MOPanfisher

OK, it didn't take too long to find a little bit of info. Short version. There is indeed at least one subspecies of Spotted bass, the Alabama Spotted Bass, a larger, more aggressive, faster growing version. Seems analogous to a florida strain largemouth. From Wikipedia. In 2010, the scientific community officially recognized a separate subspecies of spotted bass, native to the Tallapoosa and Coosa Rivers, and their lakes. This species is commonly known as the "Alabama spotted bass" (M. henshalli) and known locally as the "Coosa spotted bass", not to be confused with the "red-eye Coosa bass" found in northeast Georgia.[1] The Alabama spotted is highly prized as a gamefish and average size is much larger than the more common Kentucky spotted bass. The current record spotted bass, caught in pine Flat Lake, California, weighed 10.27 lb.[2] Not sure what this was from, appeared to be an individuals blog. One of the most common challenges when managing spotted bass fisheries is to maintain adequate growth rates of the fish. In clear waters with low nutrients, spotted bass populations can become dominated by small, slow growing individuals. Slot limits have been used as a management tool to encourage anglers to harvest the smaller fish. Slot limits are aimed at reducing the numbers of small fish, maintaining fast growth for the remaining fish, and increasing the number of large spotted bass for anglers to catch. A high-quality spotted bass fishery with a slot limit is Lewis Smith Lake in Alabama, where anglers are encouraged to keep spotted bass less than 13 inches. Alabama DNR reports some positive influence of the slot limit at this lake. And finally from an In-Fisherman article. In several regions of the country, spotted bass are overlooked by anglers set on catching largemouths or by purists seeking only smallmouths. But in top locations, spots combine the best features of both fish. Indeed, many characteristics are intermediate between largemouths and smallmouths, so much so that ichthyologists regarded the spotted bass as a hybrid or type of smallmouth until the 1930s. Distribution The original range of spotted bass included all the lower and central Mississippi River drainage from Missouri and Kansas to Louisiana and Mississippi, as well as the Gulf Coast drainages from the Chattahoochee River in Georgia to the Guadalupe River in Texas. The Ohio River drainage from West Virginia and North Carolina through Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee also was home to northern spotted bass. The species was absent from the lower Mississippi River, possibly due to excessive turbidity, and they don’t enter tidal sections of coastal rivers. The epicenter of spotted bass range seems to be the central Mississippi drainage. Ichthyologist theorize they spread east, south, and west from there. Alabama spotted bass were brought to California in 1974 and their success there led to stocking in other western states. Today, 24 states contain spotted bass, and they keep getting bigger. Six states set new records in this decade, and California rules with a 10-pound 4-ounce beast from Pine Flat Reservoir. The Wichita subspecies of spotted bass, feared extinct by some ichthyologists, occurred only in streams of the Wichita Mountains of Oklahoma. The Alabama subspecies inhabits the Mobile Bay drainage in Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. The northern subspecies or “Kentucky bass” is most widespread. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA has led some geneticists to conclude that Alabama spotted bass are a full species, more closely related to redeye bass than to northern spotted bass. A scientific paper published in 2008 dubbed the new species Micropterus henshalli. In any case, they’re a superior gamefish, outgrowing largemouths in shared waters and testing the tackle of bass anglers lucky enough to encounter them.

The reason the cattle thing doesn't work is all the cattle are the same species. You can still get white calves from black cattle, you won't get spotted bass from largemouth bass. So the comparison is completely off. If you used say sheep and cattle and said the sheep reproduce faster and don't grow as fast, then followed it with the farmer removing 10-15% (no way are fishermen going to remove 10 to 15% of the spotted bass every year from a lake the size of Stockton) of the sheep every year, maybe, it would still depend on some population dynamic numbers, but, yes it could have some comparison. the MLL set by MDC has a lot of things that play in, not the least of which is growth rates and patterns, hence the bass MLL on Pomme is 13" and crappie are 9". I am curious enough now I will do a search and see if I can find any references to genetic differences in southern and northern spotted bass. If I find anything useful I will happily link it.

Come on walcrabass don't hold back say it how you feel. I have seen many posts stating that Kentucky here are different from others further south but have not seen any data to that affect my or your belief is not data. The fact that southern fish have many more months of active feeding , could have something to do with size. As for the cattle thing that's just funny, its not even same thing, besides the fact that the population dynamics dictate that it would have no appreciable affect on spotted bass population,. and if that species is better suited to reproduction and survival than LM they are simply going to reproduce sufficiently enough that it would have no real effect. Truly I have no problem what so ever lowering or removing the MLL on spotted bass, it wouldn't make a difference to me at all, when I want a fish fry I will probably choose a different fish. For the most part states that have lowered or removed the MLL on spots have done so to appease fishermen not really expecting fishermen to be able to have any serious affect on the population in a large resevoir. Again not a problem as far as I am concerned catch and eat all the spotted bass you can, but don't think that it is going to turn the lake into a largemouth Mecca. There are a lot of us who are active fishermen and don't give a hoot about LMB, I would rather catch white bass any day but that is my choice. Note, I am not against you, I am just willing to ask questions and have a conversation. Beer, coffee and campfires are optional.

Dan I was going to suggest a couple slices of bacon. When the summer bounty is rolling in I can ALMOST be a vegetarian. Almost every vegetarian meal can be improved with bacon. sorry I have bacon on my brain, have a skillet full going right now to go with pancakes in a breakfast for supper thing.. bisquick, coca cola, cinnamon and some vanilla extract. Just might even be a few fresh strawberries to put on top, if not there is a tub of strawberry freezer jam thawed and ready for duty.

I am about the last person anyone would expect to talk a vegetarian sandwich but, two slices of white bread with butter, 2-4 fresh green onions from the garden washed and peeled, and a few radish slices will make a vegetarian sammich that is pretty dang good, won't gain you many points for a kiss from sweetie but good just the same.

While it certainly doesn't bother to put a shorter limit on K's or a slot limit whatever. but to think that lowering the MLL on them or removing it completely for that matter is going to decimate the population, well it just ain't gonna happen. Will it provide more keepable/fillettable bass for anglers to keep sure, will it make a major change in the population dynamics nope. Just not that many bass fishermen who would keep bass regardless of the MLL. TR for some reason seems to have a very good fishery for K's and Smallies as well, don't know if its just because they maybe have been there longer or were better established or what, or maybe I just look at the photos from their forum with all the nice LM's, K's and SMs and only see the that side of it. I haven't seen any data that says they are different genetically. No reservoir stays the same throughout its lifecycle, some species that were very common slowly dwindle while others move in to take their place. K's seem to be a place taker, being very adaptable, and hardy. As for the lunker program, if the state doesn't raise LM bass why would they want to pay you (by trading you a replica mount) for catching one. I am not aware of the State raising any Bass in their warm water hatcheries, primarily it is Paddlefish, Walleye, and Hybrids with maybe some Catfish but not sure to be honest.

Green sunfish eat just fine, like about all sunfish. Warm water small creeks seem to have them with some grubs/parasites in them, but not so much in lakes. A good bedding area of large green sunfish will make me stop whatever else I am fishing for (unless its pretty good) and add a pile of them to the death well for supper.

Very nice.

Ness add some feta cheese and a few calmata olives and I will arm wrestle you for it.

I guess I have missed the entire point of the gender/identity whatever associated with bathrooms. I suspect that at least 99% of people who are genetically male but identify (and dress and act) female and use a womens restroom do with with no one ever being the wiser. I have seen a few folks in mens rooms over the years that were a little questionable but if they were at the urinal I figured they must be male, if they were in a stall, all I ever saw was feet. We are about to elect one of two people whom no one really trusts, and folks are focused on whether the person in the stall next to us has XX or XY chromosomes. I firmly believe if you have XX you are female, XY and you are male, genetically that doesn't change, but for the life of me I just can't understand all the hoopla surrounding it, as the Worlds Super Power we have sunk to worrying about who is using which toilet. If there are problems, address them as they happen, don't make legislation that is just stupid, we have enough stupid legislation.

The only spoonbill I ever really likeed I covered in lemon pepper and smoked it. Then let it cool, not bad. Grilled fish, lots of veggies, red wine, where do I sign up.

Soon, if everything works out I will be after them again, throwing crank baits off of windy points, seems to work better if some shallow water adjacent to deeper water.

For every person who doesn't like any kind of fish there are guys like me who basically like all fish. Some more than others, but fresh, frozen caught by me, store bought salt or fresh I like them all, though spoonbill and sturgeon are very close to if not on the bottom the list. Since I consider myself a conniseur of fish, I would be willing to taste it for you and render my opinion. If not too much trouble some fried taters, fresh greens or other side dish would be nice but not required.

There are a few others that are still open. heck if that is your thing why not. I had a buddy who had the record northern Hog Sucker for a few years, you get a nice plaque and everything. I would hate to have to catch an 8# hybrid on a throw line through makes my fingers burn thinking bout it. Some of the fish on the state records list are pretty impressive, the one that really got me was the state record Green Sunfish from Stockton lake, that thing is a beast, would love to have a stringer full of them.

Water snakes in general can be very territorial at times, always seems to be the non-venomous varieties are more territorial than the venomous. The Cottonmouth/Water Moccasins I have seen tend to be more of a fat, lazy, don't mess with me and I won't mess with you type of snake, soaking up the sun, all they need is a can of beer and they would almost be me. Most snake bites happen when trying to kill or capture a snake and it tries to defend itself, or on occasion someone will step on one, or pick up a board branch with a copperhead under it and get bitten. Around the lake/campgrounds where I work way more kids are injured by on swings and merry-go-rounds (two most dangerous and popular items in a playground) each summer than all the snake bites combined. All that being said, I would appreciate you telling me there was a venomous snake near an area where I just showed up with a couple small kids, it would then be my choice to stay and watch them closer or move. Most kids naturally leave them alone, but some kids, (like mine) would have that poor snake in a bucket and be bringing it to me to find out what it is.

Well this wasn't me but I was in the boat. Crappie fishing at LOZ with a buddy and his pastor. Caught a few fish before the pastor tied into something big, would gain a little lose some the whole time asking for divine intervention and asking what it might be. Finally as I manned the net speculating on what it might be, i.e. drum, catfish, carp. Up from the depth appeared a mostly round shape which I skillfully netted. A very nice sized keeper odd shaped rock, with his crapie jig stuck nicely into one of the few holes in it. After the laughter subsided was still a good trip, sent the fish home with them, where upon they had a nice fish fry a few days later. Buddy's wife baked what appeared to be a gorgeous pie for dessert and they asked the pastor to cut it for serving. In case you haven't guessed by now the only thing under that golden crust was a rock. He took it well then laughed till he cried as the real pie was brought out.

Jtram, that a terrible problem to have, but yeah I know what you mean. I know a few places with good populations of decent sized bluegill and green sunfish I may just have to try the mini's out. what have I got to lose, except a few small mushroom heads and some pieces of plastic I was going to toss anyway. Now about those locations of the VERY successful goggler trips, I do love me some goggler action.

While length and weight are both time honored descriptions of "trophy" fish, I personally think we as anglers put way too much emphasis on the size of our fish. maybe its because I am not that good of a fisherman but I seldom have "trophy" fish, I catch some nice ones, but mostly I have trophy trips or trophy memories. multi day floats on Crooked creek with friends catch lots of 12-15 inch smallies, gogglers etc. meant MUCH more to me than catching a couple big uns. Not saying I wouldn't love to catch them big uns but for me the trip is about way more than the size/length of the fish. To each his own. I would rather have a relaxing day on the creek with smaller fish and numbers than have to approach fishing like it was a job. I want to enjoy a beer at a campfire on a gravel bar, eat some steaks etc. the rest is just extras.

The TRD in brown orange is actually what I bought, previously used generic plastic stuff with a round head 1/8 Oz weed less head, and it worked well. The little mini Ned thingy was just cute. Always seemed to me a decent goggle eye can more than eat a full sized Ned, heck they will go after a big black jitterbug.

Since I couldn't go fishing and I needed a good excuse to sneak off to my boat barn and smoke a cigar, I was messing around with various ones of my umpteen tackle boxes/trays. In one of them was several green pumpkin pencil worms or something similar. Waste not want not so cut several of them down to about 3 inches for my Ned box which I made but have yet to use. As I was cleaning up the pieces I noticed that the left over piece was a little shorter and smaller diameter but looked great. I put it on a 16 Oz mushroom head and man it looked even better. Is there any use or need for a mini Ned, for goggle eye, greatest catcher of 6 inch bass etc. As an aside prior to a Dr. Appt. I stopped at BPS and bought some actual Z man plastics, definitely a difference. Small creeks beware I am coming for you.

While i agree it doesnt look that big, in the pic on my phone thwre is some issue with the photo that changws the perspective. That's why they have to weigh it on certified scales I guess.

Sure does have the markings like a Saugeye, don't remember MDC ever stocking any Saugeye in Stockton, but they could have. Either way it will be delicious. Super clear water sometimes makes markings show up better as well.

Certainly will, hope it all goes well on the surgery.

Inform him that you ate glad he is close by, as you have been able to afford your PTSD medication after returning from Iraq. You think there have been someone stalking you along the bank and would be glad to have some witnesses in case it come to gunfire. Also casually mention that if you suffer a complete psychotic meltdown to please tie your hands and feet before you regain consciousness and to call the number on the emergency card in your wallet ane the Army will send someone immediately. Then turn and scream at a bush that you are just talking to the man not to get twitchy. If they are still around start to remove clothing after each cast, and mumble loudly the fresh air and sunshine is supposed to good for venereal disease prevention.

Looks like the study was set to last through 2015, which means it will still be a little while as they plow through the data, and compile it, make the graphs, write a report and get it vetted before release. I would say if results are released within 6 months of the end of the study then they are moving very quickly.