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do bass go back to where they were caught after release from weigh ins

Short answer: sometimes—but not always.

What we know from tagging and telemetry on largemouth and smallmouth:

• Bass do have home ranges and some “homing” ability. If you release them not too far from where they were caught (think same arm/creek, within a few miles) and they’re healthy, a noticeable chunk will work their way back over days to weeks.
• A lot of fish don’t return. Many set up new home ranges around the release site or gradually spread out along nearby habitat.
• Expect “stockpiling” near popular ramps after big events. Those fish typically redistribute over the following weeks, but some hang around the release area long-term.

What affects whether they go back:

• Distance moved: The farther from capture area, the less likely they return. A mile or two? Decent odds. Across the lake or 5–10+ miles? Returns drop a lot.
• Season/behavior:
  • Spawn/guarding fish are less likely to successfully return to a nest after weigh-in displacement; nest success usually fails if they’re removed.
  • Postspawn/summer/fall fish are more likely to adopt new suitable habitat near the release area.
• Stress and condition: Barotrauma (deep fish), high temps/low oxygen, long livewell times, and rough handling all reduce survival and homing.
• Waterbody type: River fish often orient to flow and structure and may return more, while reservoir fish show mixed results.

Typical patterns seen after tournaments:

• Within 24–72 hours: Fish hold near release areas (marinas, points, docks, nearby cover).
• 1–4 weeks: A portion disperses along shoreline or to adjacent creeks. Some home back if within realistic range.
• 1–3 months: Population looks more “normal,” but release areas can still be a little richer in tagged fish.

If you want them to go back (or minimize displacement impacts):

• For anglers:
  • Catch–weigh–release at the boat (MLF-style) or immediate release near capture spot is best.
  • If you must run fish to a weigh-in, handle gently, keep water cool/oxygenated, add non-ionic salt and ice as needed, and fizz properly for deep-caught bass showing barotrauma.
• For tournament directors:
  • Use release boats to distribute fish across multiple drop points, ideally near capture zones.
  • Avoid long transport from bedding areas; schedule shorter events or on-the-water scoring during peak spawn.
  • Provide oxygenated holding tanks and short lines; postpone or modify when surface temps >80°F.
  • Educate on fizzing and deep-water best practices.

Bottom line:

• Some bass do return after weigh-in release, especially if they weren’t moved far and conditions are good. Many won’t—they’ll establish new homes near the release site. Over weeks, fish redistribute, but ramps often see a temporary bump in bass density.

Would you like this tailored to a specific lake and season? I can outline likely return rates and best release practices for your water.