I have a 12 acre lake that has a good ratio of bass sizes. My fish seem to all be very healthy with plenty to eat. I can regularly catch 3-5 pound fish and occasionally catch a 6-7. I know it would help to introduce Floridas, but I hear of people catching 10-12 pound native Texas bass around here. My lake has been here for 80+years, so they have had plenty of time to get big! I don't want to sound like I am complaining about catching 7 pound bass, but I am curious to know why I am not catching bigger fish? Any ideas?
BassGuy, if you are catching 6-7 lb Texas native strain Largemouth bass from your 12 acre lake you are doing great. Prior to stocking pure Florida LMB some thirty years ago the state record was in the 8 lb range. You say your lake is some 80 years old, how long have you fished it and what is its history and location?
If CNBG are present there is a possibility that someone has stocked some Florida LMB as well, and the above management comments are valid.
Scott’s (esshup) comments are on the money – pure Florida genetics is the answer, along with the management practices mentioned above. The source he mentioned for Florida genetics is not available to the general public however – “This pond has very good genetics (lots of fish from the Texas "Share a Lunker" program”.
The only source for certified pure Florida LMB in our area that I am familiar with is Overton Fisheries in Buffalo and Tyler Fish Farm.
Good luck and good fishin’!
ps: Sorry Bob, we must have been typing at the same time ...