NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA (352today.com) – Florida Wildlife Conservation (FWC) is celebrating a milestone achieved through one of its self-proclaimed “cornerstone” programs.
FWC announced on Tuesday that it reached 15,000 catches through its TrophyCatch program.
The program invites anglers to submit photos and documentation of their best bass catches. The stipulation is that the bass must weigh eight pounds or more, according to FWC.
FWC says the program is part of its efforts to “promote and conserve Florida’s world-class bass fishing,” and is designed to “enhance understanding of the state’s bass population and encourage conservation.”
“Reaching 15,000 trophy catches is an incredible accomplishment for our program,” said Tom Graef, Director of FWC’s Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management. “This milestone underscores the enthusiasm of our anglers and the exceptional bass fishing opportunities in Florida. It also demonstrates the value of the data we collect, which is essential for ongoing conservation and management efforts.”
FWC credits the milestone as a testament to Florida’s status as a “premier” bass fishing destination. They say “crucial” data on bass sizes, weights, and locations has been collected from the program and has helped to aid their efforts in sustaining their habitat.
FWC has partnered with big-name industries such as Bass Pro Shops, Mercury Marine, and Pheonix Bass Boats, all of which have become conservation partners through the TrophyCatch program. The industries are helping promote the program by providing prizes for those who submit qualified entries to the program.
This year marks Season 12 of the TrophyCatch Program for FWC. To make things interesting, FWC is headlining a Phoenix Bass Boat drawing as the big prize for anglers who wish to throw their hook in the lake and submit photos of their aquatic retrievals.
The TrophyCatch website divvies out rewards based on the weight of your fish. Fishermen who catch a bass between 8-9.99 lbs. are placed in the Lunker Club where in addition to 10 entries into the boat drawing, they score:
- Enigma Fishing $50 gift card/coupon to be used for rod purchase from Enigmafishing.com (1 gift card/coupon per transaction)
- American Registry $20 discount on a commemorative plaque displaying the picture of your choice
- Gray Taxidermy $50 discount on a hand-painted fiberglass mount representing your catch
- TrophyCatch certificate & Lunker Club decal
If you’ve managed to catch a 10-12.99 lb. bass, you’re in Trophy Club territory with winnings including:
- Bass Pro Shops $50 gift card
- Enigma Fishing $75 gift card/coupon code to be used for rod purchase from EnigmaFishing.com (one gift card/coupon per transaction)
- American Registry $30 discount on a commemorative plaque displaying the picture of your choice
- Gray Taxidermy $50 discount on a hand-painted fiberglass mount representing your catch
- Phoenix Bass Boat: 10 additional entries into the random drawing
- TrophyCatch certificate + Trophy Club decal
If you’re a master of the craft and provide proof that your bass is 13 lbs. or greater, you’ll be an honorary member of the Hall of Fame Club, along with:
- Bass Pro Shops $100 gift card
- Enigma Fishing $100 gift card/coupon for rod purchase
- Gray Taxidermy custom fiberglass mount representing your catch
- American Registry commemorative plaque displaying the submitted picture of your choice
- Phoenix Bass Boat: 10 additional entries into the random drawing
- TrophyCatch certificate & Hall of Fame Club decal
“TrophyCatch is a citizen-science promotional conservation program that rewards anglers who catch, document, and release bass weighing 8 pounds or heavier throughout Florida,” says FWC. “Data collected by the program helps the FWC better enhance, conserve, and promote trophy bass fishing.”
If you wish to embark on a journey off the land and into the water in search of glory in the name of bass, start your journey at the TrophyCatch website.