Searched the TFF Archives and didn't see this mentioned.

If you catch a bass on Toledo weighing 10lbs or larger the TBLA will give you a Free replica if you bring it "alive" to one of their weighing sites mentioned in the article.

The Program runs from May to May. In the 2014/15 timeframe they gave away 85 mounts and so far this year they have given away an additional 53 mounts so far. They tag the bass prior to release and only had 6 bass out of the current 53 that had been tagged previously.


http://www.louisianasportsman.com/details.php?id=8950

I don't want to be "that guy"..... But not catching previously tagged fish could indicate stress induced mortality.... Maybe not! I prefer this to SAL, but it's still hard on them.

Yeah it would probably be better if they did away with the program and took them all home to have skin mounts made.

Heck why don't we just eat every single bass caught.


Seriously, if you think by only having 6 of the previous fish turned in so far indicates they are dying because of being caught, why are you still out there catching fish. By that logic it means most of them we catch die. Toledo bend is huge.

Now you are both "that guy"! Lol.

I think it's a great alternative to SAL. Also, like above, it keeps them alive. I don't think the tag effects mortality. There are literally thousands of DD bass in that lake. They are HARD to catch. That is why they are large. They are more conditioned to run from boats, noises, things they have learned as dangerous to them. It takes LOTS of skill and even lots of luck to catch one. Sometimes just luck. Haha.

Agreed. I truly believe that there are fish on TB that live their entire life and never see a lure. I think its actually pretty amazing that six of them have been caught again. The program also has strategically located certified weigh stations some of which will come out and weigh your fish 24/7. The fish is then monitored and cared for in a treated/oxygenated tank for a full 24 hours before being released back into the lake to swim away. I have a place on the lake and have never heard of a single tagged floater being found.

Tags don't harm them at all.....30 mile trips in the live well do......it's a free country.....

That's great info that I didn't have!!

<< This
Couldn't agree more. MUCH better than the SAL program and I guess ??? it's all year long !!
Heck, 10b giant is hard enough to catch and the incentive to release it by giving you a 'replica' sounds great, well to me
JMO
God Bless

Just wish it wasn't so dad gum far over there! Great lake.....
again, JMO
God Bless

I turned a 11pounder lose last year. Wind was blowing about 25mph and the mainlake looked like deadliest catch. Didn't figure it would be good for the fish or my back. If it wouldn't have been blowing so hard I would have made the run to weigh her and get the replica.

As bad as I would love to catch a fish of that size, you did the right thing/the only thing shipmate.
Good Job ....
You sure should have got a picture at least.....dang
God Bless

The guys at TB have it right. Reward folks for keeping the fish in the lake. It's a great idea, I guarantee the resources exist for a similar program at Fork.

Well I was one of the guys that caught one that had been tagged. It was 11.6 when it was caught the first time. I caught it a year later 30 miles away from where it had been caught and it was 12.60. I have no data for anything about this program and how well it works,but when I caught mine I was prefishing for a Rayovac I caught the fish put it in the live well drove to weigh in station (never handled the whole time in between) they weighed it and let it go that day. Total time in the boat was less than an hour. Only time it was transferred on the road was 5 miles to the station. It lived the first time and they told me it was in such good shape that they let it go quickly. This was just my experience. On a side note it was caught by a buddy Stephen Johnson which I thought was a crazy coincidence.

people that think this program is a bad idea need to start fishing without hooks....that way the fish can be kicked off at the boat

what a cool program, wish they would do this on other lakes in Texas