New Tennessee Record Alabama Spotted Bass

[rsimms]

New Alabama Bass Tenn. State Record... although TWRA isn't very happy about it a new record "invasive" fish..

https://newschannel9.com/sports/out...th-invasive-alabama-bass-catch-on-ocoee-river

 

[CATCHDAWG]

That river used to be a good smallmouth fishery but the spots have completely taken it over.
There is one river/watershed in Tennessee that Alabama bass are native to so I wouldn't say Alabama's are completely invasive to Tennessee but they definitely are to the Ocoee watershed.

 

[ewc]

He should've filleted it. Non native species- whether it be vegetation, fish, mammals are harmful to Tennessee's native species.

Examples- kudzu, rainbow trout, brown trout, striped bass, zebra mussels, hogs, etc. Please add more: I'm sick and not slept. It's 4:34 am.

 

[Lt.Dan]

Looks like he at least kept it for mounting. So that's one less breeder. Still need to congratulate the guy for catching a nice fish.

 

[Iglow]

He should've filleted it. Non native species- whether it be vegetation, fish, mammals are harmful to Tennessee's native species.

Examples- kudzu, rainbow trout, brown trout, striped bass, zebra mussels, hogs, etc. Please add more: I'm sick and not slept. It's 4:34 am.

Jap honeysuckle, privet.

 

[DoubleRidge]

Jap honeysuckle, privet.

Chestnut blight...emerad ash borer...Japanese beetle

 

[DoubleRidge]

Not native...but thats a beautiful fish.

 

[TNLynn]

Looks like he at least kept it for mounting. So that's one less breeder. Still need to congratulate the guy for catching a nice fish.

I read somewhere that he released it.

 

[WTM]

see some folks releasing them all the time on youtube. like i said a few years ago, they are dang good to eat.

 

[Kirk]

I understand the threat of non native, invasive fish. My question is why in this Alabama Bass more of a threat than the Florida Strain Largemouth Bass that TWRA released in Chickamauga Lake? (And other lakes.)

 

[CATCHDAWG]

I understand the threat of non native, invasive fish. My question is why in this Alabama Bass more of a threat than the Florida Strain Largemouth Bass that TWRA released in Chickamauga Lake? (And other lakes.)

Are Tennessee largemouth genetically different from Florida strain? If so, I would consider them nonnative. Kind of like the so called Brook trout they stock in the rivers, they are not southern Appalachian strain and are genetically different. They are both "Brook trout" but definitely not the same. Spots on the other hand, are a different species entirely. You bring up a good point.

 

[CATCHDAWG]

That river used to be a good smallmouth fishery but the spots have completely taken it over.
There is one river/watershed in Tennessee that Alabama bass are native to so I wouldn't say Alabama's are completely invasive to Tennessee but they definitely are to the Ocoee watershed.

EDIT
Gotta back up and punt on my comment. I would have sworn that Alabama's were native to the Conasauga River but after a quick google search, it appears they are not. The Conasauga is part of the Coosa River drainage and Alabama's are only native to the Mobile River drainage. Two different and isolated drainage's. So yes, they are completely invasive to all Tennessee waterways.

 

[WTM]

I understand the threat of non native, invasive fish. My question is why in this Alabama Bass more of a threat than the Florida Strain Largemouth Bass that TWRA released in Chickamauga Lake? (And other lakes.)

yeah ky has been keeping an eye on there northern strain population genetics. so far non have test positive for florida strain. supposedly florida strain does poorly above i40 degree heat day line.

 

[Kirk]

Florida Strain F-1 hybrids

From what I have read and seen, the Florida Strain grows faster and larger and that is the genetic difference. When they breed with Northern Large mouth they are called F-1 hybrids. I linked an article that explains what has occurred.

For the record I am all for the Florida strain bass being stocked in Tennessee. I just thought it was rather odd that Alabama Bass is considered invasive and the Florida strain is not.

 

[WTM]

Florida Strain F-1 hybrids

From what I have read and seen, the Florida Strain grows faster and larger and that is the genetic difference. When they breed with Northern Large mouth they are called F-1 hybrids. I linked an article that explains what has occurred.

For the record I am all for the Florida strain bass being stocked in Tennessee. I just thought it was rather odd that Alabama Bass is considered invasive and the Florida strain is not.

yeah especially seeing as the 2nd, 3rd, etc generations would be revertive. according to west ky fisheries adam martin, the florida strain could cause fish to be smaller in the northern section of ky lake.

 

[mjwendorf]

Knowing how he likes to fish, live bait I assume?

 

[redblood]

we float the duck alot in the fall. its a good smallmouth river, but everytime i hook up i hope its a spotted bass because they go in the cooler (and are great eating!!!) 1.5 to 2 pound spotted bass are as good to eat as anything, super easy to filet and fry up deliciously. im sure smallmouth are just as good, but i wont keep one unless it isnt going to survive due to swallowing the hook

 

[ewc]

Are Tennessee largemouth genetically different from Florida strain? If so, I would consider them nonnative. Kind of like the so called Brook trout they stock in the rivers, they are not southern Appalachian strain and are genetically different. They are both "Brook trout" but definitely not the same. Spots on the other hand, are a different species entirely. You bring up a good point.

Getting technical, nothing twra stocks is native.

TWRA has imported striped bass, walleye, lmb, crappie, rainbow, brown, and brook trout.

 

[Crow Terminator]

Knowing how he likes to fish, live bait I assume?

I believe that's what I read on social media. It's probably only a manner of time before he or one of his clients gets the next state record largemouth out of Chickamauga. He keeps putting people on 10-12 pounders...only person I know who regularly gets 20+ of them a year. I've never caught 1 in my life.

 

[AU bass bum]

EDIT
Gotta back up and punt on my comment. I would have sworn that Alabama's were native to the Conasauga River but after a quick google search, it appears they are not. The Conasauga is part of the Coosa River drainage and Alabama's are only native to the Mobile River drainage. Two different and isolated drainage's. So yes, they are completely invasive to all Tennessee waterways.

The Coosa (and Conasauga) are part of the Mobile River basin. Alabama bass are native there, but outside of that system, they are nonnative and invasive in TN.

 

[rsimms]

For the record, the following species are all non-native to Tennessee waters. All except the common carp were, or are, purposefully introduced by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency:

-- Florida-strain Largemouth Bass
-- Rainbow Trout
-- Brown Trout
-- Northern-strain Brook Trout
-- Northern-strain Walleye
-- Common Carp

 

[CATCHDAWG]

The Coosa (and Conasauga) are part of the Mobile River basin. Alabama bass are native there, but outside of that system, they are nonnative and invasive in TN.

That's what I thought and that's what happens when you only read the "A.I. summary".

 

[Doskil]

They destroyed the smallmouth bass fishery upstream of there in Blue Ridge Lake in Georgia

 

[FLTENNHUNTER1]

Pound for pound Alabama bass are, IMO, the best fighting bass. A 3 LB AB will pull harder than a 6 pound LMB.

 

[WTM]

Pound for pound Alabama bass are, IMO, the best fighting bass. A 3 LB AB will pull harder than a 6 pound LMB.

and a lot like women, psychotic and moody. ive seen them come off the bottom at 50ft and bust shad on the surface.