Ric and Tom :

In the post you copied of Greg's he is refering to F1 bass that that were bred from selected Fla. strain fish selected for size and quality with northern strain fish bred and selected for aggressiveness . They are feed trained at 2 in. and grown out in ponds. They are not Fla.s they are 1/2 Fla. The hatchery that developed this did so to move away from selling pure Fla.s 10 years ago when research first showed a catchability concern and when at the same time pond owners that they sold to complained to them about the problem. I talked to one of the biologists who owns this hatchery to buy some 10in Fla.s in 1998 to mix with northerns in my ponds. He was reluctent to sell me Fla.s for the reasons stated above and would not agree to until I explained that I was doing the same as they were creating F1s.

I agree with Ric's approach. Do all the research you can and even call Greg and the hatchery read the scientific reports from the AFS. Some of the info is on line. Talk to people in your area about their results and based on your goals pick what is best for you. You can even change the mix by adding the other strain later if that fits your situation. I do know people who have Fla.s that are very happy with them but some are not and most people are now selling F1s or are suggesting mixing the strains. If you are in north Fla. then you are in the natural intergrade zone of mixing Fla. and northern genes. ewest