BASS ANGLERS INFORMATION TEAM

In 1986 the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries initiated a program called BAIT (Bass Anglers Information Team) to compile and analyze tournament records of the State’s many bass fishing clubs. Participating clubs completed a data card after each tournament and forwarded the card to the Fisheries Section of the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. The information complemented regular fish sampling by fisheries biologists and provided a better way to compare sampling results with angler experience. Bass clubs participating in the program received annual reports summarizing the statewide data.

The BAIT program has been even more successful than fisheries personnel anticipated, because bass club members were eager to cooperate in improving fishery resources. From 1986 through 1996, information was compiled from 4,641 tournaments, which included 1,178,000 hours of fishing and a catch of more than 282,000 bass. Five quality indicators were developed to allow fishery research staff to evaluate the tournament report information:

Percent of anglers with at least one fish at weigh-in (% successful anglers).

Average weight of fish caught.

Number of bass caught per angler-day.

Pounds of bass caught per angler-day.

Hours required to catch a bass weighing five pounds or more.

Here are some highlights of information gained from BAIT program reports. The reporting bass clubs are generally small, local organizations with a strong interest in the welfare of fishery resources. All used minimum size limits of at least 12 inches. More than 83 percent of the tournament fish were released after weigh-in. Fishing success varied seasonally. The catch rate was highest in May, but the best months for big bass were March and April.

Fisheries of individual reservoirs are dynamic rather than static; fishing quality can change substantially from one year to the next. Improved understanding of the mechanism of these changes is one of the prime goals of the BAIT program and many other Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries research efforts.

The BAIT program has proven to be a great aid to the biologists of the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries in their efforts to manage the State’s reservoir fisheries. The benefits to bass anglers and to our reservoir bass resources are expected to continue, thanks to the cooperation and enthusiasm of bass clubs participating as members of BAIT.

To enter your club in the BAIT program or for more information contact Jay Haffner at jbhaffner@juno.com

To download a B.A.I.T Tournament Report Form in .pdf format CLICK HERE.
This form can be filled out and attached to an e-mail to Jay Haffner at the above address.