By Steve Chaconas
When fish are caught, there’s the possibility they’ll either die due to the angling process or from delayed mortality after being released. These issues are well documented in tournaments. Keeping five fish alive during the tournament day and through the weigh-in process is especially challenging in summer months. This prompted a MD Black Bass Advisory Committee (BBAC) discussion to amend the tournament permit requirements.
Over the past 5 years, there were nearly 2000 permitted tournaments with 23% on the Potomac River. This does not include events launched from Virginia ramps as they aren’t required to obtain a permit from the MD DNR. Noting that nearly half of the MD events occurred during the special fish care period, June 1- Sept 30, the DNR closely scrutinized events held during that period.
For several years permit guidelines have been complied. Functioning livewells, non-piercing culling devices, no culling of dead fish, and minimum ¼ ounce penalty for dead fish were readily accepted. Additionally, fish had to be transported in water-filled containers to and from the weigh in with a maximum of two minutes of transportation time. When water temperatures exceed 80°, continuous live well circulation with periodic water exchanges are required. Prior to release, fish must be recuperated.
However last June the MD DNR monitored a Potomac tournament. Their data produced some concern. Of 1,375 fish, 113 were dead at the scale, an 8.2% mortality rate. The Department says this is high, especially when there could have been improved survival with compliance with permit requirements. The BBAC also felt this was high but were concerned that the tournament director reported only 41 dead fish. This disparity was excessive according to many BBAC members. This questions the validity of fish mortality reporting as many tournament directors underreport dead fish. If the fish exhibits even the slightest sign of life, it’s recorded as a live fish, even only moments away from expiring. There’s no definitive life or death standard, however such a large discrepancy is concerning. This places more emphasis on delayed mortality studies and scrutiny on fish surveys showing reduced fish populations and smaller year classes.
MD DNR Tidal Black Bass Manager Ryan Gary says extreme conditions, regardless of fish care, would result in an above average mortality rate because of hot air and water. Last June’s tournament exceeded dead fish expectations. Gary points to more weigh in bags being distributed than aerated tanks could handle. It was also noted fish were held in transfer bags more than the required 2 minutes without access to supplemental water, which would provide cooler and more oxygenated water. He says tournament transfer bags were exposed to long periods without exchanging water allowing them to heat up quickly, depleting oxygen. Additionally, some fish bags were not filled with water after weighing and on their way to rehabilitation tanks prior to release, leading to further fish stress.
The Department is suggesting further restrictions possibly based on air temperature triggers, 85, 90, 95 degrees. Ice for tournament live wells will keep water closer to the actual fishery temperature. Earlier 1pm weigh ins will get fish back in the water before the heat of the day. While each of these were well received, the BBAC encouraged the department to establish guidelines for limiting flight sizes or bags weighing in to speed the process of returning fish to the water. The BBAC overwhelmingly supported increasing dead fish penalties from ¼ to a ½ pound for each dead fish. It was also suggested that DNR staff or volunteer monitors be assigned to events to ensure permit compliance. It was agreed these procedures will improve fish survival.
The downside to overly restricting tournaments would be discouraging bigger tournament organizations from bringing their events. The BBAC felt dead fish penalties along with more structured weigh in times and procedures would be acceptable to all tournament organizations for events held from June 1st to September 30th. In 2025 MD permit holders will agree to only have 3 bags in line, increasing to five each per 100 gallon aerated tanks.
Questionable dead fish data collected from tournament directors, due to the subjective evaluation of life, will continue to muddy the waters of tournament impact, especially during the summer months. As the MD DNR continues to fine tune permit requirements, which could be in place for 2025, it remains for tournament directors to take these best practices to heart and implement them.
However, anglers taking care of their fish during the tournament should scrutinize the actions of the tournament director to further protect their fish. If not, anglers need to pressure their tournament organizers to do better or stop fishing in them! And for Virginia tournaments not affected by MD restrictions, it’s time they consider adopting them. It’s important to understand that the fish brought to the scales are the largest in the fishery and once they’re gone, they can’t be replaced.
Potomac River Bassing in JANUARY
One of the coldest months of the year with water temperatures dropping to 40 degrees, or below! Fish are very depth oriented and located in out of the current areas with steep drops.
Silver Buddy lures are the best way to catch cold water bass, covering depths and areas. Cast on 8 pound test GAMMA Copoly on spinning gear. Allow ½ ounce silver baits to drop and once on the bottom, slightly burp up and semi slack line down. Most bites occur on the drop or fish will be there when you lift.
Drop shot and split shot rigs can be worked slowly down drops with frequent pauses. Use 2/0 hooks with 3-4 inch green pumpkin worms or swim baits.
Threading avocado colored stingray grubs on ¼ ounce ball head jigs can be presented with a slow lift, glide and drop. Bites are light, so watch the line.
About the Author: Capt. Steve Chaconas is a Potomac bass fishing guide & freelance writer. Potomac River reports: nationalbass.com. YouTube channel NationalBassGuide.