Are the fisherman or the fisheries getting better ?

I have been noticing that a lot of the local lakes have been kicking out some GIANT tournament sacks, for example 32lbs on Eagle Mountain and 29lbs on Grapevine not to mention lots of big fish being posted from lakes that aren't exactly known for bigguns. So what do y'all think? Is it more the fisherman figuring out the lakes or is this due to the amount of people who practice catch and release?

Alabama Rig

Must be all the wonderful input on the Tff.

It's the equipment. Flat bill hats, jerseys and white sunglasses.

Stickers and wrapped boats

Fish cages/3rd livewells...


...and of course, jerseys...

Maybe because the bass are spawning and that makes the big females vulnerable to sight fishing?

CPR

lake levels

A-rigs

Yea I agree. It seems every tournament I see on Ray Hubbard now you have to have at least 20 LBS to get a check. Same with the lakes previously mentioned. Even Lewisville has been bringing in some big sacks.

I would think it is a combination of lots of factors. Lake cycles, lake management, weather patterns, and of course access to better electronics.

this and the time of year

A-rigs and 15%'ers

side imaging

Probably the best way to find fish in our older lakes.Makes them fish larger.

Power poles.

[/quote] I agree with it being the time of year, but I fish Eagle Mountain and have been for a while now and it seems that each year it produces bigger and bigger fish [/quote]

I think Eagle Mountain is going off because of the tremendous shad population in that lake. I live down the road and fish there quite often. The lake is just full of baitfish and I'm thinking the bass are benefiting greatly from it. I can only imagine how EM would fish if it had a healthy amount of grass for the fish to hide in.

I think the fishermen are getting better as well as the bait manufacturers, Big Emphasis on the plastic baits.

I don't think the Grapevine 29 pound winner was throwing an a-rig because they were making fun of us throwing one. actually, I think they were kidding us for trolling INTO that 25 mph wind, but they weren’t throwing a-rig when we passed.

A lot of factors (in my opinion),

1) People are getting better at figuring things out
2) The lower levels have not allowed a lot of the fish to push back as far so they are more accessible during this years spawn
3) It seems we have had an abundance of bait fish the past few years and milder winter temps, thus the fish have had more active metabolisms and more bait to feed up on.

I have no concrete evidence to support these opinions, just my

More fishermen, less water, more fishermen with better knowledge on where and how to catch more and bigger fish.

I def think technology has a lot to do with it. Though the older style graphs could find structure in deep water it was not as easy, it seemed that most angelers used to beat the banks day in and day out, but today you see more angelers looking for that deep water structure and other structure that used to get passed up a lot. But I also belive that the higher shad population and more of a practice of catch and release helps also, back in the day if a guy caught a pig he would take it to get mounted instead of taking the pictures and measurements and get a replica made.... just my two cents

It was a good topic- Always a few clowning around-

The quality of the new-generation professionals is higher, PLUS the
necessary research is easier/quicker, PLUS the latest/greatest equipment is unbelievably extraordinary.
The lakes around here are getting worst NOT better.

I am pretty much Awesome.

The fact that fishing is more of a business now than ever before is putting more and more fisherman on the water for longer periods of time.
As the old joke goes, Can you tell me how to get to Carnagie Hall? Practice, practice, practice.

My answer is TOW and practice fishing for $500 Alex.

Both.
TPWD does a great job of keeping it the bass fishing mecca. Lots of lakes. Fairly short mild winters. Florida bass thrive.
Anglers have more options, information readily available. Better electronics. More sensitive specialized rods. New lures every year.
More tournaments with larger turnouts. Thus more anglers on the water.

Yes

We are more efficient now than ever at catching fish. And we have lakes that have been stocked well and fish are maturing.

+1

I'm not catching anymore than usual, but I can't afford the new fangle dangle sideimaging..downscaning electronics.. so "must be the new electronics..

We are living in an information driven society.,!

Florida and Hybridized Bass are the difference. 6.5 lb Texas bass rocked our world in 1980. Now all we talk about are DD's. Bigger bass, bigger sacks. I know this. I'm not any better a fisherman than my pops and my boys aren't better than me. Combs aint better than Clunn, etc.

I agree, these younger whippersnappers aren't as good as us old timers at catching, but they are better than we are at finding..with these new electronics ... my 6 year old grandson can do stuff on an I-pad I haven't a clue about...

They got us there for sure.