not really interested in arguing a point Im not making. All im saying....the select few that work with ShareLunker not only have more education on black bass, but also more experience and data points/sample size than anyone out there. Because of this I value their opinions and practices on how to grow big bass for an entire state...over the opinion of some people going off limited personal experience, and anecdotal second hand stories.

Its already been stated that 1 of 17 died. Thats great in my books. But im just trying to be objective on the matter with no dog in the fight either way....but I do appreciate what Texas does for bass fishing.

I have a buddy who caught a 13 in east texas today. His 5th 13+ ever. He has never turned one in. His lakes would get hammered if he did.

unless you're fishing a tournament where it gets stuck in the livewell all day then carried in a bag to a weigh in after which it is released.

This argument gets so old. It's worse than the MLF vs BASS debate.

. God yes!! Each person has their own choice to make. Not sure why some feel they have to push theirs onto others

True.

Smart man. You want to see your small local lake get beat to death turn in a SAL out of it, its about to happen to Coleman. They should add the option for the anglers to make the lake anonymous, their entries would skyrocket, but TPWD won't ever do that, they want the publicity.

If it's really only one (and I have no reason to doubt them) that isn't as bad as I thought it would be.

I really am on the fence with this program, would sure love the chance at making the decision though!

Good thinking! I would do the same.

After seeing that out of the last 17 turned in only 1 has died and the others are doing great, I’d prob turn one in. The lake I like to fish already gets the hell beat out of it 7 days a week so it makes zero difference.

To answer your question directly, I personally do not know more than the biologists at TPWD. I also do not have an opinion on the Sharelunker program good or bad. My point was just because people are educated and know a lot on a particular subject does not mean they automatically make good decisions. This is especially true where funding is involved. Now don't read anything into my last sentence. Not saying TPWD is doing this so they don't lose funding. My statements hold true to just about any field of study.

I think this is smart. I've never understood the need to tell everyone in Texas how many fish you're catching in a small lake. Does the guy doing it really want half of Dallas and Houston coming to his 500-2,000 acre lake?

There was a thread a few years ago titled "Bloodbath On XXXXXXX!!!" It proceeded to tell about how he caught 60-70 bass, 4-5 pounders out the wazoo, etc. A friend of mine texted and asked if I had seen it. He was incredulous that someone would post that about a tiny lake. Sure enough, it got so crowded that we didn't want to go there anymore.

Amen brother... Dan

And yet....they read and comment...

You don’t have to certify fish under 10 lbs in the SAL program. Not sure where guys are getting the idea that folks are hauling 8’s to the marina to get them certified. You measure, take a pic on the board, take a pic of entire fish on handheld scale, submit, and release. At least learn what the program actually is before you start dogging it out....

Would be awesome if they would come up with something similar to what the Toledo Bend Lake Association does. Give the replica to anyone who submits a Legacy Class lunker, then give them the choice to donate to spawn or not. Many are donating for 2 reasons, the glory and the replica. So give a replica and the glory, but then give them the choice to donate to spawn or release back into the lake. Maybe only the ones that donate fish to spawn can qualify for the annual drawing or give a way stuff. I love me some TPWD, not a biologist, just another armchair quarterback like everyone else in here.