Here is the information that BGkiller referenced above from In-Fish Magazine.
Catch, Release & Bass Growth – summary by Ralph Manns in Bits & Pieces. In-fisherman Jul 2012. Summary from Cline, Weidel, Kitchell, & Hodgson. Growth response of largemouth bass (M.salmoides) to catrch-and-release angling: a 27 year mark-recapture study. Can.J.Fish. Aquat. Sci 69:224-230.
Firstly the study was conducted in WI , although the size of the water/s was not listed by Ralph. Size of the water body and the frequency and duration of angling may have affects on the results. A total of 1055 LMB averaging 10” were caught (barbless), weighed, measured, tagged, & released. Over the next 27 yrs recaptures of those original bass totaled 1066. About 39% were never recaptured, 20% were caught only once again and 8% twice. Remaining 27% were recaught between 4 and 22 times. Older larger bass when caught had longer recapture intervals than juvenile bass. (My Conclusion - Older bass are probably naturally wiser or more cautious as they age).
For the affect of angling on growth, authors concluded angling had little impact on overall growth patterns. Larger bass generally had longer recovery times following hooking and release. More study is needed for impact of angling on C&R of larger bass.
Commentary - the study basically agrees with what we know about hook smart and hook shy bass. Not recatching 39% of every bass that was caught only once is a significant number in my opinion. Add to that the 20% that were recaptured only one more time gives a 59% that will remain uncaught after the initial 1 or 2 captures. If we add to 59% the number or percent of bass that will never bite a hook the total is even higher and probably closer to 64-70%. My guess is that the majority of those 20% that were recaptured only twice were recaptured the second time while they were still under 14"-15" long.
Fool me once - shame on you, fool me twice - shame on me, fool me three to four times - NO WAY!
Last edited by Bill Cody; 09/12/12 08:50 AM.
