Gainesville Bass Pro Shops to host this year’s TrophyCatch Hall of Fame Ceremony Saturday

The FWC's annual TrophyCatch program honors Florida anglers who catch and release at least one largemouth bass over 13 pounds.

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ContributedThis year's TrophyCatch winners will be honored with a ceremony at Gainesville's Bass Pro Shops on Saturday.

GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – Need something to do tomorrow before the big tailgate party at The Swamp?

While many of us need no excuse nor additional incentive to take a trip to the closest Bass Pro Shops, both of those things are on tap this weekend, in the form of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s annual celebration of the biggest largemouth bass (that’s hawgs to you) caught and released in the Sunshine State.

The TrophyCatch program promotes conservation and Florida’s ever-growing freshwater sport fishery: You catch the big ol’ bass, and you release it, not only so someone else can enjoy hauling it in but also because most of the biggest bass out there are females who are either stocking up for mating season or already pregnant.

This year, eight anglers who each caught and released at least one Florida largemouth bass over 13 pounds will be honored at a ceremony beginning at 1 p.m. at the Gainesville Bass Pro Shops, 2650 Bass Pro Shops Blvd., located in/adjacent to the Celebration Pointe shopping district.

The program will also include updates and enhancements added to the upcoming 15th season of TrophyCatch.

And, of course, there’s that great big tank.