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TPWD fisheries biologists to present research findings during upcoming Bassmaster Classic

• Special Delivery
• Special Delivery

TPWD fisheries biologist Todd Driscoll (right) installs a small radio transmitter in a Toledo Bend largemouth bass while technician Ray Lenderman looks on. The fish was one of 43 bass up to eight pounds used in an intensive two-year telemetry research study aimed at unraveling some of the mysteries of bass behavior. Driscoll, a 26-year veteran biologist, has been invited to the upcoming BASS Conservation Summit in Tulsa, Okla., to present findings from an extensive study regarding the usage of oxygen-injection systems in livewells to help reduce delayed mortality in bass once water temperatures rise beyond 75 degrees. The Summit will be held in conjunction with the 2024 Bassmaster Classic set for March 22-24 on Grand Lake. (Photo by Matt Williams) TPWD fisheries biologist Jake Norman will appear at the upcoming BASS Conservation Summit to relay research findings from a two-year telemetry and forward-facing sonar research study performed on 37 bass up to six pounds at Lake Fork. Norman is an 11-year veteran fisheries biologist and avid bass angler. (Courtesy photo Jake Norman)

Outdoors Writer

A pair of veteran inland fisheries biologists with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will share the floor later this month at what some consider to be professional bass fishing’s biggest stage — the 2024 Bassmaster Classic.

Scheduled for March 22-24 on Grand Lake near Tulsa, Okla., the ‘Classic pits the top qualifying pros from several Bassmaster circuits in a three-day day competition. The angler who accumulates the heaviest weight on 15 bass (5 daily) wins the $300,000 top prize. The tournament is frequently dubbed the Super Bowl of bass fishing.

TPWD fisheries scientists Todd Driscoll of Brookeland and Jake Norman of Tyler won’t be casting for cash at the upcoming ‘Classic. Instead, they will take the podium at the BASS Conservation Summit to present findings and a few lessons learned from an intensive telemetry study recently completed on Toledo Bend and Lake Fork. The study was aimed at unraveling some of the mysteries of bass behavior.

Additionally, Driscoll will deliver findings from an extensive study regarding the usage of oxygen-injection systems in livewells. He will explain how pure oxygen injected into livewells at recommended levels can help reduce delayed mortality during warmer weather months once water temperatures rise beyond 75 degrees.

The telemetry study revolved around 43 bass at Toledo Bend and 37 at Lake Fork. The fish were collected using electrofishing boats and surgically implanted with small radio transmitters. The transmitters allowed biologists to monitor movements of the fish and pinpoint their locations using high-tech telemetry gear and forward-facing sonar. Their movements were documented at two week intervals for two years.

Among other things, the study evaluated how the fish related to offshore structure, the amount of time they spent there, seasonal movements and how the fish responded to the drone of outboard engines and trolling motors.

The methodology and study results have already been submitted for publication in the North American Journal of Fisheries Science Management. Bassmaster Magazine featured the effort in its March 2024 issue.

Both men are TPWD district supervisors and avid bass anglers who oversee a number of powerhouse house fishing lakes in the eastern half of the state. They take their jobs — and their fishing — very seriously.

Driscoll heads up the Jasper office and rides shotgun over lakes Sam Rayburn, Toledo Bend, Nacogdoches, Naconiche, Pinkston, Livingston and several others.

Norman heads up the Tyler office and is responsible for more than two dozen lakes — Fork Cedar Creek, Athens, Palestine, Richland Chambers and Cooper, just to name a few.

Held every two years, the BASS Conservation Summit brings together dozens of state fisheries chiefs and state-based volunteer B.A.S.S. Nation conservation directors from around the country to discuss a variety of hot conservation topics related to fisheries resources and how grant opportunities might be applied to address all sorts of conservation-related projects.

The Texas biologists say it is both a privilege and an honor to be invited to the gathering to share the +results of their boots-on-the-ground research with a diverse panel of professional peers at a function with such a wide reach.

Norman, 38, called the opportunity the highlight of his career thus far.

“If I could use one word to describe what it means to have this opportunity it would be “honored”,” said Norman. “As a kid, I dreamed of being a professional angler. As I grew up, I realized that my other dreams of family life wouldn’t line up well with the pro angler lifestyle, and quickly chose the biologist route. Without question this is the most rewarding invitation or opportunity to present that I’ve had in my career.”

Driscoll, 52, says he is equally excited about the opportunity.

“Although it’s always rewarding to conduct fisheries research that other fisheries biologists find useful and informative, it’s especially meaningful when your research also has enough direct application to and interest of bass anglers to be included with this Summit program. Speaking to the broad audience of state fisheries chiefs and conservation directors from across the country is one of the highlights of my 26-year career.”

Matt Williams is a freelance writer based in Nacogdoches. He can be reached by e-mail, mattwillwrite4u@yahoo.com.