Gator,you are exactly right.Tn largemouth will never be as big as Fl largemouth.I fished tournaments for many years in Tn.Years ago the bass clubs across the state tried to get TWRA to stock Florida strain bass in our lakes.They said they would no live this far north.But Virginia has stocked their lakes with florida strain and they survive that climate.Every state that has stocked florida strain largemouth have broken their state record after stocking floridas. Even if Tn. had florida bass they still wouldnt be as big as they are in Florida,but they would be bigger than what we have now.

Average Tn bucks will never be as big as Ky,Ill or Iowa,but they could be bigger given the right opportunity.

I was thinking that Dale Hollow Lake was where the World Record smallmouth bass was taken from...seems like the guy caught it on the TN/KY line...but I may be wrong.

yep and cordell hull has lots of bass in the 8lb range probably because the lake flows south out of KY and all the good soil is coming down with it

I think it was taken from the KY side.... LOL. Those smallies sure can fight....

It has been disputed, but TN is credited with the record.

I'm glad I used largemouth bass as my example..... I knew if I didn't put that (largemouth) in there we would be talking about smallies.... Guess what, we are still talking about smallies.... I wish smallies could get up to 18 lbs, that would be one heck of a fight.

Seems like Tn must be right on the line,a little to south for the big northern strain deer,and a little to north for the long growing season to grow big largemouth.Hmmmm

I guess thats what happens when you are right in the middle...