Ok, maybe that's stretching it a little bit...even with aerated tanks and temp controls.

At least they're not old rusty trucks with a couple of milk cans in the back!

I think the best thing about this thread is that we all agree on this: Texas bass fishing is special...and we're passionate to keep it that way.

[Fly Rod Yakker]

Word.

agreed.

I honestly feel the program does more good than harm.

BUT

It's not perfect by any means. Had a discussion with a friend over lunch who brought up some great points.

- Why take fish that have already spawned out ?

- Why remove potential record fish?

You guys do realize there is a difference in Florida Largemouth fingerlings and SAL Fingerlings.....

When they stock the offspring from the SAL, it is listed as SAL fingerlings, not Florida Largemouth.

You are attributing SAL success to regular stockings. Regular stockings have nothing to do with the SAL program.

Interesting, did not know that. Looks like Fork got sal fingerlings in 06, 08 and 09.

Bass, ShareLunker Largemouth 2009 3,000 Fingerling
Bass, ShareLunker Largemouth 2008 2,897 Fingerling
Bass, ShareLunker Largemouth 2006 4,800 Fingerling

Correct...

Species Year Number Stocked Size
Bass, Florida Largemouth 2009 144,082 Fingerling
Bass, Florida Largemouth 2005 10,000 Fingerling
Bass, Florida Largemouth 2004 3,038 Fingerling
Bass, Florida Largemouth 1994 144,000 Fingerling
Bass, Florida Largemouth 1994 351 Adult
Bass, Florida Largemouth 1993 149 Adult
Bass, Florida Largemouth 1993 144,124 Fingerling
Bass, ShareLunker Largemouth 2006 7,184 Fingerling
Bass, Smallmouth 1994 75,650 Fingerling
Bass, Smallmouth 1993 72,021 Fingerling
Bass, Spotted 1996 150 Adult
Shad, Gizzard 1993 80 Adult


(A little off topic, but...)
Here is the scariest part about this stocking report. The two now predominant species on the lake are gizzard shad and spotted bass. They were only stocked with a few adult brood fish. Also, there are no smallmouth bass at all left in the lake.

Moral of the story is... spotted bass may be too dominant and agressive. It is my guess that they have devoured most of the smaller baitfish and subsequent fry of other fish in the lake.

When they stock 144,000 Florida fingerlings, how many make it to adult size without getting taken out by the hungry spotted bass?

Of course it is different, point is...they are stocking what they want to be entered in the program...pure florida. Not F1's, not northern strain, but pure florida. I know Fork isn't extremely "dominated" by Florida strain like lakes to the south.

Making the genetics stronger...

Do you have a link where I can find the numbers of actual ShareLunker planted?

thx

Anyone find this odd?

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/action/stock_bywater.php?WB_code=2010

173 ADULT Sharelunker offspring stocked in Naconiche and 95,389 sharelunker finglerings...and 19,991 put in lake Nacogdoches.

yes

Roger that, I figured you knew. I also just wanted to use your post as a platform to get my point across Lot's of people use the stocking statistics to support their feelings on SAL, but they have little to do with each other.

TPWD stocks Florida Fingerlings in our lakes with or without the SAL Program, they are independent.

BTW, don't you have some mysteries to be solving.......

Go make some jigs and don't use the vent!

I understand what you're saying, and in general, that's correct.

But it's not entirely true.

Without SAL's "Operation World Record," the state's "Super Bass" breeding and stocking effort would not be possible.

If Texas ever does produce 20-lb. bass in the future, it is possible that those bass may be a direct result of the SAL program and only because of that program.

See this: http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/fishing/news/story?page=f_fea_bass_TX_world-record-aspirations_SL

BTW, this is from the TPWD news release last year when they were seeking a title sponsor for SAL. FYI, "RFP" is request for proposal.

These are the strategic goals of SAL:

"The RFP is intended to result in a ShareLunker sponsor that will enable the program to achieve its strategic goals, including:

�Enhancing the science of genetics and the selective breeding of largemouth bass, with the ultimate goal of producing the world record largemouth bass in Texas (Operation World Record);
�Producing and stocking more fingerlings and increasing the number of "lunker" bass weighing 8 pounds or more in Texas;
�Increasing the awareness of and educating Texans on the value of this program and the importance of donating lunkers; and
�Increasing awareness of how to properly handle and care for big bass.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/?req=20090610a