I've fished in many places for over 50 years and for some time now have been fishing bass in south Florida. In the tournaments, there are often weeks of results showing from 10 pounds up to 30 pounds for 5 fish fish...Question- Largemouth Bass 18 inches(limit size) are almost all slightly below or at 4 pounds each. If a person catches limit of 5 fish, they would have a 20 pound stringer or larger. If they don't limit, obviously they would be below this. Do they count only 18 inch and above ONLY in a tournament or do they count all sizes. The question came up yesterday when we caught dozens of bass at L-67 and only had one guy at 4 pounds and the only "keeper" as they say. I don't believe some of the results of less than 20 pounds of fish as a limit if all must be 18 inches...'Splain that one Lucy...Please. thank you...the fingers and main channels were alive with small fish and bait and gators and amazing bird life even big flocks of Roseatte Spoonbills, this past weekend.God Bless the Glades!

LIMITS ARE 12" OR BIGGER ANYTHING OVER 12" IS OK TO WEIGH IN.

MAJORITY OF TOURNAMENTS HAVE WAIVERS FROM STATE, THAT PERMIT THE KEEPING OF BASS UNDER THE LEGAL SIZE LIMIT. THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS HAVE TO FILL OUT REPORTS AND SEND IN AFTER TOURNAMENTS. THE IDEA IS TO KEEP BASS ALIVE AND RETURN UNHARMED BACK INTO THE WATER AFTER WEIGHING. A PENALTY FOR ANY DEAD FISH WILL BE ASESSED TO TOTAL WEIGHT. MOST TOURNAMENTS HAVE A 12" OR 14" MIN. SIZE LIMIT. A FIVE FISH 12" LIMIT WEIGHTS APROX 5 LBS. AND A 14" LIMIT WEIGHTS APROX 7 TO 8 LBS.

No Sir...never fished in a tournament, probably I enjoy fishing too much and it is a tremendous diversion from work, but thanks for the information. I'm just happy, as I have been having trouble catching a limit of minimum 18 inch bass everytime I go fishing...sometimes I can go for weeks without catching an 18 inch limit...I thought maybe my skills were diminishing with getting old, So Thanks again

Unless there have been changes, the Glades & southern Florida regulations allow 5 fish with only one that may be over 14 inches. So, 4 of 5 fish must be smaller than 14 inches. Thats for recreational fishing of course and not tournements that require the permits. I suggest to practice catch & release though!

Isn't it safe to assume almost all who read this Bulletin Board practice Catch And Release? but thanks for your inputs.