Wow! Great post, Cecil. Isn't that interesting? It's always something like that. Exceptional fish coming from a situation that provides for optimal foraging theory. Massive calories in, few calories out. Every single situation where you see a giant fish you can tie it to this phenomenon.

The Nebraska state record striped bass was caught near a power plant discharge. This fish was an unheard of 64 pounds, 15 ounces!! Apparently there was a time each fall at Sutherland Reservoir that the warm water discharge would attract tens of thousands of ailing, cool weather stressed gizzard shad. The striper was also, IIRC, a member of a 100 fish stocking, as compared to other stockings in nearby Lake McConaughy that were huge by comparison.

Neat deal.

Holding a redear sunfish is like running with scissors.