The State Of Florida Just Renamed Their Largemouth Bass Population

Well, this is a bit surprising. Largemouth bass are the most popular fishing target for anglers here in America. They're found in every state except Alaska and pretty much every kid grew up spending at least one day running hooks through nightcrawlers and bobber fishing a pond for them. I lived in Florida for a few years and can tell you first hand that the bass down there are different. Yes, they look identical but something about the size and power they strike with made for some awesome fishing trips, but it turns out I wasn't fishing for largemouth bass at all. A recent study published by Yale University researchers found genetic differences in typical largemouth bass and those found in Florida and determined that they should actually be categorized as distinct species. The study read in part: "Our analyses not only provide a perspective on species diversity in Micropterus that differs from those accepted by both ichthyologists and fisheries scientists but also dramatically reveal that the scientific names Micropterus salmoides and Micropterus foridanus have been incorrectly applied to the Largemouth Bass and Florida Bass over the past 75 years." In light of these findings, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced yesterday that the fish previously known as the largemouth bass would now be renamed to Florida bass. https://twitter.com/MyFWC/status/1813634206914027998 The study also found that Florida bass aren't exclusive to the Sunshine State and can be found in Georgia and the Carolinas. So what changes because of this? Well, nothing. Since they're indistinguishable to the naked eye, regulations on Florida bass will be identical to those of the largemouth bass. The only time anglers will notice a change is on some signage, which will now refer to largemouth bass as Florida bass except on the western panhandle, which is odd but hey, this whole situation is pretty weird. While government/fishing regulations generally can be a bit tough to understand, the FWC made it as clear as possible by stating: "The name change will not affect how anglers fish for bass in Florida. It will impact how anglers see bass referred to in Florida. In most of Florida, excluding the western panhandle, what was formerly known as largemouth bass will now be referred to as Florida bass in news releases, articles, regulations booklets, signs, etc... Regulations will be the same for both species throughout Florida, so there is no need for anglers to distinguish between the two species for regulations purposes." So if you'll be fishing doing some freshwater fishing down in Florida soon, be sure to flex your knowledge of the outdoors to your friends. Will they think you're crazy? Maybe, but just send them this article and they can redirect their annoyance onto me. Between Lake Okeechobee, the Kissimmee Chain, Ispoktoga and more, Florida is a premiere bass fishing destination in the United States with absolute monsters. If you're looking for a ne PB, head on down to the Sunshine State. If you need some to restock your tackle box for the end of summer and fall season, check out Tackle Warehouse , the only place you need to look for baits , rods, reels, and just about anything else to catch an a monster. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U7RcXx2HnE