Guys,

Just let the man grow a world record.

Sheesh.

This isn't a conspiracy theory.

x 1,000.... this thread has gotten pretty ridiculous. Doc, do what you want, this is America. I wish you all the best and as a proud Texan would love to see the world record come from here.

I hear crickets from the bashers...

I am curious, Is there a contract in place between someone who catches a SAL and in that contract does it talk about how and where the fry will be released. I mean I don't know I have never caught one, I mean is it a hand shake deal that a SAL fry is released back into the lake in which it's parents came from?

It has been discussed over and over about the SAL helping or hurting Texas Bass Fishing. I know just by watching how this deal has played out there is a lot less 15 pounders showing up these days, Maybe the drought or maybe the lakes are old and cannot produce, I don't know but maybe we are interfering to much with Nature and that's throwing things out of whack. This project may answer a bunch of these questions.

I wish nothing but the best for this project and it does achieve the goals set forth. I hope this will lay a blueprint to make bass fishing better in the state in the long run. 15 years is a long time. Hopefully you will see results in 9 and if it works out like you think and you have 18 pounders swimming, That property just doubled in price and there will be just a few years left for a investor to pay a awesome price for that place. I do hope you keep us informed of the progress and I truly wish you the best of luck of this project. If I hit the Lotto in the next 10 years I will pay you triple your out of pocket cost. Man I could only dream of a Chug bug dancing around a bush on a April morning under a partly cloudy sky.

you are advocating breaking United States laws and you call me absurd? Ohh my, I now see you are mentally diminished, I apologize for picking on a handicapped person.

Well now I'm really confused! So the lake is now being controlled by the state? So, there won't be anymore prawns fed to the bass? None of this makes sense, you build a lake and make it worthless to yourself for the next 15 years.

Wow...All this private lake bass talk is great for business.

I would be embarrassed to tell how many hours I have spent discussing bass genetics with some of the leading biologists and lake managers in the country. What I have learned is what seems simple, is not. Controlled fish growing studies are few and far between, as trying to replicate forage, water quality, environment, artificial food, predators, habitat, harvest and a dozen other factors are impossible. We would love to know how tweaking each of these factors affect fish growth. But the reality is that the factors change many times over even in short studies that might last only a year or two. Can you imagine a study for 15 years? Lots can go wrong or things can go better than expected. The map to grow trophy bass (14 lbs and larger) is fraught with so many choices, circumstances, and luck that it makes your head spin. This does not even take into account, will those giant fish ever bite a lure.

I am absolutely floored by Gary Schwartz transparency and honesty and thrilled that he was willing to share this on a public forum. Moreover, his commitment is second to none. What a great opportunity it will be for Alan and his team to learn and possible change the way we look at bass genetics and lake management practices. Thank you! Thank you! and Thank you!!

Serenity NOW!

Rob, you guys create another thread in the OT or Bunker to hash this out. Please!

My GOSH!!! The level of detail Dr. Schwarz and Mr. Forshage just shared with this community is...honestly, unheard of.

Take the negativity not specific to the subject elsewhere, please.

Those of u who aren't into dry land farming and huge, native whitetails may have never heard of Dr. Gary Schwarz prior to this thread. The man changed habitat management for wildlife all over the south. The ancillary benefit was white-tailed deer with heavy, chocolate antlers weighing 230-270 lbs at 6 years of age.

The Dr. was able to support much higher deer densities and recruitment than surrounding properties. The results are unrivaled. The man will eventually be inducted into several Texas Hall's of Fame.

Now then, if I had no knowledge of what I just wrote, I might be piZed as a license holder, too.

Do your own research before casting aspersions.

My comments are mine only and were not approved by Dr.S

Sorry Grout Scout, it is confusing. The State is expecting me to continue doing all of the things that increase the nutrition for the bass, only one of which is the prawn thing. I will be sending photos and explaining all of that as we go along, but what attracted them to do this with me in the first place was what I do to increase groceries for the fish, and as long as there is breath and economic life in me, I will continue to do that.

However, I can't remove any of their bass on my own without their approval for 15 years, I can't commercially fish it with customers, and I can't even recreationally fish it unless I am with them when later on as the population begins to need thinning, they have scheduled days for that. Even then, they are not required to include me, although I would be extremely disappointed if they did not.

I tend to agree and I'll start my two cents with a question.

How did you feel or what was your thought when you heard that the world record was tied from a fish from Japan?

Second question:

How would you feel if the record was broken with a fish from California?

With regard to growing trophy fish what works in Florida, California, or Japan will be totally different to what will work here in Texas. It is also apparent that efforts to date here in Texas eg. SAL program while very positive to improve our fisheries are not producing 20+ pound fish.

So then it is very appropriate to shift gears if you will to and create a closed system(s) with fewer variables in order to understand what water, climate, forage, and genetic alleles combinations are necessary to product the desired result.

La Perla apparently your distress from the naysayers indicates your true intentions. Personally I would not allow myself to be goaded into posting contractual agreements. Just stay with your purpose for you know your intentions and therefore should not need universal acceptance.

Please continue to update on the progress for it is a learning opportunity. Thanks and good luck.

JT Evans

I don't think its right, no way. I'm meeting with sharelunker guy tomorrow but
he was very defensive over the phone. The release I signed was they could retain
1% for "studies". So, 1% of 150,000 is 1500 not 7000,or is the new math. I know money will
win in the end, but if it looks bad and smells bad, guess what. Figure it as bass per acre
this Jalisto made out vs. the lakes that got fingerlings.

You didn't answer my question. Can I go fishing with you?

I wonder if there are any documented surveys of private or public waters in Texas that have yielded any fish over 20 pounds?


I heard a rumor of 2 OWR lakes that had 20+ pound fish around 2011, but nothing documented.