As we get into the hottest part of the summer, it is time for the tournaments coming to our great lake to make some common sense decisions about their tournament. The lake water is not warm, it’s hot and the bass will easily die if not treated correctly; there is very little oxygen in the water and the bass suffer easily when they are caught. So I have some advice for the good folks putting on tournaments and enjoying our great lake.

The hottest part of the day is from noon to 3pm and can easily be changed and every angler still get a fair shot at winning the tournament , it only makes sense to reduce the hours to maybe be off the water at 1pm. Not only is it easier on the bass in the hot live wells but it is easier on the health of the fisherman.

Make sure every angler in your tournament has working live wells, if they don’t work, those individuals should not be allowed to fish, this criteria occurs at all pro tournaments why not for your club or organization. Make each angler carry enough ice to continue to add ice to the live wells in this extreme heat, the cooler the water in the live well the better chance the bass have in living. Lastly treat the weigh in with the intent that all fish will live, if you do that you will take good care of the fish I know it. Keep them in water, keep them aerated and work at keeping them alive.