Growth and Catchability of Northern, Florida, and F, Hybrid Largemouth Bass in Texas Ponds

Abstract

Fish from two genetically identified populations of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides, representing the northern subspecies M. s. salmoides (N x N) and the Florida subspecies M. s. floridanus (F x F), and their reciprocal F\ hybrids (F x N and N x F; female represented first) were stocked in 0.04-0.48-hectare ponds and evaluated for growth, condition, and percent survival during the second year of life. Angling and seine-capture vulnerability were also examined.The F x N cross was significantly heavier and had a significantly higher relative weight (100 [individual weight/standard weight at length]) than the other crosses at the end of the study. The F x F cross was significantly shorter, weighed less, and was in poorer condition than all other crosses. The N x N cross was generally more susceptible to angling than the F x F cross. The F x F cross was significantly less vulnerable to seine capture than the other three crosses.

Angling‐Induced Impacts on Recruitment and Contributions to Reproduction in Florida Bass

“…Our regular interval of snorkeling allowed us to identify and fish all but few nesting attempts that occurred in fished ponds. Anglers fished each active nest twice daily for 30 min or until capture, which resulted in catch rates that were highly similar to other studies targeting Florida Bass (Zolczynski and Davies 1976;Bottroff and Lembeck 1978;Rieger et al 1978;Kleinsasser et al 1990;Sutter et al 2014). These results suggested that if we had fished for greater periods of time we likely would not have landed significantly greater numbers of fish.…”

“…Specifically, Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass in northern parts of their distribution spawn over a short period (as little as 1 week; Kubacki et al 2002), defend their broods for up to 5 weeks (Heidinger 1975;Ridgway 1988), and are aggressive in the defense of their nests (Philipp et al 1997). These patterns contrast with those of Florida Bass that can spawn over a 5-month period (Rogers and Allen 2009), exhibit parental care for as little as 2 weeks (Carr 1942), are less aggressive in the defense of their nests (Sutter et al 2014), and are less vulnerable to capture (Zolczynski and Davies 1976;Bottroff and Lembeck 1978;Rieger et al 1978;Kleinsasser et al 1990;Sutter et al 2014). Florida Bass appear to be vulnerable to capture for a shorter time while on the nest, are capable of spawning over an extended period (as well as multiple times per season; e.g., Hargrove and Austin 2017) and are less likely to strike a lure while on or off of a nest.…”

Maximum size of fish caught with standard gears and recreational angling

“…For standard gears, these selectivities result in seasonally different species composition and size structure (Sullivan, 1956;Latta, 1959;Hamley, 1975;Jester, 1977;Laarman and Ryckman, 1982;Hamley and Howley, 1985;Cowx and Lamarque, 1990). Angling also is species and size selective, with selectivities varing seasonally (Zolczynski and Davies, 1976;Rieger et al, 1978;Gabelhouse and Willis, 1986;Buynak et al, 1989;Kleinsasser et al, 1990;Travnichek et al, 1997). Size structure of captured fishes tend to be less for fish captured with standard gears than for fish captured with angling (Gabelhouse and Willis, 1986;Holland and Peters, 1992;Isaak et al, 1992).…”

Evidence for selective angling of introduced trout and their hybrids in a stocked brown trout population

“…The authors speculated that this observation could be due to a higher susceptibility of hatchery fish to angling. Furthermore, several other studies reported differences in angling vulnerability of different strains within the same species (Flick & Webster, 1962;Dwyer & Piper, 1984;Dunham et al, 1986;Dwyer, 1990;Kleinsasser et al, 1990;Travnichek et al, 1997).…”