Maryland, Virginia, and DC manage the tidal Potomac, utilizing different methodologies to determine largemouth bass populations. About 10 years ago, Maryland’s data showed a concerning decrease, while VA and DC showed stable populations. The Black Bass Advisory Committee (BBAC) worked with the MD DNR to establish a process to collect data from tournament organizations, via permits, to determine fish populations. This provided fishery managers with accurate constituency numbers to present to state government higher ups. Recreational anglers were informed of tournament activity and which ramps were crowded.
Permitting allowed the BBAC to share better fish care practices as delayed mortality, attributed to tournaments, became apparent through data collected across the country. Videos and information were disseminated to tournament directors and participants to improve tournament bass survival. The DNR monitored tournaments to determine improved fish care compliance. While compliance among larger events was pretty good, there were still many smaller to midsized events where these practices weren’t followed as closely.
The BBAC requested the DNR meet with tournament directors, launching events in Maryland, to reinforce fish care and demonstrate the importance of collecting tournament data to better manage fisheries and to provide stocking guidance. In two meetings, tournament and DNR statistics were discussed. A few Virginia directors, while not required to obtain permits, were also invited.
Specifically, the department refamiliarized attendees with guidelines to reduce summer delayed mortality. This included limiting the number of bags in weigh in lines. Also, the amount of time fish are kept in water filled containers should be limited no longer than two minutes without a water exchange or supplemental aeration. A penalty of at least eight ounces must be imposed on a participant for each dead fish.
Virginia Tournament Director of the River Battle Series, Ed Dustin says his events have had an eight ounce dead fish penalty for over 10 years. He stresses proper operation of livewells and using G-Juice, an additive advertised to keep fish alive. He allows anglers to weigh in when ready, to expedite the process. All fish are bought in bags with water, with more water added in line and fish are placed in fresh aerated water prior to release. Dustin conducts a very fast weigh in process. He volunteered to share his data with MD Tidal Black Bass Manager, Ryan Gary.
Tournament director of Virginia-based New Horizon Bass Anglers, John Crunkilton agrees bass need to be weighed and released quickly especially in the warmer months. He also understands it will take a coordinated effort to limit bags of fish to three for events without tubs but says it’s doable. In many events, fish are weighed out of the live well and then immediately released. His organization goes to a catch, record, release system beginning in late July through mid-September.
The MD DNR Tournament Director meetings were highly productive in reinforcing warm weather fish care, but also in highlighting the valuable data gathered from these events. It also revealed the steps VA directors are taking, without guidelines, to preserve the fishery.
Author Capt. Steve Chaconas is Potomac bass fishing guide & freelance writer. Potomac River reports: nationalbass.com. YouTube video channel NationalBassGuide.
