Kentucky Bass

[straw hat]

Walcrabass, thanks for the complement. I will see if I can find that earlier posting. You are right, the crosses are slower growing than either parent species and the seven inch maturity is right on. That early maturity is one of the things that leads to their high population levels and their ability to compete with other bass. The decrease in population levels don't really suprise me. When sampling there are so many variables. Most likely they simply sampled different habitat than the time before. Weather, time of year,time of day and many other factors can affect those results as well. Just to through this into the mix as well ....spotted bass prefer cooler temps than largemouth and grow better at those lower temps. That is why you often see larger spotted bass in mid-lake to near the dam where the water doesn't warm quite as fast as say the shallower tributaries. Those tributaries often have more and smaller spots than the mid-lake area. Electrofishing ONLY yeilds valuable location if you repeat sampling under nearly identical conditions and location each time you sample. This is nearly imposible with annial changes in lake levels and weather.

[straw hat]

I found that earlier string. It was started on 24 March 2010 by a guy called Walcrabass (Hmmm, seems like I have heard that name before)

The document is attached (I hope).

Spotted Bass2.doc

[straw hat]

I had some time to waste so I decided to look at some of the research on spots. Included the abstracts (summaries) for you guys to look at. I think you will find some of these real interesting. With it umpteen jillion degrees out it can be a good time to do a little reading.

[straw hat]

Well lets try this again.

[straw hat]

Well lets try this again.

bass.doc

[Walcrabass]

Straw Hat,

I hope that all the fishermen truly read these documents you are posting. Thank you for your comments on the sampling of fish because many people do not realize how difficult it is to obtain accurate information. The 15 year thing is probably on target. I also appreciate your backing on the 7" maturity for the Kentuckies. Not only does this give them more years to spawn because they start spawning smaller but because of their lack of ability to grow long quickly they also stay in the lake longer to hit a 15" length limit. All this boils down to them out producing the Largemouth. As I have posted before this is why their percentage in the lake steadily climbs. I have said it before and I am saying it again.... I wish the spots had their own category in the Fish and Game Code book for our lakes. A 10" length limit and no daily limit would greatly help out the other Bass. I am not accepting the rumor that we as fishermen are too dumb to tell the difference in a Largemouth and a Kentucky either. After all we are definitely expected to tell the difference in Smallmouth and Largemouth in the "Trophy" areas of creeks and rivers. I don't hate these Kentuckies guys. There are just better Bass out there for the conversion of baitfish and other food into quality Bass Fishing. See you all on the lake and good luck fishing for whatever species you are after.

[Kevin Wagner]

Straw Hat and Walcrabass,

Thanks so much for adding to this post! I still haven't been able to read through it all the links! This is why I love this site, there are so many folks willing to share their knowledge. You guys are awesome!

[straw hat]

Thanks Kevin. I know how you feel, a lot of guys on this site have helped me as well. On a side note ... I guess I owe BOB an apology. I gave him a hard time about his entried with his new sophisticated phone (crabs, kids etc.). If you look at my last few entries you can tell that I can't even figure out how to attach a file. lol What a dumby!