Gallop,

I doubt YP will get very big in Florida. When I was in Mississippi they had them get into the Tenn-Tom waterway via the Tennessee River. In North East Mississippi the yellow perch were only reaching a maximum size of 7" according the the fisheries biologist for that area. The few walleye (which are closely related to YP) in Mississippi also had a very small maximum size when compared to northern fish (around 5-7 pounds vs. 12-15 up north).

The fishermen in MS considered the YP pests/bait stealers. The fisheries biologist laughed when I told him they were a highly sought after (and very tasty fish) in the Northern part of the country.

Using YP native to Florida is a good idea, but I would look into their maximum size before I got too excited about them. It would take a lot of 7" YP for a fish fry.

Every person should have an interest in life - I think I'll go fishing. ~ Thoreau