Genetics

We hear the story all to often.  “We would like to schedule an electro-shocking survey on our lake because we are not catching any bass over 12” in length”.    Upon further questioning the owner admits they originally stocked the lake with some small “young” bass from a neighbor’s lake, which was overpopulated.  As we finish the survey and pull up to the dock with a live-box full of 8” to 12” bass the frustrated customer, asks the question again.  “Why does my lake only have these young fish in it?” 

The truth is that a lot of these fish are at least 5 years old, severely inbred, and just do not have the genetic potential to attain trophy size.   The customer is now faced with some very expensive decisions.  On the other side we have the lake owner who has been working diligently on their trophy lake for years.  They manage the lake for either the aggressive Northern Largemouth Bass or for the larger more elusive Florida Strain Largemouth.  They electroshock their lakes once or twice each year and insist we cull all fish under 16 inches and any inferior bass regardless of size.  Any fish that has a low relative weight also has to come out of the lake.  That might be a 4-pound fish that shows severe inbreeding or it might be the 12” fish that does not show exemplary traits.  These clients add only certified fingerlings or quality adults to their lake each year actively managing the lake to attain their long-range goal.   The infusion of fish in their lake is carefully monitored to ensure the genetic pool is as pure as possible giving their fish the ability to grow to double-digit trophy size.  

Genetic selection has long been an accepted practice in the cattle and livestock world.  Be it Brangus, Angus, Hereford, Chianina or whatever the breed, great pains are taken to ensure the breed retains its pure traits throughout generations.   The same principal holds true with different strains of fish.  It has long been proven that fish characteristics can be selected for and quality traits are easily passed on from adults to offspring.  Agriculture professionals will spend premium money and time selecting the correct bulls for their cattle operation so their offspring will have the opportunity to reach their full potential.   Ask a game ranch operation about genetics.  It can mean thousands of dollars between individuals. Some of our most loyal customers are game ranch operators who understand the importance of working with a quality genetics program.  The same care and decisions should be used in aquaculture to select the most outstanding individuals and prevent disappointing long term results.

At the Overton Fisheries Fish Hatchery many hours of time each Spring are spent on the selection of breeding adults to insure offspring will be genetically pure and have the ability to bring forth the superior traits of their parents.   Whether it is the “OTS” strain of Coppernose Bluegill, our “D&B strain” of Blue Catfish, our pure certified Florida strain largemouth bass (as certified from Texas A&M fish laboratories), our “Glazner Hybrid Striped bass” or our Mozambique Tilapia.   Our customers can rest assured having full confidence the fish purchased from us have been painstakingly selected and have the genetic ability to become the “Best of the Best”.