The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) partnered with the Bienville Plantation in hosting two simulated bass tournaments to assist with an ongoing research initiative studying water quality in boat livewells during summer tournaments.
There are many different livewell settings and management styles, so the FWC designed a research study to determine which combination of livewell settings and management styles provide the best water quality to keep the bass healthy prior to their release.
The most recent tournament was the second of eight events that will contribute to the research initiative. Six additional events will be hosted at other sites throughout the state.
The tournament took place on a 1,300-acre Bienville freshwater lake previously used for phosphate mining, so the lake varied in depth, water clarity, cover and structure. Twenty-two anglers participated in 11 boats, each fishing for a five-fish limit. The largest bass caught weighed 7.3 pounds and the winning total weight was 18.66 pounds.
FLW Tour pros Braxton Setzer and Joshua Weaver donated their time and talents to the study, along with anglers representing Bienville Plantation, Yo-Zuri, Shimano, Pitman Creek and the American Sportfishing Association.
