RE: several dead/dying bass at tournament...why?
Not suprised that they died. I have read reports in Bass and In-Fisherman that a good percentage of the releases fish die. At one Bass tourney I read that 80 percent of the fish died. Its not always that high but I have noticed while fishing in days following Walleye tourneys that there are quite a few floaters in the weigh in area. For this reason, I really don't like touraments. I am not a tree hugger or anything like that. In fact I am a life long hunter anf fisherman. I don't release many fish and when I do, I know there is a good chance they won't make it. I hate the minumum size lim,it on Walleye. I see to many of those under 14 inch walleye floating around dead. Walleyes are most often caught on live bait and often take the hook to deep. The game and fish says just cut the line and release them but I think its bunk.