Quote:
Originally posted by Robinson:
It is my understanding that Florida bass get larger than northern strain for one reason, all things considered. They live quite a few years longer, for some reason, and these extra years pile on the weight.

I was at a BASS weigh in when Kevin Van Dam won Lake Lanier around 1991. They stated the record largemouth from Lanier, which was 17 lbs 9 ounces was northern strain. It certainly is in north GA. So northern strain can get huge too. Add another 4 years to it's life, and it makes you wonder how big could it get?

Isn't Massachusets record over 15 lbs?
Not sure if the Florida strain lives longer but they do grow longer in length then their northern counterparts. In my area 23 inches is usually tops with very, very rarely a 25 incher. I've taken in bass to mount that were 25 inches and close to nine pounds but never ever anything over 25 inches. I believe some Florida bass regularly go up to the upper 20's in length. Keep in mind the bass can grow year around in warmer climes vs. up here where they shut down in growth for several months.

Yes, northern bass can get big but I've never heard of one getting to 20 lbs. like the ones in California. I would think a 10 lb. bass north of the mason dixon line is as rare as a 2 lb. regular strain bluegill.

One thing interesting about the 15 lb. plus Massaschusetts state record... It may have been feeding on trout too. I don't know if Sampson's pond was ever planted or is planted with trout, but having lived in Massachusetts I can tell you they stock just about every mud puddle with trout. They are getting some huge northerns now in some ponds (they call everything ponds out there) that are planted with trout. I think up to 35 pounds so far from South Pond in Brookfield.

If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.