The Georgia Giant is a hybrid bream that displays extreme aggressiveness and a quick growth rate. Only one or two members of this forum (other than myself) have had experience with this particular fish, but many other professionals here have vast knowledge of this topic in general. Currently two forum members are working on projects (to be stocked in late November) to document current growth rates and viability of this fish.

Facts:
1. Most hybrid sunfish are a cross between a standard bluegill and a green sunfish. This is not the case with the Georgia Giant. It is actually a genetic combination of several species of bluegill.
2. The fish was developed about 30 years ago by a South Georgia fishery specialist after dabbling for almost ten years with different crosses of the species bluegill.
3. Documentation of growth rates was done in the early years (through rough notes and photography), but is now "buried" in piles of research. The developer moved on to other projects once he felt he had "proven" his fish. This is why the two current projects listed above are underway.
4. A 12 week study was done to compare the GG with other hybrid bluegill by the West Va State College Department of Biology. This test proved that during the three month test period the GG had a 400% better growth rate than the standard hybrid bluegill while consuming less feed.
5. Ohio state has just started a two year project on the long term results of the GG versus the standard hybrid.
6. The GG hybrid does reproduce, but subsequent generations are not as desired as the original F-1 stock, thus the need for predator intervention. Any hybrid's offspring are unpredictable.
7. No hybrid offspring REVERTS to it's parent stock. Each offspring will display features and characteristics of its parents, but at no time will it "turn into" another fish.

Opinion:
An excellent hybrid sunfish if you are looking for rapid growth, aggressiveness, and tastiness in a perch. This fish need not be combined in a pond with other bluegill due to the potential for cross breeding. Predators MUST be introduced to dispose of offspring allowing for maximum growth of original stock. If you are only looking for a forage fish in order to grow world record bass, the GG is not the fish to stock. On the other hand, if you are into large bream that bite quick and fight hard (good for kids both old and young) you might consider them an option.

Deb

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