The other common thread: Florida strain bass. TWRA announced they are going to introduce them in Ft. Loudon, Kentucky and one other lake in Tennessee starting over the next year. 8 or so years from now these lakes will start giving up some monsters also.

From what I have been told, it's the first generation hybrid bass (FLMB X NLMB) that display so called "hybrid vigor", and grow ridiculously fast. After that first gen dies off, the bass population actually declines to lower then original growth rates. Not sure if it's true, but stocking FLMB may not be a good thing in the long run.

The bottom line is the difference between FLMB and NLMB. If the lake was stocked with Florida strain LMB the new lake record should note the strain,. If the bass is a northern LMB it is rare fish and worthy of acclaim it has received.

Tom

thats a big ol pig there

From what I have been told, it's the first generation hybrid bass (FLMB X NLMB) that display so called "hybrid vigor", and grow ridiculously fast. After that first gen dies off, the bass population actually declines to lower then original growth rates. Not sure if it's true, but stocking FLMB may not be a good thing in the long run.

This is from TWRA's Dec meeting. A lot of interesting info on florida strain. Around 19 min is where it goes into gen 5 X down the road  

Nice ... A rig fish too

The bottom line is the difference between FLMB and NLMB. If the lake was stocked with Florida strain LMB the new lake record should note the strain,. If the bass is a northern LMB it is rare fish and worthy of acclaim it has received.

Tom

 

The strain is documented.  For a record to be obtained the fish does not only have to be weighed on certified scales, but DNA also has to be taken from the fish.

I would bet that this fish probably is Florida strain.  But that doesn't mean that we can't grow them that big anyway.

 

Beech Creek, right above John Sevier Steam Plant on Cherokee Lake has produced numerous 12lb + fish.  Including this one:

http://www.wbir.com/story/news/local/2014/05/29/15-pound-bass-doesnt-count-for-state-record/9748891/

This river system has never been stocked with any Largemouth.  But the fisherman did not submit DNA evidence (this link says it was not on a certified scaled), but if I recall, I think the scale was certified, but he released the fish before officials were called and did not know about getting the DNA. 

 

Nonetheless, Gabe's catch is amazing.  I can't imagine being the proud angler to catch a fish like that in home waters. 

Congrats to him!

Best thing about cold water fishin! Big fish! Might not be about the numbers but generally are big fish! 

That's pretty cool WOW

That's awesome! That's one beast of a fish...

That fish is a beast.

Anyone know if he kept the fish or put it back in the water?

That bass is huge!

http://www.outdoorhub.com/news/2015/02/18/tennessee-teacher-breaks-states-60

http://www.outdoorhub.com/news/2015/02/18/tennessee-teacher-breaks-states-60

Florida strain LMB stocked in 2000 would be 15 year old FLMB. That is as old as they get in CA, the record should fall agian soon!

Tom