GILBERTSVILLE, Ky. – When the top Red Man Tournament Trail anglers in the nation converge on Hot Springs, Ark., May 10-13 looking to cash in on hefty limits of bass that could garner them $100,000 and a place in fishing history, only two things are certain – fish will be caught, and they will all be released back into Lake Hamilton unharmed.
Since 1979, Operation Bass, a world leader in conducting catch-and-release bass tournaments, has conducted more than 2,300 events throughout the nation. The tournaments have been held in every location, under every weather condition imaginable, from frigid temperatures to scorching 100-degree days. Although many events have been held under less than ideal conditions, Operation Bass has maintained an incredible, industry-leading 98 percent live release rate.
During the All-American Bass Championship, every bass caught will be treated with reverence usually reserved for visiting dignitaries. Upon catching a bass during the competition, each bass will be placed in an aerated live well, pumped full with fresh lake water. Water in the live-wells will be treated with an additive that promotes rapid recovery of the bass’ protective outer coating. The additive also reduces the number harmful fungi and parasites that may be present, increases the level of dissolved oxygen in the water and has a calming effect on the fish.
All competitors have a keen interest in properly caring for their catch, much of it stemming from their heritage as conservation-oriented sportsmen. More pragmatically, however, if a bass should perish while in a competitor’s possession the angler will be assessed an 8-ounce penalty (the most punitive in the industry). In a sport that is often determined by as little as 1 ounce, such a stiff penalty could easily be the difference between victory and defeat.
Once at the weigh-in, the health of each bass is carefully inspected and the fish are held in a treated, aerated holding tank until its time for their stage appearance. Once on-stage, the bass are promptly weighed and returned to an observation tank where their health is again assessed before being released back into their native habitat. Each bass is only out of the water a matter of minutes before release.
Operation Bass utilizes a release method devised for expediting the return of fish to the water. The system uses a lubricated tube to gently slide the bass back into the lake with a minimum amount of handling. This method of release has been applauded by fisheries experts and emulated by bass organizations throughout the nation.