A Tennessee fishing guide, Caleb Bell, made headlines by catching a state-record Alabama bass, weighing 7 pounds 3 ounces, from Parksville Reservoir in Polk County. However, officials are sounding the alarm because this species is considered invasive and threatens local smallmouth fisheries.
The Problem
Alabama bass compete with native bass for resources and can hybridize with smallmouth bass, potentially devastating local fisheries. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) warns against moving Alabama bass or any fish from one water body to another.
The Catch
Bell, who runs BassQuest Fishing Charters, caught the record-breaking fish on live bait, a gizzard shad, in just a few hours. He credits his friend Alex Rudd for knowing the spot and encouraging him to go for the record.
Conservation Efforts
The TWRA has updated regulations to treat Alabama bass the same as native spotted bass and smallmouth bass in affected reservoirs. Anglers are urged to keep these fish where they’ve already been introduced and not to move them to other waters.
Impact on Local Fisheries
The hybridization of smallmouth bass with Alabama bass is a significant concern, with surveys showing up to 60% hybridization in some lakes. This could lead to the loss of true smallmouth bass in Tennessee’s waters.
Image/Source: OL
