Ya'll act like millions were somehow squandered here. What money has been spent? They put a small portion of one years fry into a private lake that the TPWD 100% controls and do not have to pay to maintain. Dr. Schwarz posted his contract on here for all to see. I'm traveling now, but I have them saved back home and can re-post them. There is no conspiracy here.

Sure, I think everyone would love to see a new state record. Even if that doesn't happen though, the TPWD gets access to vast knowledge of how the genetics behave in a highly optimized environment. (free of charge!) It's like trying to go to the moon, you learn all sorts of extremely valuable things along the way.

At the end of the day we all want the same thing. We want to be able to go out and catch a bunch of big fish. Maybe have a shot at the fish of a lifetime. The knowledge gained from this experiment will ultimately benefit the every angler in Texas to one degree or another.

I hope the record is never broken, I hope the St Clair fish stands against the onslaught of science, genetics, breeding, the hatchery in Athens, la perla, lake x and whatever else can be thrown at it. And if it is broken I hope it's a kid under the bridge somewhere and they eat it.

A small percentage of people are ones that care bout growing world record in private pond most people just want them to spread the sal offspring into public water not a rich guys pond

yes sir - exactly

Stop with all the rich guy poor guy carp. Some of us just want to see if it can be done at all in Texas.

It really steams my broccoli that Cali has produced so many giants bigger than Texas and they aren't even trying. The giant bass outta Cali is just a by-product of them stocking trout for the locals to catch.

Hey I would love to see us break the record on public water. I could care less how this guy spends his $ hell he made it but should not be done by somebody else�s fish

100%. Just big ponds with no competition, pure Florida's and heavily stocked with trout.

Trout and better big bass conditions!

Let�s start stocking trout in the winter months! 😂

There was a 19.25 shocked up out of Alan Henry about 2 years ago. I�d be willing to bet there are at least 2 or 3 swimming around out there that could break the record. 75% of that lake has never seen a lure cause fisherman don�t think they can live deeper than 30�

I would call Squaw a Hybrid Private lake.

While they let the general public in for a price, they also shut it down and don't allow anyone in.

I still don't understand why a Game Warden goes on the lake if it is a private lake.

I have a private lake in my subdivision, but since there are "NO Fishing SIgns" or signs saying it is for Home Owners only, the general public can use it, but the game warden can't issue a ticket for fishing license.

Good points sir.

If you don't already know about the State Boating Access grant, have a look at this:
"The State Boating Access Program was authorized in 1975 by the Texas Legislature. The program provides funds for the purchase, construction, renovation and maintenance of boat ramps, access roads and other related facilities to improve recreational boating access to public waters. Construction for approved projects is supported on a 75 percent (federal), 25 percent (local) basis.

While the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department administers the grants, funding comes from the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, also known as Wallop-Breaux for the original congressional sponsors. The Sport Fish Restoration program is funded by revenues from a portion of federal gasoline taxes generated when recreational boaters gas up their boats and a federal excise tax on items such as fishing rods, reels, creels, lures, flies and artificial baits."

https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/grants/recreation-grants/boating-access

These grants are readily available, but only cover 75% of the cost of the work.

A 2007 TPWD press release stated:
"Hubbard Creek Reservoir Boat Ramp � The West Central Texas Municipal Water District receive a grant of $405,000 to renovate/improve a two-lane boat ramp, access road, parking area, lighting, courtesy docks, and signs. The facility provides public boating access to Hubbard Creek Reservoir." Was this work not done? If not, it was probably because the locality didn't have funds for their share of the costs. One suggestion would be to make sure all the controlling authorities of the lakes you're interested in are aware of the grant and apply for it. And for those drought affected lakes, I expect the grants would also cover extending the boat ramp to account for low water levels.

I believe the majority of bass fisherman could care less about growing huge bass and even less about California,they just want to enjoy the sport,go out and catch fish that's what it's about,It's our tax dollars too,I just want TP&W to take care of all the anglers not just a few.Again JMHO

Yep, you're right. Dr. Schwarz should have just got some of Mike's 2 year old bass from Camelot Bell, (WAY better genetics than anything swimming in public waters in Texas), and then tried to grow a world record based on a different water quality and different base forage (prawns).

That way, when they did it, it would just be a new World Record from private waters and the State of Texas would not have had the opportunity to learn from it or get any of the fingerlings for stocking in public waters.

Perfect idea!

Agreed BKS.

There are a few folks on here that seem to feel like it isn't "fair" to allow a fish from a private lake to be counted as a record. My point is that it is a moot point because nobody has done it yet. I would love to see some land owner raise a 20 pounder so we could all have something to argue about! Until someone does, what is there to squabble over??

It just pizzes me off that Cali has produced multiple 20+ pound fish, the first one being in 1972! My belief is the hot summers and cold winters we have here in Texas will not allow the bass to live long enough to get to 20 pounds. I spoke at length on the phone with Dr. Schwartz and he agreed but he is game to try it anyway.

Wolf Pack at CB may very well have the best shot at growing one over 18 but only time will tell. I just want to see Texas raise a GIANT so we can say it is possible.