Bud's ShareLunker Program and Official Rules

The first 2002-2003 ShareLunker from Lake Fork November, 2002 The Budweiser Sharelunker program received it's first 2002-2003 entry into the program with a 14.17 lb. largemouth bass. The bass was caught in 28 feet of water on a 1/8 ounce "Flash Spin Spoon", the bass measured 25.75 inches in length and had a 21.5 inch girth. The amazing story behind this lunker is she was caught on 4 pound test line using a crappie jig. More details from News release Click Here.	Roy Greer Owner / Instructor of the "Bass Clinic" located on Lake Fork A 14.17 lb. Largemouth Bass caught at around 11:00 AM.
The second 2002-2003 ShareLunker from Lake Fork March 6, 2003 This Lake Fork lunker weighed in at 13.51. She was caught at the south end of the lake on a black and blue ViperXP Jig in 10 ft. of water. The bass had a girth of 21.25" and measured 24" long. More details from News release Click Here. The ViperXP Jig is a product of Lake Fork Pro Guide Marc Mitchell. You can find these jigs at Fisherman's One Stop located on FM 515. Or email Marc Mitchell at: MGS@peoplescom.net	Brandon Moss Ardmore, Oklahoma A 13.51 lb. Largemouth Bass caught 3-6-03.
The third 2002-2003 ShareLunker from Lake Fork March 8, 2003 Chuck Vickers of Rockwall, Texas caught the third 2002-2003 ShareLunker. The bass weighed in at 13.48 and measured 26 1/4 inches long. She was caught on a black and blue Brush Hawg. More details from News release Click Here.	Chuck Vickers Rockwall, Texas The largemouth bass weighed 13.48, caught 3-8-03. (Photo courtesy of Dean Stroman, Lake Fork Pro Guide)
The fourth 2002-2003 ShareLunker from Lake Fork March 8, 2003 Corey Harvill from Shreveport, LA caught the #4 ShareLunker from Lake Fork. The bass weighed 13.11 and measured 25.5 inches long. She had a girth of 20.5 inches and was caught on live bait in 10 to 12 ft. of water. More details from News release Click Here.	Corey Harvill Shreveport, LA The bass weighed 13.11 and measured 25.5 inches long, caught 3-08-03.
The fifth 2002-2003 ShareLunker from Lake Fork March 14, 2003 Lake Fork resident, Jim Goodbread landed Budweiser ShareLunker # 7 of the 2003 season and #5 for Lake Fork in his own back yard at 2:00 pm Friday, March 14, 2003. Fishing in 8 to 10 ft of water with a chartreuse "Terminator" spinnerbait, Mr. Goodbread caught a 13.24 lb football shaped largemouth bass, with a length of 24.25" and a 22" girth.	Jim Goodbread Lake Fork, Texas 13.24 lb largemouth bass, with a length of 24.25" and a 22" girth.
The sixth 2002-2003 ShareLunker from Lake Fork March 29, 2003 Larry Lee Jones of Plano, Texas landed the 6th Budweiser ShareLunker of the season for Lake Fork, Saturday, March 29. The ShareLunker weighed in at 14.60 pounds and measured 26.75 inches in length with a 22.5-inch girth. The bass was caught in 3 feet of water in Big Caney Creek area on a spinner bait.	Larry Lee Jones Plano, Texas 14.60 lb largemouth bass, measured 26.75 inches in length with a 22.5-inch girth.
The seventh 2002-2003 ShareLunker from Lake Fork April 25, 2003 Michael Wilber of Pittsburg, Kansas was fishing with Lake Fork Pro Guide David Straham when he caught this trophy. Caught at 4 pm Friday, April 25th in 9 feet of water with a 6” Lizard The bass weighed 13.55 and measured 26” in length with a 20.75” girth. Photo courtesy of Oak Ridge Resort	Michael Wilber Pittsburg, Kansas The Share Lunker weighed 13.55 lb and measured 26” in length with a 20.75” girth.

Entries include: three bass in one day March 3-22-02...
These fish confirm Lake Fork is still the top trophy bass producing lake in Texas. This is the first time in ShareLunker history that three lunkers were picked up on one day from the same lake. These are also the three heaviest bass every picked up in one day and the largest lunker since 2/28/99.

ShareLunker Program
Program Description
Bud's ShareLunker Program is a tripartite venture among businesses, state government, and anglers to preserve and enhance Texas largemouth bass fisheries. Through the Program, anglers may loan largemouth bass weighing 13 pounds or more to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for spawning and research purposes which include evaluating relationships between genetics and early life history, growth, performance, behavior, and competition. After spawning, TPWD personnel will contact the angler and arrange a date at which the fish can be released back into the waters from which it was caught. In return for their cooperation, participating anglers receive a free fiberglass replica of their catch, ShareLunker clothing, and recognition at the awards banquet at Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. In addition, the Texas resident catching the largest ShareLunker entry of the season will be awarded a lifetime fishing license
Anyone catching a 13-pound-plus largemouth bass is eligible to participate by calling (903) 670-2226 weekdays or by paging (888) 784-0600 weekends and evenings.

Since the start of the Program in 1986, 333 largemouth bass from 58 public reservoirs have been donated.
For more information about the program, call 903-670-2226.

Official Rules for ShareLunker

1. The Program is limited to largemouth bass weighing 13 pounds or greater.
2. The Program is in effect from December 1 - April 30.
3. The fish must be legally caught in Texas waters.
4. A Texas Parks & Wildlife employee will be solely responsible for accepting a fish into the program, based on the expectation that the fish will be able to survive and spawn.
5. Possession of the fish must be transferred to a designated Texas Parks & Wildlife representative within 12 hours after capture. The angler must sign a release absolving all sponsors, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, and Texas Parks & Wildlife Department employees of any liability resulting from the loss or death of their fish.
6. Employees and families of program sponsors are not eligible for participation in the program.
Traditionally, anglers who donate live bass to the ShareLunker program for use in fish production and research efforts have been rewarded with a free fiberglass replica of their catch and an invitation to the annual awards banquet. Now, participants will also receive a three-in-one parka, a ShareLunker shirt and an opportunity to win a $1,000 cash prize through a random drawing during the annual banquet.
Each year, the program accepts live 13-pound-plus "lunker" bass from anglers. Bass loaned or donated through the program are used by TPW's hatchery staff in research to produce potentially trophy-sized bass for stocking in Texas public waters. In this way, the best, big-fish genes will be captured and passed on to improve bass fishing in Texas.