2013 Big Bass Population

[*T*]

Interested in any of your thoughts on how the population of larger fish stacks up vs. say 10 years ago on Table Rock. LM, SM & Spots. Are we reaching peak levels or is there room for growth? Shad populations seem to be in good shape. I guess low lake levels, if they continue into the summer, could again threaten bass population structure.

[straw hat]

I fished TR back in the 70's and still fish it from time to time during primarily the winter months (I am allergic to tourists lol). I saw a number of 9 to 11 lb bass caught in the 70's (say 6 to 8) but I simply don't see them any more. I am sure some are still caught, maybe I am just unaware of them. I firmly believe that the number of 5 to 8 lbers are just as common as before if not more common. Still one of the top 10 bass lakes in the USA to me.

[Sprint21fter]

Except for the BASS VIRUS that hit the lake several years ago. The lake is fishing just as good if not better than in years before that. Even though night fishing is a little different the weight of the night fishing scene has grown due to more and more 5-8lb fish that have matured and were the 3-4 lb fish that we were catching a few years ago. The day tournaments are staying consistant in weights. If you don't have at least 15lbs in spring to early summer you are going to go home empty handed. The falloff isn't as durastic. If you want a chance at winning a derby in that time period you better have 20lbs + to be in contention. The lake is big enough to handle all of the pressure that tourists and seasoned fisherman put on the lake. I don't think there is any other lake that gives a fisherman a chance at a 20lb bag of kentuckies, largemouth, smallmouth.

[rps]

In the last few years, this board has mentioned 1 or 2 legitimate 10 pound fish. Of course we are only just now reaching enough time passage since the virus for there to be a year class of Northern strain capable of that weight.

[Troy Gregg]

I have to agree with RPS here, the northern strain of largemouth need time to reach the double digit weights and there are only a handful of fish that break the ten pound mark. I only heard stories while I was growing up but from I remember of those stories we still have some ground to make up. But the lake has recovered quite well and will continue to get better. Last years weights that were brought in from the alabama rig should speak volumes for the health of the fish in our lake. with the majority of BIG largemouth being in that 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 lb range with a few fish in that 9lb range. The lake is really starting to show lots of numbers in the 5-7 lb range which suggests that we are on our way to recovery. The fish kill happened in 1998 which desimated the largemouth population.

[Football Head]

Too echo what Troy said I have only heard about how the lake used to be, but feel that the number of fish in that 5-8 lb range is quite strong and looks too be continually increasing since the fish kill. Given the fishery stays healthy I sure hope we see more and more fish of that class being brought too the scales and soon those that go over that double digit mark. Assuming we had two good hatches the past two springs with the high lake levels we should be excited about the future fishing on the Rock. I don't think the water dropped fast enough too leave many nests dry (I may be wrong) so we should have plenty out there growing.

[exiledguide]

I think one thing that has to be remembered in the 70s if a big fish was caught it was kept. I remember seing Virgil Ward, Linder brothers at the end of there TV shows they brig in big stringers of Bass and dump them on the ground as the final scene of the show. No one ever even mentioned Catch and Release. Today you catch a large fish most of release it Immediatly and no one hears about it.

[skeeter]

I think one thing that has to be remembered in the 70s if a big fish was caught it was kept. I remember seing Virgil Ward, Linder brothers at the end of there TV shows they brig in big stringers of Bass and dump them on the ground as the final scene of the show. No one ever even mentioned Catch and Release. Today you catch a large fish most of release it Immediatly and no one hears about it.

Very true and a great observation.

We had an older gentleman who is a part-time neighbor "accidentally" catch an 11lb. 1oz LM (as weighed on his new, digital scale) back in the heat of July while bluegill fishing when the LM played shark and nailed the hooked bluegill while the Gent was reeling it in on 6lb. test with a #6 hook !!!!

He took some great pictures and released her at boatside. If you are ever in the Office on Baxter Marina, when they re-open, his picture is on their bulletin board. A true Sportsman !

[straw hat]

A good point exiledguide!! All those larger fish I mentioned from the 70's were on the way home in a livewell or headed to the taxidermist!. What a shame.

[exiledguide]

A good point exiledguide!! All those larger fish I mentioned from the 70's were on the way home in a livewell or headed to the taxidermist!. What a shame.

I have to admit back then the atraction of fishing was a fun way to get fresh fish and I was too poor to release a meal back into the water I couldn't justify spending the money to go fishing if I didn't bring some home. Nowadays if i bring anything home its on the low end of a slot limit.