Studies show that largemouth bass tournaments contribute significant amounts to local economies. Local businesses that benefit from bass fishing events include:

sporting goods stores

tackle shops

boat dealers

marinas

hotels - motels - bed and breakfasts

restaurants

In most largemouth bass tournaments, catches are placed in a live well, and released after being weighed by officials. Fish that die while in captivity are worth fewer points and in some cases dead fish are not eligible at all.

After being weighted, bass are either released immediately or placed in tanks and treated for stress and slime coat injury, then released back into the water.