The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) TrophyCatch program awarded a $40,000 Phoenix bass boat to Jill Ganey, of Tallahassee, during the Bass Pro Shops Southern Open on Lake Tohopekaliga-Kissimmee in January.
At the end of its second season (Oct. 1, 2013 to Sept. 30, 2014), TrophyCatch had 8,494 registrants, each with an opportunity, whether they submitted a fish or not, to win the bass boat. In addition, each verified bass heavier than 8 pounds that was caught, properly documented and released created another 10 opportunities for the registrant to win.
A young woman from the audience during November’s Gumbo Wars in Orlando drew Ganey’s name from among five finalists.
“We are pleased the boat went to Jill and her family, who will put it to good use,” said Tom Champeau, director of the FWC’s Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management. “This award reiterated that you don’t have to enter a verified bass to win with TrophyCatch, or even be present at the final drawing to win. Just register at TrophyCatchFlorida.com for free.”
The Phoenix 619-Pro bass boat is equipped with a Mercury Marine engine, MotorGuide trolling motor, Power-Pole anchoring system and Navionics chartplotter. The boat and accessories were donated to TrophyCatch by corporate partners.
Go to TrophyCatchFlorida.com to learn more about the program and register for next year’s drawing. Then, be sure to document (a photo on a scale with the entire bass visible) any bass heavier than 8 pounds that is caught and released in Florida. TrophyCatch.com is also the place where people can learn details about more than 1,000 trophy bass already caught, documented and released in just two years.