I think that often the biggest bass are eating the biggest forage fish that are often sickly or weak with old age, thus they pick the easiest biggest weakest prey to eat. A lot of fish die of old age each year. Few others can eat old age BG or other fish except the biggest predators. Old eating the old type of thing. Does this fit into the optimum foraging theory?
This made me think of this quote from Cliff Clavin (Old Cheers TV Show). (I will apologize now Bill C. for tainting your profound thinking with some maybe not so profound! )
Well ya see, Norm, it's like this... A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members.
"In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Excessive intake of alcohol, as we know, kills brain cells. But naturally it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first.
In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. That's why you always feel smarter after a few beers."
Holy cow...I hope I get the chance to handle an 8# LMB, much less something that big. And if I do I'll be putting it right back in the water after a few pics and measurements to send Cecil so he can build me a replica for the wall!
Dale
"When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water." - anonymous
I can't help but feel sorry for those shared fish. It seems like there are many instances where they perish after being caught. Why do we never see a photo from the boat, or lake shore? I'm sure they have to submit the fish for examination and identification, it's not like there's a giant #563 emblazoned on its side.
Maybe I'm not seeing the entire picture. Just seems like a lot of needless stress and handling endured by the fish.
"Forget pounds and ounces, I'm figuring displacement!"
If we accept that: MBG(+)FGSF(=)HBG(F1) And we surmise that: BG(>)HBG(F1) while GSF(<)HBG(F1) Would it hold true that: HBG(F1)(+)AM500(x)q.d.(=)1.5lbGRWT? PB answer: It depends.
Holy cow...I hope I get the chance to handle an 8# LMB, much less something that big. And if I do I'll be putting it right back in the water after a few pics and measurements
I hear you...and me2...my biggest was 6.5 on a Bang-O-Lure. but I also think Texas Parks & Wildlife believes there is value and benefit in their ShareLunker program studies of these very large black bass that over-rides the occasional death of a lunker that occurs because of their studies.
My neighbor at the country has a small 1/2 ac pond with some huge bass in it he caught two last year over 10 lbs.... Both died the next day after being released. Don't know the details but imagine stress and hot weather was a key. Such a shame
"Forget pounds and ounces, I'm figuring displacement!"
If we accept that: MBG(+)FGSF(=)HBG(F1) And we surmise that: BG(>)HBG(F1) while GSF(<)HBG(F1) Would it hold true that: HBG(F1)(+)AM500(x)q.d.(=)1.5lbGRWT? PB answer: It depends.
The past few years survival rate looks pretty good. Looks like they're off to somewhat of a rough start this year, though.
Plus there is no real way to know how many large bass after being caught and thrown back actually survive. I am not saying there is no stress difference, but it's not like all of those thrown back survive.
I have faith that the Texas Parks & Wildlife would not operate this program for years if the benefits did not outweigh the negatives.
They are gathering extensive data through this program and others to quantify (possibly justify) their programs. Advancing science and providing a benefit to the public. All fisheries science programs have fish that die.
Zep, you have more faith in governmental agencies as a whole than I do.
Possibly justify.....like that ewest!
"Forget pounds and ounces, I'm figuring displacement!"
If we accept that: MBG(+)FGSF(=)HBG(F1) And we surmise that: BG(>)HBG(F1) while GSF(<)HBG(F1) Would it hold true that: HBG(F1)(+)AM500(x)q.d.(=)1.5lbGRWT? PB answer: It depends.
Zep, you have more faith in governmental agencies as a whole than I do.
sprkplug I very seriously doubt that. I am an extreme conservative than can not stand Washington.
In fact I hope and pray that Texas can peacefully secede sooner rather than later.
However we can "agree to disagree" on Texas Parks & Wildlife because I think they perform well as a State agency and that this Texas Parks & Wildlife ShareLunker program is an overall positive endeavor.
No disagreement Zep. I'm sure that many positive benefits have come, and will continue to come from the program.
However I also tend to recognize that oftentimes, there are external factors associated with such endeavors. ($$$)
"Forget pounds and ounces, I'm figuring displacement!"
If we accept that: MBG(+)FGSF(=)HBG(F1) And we surmise that: BG(>)HBG(F1) while GSF(<)HBG(F1) Would it hold true that: HBG(F1)(+)AM500(x)q.d.(=)1.5lbGRWT? PB answer: It depends.
Texas Parks & Wildlife posted another video on Facebook today.
Interesting video.
"We're hoping some ShareLunker offspring will be next. If we have any pure Florida ShareLunkers to spawn, they will be put into one of the large raceways and paired with males whose parents were pure Florida descended from previous ShareLunkers. TFFC produces about half the pure Florida largemouth bass stocked into Texas public waters each year. That process is well under way."
Nice video work ! Classic use of spawning mats. Once removed from the brood fish tank the mats must be kept so that well oxygenated water flows over them (like tail fanning).
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