Million Bucks for Record Bass

Written by FWC | 14 July 2010

July’s million dollar bounty for a Florida record bass

BountyFishing.com/FL has partnered with the FWC and the nonprofit Wildlife Foundation of Florida to provide a portion of their proceeds for conservation of Florida's fish and their habitats for future generations. During July, they are offering a million dollar bounty for a new Florida state record largemouth bass.

BountyFishing CEO and Founder Richard Shafter says “Competition brings an
added element of excitement to the fishing experience; a thrill historically reserved for the few anglers willing to haul their boats great distances at specific times and pay hundreds of dollars in entry fees. We’re opening that excitement up to other
anglers, who wish to compete at a time and place of their choice.”

They use patent-pending technology and imaging forensics to determine fishing contest winners by analyzing catch photos. Instead of weighing fish at the end of the day, competitors can practice immediate catch-and-release putting less stress on the fish. FWC involvement relates to our interest in promoting safe and sustainable use of the resources, including effective catch-and-release where appropriate, and encouraging use of photo records and non-skin mounts as reminders of memorable fishing trips. BountyFishing.com/FL is also sharing new data with FWC about our fisheries, some of which can be used in documenting our status as the Fishing Capital of the World and evolving plan to also substantiate Florida as the Bass Fishing Capital of the World. Neither the FWC nor state of Florida endorses any individual company, and Bounty Fishing is solely responsible for their products and fulfillment of any offers.

To sign-up for the Florida Million Dollar Bass Bounty or a free qualifier, visit BountyFishing.com/FL, and half of your registration fee will be donated to the Wildlife Foundation of Florida to fund wildlife conservation projects and related public education efforts across Florida. Bass fishermen will need to stow a digital camera in their tackle box and follow all the rules for competing in a BountyFishing.com/FL tournament as well as certifying a state record for a chance to win $1 million by catching a Florida state record largemouth bass. The Million Dollar Bass Bounty is open to all anglers legally fishing in any public body of water in Florida from July 5 to Aug. 1, 2010. Sign-up costs $7 per day or $19 per week. The first 1,000 entrants will receive a 50 percent discount by paying only $38 for all four weeks.
 
Florida's current largemouth bass record of 17 pounds, 4 ounces set in July 1986 is impressive but not insurmountable. In 2008, a reputed 18 pound, 8 ounce bass caught in Florida may well have exceeded the record but was never certified by an FWC biologist (nor was a 20-pound, 2 -ounce behemoth hooked in 1923). Tom Champeau, FWC's Director of the Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management, said, "We are convinced there are state-record breaking bass swimming somewhere in Florida waters, and we want your help to find them. Thanks to BountyFishing.com, you now have a million more reasons to go fishing in Florida."
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