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| FishTails |
New Release Policies Implemented for 2001
By Chris Lawrence
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| These photos depict thsalt brine process used in the 2001 West Virginia
BASS Federation Buddy Trail. Conservation Director Jim Summers and Weighmaster Steve Jackson are shown here at
Summersville Lake. More Photos... |
"It's a tough trailer to back." Noted WV Bass Federation weighmaster Steve Jackson as he guided the tiny
"livewell on wheels" backward down the Battle Run Ramp at Summersville Lake. The green treated water
inside the tank served as a Jacuzzi for the carefully protected fish that had just flipped and flopped in the weigh-in
basket a few hundred yards away. The oxygen tank pumped life-giving air into the water calming the gilled critters.
Once at the water's edge, Jackson and WVBF Conservation Director Jim Summers set to work. A tub the size of a Coca-Cola
cooler was hauled from Jackson's truck. He promptly emptied he contents of a box marked Morton's non-iodized salt,
then turned on the drain valve of the release trailer to create the briny solution.
"It's amazing how this works." Said Summers, "That salt removes all of the impurities from their
bodies both inside and out by removing all of the oxygen. They'll look just like they're dead, but when we put
them into that lake water with good oxygen, they'll flip over and be gone."
One skeptic of the tournament fishing process had driven down the ramp and gotten out to have a look for himself.
The reputation of the Bass Federation and tournament fishing was on the line.
The first net-full dipped from the trailer included a healthy mix of flopping largemouth and smallmouth bass. As
Summers lowered the net into the salt solution the fish instantly stopped moving-as if paralyzed. Some turned belly-up
and floated. Quickly the net of dead weight was transferred into the waters just off the ramp. Fish continued to
float for a few seconds-but one by one, each wiggled, flipped over and went charging into the abyss as if called
by some unknown force.
"They're heading for the deep water!" laughed Summers. "They're saying to heck with the rest of
you guys, I'm out of here."
Indeed bass after bass went through the same process with an apparent new lease on life.
"Research has shown that salt removes the impurities they build up in livewells like ammonia and when the
fresh oxygen from the lake-water hits them they're off."
What if iodized salt is used?
"That will kill 'em. It HAS to be non-iodized salt. They can't take iodine it will kill everyone of them."
The process of oxygenated water and the salt treatment is part of a list of guidelines distributed to all tournament
directors in West Virginia this year by the DNR. The guidelines are simply strong suggestions about handling tournament
released bass and are not requirements. However, concerns by non-tournament anglers prompted the suggestions as
a way of reducing a perceived problem.
"We haven't noticed any problems with fish dying as a result of being released from tournaments." Says
DNR Warmwater Fisheries Chief Bert Pierce. "However a lot of fish did die at last year's Bass Festival up
in St. Mary's. That's what prompted most of the concern. But, you have to understand that tournament produced a
lot more fish than are usually caught in a tournament and the percentage of those that died was no more than normal."
The West Virginia Bass Federation generally averages a 98 to 99 percent live release rate.
"Usually we don't lose any." Says Summers. "If the fishermen get them to the weigh-in alive, we
normally can get them back into the water alive."
Getting them to the weigh-in alive is another area where the DNR has attempted to make suggestions. Along with
directions for handling tournament fish for released, anglers have also been given guidelines on proper livewell
management this year.
"It doesn't take that much longer to give those fish that treatment." Said Jackson.
The skeptic who stood by and watched was sold. "You've already done more than most people do. I'm impressed
with how you're caring for them. They actually look like they have MORE energy."
"We better take care of them," added Summers, "Or they won't be around for us to catch."
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