Tagged Bass in Florida Lakes earn you cash

[jsuber]

Check it out at http://myfwc.com/NEWSROOM/09/statewide/ ... sResch.htm

October 9, 2009
Contact: Carli Segelson, 727-896-8626

Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute and the University of Florida need assistance with a statewide largemouth bass research study. This year-long project is an interactive way for the public to help biologists obtain critical information necessary to manage the largemouth bass fishery for quality and trophy-sized fish.

From this study, biologists hope to learn how frequently bass are caught and harvested. They also hope to learn more about the size range of fish caught.

Beginning this month, biologists are tagging largemouth bass with small, yellow tags along the back of the fish just below the dorsal fin. These tags carry a printed telephone number, e-mail address, tag number and reward value. Anglers should carefully examine all bass caught in Florida lakes for reward tags, as biologists will tag fish in numerous lakes throughout the state.

Biologists encourage anglers to remove these tags by cutting them as close to the fish as possible and then treat the fish as they would normally. Once anglers remove a tag, they should immediately report it to the FWC Angler Tag Return Hotline at 800-367-4461 or e-mail TagReturn@MyFWC.com.

Anglers participating in the study will receive a reward for each largemouth bass tag they return to the FWC. When reporting the tag, anglers should provide the following information:

* the species of fish,
* tag number, fish length,
* date and time of capture,
* name of the lake where the fish was caught, and
* whether the angler kept or released the fish.

Anglers should mail the tags to:
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Attn: LMB Tagging Study
601 W. Woodward Ave.
Eustis, FL 32726

To learn more about FWC research projects, visit http://research.MyFWC.com.

[WaltDawg]

Had a lot of participation from this site for Cobia, hope we have participation for the freshwater species as well.

[tin can]

I know bass have been caught multiple times. Why not write down the information on the tag and leave the tag in the fish? FWC would then know if a bass had been caught multiple times.

[Sir reel]

Why not write down the information on the tag and leave the tag in the fish? FWC would then know if a bass had been caught multiple times.

Hummm..... good idea but they probably don't have the budget ta pay a reward more than once Might even encourage some folks ta pass around a number or two and jist keep call'n it in