Florida Fish Busters’ Bulletin

December 2009
Bob Wattendorf

FWC needs your input on the draft black bass management plan

Black bass are the most popular recreational fishes in the United States, but do you know what they are? In the Sunshine State, black bass include Florida largemouth, shoal, spotted and Suwannee basses. We are fortunate to live in a state known as the Garden of Eden for these feisty sport fish.

Scientists specializing in fish species will tell you they aren’t real bass at all, but rather members of the sunfish family that include crappie and bluegill. But anglers who have tussled with a Florida largemouth bass will insist they are the “reel” basses.

In Florida, black bass annually provide more than 800,000 anglers with nearly 15 million days of healthy outdoor recreation and generate substantially more than a billion dollars in economic impact for Florida. So although the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has always zealously managed these fish to ensure their survival and sustainable use, it is now time to pull together all the loosely connected pieces into one cohesive management plan.

Darrell Scovell, director of the Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management, announced the framework for such a plan at the first public meeting of the rapidly evolving Florida Freshwater Fishing Coalition (FLFFC.org), in October in Orlando. The FWC’s Black Bass Management Plan will ultimately provide the blueprint to ensure Florida’s recognition as “The Bass Capital of the World,” according to Scovell. The meeting drew representatives from 17 fishery-dependent type organizations, businesses and groups who actively participated in the discussion and commended the FWC for its outreach effort.

Tom Champeau, an FWC fisheries expert and director of the South Region, introduced the concept at the meeting. He emphasized that the prominence of our bass fisheries cannot be taken for granted. Participation in freshwater fishing has been affected by societal changes related to urbanization and changing demographics. Freshwater fishing license sales have shown an overall decline since the 1980s, although sales have stabilized over the past 10 years. Development of land and water resources to support our current and projected population growth threatens lake, river and associated wetland habitats. The uncertain impacts of climate change on freshwater habitats and bass fishing require investigation and adaptive management.

To protect our valuable bass fisheries, the FWC plans to engage more stakeholders through a year-long process to develop a long-term (2010-2030) management plan for Florida bass species. This plan will provide strategies and programs to manage for high quality fisheries and increase opportunities for anglers to pursue trophy Florida bass.

“The FLFFC is ecstatic about being involved at the grass roots level in discussing Florida’s black bass management,” said Todd Kersey, CEO of the FLFFC. “The enthusiasm of the participants shows how important this is and the desire to see all aspects of management – from aquatic vegetation control, to habitat enhancement and stocking, to regulation management and enforcement – included in the plan.”

That is just what the FWC biologists wanted to hear, not only from the FLFFC, but from all of the nearly 1 million anglers who enjoy fishing in Florida for black bass. The plan will include all those aspects and more, but the final product depends on good, solid science, knowledge of local fisheries – including the constraints and opportunities – and what you, the public, want your fisheries resources to be. From creating relaxing, low-pressure aesthetic fisheries where natural scenery is the major draw, to fast-action schooling bass in the small to average size range, to limited-entry trophy bass fisheries, FWC biologists are willing to work with local communities to design a management plan that, with adequate funding and public support, can provide the sustainable fishing opportunities you want.

To see a draft of the plan and the PowerPoint presentation given at the FLFFC meeting, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and select Black Bass Management Plan proposal. You’ll also have the opportunity to fill out a survey to provide the FWC with more information about what you think is important to having quality bass fishing in Florida. Make your voice heard, fill out the survey today.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) encourage families to enjoy all the pleasures of fishing in Florida. Florida is the Fishing Capital of the World,” said Bob Wattendorf, special projects coordinator for the FWC’s Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management. “More people fish here than in any other state, and more tourists come here to fish than anywhere else in the country because of the quality of fishing. Nearly everyone is within a few dozen miles of a place where they can wet a line.”

Father’s Day is a great time to remember the benefits of fishing, and at the top of that list is the opportunity to spend time together as families talking and enjoying nature. Getting back to nature is a national trend that is gaining momentum because of its broad-reaching health and societal benefits. What better time to get back out there than Father’s Day.

With Father’s Day fast approaching, the RBFF (www.TakeMeFishing.org) and (BassOnline.com) is offering Anglers’ Legacy Ambassadors a Father’s Day coupon to encourage participation in recreational boating and fishing for the upcoming holiday. This easy-to-print coupon is a reminder to outdoor enthusiasts to share these activities with loved ones and newcomers. Angling dads also can use it as a way to tell someone how they really want to celebrate the holiday – on the water.

Father’s Day is a great opportunity to pass on the legacy of the sport to the next generation of boaters and anglers,” said RBFF President and Bass Online CEO Todd Kersey. “Many anglers today learned to fish from their fathers. This is an opportunity for those anglers to do the same with the next generation. And as we introduce newcomers to boating and fishing, we help preserve our waterways and generate funds for conservation.”The FWC also is offering a special five-year freshwater fishing license bonus program. This promotion provides an extra incentive to anglers, in the form of free tackle, publications and fishing accessories that add to the convenience and cost savings already associated with a five-year license.

Matched with the priceless memories created from family fishing experiences, this makes a great Father’s Day gift. Five-year licenses cost $79, plus convenience fees.

The first 3,000 customers to upgrade to a five-year freshwater fishing license not only save up to $20 in fees, but also receive a free bonus package by mail with samples, magazines and coupons from fishing-related companies. Some of the items offered include free hooks from Daiichi and Owner, lures from Culprit and Berkley, a coupon for free sunglasses from Penn, a variety of other goodies and a chance at a FREE guided bass fishing trip with one of BassOnline.com fishing guides. Five-year licenses are available online at MyFWC.com/License and via the toll-free phone number, 1-888-347-4356. In addition, they’re available at many retail stores that sell fishing supplies, bait-and-tackle shops or county tax collectors’ offices. The package typically arrives in three to four weeks, without the purchaser or the agent having to do anything else. Details are available at MyFWC.com/Fishing/5yr-2008.html .

or information about local fishing opportunities, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing/Forecasts.

From Staff and Wire Reports
BassOnline.com