Sargent: Lake Istokpoga boosting its reputation
Lake Istokpoga near Lake Placid in Highlands County is boosting its reputation as one of Florida’s top trophy bass sites.
Two bass, each over 13 pounds, were caught and released recently on the 27,692-acre lake and they were entered in Florida’s TrophyCatch program.
It’s the first time in the six-year program, which recognizes anglers for heavyweight catches, that two Hall of Fame bass were taken on Lake Istokpoga. Bass exceeding the 13-pound mark get the Hall of Fame distinction.
Adrian Echols, who carries the nickname “Lunker Louie,” landed the heavier of the two at 13 pounds, 14 ounces. Syl Sims took the second bass weighing 13 pounds, 4 ounces. Each man has scored other heavyweights in previous years in the program. Sims, in fact, was using the Enigma fishing rod that he received for another Hall of Fame catch.
As required under TrophyCatch rules, each bass entered must be released into the same lake it was caught. The fish can be kept alive in aerated live wells prior to documentation and photos. The minimum weight for the program is 8 pounds.
Since TrophyCatch was launched in 2012, Istokpoga has produced 430 approved largemouth weighing 8 pounds or heavier. Of those, 347 were entered into the Lunker Club (bass weighing 8 to 9.99 pounds), and 81 were Trophy Club catches (10 to 12.99 pounds). These are the first Hall of Fame catches from the lake.
The record for the program is a 16.75-pound bass taken by 19-year-old Dominic Montalto in a private pond near Estero in April 2017. The Florida record is 17.27 pounds.
Echols and Sims each will receive Bass Pro Shops gift cards, Spiderwire merchandise, a custom fiberglass replica mount by New Wave Taxidermy, an Enigma fishing rod and a plaque from American Registry commemorating their catch.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sponsor TrophyCatch. Anglers are required to submit photos or videos of their catches showing the entire fish and its weight on a scale in order to receive prizes.
Data from the catches assist FWC biologists in their management decisions for Florida largemouth.
For more go to TrophyCatch.com.
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Arkansas stocking Florida bass
Scientists have proven that the genetics in the Florida strain of largemouth bass can produce Super Bass, one that grows heavier than any other strain.
California and Texas are among the states through the years that have introduced genetically pure Florida largemouth into their lakes in an effort to generate the pure traits in their bass populations.
It worked so well in some of California’s freshwater trout lakes that the Florida bass exploded in growth by gorging on the trout and other forage enabling them to reach weights of 21 and 22 pounds.
Castaic Reservoir near Los Angeles has yielded five International Game Fish Association line class world records with bass from 14.75 pounds to 22 pounds.
The IGFA all tackle world record for largemouth is 22 pounds, 4 ounces.
Now Lake Ouachita in central Arkansas could well be another record-setting bass lake for double-digit catches because of a pilot Florida bass stocking project by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission that is beginning to bear fruit.
Between 2007 and 2014, more than 812,000 pure Florida strain largemouth fingerlings were released in the Rabbittail section along the north shore of Ouachita, a reservoir with 690 miles of shoreline near Hot Springs, Ark.
The result has been bigger bass and a higher percentage of Florida genetics in the fish, officials say.
“The percent of bass in the area with at least 50 percent Florida genetics went from 1 to 34 percent,” said Sean Lusk, a fisheries biologist with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. “The percent of bass with at least some Florida genetics went to 91 percent.”
Lusk pointed out that bass need good, complex habitat, long lifespans and a solid forage base in order to reach trophy-size potential.
“Lake Ouachita is not the typical Florida bass trophy bass fishery, but conditions are shaping up to increase that potential,” Lusk said.
Stockings will continue into 2019.
Ragusin first at East Lake
George Ragusin ran away with first-place finish and big bass of the day in the recent Palm Bay Bassmasters club tournament at East Lake Toho. His total weight of 14.64 pounds included a 5.77-pounder.
Bob Theilacker was second with 13.11 pounds, including a 4.59-pounder, followed by Brian Cole with 12.60 pounds.
The top three boat finishes were Cole-Erick Pickton with 21.94, Scott Allender-Brandon Chambliss with 18.53, and Ragusin-Glenn Erickson with 17.17.
The club, sanctioned by BASS, is accepting new members. Go to: www.palmbaybassmasters.com.
Bill Sargent of Melbourne has been writing about sports and outdoor subjects for FLORIDA TODAY for 50 years. Contact Sargent at sargentwb@gmail.com.