During the third week of February 2010, Lake Amistad displayed its status as a world class black bass fishery by giving up its first ShareLunker in over 2 years and quickly reconfirmed its status by allowing a second ShareLunker six days later!

On Sunday, February 21^st, Del Rio Texas angler Robert Robles landed a 13.5 pound black bass while fishing in 30 feet of water in the Evans Creek area.  The monster prespawn bass had a girth of 20.5 inches and an overall length of 25.75 inches.  Robles’ bass is designated ShareLunker No. 479 in the Texas Parks and Wildlife managed program.

Both fish were delivered to the official Toyota ShareLunker tank at The Angler’s Lodge and Tackle Shop on Highway 90 where proper care was provided by Carl Wengenroth.  Carl is the owner of the facility and also an active promoter of fish care and conservation in the Lake Amsitad area.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife department has successfully transported the fish to the Lunker Bunker at the The Edwin L. Cox, Jr., Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, Texas where their eggs will be harvested and used to propagate the next generation of monster Texas bass.

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife website, the ShareLunker Program was begun in 1986 to promote catch and release of large bass and to breed trophy largemouth.  To be eligible to be a ShareLunker, the bass must weigh over 13 pounds and be legally caught in Texas waters between October 1^st and April 1^st.

Both Robles and Silcox will receive a fiberglass replica of their catch, ShareLunker clothing, and recognition at an annual awards banquet held at the Athens, Texas Facility.  Additionally, the angler’s have the option of having the fish returned to them or making a permanent donation to the ShareLunker program.

Should you have the extraordinary opportunity to donate a Lake Amistad lunker to the program, you can immediately call the program’s pager which is monitored 24 hours a day at 1-888-784-0600 or (903) 681-0550.  You can also call Carl Wengenroth’s cell at (830)719-9907.  Carl will begin preparation of the ShareLunker tank and notify the Parks and Wildlife officials.