I think genetics has a lot to do with getting the right bass to world record size. That being said, the fish with the correct genetics in a bad pond/lake wont achieve his maximum weight anyway.
I would personally rather have the pond with the right resources to start and work on the genetics.
Absolutely. I think that's a given.
Another thing I've noticed is some of my fish seem to have an eating disorder, as in can't get enough to eat. Most of my yellow perch will take a pellet here and there, but I'd had a few that are like swimming vacuum cleaners and will eat and eat and eat. It's as if the mechanism in their brain that tells them they are full isn't working. I had a small bass once eat 22 pellets in a row. At number 22 he acted like he was having trouble swimming. LOL A fish like that is going to put on some considerable weight even if it is fatty tissue.
The record bass coming out of California looking incredibly obsese with bulging eyeballs.
