Black bass
For largemouth bass, length limit is a 14-24� slot. Bass 14 inches and less or 24 inches or greater in length may be retained. Only one bass 24 inches or greater may be retained each day. For smallmouth bass (if present), minimum length = 14 inches. No minimum length on spotted and Guadalupe bass (if present.) Daily bag limit for all four species = 5 bass in combination.

According to the wording in the TP&W regulations, what is a legal bass under the 14-24 slot? By the red wording, a 14" fish is legal to keep. However, every game warden I have asked says a 14" fish is "in the slot" therefore illegal.

Its up to the warden, he is the one writing tickets. Hard to fight one of their tickets I would imagine.

I saw bass champs TV show and the measured one from fork that was 16 inches. I thought it could not touch 16 inches? Guess I was wrong they let him weigh it in

Joe Pool has had that slot since forever. You get used to it.

It's not a case of "getting used to it". it a case of confusing language. I really don't care what Joe Pool has.

Agreed , could be a bit confusing

I interpret that to mean the fish must be under 14, as it does not say 14 1/4" or 14 3/4 inches. But you're right, they could have just said, "less than 14 inches".

I see nothing confusing here,a fish longer than 14 inches and less than 24 inches is in the slot, anything else is legal.

Bass 14 inches and less

According to the language, a fish 14" is legal.

In the example slot: 13.99" is legal, 14.00" is not; 24.01" is legal; 24.00" is not. That help? I am speaking from the experience of having worked in District 3B for 7 years at TPWD Inland Fisheries. Now how good are you at measuring them, and more importantly, how good is your warden at measuring them?

Well if you are so desperate to get picky about it, here it is; 14.00000" legal..... 14.00001"= Ticket. There.

I'm not desperate, nor a wiseazz. The point is someone may have what is, by the book, a legal fish to find out at the cleaning station it is illegal and get a citation, when all it would take is a change in wording.

Yes, 14 and 24 are legal according to the wording. It also says only one fish 24 inches or more can be kept not over 24.

Call the warden that patrols that body of water. He will be the one giving you the ticket so he can tell you how he is going to interpret it.

"Bass 14 inches and less or 24 inches or greater in length may be retained."

Strikes me as very straightforward language. You can keep a fish that is less than or equal to 14 inches, and you can keep fish that are greater than or equal to 24 inches in length. If the fish is MORE THAN 14 inches - AND - LESS THAN 24 inches you can't keep it.