Bassmaster Classic BASS Survival Rates

Bass caught in the February 21-23 Bassmasters Classic in north Alabama should survive their moment on stage just fine, says a fishery expert.

By Frank Sargeant, Editor
from The Fishing Wire

Gene Gilliand, B.A.S.S. Conservation Director and former assistant chief of Fisheries for the state of Oklahoma, says careful handling and cool weather should mean near 100 percent survival for the bass weighed in at the Bassmaster Classic in Birmingham, Alabama Feb. 21-23. (Photo Credit B.A.S.S.)

A concerned reader inquired last week about the affect hauling Guntersville bass some 80 miles to Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Center for weigh-in at the Bassmaster Classic will have on the survival of the fish. We took the question to Gene Gilliland, the new National Conservation Director for B.A.S.S. and former assistant chief of fisheries for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Here’s some of what he told us.

“When we had the classic at Grand Lake in Oklahoma last year, we had a very similar situation-the fish were caught some 90 miles from Tulsa and had a 90 minute ride to weigh in and then back. We lost not one fish during that event. I’d like to take all the credit for it, but the biggest factor was very cold weather-the water temperature was in the lower 40’s, and anytime you have that fish can survive a lot of handling without any mortality.”

Gilliland said that based on the weather in North Alabama this year so far, it’s very likely that water temperatures will still be in the 40’s here when the Classic arrives Feb. 21-23.

Bass will be caught at Lake Guntersville, then trailered about 90 minutes to weigh in at the Birmingham Convention Center for a live weigh-in, then returned to the lake for release by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

He said that the improved livewells in modern bass boats are also a factor in very low mortality rates during pro-level tournaments.

“B.A.S.S. has worked with bass boat companies for years providing oxygen level and temperature data at weigh-ins, and the companies have responded by greatly improving the wells so that the fish can survive; the wells of modern boats hold more water and have bigger fill and aeration pumps, and that really helps the fish stay healthy.”

Gilliland said each competitor is checked when he ramps out to make sure the live well is full, the aerator is working, and that his fish are healthy. (It’s highly important to the anglers that the fish survive for reasons other than conservation-a dead fish at weigh-in means a penalty, and that can cost them a six-figure paycheck in the Classic.)

Another factor is careful handling during the weigh-ins, Gilliland said.

Whether it’s top pro Edwin Evers or some other competitor on top after final weigh-in, the bass will survive to fight another day.

“We use a mesh big inside a vinyl bag. When the fish are set down into the folds of that mesh and the bag is filled with water, it’s like they’re hiding in a weedbed, it has a calming affect on them, and then they’re brought to the scales in under a minute typically. Immediately after the weigh-in they go down through a trapdoor into the large holding tank maintained by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which is basically a 500-gallon aquarium, and at the end of each day that will be trucked back to the lake.”

Gilliland said the fish are not handled during the release-a large pipe is used to funnel them back into the water. He said they’re typically released in several different locations to avoid “stacking” one spot that can then be harvested by local anglers.

Gilliland said that the impact of the Classic on Guntersville’s bass fishery would be very minimal, in any case.

“We’re only talking about 56 anglers here, while on any given weekend there may be several tournaments on Guntersville that have twice that many boats, each. And, because of the timing of the weigh-in, the Classic pros fish a short day; the bass are in the well no longer than they would be in an event on the lake, where weigh-in might not begin until late afternoon.”

In short, it appears that the impact of angler harvest during the Classic should not be a point of concern for area bass anglers-and those who watch the pro’s carefully just might learn a few honey holes and tactics that can make them more successful on their next trip to fish the lake.

Pace Reflects on Busy Year, Remains Upbeat After Injury
from The Fishing Wire

Like virtually every Bassmaster Classic® winner before him, Cliff Pace has had an extremely busy but thoroughly enjoyable year as the reigning Bassmaster Classic® world champion. The Yamaha Pro has traveled from one corner of the country to the other on a whirlwind schedule, and admits being amazed at the growth and popularity of professional tournament bass fishing.

Unfortunately, a serious hunting accident on January 24 will keep the champion from defending his title at Lake Guntersville, Ala. in February. While climbing down from his tree stand, Pace fell and broke his left leg in two places and also tore the ACL in his left knee. He will not only miss the Classic but also much, if not all of the 2014 Bassmaster® Elite Series campaign.

“The first thing B.A.S.S.® did was give me an automatic entry into the 2015 Classic at Lake Hartwell to defend my title,” acknowledged Pace, “and I am extremely grateful for that opportunity. It will be a long wait until that event, but I did finish second there during the 2008 Classic,® so I already feel confident about returning to the lake.”

Nevertheless, before his accident, the Yamaha Pro admits his year as Classic® champion has been one of the most wonderful experiences of his life. A competitor since the age of 13, Pace acknowledges that winning the Classic opened the door for him to meet bass fishing enthusiasts all over America whom he never would have had the chance to meet, and share their common love of fishing.

“I probably traveled at least three times as much as I do in a normal year, but no matter where I went, from California to Florida, the fan support I received was just amazing,” he says.

After his win on Oklahoma’s Grand Lake, the Yamaha Pro remained in Tulsa an extra day for special film work, then returned to his home in Petal, Miss., but only for a short time before his travel schedule began in earnest. Between the end of February and early June, he was home only three days. In fact, the Classic® victory party his family and friends wanted to give him had to be postponed for months before they could celebrate.

“The majority of my travel was for sponsor promotions, store openings, and seminars,” Pace continues, “and thank goodness my wife and several family friends helped get me to the right places at the right times. While someone was driving, I’d sleep, then do an appearance, then we’d drive to my next appointment.

“I’m sure I autographed every shape, form, and type of fishing lure available, including spinnerbait blades, crankbait bodies, and packages of line, as well as rods, reels, boats, sunglasses, and of course, thousands of caps and fishing jerseys.

“Just seeing and feeling the excitement of all the fans everywhere I traveled is just indescribable.”

Perhaps the most surprising object Pace autographed was a football, which had already been signed by pro football greats Joe Montana and Jerry Rice. He also signed cardboard cut-outs of himself at one store, inscribing them with the phrase, “Hope for a repeat!”

Through it all, the Yamaha Pro also managed to have a very successful 2013 Bassmaster® Elite season, finishing 12th overall in the standings and qualifying for the 2014 Classic® without having to use his automatic entry as defending champion. He enjoyed back-to-back 7th place finishes at Bull Shoals and West Point, and placed in the top-30 in four other events.

“As soon as the Classic® was over, I couldn’t wait to get to the Sabine River event in Texas for the start of the 2013 season,” he admits, “just because that’s what I love to do. The only fishing goal I have at the beginning of each season is simply to be competitive. Of course, now there’s also the chance to win another Bassmaster Classic®, even though it won’t be this season. This past year was so enjoyable I’d love to be able to do it again.”

The 2014 Bassmasters Classic will be fished on Lake Guntersville on February 21 – 23 with the weigh-in at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. There will be an Outdoor Show with lots of fishing gear and equipement on display and for sale at the Complex all three days.

I almost got to fish the Classic as a Federation representatived way back in 1983 and this year I will attend with press credentials – nothing like fishing it but I will get to enjoy the excitement.

Contenders have been planning on this tournament since it was announced and spent a lot of time practicing for it before the lake went off limits. Pros like Chris Lane, Aaron Martens, Alton Jones and others have high hopes and plans for the tournament.

Cliff Pace, 2013 Classic winner, was injured in a hunting accident and will not be able to compete this year, but BASS deferred his automatic entry to next years Classic at Hartwell, where he finished second in the last Classic on that lake.

BASS has a blog about the Classic that has more detailed information and will be updated often during the tournament.

The 2015 Classic has been scheduled to return to Lake Hartwell in Georgia.