Second pink-tagged bass caught in TrophyCatch promotion...more still swimming!
Photo of Bruce Doolittle, Sr. with his trophy size bass, courtesy of FWC.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
While fishing Porter Lake last week with his son, Bruce Doolittle, Sr. caught a pink-tagged bass – the second tag of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) TrophyCatch trophy bass fishing promotion, and the first from this lake!
Just a few days prior to this, the FWC announced that the first pink-tagged bass of the season had been caught and released by an angler fishing in Lake Rochelle.
“It was pretty exciting for me," said Doolittle. "You know, 68 years old, finally broke the double-digit mark. I’ve only been a resident of Florida for probably three years, and I’ve been trying hard. And the great thing about it, to me, is that is where (Porter Lake) my son caught his first double-digit fish, and that’s where I caught mine! There is nothing like Florida fishing!”
Since this bass was the first pink-tagged fish from this waterbody, Doolittle will receive $1,000 to be used at AFTCO Fishing Apparel & Tackle, a $1,000 check from TrophyCatch’s Pink Tag sponsor, 888-BOAT-LAW, and $500 gift card from Bass Pro Shops.
There are still pink tags swimming in four locations across the state, some of which have multiple prized bass in their waters. The locations include Lake Lochloosa, Lake Beauclair, Lake Okeechobee and the Northwest Winter Haven Chain of Lakes, which includes Lake Jessie, Lake Idylwild, Lake Hartridge, Lake Conine, Lake Rochelle, Lake Haines, Lake Smart and Lake Fannie.
Could you be the next lucky angler to catch a pink-tagged bass? This season, the 12th season of TrophyCatch's pink tag promotion, ends on September 30, 2024.
There are also other prizes available for fishing these special waterbodies and any ‘Pink-Tag Chaser’ who submits an approved TrophyCatch from one of the five pink-tag waters could win a pair of Bajío Sunglasses. Learn more at TrophyCatch.com.
To claim their prize, the lucky anglers who land a bass with a pink tag must cut and keep the tag and follow the submission instructions on the TrophyCatch.com website.
Your participation in TrophyCatch helps the FWC better understand and conserve Florida's freshwater fisheries and informs priority work in managing trophy bass. For more information about the TrophyCatch program, email KP Clements at KP.Clements@MyFWC.com.