Characteristics of Texas Black Bass Fishing Tournaments

Abstract

–We describe characteristics of Texas fishing tournaments for black bass Micropterus spp. based on voluntary reports for 2,418 tournaments held during 1993–1997. Most tournaments (99%) were 1–2 d in duration. An average of 35.1 anglers participated in each tournament, and most tournaments (84%) involved 20 or fewer boats. Ninety-seven percent of tournaments required live release of fish after weigh-in. Tournaments had a variety of formats and rules. The most common format (87.8% of tournaments) awarded prizes based on total weight, 26.9% awarded prizes based on team results, and 26.0% awarded prizes for big fish. Ten percent of events were paper tournaments, in which fish are captured, measured, and released immediately. In 23% of tournaments, the competition was held with self-imposed bag and minimum length limits that were more restrictive than those promulgated by the state. Comparison of our results with those from an earlier study suggests a compensatory relationship between tournament angler behavior, in the form of self-imposed bag and size restrictions, and regulations imposed by management agencies. Tournament anglers adopt more stringent self-imposed restrictions when management regulations are liberal but place fewer restrictions on themselves as more restrictive regulations are enacted. Tournament characteristics, including the number of participants, species sought, format, and rules of conduct, have important implications for biological, social, and administrative problems that often are associated with tournament fishing.