Florida Fish Busters’ Bulletin April 2014 April freshwater fishing in Florida is full of fun, opportunities and rewarding challenges By: Bob Wattendorf

Freshwater anglers have enjoyed

wonderful fishing in 2014 across Florida,

and this spring should provide more of the

same. Pro-anglers just enjoyed a very

successful Bassmasters Elite Tournament

on the St. Johns River. On March 23, Chris

Lane, originally from Lakeland, won with a

four-day total of 90.13 pounds, bringing in

20 bass during the four days. Of the top 12

finishers, 11 filled their five-bag limit all four days.

However, the success of the pros is just one indicator of how great the winter

fishing was and what is likely to continue all through spring.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) incentive-based

conservation program titled TrophyCatch rewards anglers for participating in citizen-

science, by catching, documenting and releasing largemouth bass heavier than 8

pounds. Besides the immediate gratification of releasing these older bass to fight

another day, anglers provide valuable information about the number and distribution of

these trophy bass and what it takes to sustain a trophy fishery. Biologists compare the

findings to existing conservation programs such as habitat restoration efforts, aquatic

Len Andrews, 74, visits Florida every year just for the bass fishing, and it pays off. This is his 13-pound, 12-ounce Hall of Fame entry from Lake Kingsley. Follow Facebook.Com/TrophyCatchFlorida to see where the big ones are being caught.

vegetation management strategies, bass stocking histories and various regulation

management approaches to determine what works best.

Between Jan. 1 and March 23, 2013,

anglers entered 54 Lunker Club (8-9.9

pounds), 31 Trophy Club (10-12.9 pounds)

and one Hall of Fame bass over 13 pounds.

During the same time period this year, there

were 220 Lunker Club entrants, 89 Trophy

Club and 3 Hall of Fame bass entrants. Part

of that three-fold increase was due to

simplified rules and more anglers being

aware. Nevertheless, it is clear that Florida is

producing and recycling vast numbers or

trophy bass.

So you never know when you may find a lunker on the end of your line. To be

prepared, go to TrophyCatchFlorida.com now, register and check out the rules and

prizing. Just registering makes you eligible for a random drawing in October for a

Phoenix bass boat powered by Mercury and equipped with a Power-Pole. However,

every time you have a TrophyCatch bass verified, your name is entered 10 more times.

Moreover, every verified bass earns you not only bragging rights on the Web but also a

customized certificate, decal and club shirt, plus at least a total of $100 in gift cards from

Bass Pro Shops, Dick’s Sporting Goods and/or Rapala. Bigger fish earn greater

Not only professional anglers and adults catch and release trophy bass in Florida. You never know what memories and fish the next cast will bring.

rewards: Anglers who have 13-pound plus Hall of Fame entries also get a $500

fiberglass replica of their catch.

All three Hall of Fame entries from this winter (there was one caught in the fall by

Van Soles on Lake Kissimmee) came from semi-private Lake Kingsley in Clay County.

Len Andrews, 74, from Richmond, Va., in a recent two-week period, caught and

released 12 Florida largemouth bass over 10 pounds, capped by a TrophyCatch Hall of

Fame entry that was verified as 13 pounds, 12 ounces. Andrews also became the first

“Triple Crown” winner by documenting a Lunker Club, Trophy Club and Hall-of-Fame

bass. All of the hundreds of bass he’s caught on Lake Kingsley have been with a Zoom

6-inch lizard.

Fellow Lake Kingsley angler Joseph “Brooks” Morrell

recently reported three huge bass that he caught,

documented, released and entered into TrophyCatch. These

included the second and third Hall of Fame entries this season

(Oct. 1, 2013, to Sep. 30, 2014). These two bass weighed 13

pounds, 12 ounces, and 14 pounds, 9 ounces and were

caught March 1 and 8, respectively. The third bass Morrell

caught, on March 9, weighed 11 pounds, 13 ounces. All of his

catches were enticed to take an artificial crawfish bait. His 14

pounder is the current season leader. If it holds up, he will

earn the TrophyCatch Championship ring in October, which is

donated by the American Outdoors Fund.

Brooks Morrell's 14 lb, 9 oz Hall of Fame catch was 27 3/4 inches long and had a girth of 21 inches. It is currently the largest bass in TrophyCatch Florida's second season.

However, there is still a lot of fishing to be done before then, so get out there and

see what you can catch.

The FWC scheduled the first of four license-free recreational fishing days on the

first full weekend in April each year (April 5-6, 2014), because it coincides with a

productive freshwater fishing period, when the weather is usually pleasant. Many of

Florida’s recreational sport fishes, inlcuding black bass, bluegill and redear sunfish,

move into shallow waters to spawn during spring, making them more available for

anglers to catch.

License-free freshwater fishing weekends are a great time to introduce other

family members, friends and neighbors to fishing and see if they and you would like to

take up the sport. Besides enjoying the fun of reeling in a fish, many people find

recreational fishing to be a good motivator to enjoy the great outdoors and living a more

active, healthy and natural lifestyle.

During license-free freshwater fishing

weekends (the first weekend in April and the

second weekend in June) no recreational

fishing license is required. However, all other

bag limit and season, gear and size

restrictions apply.

To further encourage recreational

fishing, the FWC will conduct a special

contest during April to collect photos of

anglers. All you have to do is post a photo of your family fishing in Florida’s fresh waters

During April, post a photo of your family fishing in Florida’s fresh waters on Twitter or Instagram with #FLfish. In return for your efforts, the FWC will enter you into a drawing for one of six surprise packages. Photo courtesy of TakeMeFishing.org.

on Twitter or Instagram with #FLfish. In return for your efforts, the FWC will enter you

into a drawing for one of six surprise packages, each including a $50 gift card from Bass

Pro Shops, thanks to TrophyCatch, a Glen Lau video library on DVD and assorted

fishing lures, hooks, line and goodies to make your next trip even more productive.

Submitted photos must be your own. Editing software must not be used, and the

photo cannot include inappropriate content. Photos should be taken during April while

freshwater fishing in Florida and include multiple anglers enjoying their day together on

the water. The FWC may subsequently use the photos for educational or outreach

purposes.

So where will you go for your next freshwater fishing trip? Plenty of resources are

available online to help you choose. Start by visiting MyFWC.com/Fishing and under

“Freshwater Fishing” pick “Sites/Forecasts.” There you can find the top destinations for

pursuing bass, bream, catfish and other species in 2014, as well as regional forecasts

and tips for local waters; information on all 80 FWC Fish Management Areas; and links

to our boat ramp finder and freshwater fish attractor locations. Another good resource is

TakeMeFishing.org/State/FL.

Instant licenses are available at MyFWC.com/License or by calling 888-FISH-FLORIDA (347-4356). Report violators by calling 888-404-3922, *FWC or #FWC on your cell phone, or texting to Tip@MyFWC.com. Visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and select “more news,” or scr.bi/Fish-busters for more Fish Busters’ Bulletins. To subscribe to FWC columns or to receive news releases, visit myfwc.com/Contact.

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