RDB

Sorry for the lengthy reply...I don't really want to get into this again. I'm not looking to argue and I hope you don't take this the wrong way as I feel you're one of the most informative posters on this site, but you seem to grab a sentence to make a point that is unrelated to the point I'm making. ShareLunker is focused on the trophy bass portion of the equation. Their primary focus has not been to increase the percentage of Florida bass in Texas lakes, nor is it to manage the water bodies. Lakes were being managed and Florida's were being introduced well before ShareLunker began and are still introduced outside the program today. Do they all work in some degree of harmony...yes, but each has a primary role. That's why I said I agreed with WRB's point about getting a head start and replenishing higher potential genes and felt that was a key value of the ShareLunker program. As far as the second point, both California and Texas introduced Florida's and both bred with natives. After that first native breeding, you no longer have a pure offspring. Though first gen's. (F1's) maintain that vigor and growth, subsequent generations (F2, F3, etc.) do not. To WRB's point, California introduced Florida's in the 50's and has not had additional stockings since. I don't know California's history but WRB seems super knowledgable so I trust his word. Yet, while Texas continues to introduce pure Florida's and California does not, California still produce monsters (granted smaller numbers) and their records still stand. I am a supporter of the program but I find that part interesting. I also find it interesting that while the Texas ShareLunker program started in the mid 80's, there are still few confirmed offspring from ShareLunker parents. I also acknowledge that my thinking may be flawed...I was just sharing a thought.

I have always felt like your first sentence is the biggest value of the program. I wouldn’t think you could count on F1 and beyond bass to keep producing trophy’s. And the other elements needed for trophy growth are not managed through ShareLunker. However, your second sentence kind of calls that in to question. California doesn’t have a regular Florida restocking program but still produce trophies and your records have continued to stand. And though I may be wrong, I thought Camelot-Bell was still privately owned and managed.

Some are against it but I’m not in that category. Some question the survival rates of these big bass which is a current topic on one of the main Texas forums. That is likely what was being addressed in the video. Mostly I think it’s just some of the hardcore fishermen that don’t like the publicity and pressure it brings to their lakes. Catches are publicly viewable and you know how tight lipped fishermen can be. There are pics posted showing the boat ramp and parking lot after the epic O.H. Ivie week. I decided to submit a fish several years ago (not a Legacy Class) because I wanted to see what was in the goodie bag they send out. With some of the guys I run with, you would have thought I shot their dog. There are a ton of big bass that are never entered into the program.

Just stay within the manufacturers specs for that size reel and you will be fine. They are listed a third of the way down the page.

My tackle addiction will not allow me to answer this question.

Lol...could be. The fishermen from other states have definitely played a role in the program. A number of those ShareLunkers he mentioned were from a handful of out-of-state anglers. This program is a “get your popcorn” topic on many of the Texas forums. Thanks for sharing Catt.

Agreed...and the male you see paired with the female is not necessarily the only male she pairs with. Females often deposit eggs in multiple beds. As far as catching quality bass, you just need to change your perspective. I view a dink as a quality bass. It just needs a little more time.

You Great Lakes fishermen would call heavy Texas waves a light chop. It takes a unique skill set to navigate those waters during high wind conditions. If the wind is such that I can’t hold my spots, I’ll just use that as an opportunity to expand my fishing areas...there are fish all over the lake.

I’ve seen those on the Outdoor Channel...loaded with bigs. Texas has a lot of trophy managed private clubs. Many of the ranches offering trophy deer hunting have added trophy fishing to their menu’s. There are also a number broker type groups that pool landowners to provide members numerous fishing locations. I’ve never fished anything other than public. The sad part is when I was a kid, getting permission to fish a farm pond was as simple as asking. Today you pretty much have to know someone. Fishing, much like hunting, has become such a big business in Texas.

I don’t think I have seen that knot...very cool. I use a palomar but I’m going to try this next time. I occasionally have readjust a palomar (especially after catching a fish) because the knot will roll on the eye and get out of horizontal or cocked at a 45 angle. Thanks for sharing.

I completely agree. To me, one of the most satisfying aspects of bass fishing is solving the puzzle and I feel a much greater sense of accomplishment when I have success. In 2019, I took an 8 week sabbatical and traveled around fishing lakes where I had no or limited history. Luckily I have an understanding wife. I now spend much less time on my “home” lakes.

I met Mark but didn’t know him personally. I have a number of friends that knew him well...he was a Fork legend. And I agree that others have done it for years...we have heard stories from crappie fishermen forever. What is unique is the video game aspect of it. Live imaging has removed much work and expedited the learning process and results. I am a little torn about that but I am a 360 user so maybe that’s hypocritical.

I don’t think he was suggesting catching 100 fish a day but was using to make a bigger point in reply to me. At least that was my take and I agree with the point he was making. And I am going to steal your GIF...I can see it coming in handy. ?

Got it...I guess I was talking more about the interview section with Josh Jones. He has become very popular online and has created a lot of buzz with his approach. I do wonder whether anglers would have the patience to do what he is doing. But he is getting big dollars to teach Livescope. Edit: Guess I should clarify as I spend a lot of time offshore as well. The talk is more around the approach and his success and patience in finding these difficult to find spots that hold big fish.

I do probably have a bit of an unhealthy fixation on the topic right now. That link I shared has my mind going in all directions.

I use whatever I have for backing. For me, it’s just filler to save money if I end up with an under spooled reel or I’m ready to replace line. I guess the only time you wouldn’t use backing is if your spooling your reel on a cast but that would be beyond my capabilities.

I think you could ask 10 pro’s and not get a consistent answer. I call my Witch Doctor composite my spinnerbait/chatterbait rod but in reality, I am just as likely to have one tied on one of my MH/F graphite rods. The main thing I want is a little tip to load.

If you’re talking about the gooey algae stuff (I call it snot grass), I find it super hard to fish. Like others have said, your best bet is to stay above it or just fish the more open areas. The good news is that in my experience, the fish don’t like it either.

It’s easy to get mixed up when the tournaments were happening pretty much at the same time. And yes, there have been some big fish being caught in Texas this year. As you know, there are a ton of bigs caught in Texas that are never reported and you only see on social media or message boards without info on where they were caught. So many anglers here don’t want that info to get out because you have a situation like Ivie where the ramp becomes a parking lot and you have to play bumper boats. I’m sure it happens everywhere but it’s funny to see how many people lose their minds when it does. If you get a chance, read that link I attached...I would be interested in getting your thoughts. I will admit that it has occupied my thoughts for some time and I plan on exploring more this year.

I agree...I was just making the point that bass group up at all depths and thinking that groups of fish in the 4-12’ range are mostly pan fish is missing potential opportunities. It wasn’t about being 100% correct. It was just about bass behavior.

Fair enough but my comments had nothing to do with straight mono.

I am aware of the fish but it was caught at Fork...MLF was at Rayburn.

Here is an interview from Josh Jones discussing his experiences. It is an excellent article. https://www.lunkerlore.com/single-post/the-holy-grail-of-big-bass-fishing

I don’t dispute that it could be entirely weather...if I remember right, Ben said he thought the fish were there due to the weather in the video. There have also been discussions following the story around was it weather, were some resident fish, or was it a combination. I believe that because of the crazy number of big fish v. smalls, some of these bigger fish likely remain in the area (but I acknowledge that I might be wrong). I also don’t dispute that there were frozen sections...the whole thing was caught on video so you can see the water conditions yourself. Just Google 5 Biggest Bass Limit Ever if you haven’t seen it. I actually thought I was agreeing with your previous statement regarding resident fish being located throughout the lake by sharing an example that I believe may support your statement.

Thanks...and that literally has nothing to do with the discussion we are having about O.H. Ivie. We are talking about deep as in 40-60-80’ water deep...depths that typically are not frequented by Texas fishermen. Depths that would be below a stratification level during summer months. Yet there is some discussion that instead of these bass leaving these areas, some may just adjust depths but stay in the same areas year round...and we are talking big bass. New York may be different but I can guarantee you that in Texas, you won’t find many boats camped out in 60 feet of water looking for LMB. In many ways, Livescope is challenging many of the traditional beliefs.