florida strain

[barse41]

is there any distinctive way to tell a florida strain from a northern bass

[mac (Doyle McEwen)]

scale count on their lateral line, I just don't remember what the numbers are..I do believe they overlap, so in some cases you may not be able to tell..

mac

[BIG DADDY BLUE RANGER]

I'm certainly not an expert (disclaimer) but the best info I've heard/read is NO. The only way to be positive is through DNA testing so sayeth the experts........ even though you'll hear people claim otherwise................................ unless of course yer at a lake where you can be absolutely possitive Florida's have never been introduced...

I've never heard about the scale count thing so that maybe a possibility...... I'm definately not edumicated enough to say otherwise.....

[BassManDan]

Genetic testing is your go to and other than that, its the occasionally correct morphometrics/meristics.

You could probly get a good idea depending on where your fishing or what you catch the fish on (giant trout swimbait down at D. Pedro, probly a Florida...on a jig at Oroville, probly a northern strain, (well probly a spot, but were talking M. salmoides here!!)

BassManDan

[Steve]

IMHO, there is only one lake in CA where I feel fairly certain the bass still retain the pure Florida gene. In every other lake they are absolutley northern/Florida hybrids. I realize thats a very strong statement but Im sticking to it.

If you catch enough Florida strain you eventually start noticing subtle differences in morphology. Its not 100% but you definitely start noticing differences.

[Phil]

Dennis Bryant's Answer:
You've asked a question that even some of our better, northern states'
conservation officers have trouble answering without using a reference book
picture, or a scale-sample to use as an aid. Suffice it to say that the
differences are really minimal, and are hard to distinguish.
A "Florida Strain" Largemouth Bass generally has very well defined, and much
darker, vertical & horizontal lateral lines, than its' northern cousins.
Their pectoral & anterior dorsal fins are also more nearly vertically aligned
and somewhat larger than the northern strain Largemouth Bass, whose pectorals
are most generally located just forward of the anterior dorsal fin.
Their normal water-temperature tolerances, generally limits their natural
range to the southern and extreme southwestern tier of states, without the
aid of a year-round natural or man-made warm-water supply.
The successful natural and human-aided hybridizing of the original Florida
Strain Largemouth Bass has led to many of our now commonly accepted
Largemouth Bass sub-species. (Suwanee, Spotted, etc.) Making it even harder
yet for most lay persons to easily distinguish the differences between them
at a quick glance.
Finally; because of the extended growing period in their natural ranges'
warmer climate, they generally grow much larger, and very much quicker, than
any of their cousins from the north. A "good-sized" Largemouth Bass caught
in Florida or California can easily exceed 16 to 18 pounds. A "HUGE" "OLD"
Northern Largemouth Bass may be up in the 10 to 12 pound range.
North, South, East, or West; one thing about them all, does remain the same.
They are an awful lot of fun to catch, and, just fishing for them, can (for
some of us anyway) become an lifelong addiction. Just have fun catching them!
Charles Stuart's Answer:
Florida strain bass have lateral lines that are often darker than the regular
variety, and the bodies tend to be more "football shaped". The also fight
like a smallmouth!

These bass were introduced in Texan and other southern states to strengthen
weaker bass populations.

Due to the warmer climate of the south, these bass will often breed twice in
a year unlike the nothern bass who breed only in April/May.
Leo Watson's Answer:
This is a great question. There is not a lot of difference between the two.
The Florida strain bass is thicker through the tail and has more girth than
our normal large mouth bass. The coloration is the same. Most people would
not be able to tell the difference.

[Phil]

I also think if you really need to know more, contact Willow Creek Fish Farm in Clovis , Ca. they are the one that lake Don Pedro buys Florida Bass from every year to plant into Don Pedro. As far as I know, they are the only Florida Bass hatchery in California. Private hatchery.

Jigs

[mark poulson]

Floridas have an accent.
Northerns are easier to catch. More aggressive or dumber, I'm not sure which.

[Greg_Cornish]

Northern strain have the more distinct markings on the side Florida strain are just kind of green blobs.

[Terry]

Northern strain have 59-64 scales along their lateral line, Florida strain have 67-72. Trying to count the scales gives you eyestrain...

Many are intergrades, having the genetics of both, so counts anywhere from 59-72 are possible. Variability within a waterbody is also common.

Meristic counts are a quick and dirty way of determining strain, but I think DNA is the definitive test. IMO.

Terry

[barse41]

iv also heard there mouth grows dispoportionally large for there bodies