly in 3-4 feet around isolated patches of vegetation on worms, Senkos, Flukes and frogs. Report of bass schooling in North Cove. Some fishermen going below State Road 60 locks into the river. Limits of shellcracker bedding in lily pads got a lot of attention late last week before cold front. Patty and Stan Reed brought in a limit of very good-sized shellcracker 1-1 ? pounds Saturday on red worms, Cosce said. He and Frank Kees caught 70 shellcracker in 3 hours last Thursday. Limits fairly common on beds around the lake, including Brahma Island. Specks hanging in there in lily pads/grass on jigs and minnows, and could spawn through new moon, but starting to thin out, Cosce said. Cosce caught 27 specks mostly 10-11 inches with one 14 ? inches Wednesday morning on jigs. No bluegill yet. Water 64 at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

10 At Lake Walk-in-the-Water, Joe McGuire landed a 10.87-pound bass Sunday in the Lake Wales Po' Boys tournament. Bobby Abbatoy and Phil Hayes won with 40.16 pounds for two days.

11 At Crooked Lake at Babson Park, bigger bass quiet over past couple of weeks, but return of warm weather should spark bite.

12 At Frostproof, look for bass to perk up once cold fronts ease off, and that should be soon. Lake Reedy producing bass up to 5 pounds.

13 In the phosphate pits south of Mulberry and Bartow, bass 5-8 pounds are more common now in bedding areas and over rock piles.

Copyright 2013 TheLedger.com - All rights reserved. Restricted use only.

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April Brings Great <b>Fishing</b> Before the May Flowers

From FWC Fish Busters Bulletin

By Bob Wattendorf

April showers bring May flowers, but in Florida there is already an abundance of blooms and a great bonanza of freshwater fishing opportunities that began earlier this spring. All across the state, anglers have reported great catches of a wide variety of freshwater fish. Innumberable anglers enjoy targeting sunfishes that move into the shallows to spawn this time of year.

Typically, black crappie (specks), redbreast sunfish and largemouth bass (the largest sunfish) begin spawning when water temperatures get over about 62 F. Crappie will stop spawning before bass, which continue to work the beds until it warms up to about 75 degrees. They are followed by redear sunfish (70-80 F) and bluegill (75-85 F). There is quite a bit of research and angler lore that say the fish key their peak activity to a few days before and after the full and new moons during spring.

Louie Echols with a huge bluegill that not only qualified for a Big Catch certificate but helped him to become Florida’s youngest elite angler (documenting Big Catch submissions from ten different species). Photo by Dan Echols

April is a favorite time of year for freshwater anglers, not only because fish congregating in the shallows provides great catch rates with lots of quality-size fish, but also because temperatures tend to be comfortable for an outdoor expedition. Another reason is that the first Saturday in April each year (April 6, this year) is a license-free freshwater fishing day across the state. People are exempt from having a license that day, so it is a great opportunity to reach out to people who don’t have a freshwater fishing license and show them how much fun a day on the water can be. Or, perhaps you have children who have been bugging you to go, and you haven’t wanted to buy a license to accompany them. Now is your chance.

Tom Champeau, director of the FWC’s Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management, points out that dedicated saltwater anglers may want to take this opportunity to see what they are missing a little closer to home. Freshwater angling provides a chance to expand fishing skills without having to travel far, as everybody lives near freshwater sites.

Florida has 7,700 named lakes and 12,000 miles of fishable rivers, streams and canals, so nearly everyone is within 30 to 45 minutes of a fishing hole. If you want some help finding a location or seek fishing tips and seasonal fishing forecasts, check out MyFWC.com/Fishing (under “Freshwater Fishing,” choose “Sites & Forecasts”). Quarterly forecasts by fisheries biologists are supplemented with links to local bait-and-tackle shops, marinas or guides, for even more timely updates.

Bob Williams shows off the first Hall of Fame Bass certified by the TrophyCatch Program. The 13 lb, 14 oz bass was caught, weighed on certified scales and released back in Rodman Reservoir after taking a fin clip for genetic sampling. Photo by Sean Rush/Trophy Bass Expeditions

Florida’s Big Catch Angler Recognition Program provides an opportunity for anglers to commemorate their memorable freshwater catches with a certificate and having their photo posted online. Thirty-three different species are included in the program, and all it takes to participate is a photo of a fish that exceeds either a specified length or weight. It’s a great incentive for youth, who can qualify by catching fish that are roughly 25 percent smaller than the qualifying measures for adult anglers. Visit MyFWC.com/BigCatch for more details and to enroll.

However, the ultimate challenge is the race for the biggest trophy bass of the year. Florida’s fame as a bass fishing destination lies in an abundance of lakes and rivers that consistently produce trophy-size bass. To document locations and frequency of bass catches over eight pounds, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) launched TrophyCatch (TrophyCatchFlorida.com) in October with the support of more than 20 industry partners. The goal is to enhance and sustain trophy bass fisheries and to promote Florida as the Bass Fishing Capital of the World, based on documented catches.

To participate, catches must be verified by FWC for the angler to earn awards. For Lunker Club (8 to 9.9-pounds) and Trophy Club (10 to12.9-pounds), verification requires photos of the entire bass clearly showing its length and weight, and then the bass must be released. Photos are submitted via the website. For Hall of Fame bass, which earn for the angler a free replica valued at $500 and an additional $500 in other prizes, the fish must be caught before the end of April and weighed on certified scales by an FWC representative. If you catch one, keep it alive and call 855-FL-Trophy. From May through September, bass over 13 pounds can still be photo-documented as Trophy Club bass, but won’t be entered into the Hall of Fame, to prevent undue stress when water temperatures are too warm.

Tony Stewart, Tom Champeau and Johnny Morris all delight in Champeau’s catch and release of this 11 lb, 8 oz Florida largemouth bass caught in the vicinity of the Three Forks Marsh Conservation Area, off the St. Johns River. Photo by Richard Gibson/for Bass Pro Shops

The biggest bass of this season (ending Sept. 30) verified by TropyCatch will earn a $3,000 championship ring provided by the American Outdoor Fund. The biggest bass caught in Osceola County and verified by TrophyCatch will take home $10,000, courtesy of Explore Kissimmee. If a registered guide helped (see website for details), the guide earns a $2,500 bonus. So register now, check out the rules, grab a rod-reel, camera, scale and tape measure, and go catch yourself a lunker, document it and then release it. By the way, just registering gets you into a drawing for a Phoenix bass boat powered by Mercury.

The biggest fish of the year currently is a 13-pound, 14-ounce monster caught by Bob Williams. It became the first Hall of Fame fish entered into the program. He was fishing wild shiners on Rodman Reservoir, with guide Sean Rush (Trophy Bass Expeditions). Check out YouTube.com/TrophyCatchFlorida to see a video of the current leaderboard, including Williams’ catch.

Another truly awesome fishing story from this spring was Champeau’s catch and release of a Trophy Club-level bass weighing 11 pounds, 8 ounces. At the time, Champeau was giving a tour to Bass Pro Shop founder John L. Morris and NASCAR Champion Tony Stewart. Champeau explained how the area near Three Forks Management Area is being reclaimed through a partnership with the St. Johns River Water Management District and the FWC. Marshes that were drained for agriculture are being reclaimed to protect water quality in the Indian River Lagoon and St. Johns River. The famous Stick Marsh, which opened for fishing in the 1980s, was the first of these. Within the next five years, an additional 47,000 acres will be thriving with trophy bass, and the FWC is taking measures to ensure these fisheries continue to produce decades into the future.

“We estimate the economic impact, once the project is completed, will be around $20 million to local businesses,” Champeau said.

While on their tour in the vicinity of the Three Forks Marsh Conservation Area, Morris, Stewart and Champeau, led by fishing guide Capt. Mike Tipton, caught 36 bass in a few hours.

“Catching and releasing a trophy bass while fishing with the founder of our major sponsor was incredible,” said Champeau. “The only way I could have scripted it better would be for either Johnny or Tony to catch her,” he added Morris was ecstatic himself remarking, “What a way to promote this great conservation program!”

Champeau’s catch is posted on on the TrophyCatch website; however, as an FWC employee, he is not eligible for rewards.

“Catching the bass of a lifetime, with Johnny Morris and a racing legend like Tony Stewart, was the best reward I could ask for,” said Champeau.

Now it’s your turn! Enjoy the great freshwater fishing Florida has for you this spring. Make memories and memorialize them through Florida’s angler recognition programs at TrophyCatchFlorida.com, and if you release a lunker bass, you’ll be able to say “My Trophy Swims in Florida!”

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Economic benefits of <b>freshwater fishing</b> growing in BC

Freshwater fishing's economic impact has grown to over $500 million dollars a year in direct spending, and this economic activity is spread across all regions of the province.

Participation in freshwater fishing is also growing and predictions are the trend will continue, according to the results of the just-released 2013 BC Freshwater Sport Fishing Economic Impact Report. The report also highlighted potential for future growth - and showed that reinvestment of fishing licence revenues in BC's stocking, conservation and angler outreach programs is yielding increasing economic returns.

Using data from the 2010 Survey of Recreational Fishing in Canada, which has been conducted every five years since 1975, the report shows that the number of active anglers province wide grew 6% from 2005. These anglers represent over $546 million a year in direct expenditures on goods and services including accommodation; fishing, boating and camping equipment; licence sales; packages; air and ferry transportation expenditures and fishing supplies. After adjusting for inflation, freshwater fishing annually contributed $23 million more in direct expenditures than in 2005. Anglers also spent more per fishing day, $142 and $131 per day in 2010 and 2005 respectively.

While the benefits of this expanding industry are felt across the province, specific impacts vary by region. The Cariboo region received 11% of angling effort in the province, and was one of the preferred destinations by international anglers. The direct economic impact of freshwater fishing for the Cariboo region is $57 million. The Thompson-Nicola region received 18% of provincial angling effort, second only behind the Lower Mainland. The Thompson-Nicola region also placed second in total fishing package expenditures, with almost $4 million being spent on lodge, guided charter boat and fly-in fishing packages. The direct economic impact for the Thompson-Nicola region is $99 million.

"Angling is an increasingly important industry in the province - one that has remained strong despite the economic slowdown in 2008," says Don Peterson, President, Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC. "It's positive news for the province as a whole. A significant number of BC anglers live in urban areas and fish in rural areas, which represents a transfer of economic activity from urban to rural."

Freshwater sport fishing brings substantial revenue to the province of BC.

Highlights from the report include:

3,119 person years of employment (up from 2,500 person years in 2005)286,167 active anglers (up from 270,800 in 2005)$545 million in direct angler expenditures (up from $480 million in 2005)Every $1 invested in services delivered by the Freshwater FisheriesSociety of BC returned an average of $24 in angler expenditures (up from $21 in 2005).

"BC's user-pay model of fisheries service delivery is having a positive impact on enhancing public fishing opportunities and is also generating positive economic outcomes for the province," says Peterson.

The FFSBC is a private, not-for-profit organization largely funded by anglers through freshwater fishing licence revenues. It works in partnership with Provincial fisheries managers to deliver fish stocking programs that support 50 per cent of all fishing in B.C. lakes, conservation fish culture services for sturgeon recovery programs, and initiatives to enhance participation and access to fishing for all British Columbians. Stocking programs deliver between 6 and 8 million fish annually in 800 lakes and streams throughout the province. Through these programs, the FFSBC is working to ensure BC has the best freshwater fishing in North America.

Freshwater Fishing and the BC Economy was commissioned by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC and was prepared by Megan Bailey (Environmental Policy Group, Wageningen UR) and U. Rashid Sumaila (Fisheries Centre, UBC).

The economic impact estimates in the document are based on the 2010 Survey of Recreational Fishing in Canada.

For more information and to see the full report visit the FFSBC's website at www.gofishbc.com.

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<b>Freshwater fishing</b> report March 23

Santee Cooper System

Catfish: Slow to fair. Captain Jim Glenn reports that the catfish bite has been slow and erratic, with weather systems seeming to have a negative impact. Better fishing should be nearby as temperatures warm and hopefully stabilize. For now anglers have had some limited success with blue catfish both shallow and deep fishing cut bait. Largemouth bass: Slow to fair. Captain Jimmie Hair reports the few that were caught could be very nice fish. The best pattern has been fishing square billed crankbaits 7-9 feet deep out in front of spawning areas at the mouths of creeks and outside of backwater ponds. Around eel grass a Rattle Trap has been effective for triggering reaction bites. On sunny afternoons fish have been coming shallower.

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Midlands area

Lake Wateree (unchanged from March 14)

Crappie: Fair. A few fish are moving shallower and can be caught on long lines trolling in 6-14 feet of water. The best areas are around the creeks and specifically Beaver and Wateree and also on the main lake.

Lake Greenwood (unchanged from March 14)

Crappie: Fair to good. Tournament angler Russell Riley reports that crappie are near the river channel and he is catching them a couple of feet off the bottom in 14-18 feet of water. When water temperatures start to warm fish will first move vertically in the water column, and the next move will be shallower towards the mouth of creeks. A combination of jigs and minnows is working. Largemouth Bass: Fair. There continues to be some scattered schooling activity across Lake Greenwood, with bass, striper, and some other species all mixed together. Fish can also be located by following the birds, and bass, striper and white perch can all be caught jigging spoons underneath the birds when fish are not on the surface. Some decent bass are also being caught fishing crankbaits off points, and on warmer days some fish can be found in the backs of coves.

Lake Monticello (unchanged from March 14)

Catfish: Good. Patience is very important right now to catching big blues on Monticello. The most consistent way to catch big fish is to anchor on humps with baitfish nearby when you are marking fish underneath them.

Lake Murray

Shellcracker: Fair to good. Lake World advises that shellcracker are feeding on the lower end of the lake in 2-8 feet of water. Fish nightcrawlers around points with shells nearby. Catfish: Fair to good. Captain Chris Simpson reports that fishing has gotten more consistent. Warm days will scatter fish across shallower flats in 15-25 feet of water, and cooler temperatures will push them back into 30-50 feet in the channel. The best technique has been drifting with cut herring for blues and channels, and the key to catching fish is being willing to adapt to conditions on the water and search for the fish. Largemouth bass: Fair. Veteran Lake Murray tournament bass angler Captain Doug Lown reports that the numbers of fish being caught are still relatively low, but some very nice fish are being landed. Fish are generally still being found in 8-12 feet of water around secondary points, at the mouths of bays and pockets and other staging areas. Shakey head worms and crankbaits have both been effective.

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Piedmont Area

Lake Russell

Crappie: Fair. Guide Wendell Wilson reports that crappie are not shallow yet but should be very soon. For now fish can be caught trolling 1/16 ounce jigs 3 or 4 feet off the bottom in 12-15 feet of water around the mouths of larger creeks. In the next few days fish should be caught fishing jigs under floats around the shallows. Striped bass: Fair. Guide Wendell Wilson reports that a very large striper was recently caught on the lower end of the lake. For now the best pattern is free lining large herring or fishing them on planer boards across shallow points on the lower end of the lake.

Lake Thurmond

Crappie: Good. Captain William Sasser reports that some fish are being caught around the banks only a few feet deep, and others are still grouped up 15 or so feet deep over 30 feet of water in the troughs of coves. Black bass: Fair to good. Buckeye Lures in Augusta reports that bass are moving shallower and they can be caught on mop jigs and other Goby Sleds in staging areas.

Lake Wylie

Catfish: Slow to fair. Captain Rodger Taylor reports that the most likely pattern remains targeting the middle to lower end of the lake focusing on the riverbed, the mouths of deep creeks and adjacent deepwater flats. Blue cats will be moving back and forth from the riverbed to the flats, depending on a variety of factors, but they are generally following the bait movement. The best technique seems to be slow drift fishing in 30-55 feet of water, which allows anglers to cover lots of water looking for scattered fish. The best baits include gizzard shad and small pieces of cut fish (the size of a quarter coin). Channel catfish are also being caught, but in less numbers than blues.

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Mountains Area

Lake Jocassee

Black Bass: Slow to fair. Captain Pat Bennett advises that Lake Jocassee bass fishing is still mostly in a winter pattern, but better spring fishing is right around the corner. Until water temperatures warm a few more degrees look for bait schools on your graph in deeper water, and then lower down a jigging spoon or drop shot rig. Very soon fish will start to move up shallower around the first drop off from the bank as they begin to stage for the spawn.

Lake Keowee

Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Good. Guide Brad Fowler that Lake Keowee bass were still essentially in a winter pattern before the warm spell hit, but that will change any day now as temperatures rise. A drop shot rig was a very effective way to target them. 80 degree days will quickly push fish towards a spring pattern.

Lake Hartwell

Crappie: Slow to fair. Captain Bill Plumley reports that a few crappie have been caught casting tiny jigs around docks. Fish can also be caught trolling 20-25 feet deep in the creek channels. Look for the bite to change quickly as temperatures rise. Striped and Hybrid Bass: Slow to fair. Captain Bill Plumley reports that striper are scattered all over the lake but the best pattern has been free-lining herring in the mouths of creeks and across main lake points. The biggest fish have been caught on large gizzard shad fished the same way, and a few striper have been picked up on umbrella rigs.

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Florida&#39;s <b>Freshwater Fishing</b> Blog

Welcome to Florida’s new Freshwater Fisheries Blog Site hosted by Florida Sportsman and written by the folks at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Our intent in this blog is to provide you with a stream of useful information to enhance your enjoyment and understanding of our diverse and exceptional freshwater fishing opportunities.

Florida is the “Fishing Capital of the World” due to great resources and responsible management, and the numbers back up the claim. Southwick Associates published the “Sportfishing in America: An Economic Force for Conservation, 2013? for the American Sportfishing Association. This report is based on a study done by the Census Bureau for the US Fish and Wildlife Agency every five years, which determines the value and amount of outdoor recreation in each of the 50 states, and is entitled “The 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.”

The latest report documented that Florida ranked #1 with 3.1 million anglers (#2 New York had 1.9 million), and total expenditures of $5 billion (#2 New York had $2.7 billion). Florida’s role as the fishing destination for travelers was also overwhelmingly reaffirmed, with 2 million non-resident anglers visiting the state (#2 Michigan had 347,000). The ripple effect of these dollars was an $8.7 billion economic impact that supported 80,211 jobs in Florida.

Specific to freshwater in 2011, Florida had 1.2 million anglers. They enjoyed 25.7 million days fishing (#2 Texas had 22.6 million), spending almost a billion dollars and generating an economic impact of $1.7 billion, which supported more than 14,000 jobs. Largemouth bass are the most popular recreational fish throughout North America, and in Florida 62 percent of the freshwater effort was dedicated to fishing for largemouth bass.

As a result, the FWC in 2009-10 worked with anglers (7,500 responses) and representatives of the fishing community including, tournament groups, outdoor writers, tackle manufacturers, bait-and-tackle shop owners, local tourism agencies and university scientists to create the long-term Black Bass Management Plan. The plan was adopted in June 2011, and one outcome was development of a new TrophyCatch angler recognition and reward program that began in Oct. 2012. Although the plan is science-informed, it is designed to integrate the needs and desires of anglers. As an example, the FWC is currently conducting a largemouth bass regulations review and wants your input.

Future blogs will be more focused on individual topics, but we wanted to take this opportunity to familiarize you with the scope of activities that we will be covering. We look forward to listening to your comments and becoming a useful resource for you.

About the Authors

Florida’s Freshwater Fishing Blog is brought to you by folks at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission who are dedicated to managing your freshwater fish resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people like you. Reach them at Freshwater.Fisheries@MyFWC.com

John Cimbaro works in the southern part of the state. He authors the City Fisher Newsletter and will provide input on local fishing conditions and events.KP Clements, the TrophyCatch Program Coordinator, will generate exciting updates on this angler recognition reward program.Dustin Everitt works in central Florida and will be letting you know about conservation projects and fishing conditions there.Justin Hill, the outreach coordinator for freshwater fisheries research, will write about the science behind fisheries management.Rick Stout, Florida Bass Conservation Center Coordinator will inform you of stocking programs and their effects.Bob Wattendorf, a fisheries scientist with over 30 years experience in Florida is author of the Fish Busters’ Bulletins and also serves on the boards of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association and Get Outdoors Florida. He will keep you informed about youth and adult outreach activities and happenings in Tallahassee that affect your fishing.

Together we’re here to provide answers about everything and anything to do with freshwater fisheries management, research and enjoyment in Florida.

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Local guide Justin Hanold scores record-setting tournament win at Lake Havasu

Written by Kellen Ellis Wednesday, March 27, 2013

News - Freshwater Fishing News

Poway's Justin Hanold, a local bass fishing guide scored a big WON Bass Pro/Am tournament win at Lake Havasu on March 16th and 17th. Hanold weighed a two day limit totaling 46.97 pounds, anchored by a huge 5-fish limit on day 1 weighing 26.83 pounds. 

Hanold arrived in Lake Havasu City on Tuesday the 12th to begin a few days of pre-fish. With temperatures rising in the desert, new waves of bass were moving up to the shallows to spawn each day. Justin made an unorthodox decision, saying "I made up my mind early that I would not make a single cast during all four days of practice."

After four days of covering shoreline with his eyes fixed in the shallows, Hanold had over 280 "marks" (GPS waypoints) set, all holding the location of solid bedding bass (mostly smallmouth). "With what I was seeing, I had a feeling every competitor would have 15 pounds in the boat in the first hour of the tournament," he said. With as many fish as there were up spawning in the lake, Justin knew he would have to focus his efforts on finding largemouth bass, which are bigger and more plentiful in the Colorado River which feeds Havasu to the north. So Justin set his focus on the river on the last day of practice, and found enough quality fish to know thats where he'd attack during the competition. 

On day 1 Justin had caught his big fish of the day, a 7.06 pounder, a 6 pounder, and 3 fish around 4 pounds by 8 AM. Despite having a few more 5 pound quality fish marked in the river that would cull out those 4 pounders,  Justin made a wise decision to leave them alone and save them for the second day. So Justin spent the rest of day 1 back in the main lake, hopping around his marks and was able to cull all 3 of the 4 pounders, leading to his first day total of 26.83 pounds. 

On the second day of competition Justin ran right back up river to get those 5 pounders he saved the day before. Unfortunately, he arrived to find those fish gone, either caught the day before by other competitors, or just absent for whatever reason. That's not the way you want to start the second day of a tournament you're leading, but Justin kept grinding. 

Fortunately for Justin, there were plenty of bass still in the river, and he had lots of marks left to check. He ran around the river catching the rest of the quality marks he had without having to save anything, and by 9 AM had around 17 pounds. At that point, he decided to again hit the main lake and try to continue culling fish. "Finding fish [in the main lake] was hard, but I was able to cull several times by running-and-gunning," he said. 

Justin's running-and-gunning efforts yielded a limit on the second day weighing 20.14 pounds, giving him enough to win by a little more than 2.5 pounds over second place angler Clay Lippincott of Goodyear, AZ. All of Justin's fish were caught on white Berkley Jigs with Chigger Craw trailers. 

Justin set new WON Bass records for single-day and two-day totals, both being held previously by Hall of Famer Mike Folkestad. 

The win was worth $10,360 dollars in total, made up of cash prizes for 1st place, day 1 big stringer, and third biggest fish of the tournament. 

The fishing at Havasu was truly spectacular for this tournament, as evidenced by the fact that the last place pro angler, Ed Shaver in 47th place caught a two day limit of 10 bass weighing 27.95 pounds, nearly a 3 pound bass average. 

For more information on Justin Hanold, or to book a guide trip, visit his website at socalfishingadventures.com or give him a call at 858.254.9215.

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