Tropy Largemouth

[bass109]

Here is my question,

Does weight matter the most in tropy bass? so age doesn't count?

example if caught a 16lb bass in California but caught a older bass that weighted 14lbs in New Jersy.

[Grey Wolf]

It's all about the weight.

[rocknfish9001]

Well not necessarily. For example, bass in california live much much shorter lives, but grow exceptionally fast. Bass in northern states (like New Jersey) live a lot longer. I believe the life span for a northern bass is over 10 years in some cases, and i think its about 6 years for florida strain fish. Another thing is that the florida strain fish typically grows so much faster, due to elonged growing seasons (warm months) and primary forage, like the trout they see in california. But really if you are looking at a "trophy" fish, you absoloutley have to consider the region it was caught in. There is no doubt that a 14lb new jersey fish is more of a "trophy" because there are plenty of people that have caught 16+ lb cali fish. So in considering what a trophy is, think about what fish is rarer when weighing in the facts.

[roadwarrior]

Bass109,

The New Jersey State Record is 10 lb 14 oz, Menantico Sand Pond, 1980.

Any State Record should be considered a "Trophy Fish."

[KU_Bassmaster.]

I like to think it's all relative.  If you consider the 10 lbs mark a trophy, then lots of us based a location will never have a "fair" shot at catching a trophy unless you travel.  What fun is that????

Like for me, I consider that I have caught two trophy largemouth in my lifetime:

                   10 lbs. 8 oz in TX

                     8 lbs. 3 oz in my home state of KS

[Mattlures]

Beleive me there are not plenty of guys who have caught 16lbers in cali. Maybe plenty of guys who have CLAIMED to. Plus our bass can live a long time. That 25lber is estimated to be in its late teens, almost 20 years old by now bassed on Scale samples that Mike Long took when he caught her at 20lbs.

Any bass that is considered a trophy is relative to its location. For most of the country 10lbs is the norm. Out in Cali 10lbs is not as impressive but its still considered a trophy.

[George Welcome]

Well not necessarily. For example, bass in california live much much shorter lives, but grow exceptionally fast. Bass in northern states (like New Jersey) live a lot longer. I believe the life span for a northern bass is over 10 years in some cases, and i think its about 6 years for florida strain fish. Another thing is that the florida strain fish typically grows so much faster, due to elonged growing seasons (warm months) and primary forage, like the trout they see in california. But really if you are looking at a "trophy" fish, you absoloutley have to consider the region it was caught in. There is no doubt that a 14lb new jersey fish is more of a "trophy" because there are plenty of people that have caught 16+ lb cali fish. So in considering what a trophy is, think about what fish is rarer when weighing in the facts.

Directly taken for Florida Game and Fish:

Age and Growth - Growth rates are highly variable with differences attributed mainly to their food supply and length of growing season. Female bass live longer than males and are much more likely to reach trophy size. By age two or three, females grow much faster than male bass. Males seldom exceed 16 inches, while females frequently surpass 22 inches. At five years of age females may be twice the weight of males. One-year old bass average about seven inches in length and grow to an adult size of 10 inches in about 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 years. The oldest bass from Florida whose age has been determined by fisheries biologists was 16 year of age. Generally, trophy bass (10 pounds and larger) are about 10 years old.

As you can see - someone has given you some wrong information of ages of Florida Strain Bass