Consequently, in 1992 the FWC implemented a new regulation reducing the bag limit from 10 bass of any size, to five bass, with a minimum size of either 12 or 14 inches depending on where you fish in the state. This regulation reflected the change from when anglers wanted to take food home for the table, to today where the quality (size) of the catch is more important. In particular, it reflected the desire to see more large bass protected and to distribute the catch of those fish among more anglers.

The results, when combined with habitat restoration work and a return to normal rains that ended a long-term drought, have been impressive. Florida tournament catches, as cited in "In-Fisherman’s 1997 Bass Guide" increased four-fold in number of 8-pounders by the 1994-95 season. The average "big-fish" increased by 15 percent.

Public acceptance of these rules has led to additional changes including an innovative regulation, passed in 1996, for south Florida limiting harvest of bass over 14 inches to just one fish, with a total bag limit of five. In addition, several additional water bodies were named as catch-and-release only lakes (e.g., seven Ocala National Forest lakes, several man-made reservoirs adjacent to the Harris Chain-of-Lakes, and Lake Jackson [Osceola County]) and slot limits were applied elsewhere (e.g., Lake Jackson [Leon County], Lake Talquin, Orange Lake, Lochloosa Lake and Lake Okeechobee).

The FWC’s focus on habitat management and regulation management, designed to sustain the resource while providing anglers’ with the type of opportunities they want, is working. "Sports Afield's" 100th anniversary issue reports that if you are looking for a 10-pound plus largemouth, their first three recommendations are Lake Okeechobee, Farm-13 and Rodman Reservoir--all in Florida.

Lake Harris, after a series of fish kills in the early 1990's, was site of the worst Bassmaster Invitational in history. In 1992, the winning weight was 14 pounds, 10 ounces. That has changed. On March 15 and 16, 1997, a Governor’s Cup Tournament, sponsored by "Fish and Game Finder Magazine," documented the lake’s recovery. Anglers caught 316 bass totaling 726 pounds, of which 311 were successfully live-released. The winning team weighed-in 16 fish for a two-day total of 35.30 pounds, with an 11.56 pounder taking the big-fish prize. A month before, a "Guys and Dolls Couples Tournament" racked up 121 fish, with a winning weight of 25.52 pounds and an 11.22-pound big fish. When the public wanted lots of bass, they got them. Now that they are willing to release more of their catch for a quality experience, they are getting that too. Big bass fishing is returning.