HYBRID BASS

(M. chrysops x M. saxatilis)

Common Names - Striped bass hybrid, sunshine bass, wiper, whiterock, palmetto bass

Description - The Hybrid bass is a hybrid produced by crossing a female white bass with a male striped bass. Hybrids closely resemble both striped bass and white bass making identification difficult, particularly for young fish. When comparing adult fish, the hybrid has a deep body and an arched back similar to the white bass. They can often be distinguished by broken or irregular stripes on the front half of body and straight lines on the rear half of body. A mid-body break in line pattern occasionally occurs.

Habitat - Hybrids appear to prefer areas within lakes and rivers similar to striped bass and white bass. Older hybrids require cooler water during summer months.

Spawning Habits - Hybrids have not been shown to reproduce naturally in Georgia; however, several recent studies have shown limited spawning in Arkansas, South Carolina and Texas.

Feeding Habits - Like stripers, hybrids are voracious feeders and consume any kind of small fish including threadfin and gizzard shad. Young fish also feed on mayflies and crustaceans. Hybrids also travel and feed in schools with peak activity in the early morning or evening.

Age and Growth - Hybrids are probably best known for their rapid growth. They have attained weights of six to seven pounds by three years of age.

Sporting Quality - As a sport fish, hybrids are known for their good fighting ability. Live threadfin or other small shad and shrimp are by far the most effective bait for hybrid bass. Artificial lures such as crankbaits, bucktail or feathered jigs, spinners and spoons also do well. Topwater lures also are effective when fish are schooling near the surface. Trolling with artificial lures often helps locate fish when surface feeding is slow.

Eating Quality - Similar to striped and white bass.

World Record- 24 pounds, 3 ounces, caught in Leesville Lake, Virginia, in 1989.