DENVER, CO -- WFN: World Fishing Network,
the leading entertainment destination and digital resource for anglers
throughout North America, has partnered with Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation (FWC) to promote and manage the website for the commission's new TrophyCatch Program, which launched October 1.
The new trophy bass portal, hosted and maintained by World Fishing Network, can
be found at www.TrophyCatchFlorida.com.
There, bass anglers can register for the program, find fishing hotspots
throughout Florida, view the catch gallery and see how they can be rewarded for
practicing catch and release.
The FWC TrophyCatch program is designed to create a
statewide record keeping system to document catches of trophy bass, instill a
stronger catch and release conservation ethic among anglers, educate anglers
about the importance of trophy fish to fish populations and allow the public to
participate in the management of Florida's unique aquatic resources.
"TrophyCatch is an innovative program to reward
anglers for being great resource stewards by legally catching and releasing
trophy largemouth bass," said Tom Champeau,
director of FWC's Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management.
Three tier classifications comprise the TrophyCatch
program: Lunker Club (8 - 9.99 lbs.), Trophy Club (10 - 12.9 lbs.) and Hall of
Fame Club (13 lbs. or greater). To qualify, anglers are encouraged to follow
catch and release guidelines for these big bass and document the catch through
a series of photographs of the bass' weight, length and release. A more
thorough verification process conducted by a FWC employee is required for Hall
of Fame bass.
Great prizes await anglers who register and participate in the TrophyCatch program. Lunker Club rewards carry a value of
more than $15 while Trophy Club status includes prizes and discounts valued at
over $100. Hall of Fame Club bass accepted between Oct. 1 and April 30 receive
rewards exceeding $1,000, including a fiberglass replica mount of the catch
(bass 13 lbs. or more caught outside of those dates qualify for Trophy Club
status). Heaviest bass of the year will earn a TrophyCatch
ring, donated by the American Outdoor Fund and valued at $3,000. Plus, during
the first year of the TrophyCatch program, the
Kissimmee Convention and Visitors Bureau will award $10,000 to the largest bass
caught in Osceola County waters by a verified TrophyCatch
angler. And if the fish was caught with the assistance of a fishing guide, the
Kissimmee CVB will award that guide $2,500 as well. Visit www.TrophyCatchFlorida.com for
rules and additional information.
The first TrophyCatch bass was recently caught by Mr.
Corey Dolan of Tallahassee, Florida, who landed a 27-inch, 12.33 lb. largemouth
bass on Oct. 16 at Lake Talquin, just shy of the Hall
of Fame Club mark.
"TrophyCatch is a great way to expand on the
success that WFN and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have
experienced with the Big Catch Florida Angler Recognition Program," said
director of partnership marketing for WFN, Liz Ogilvie. "The FWC has
established a blueprint for balancing fishing with conservation principles and
practices that will sustain the sport for generations to come, and we look
forward to working with other state entities on similar programs in the
future."
World Fishing Network is available nationally on DISH (Ch. 394) and throughout
Florida on several leading cable and telecommunications service providers,
including AT&T U-verse, American Cable TV, Bright House, Comcast, Knology and Verizon FiOS. For
details on service providers throughout the United States, Canada and the
Caribbean, visit www.getwfn.com.
About WFN
WFN: World Fishing Network is North America's only television network, online
and mobile platform dedicated exclusively to fishing and outdoor enthusiasts
with programming that covers instruction, tips, tournaments, travel, food,
boating, outdoor lifestyle and more. WFN's programming lineup includes
primetime theme nights, a selection of the best international series and the
most diverse species coverage of any TV channel. Featuring popular programs
hosted by some of the top anglers from North America and across the globe, WFN
offers a variety of exclusive lifestyle shows that appeal to a broad and
diverse audience. Anchored by one of the top fishing websites, www.WorldFishingNetwork.com,
WFN's multimedia platforms also include a mobile portal and the WFN Fishing Log
app for the iPhone, iPad and Android. WFN and WFN HD are available to more than
50 million cable, satellite and telecommunications households throughout the
United States, Canada and the Caribbean.
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