The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) recently approved a new Georgia state freshwater line class record in the 12-lb test category announces the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). On April 2, 2001, Eddie Davis of Arlington, GA caught a 17 lb. 4 oz. striped bass from Lake Walter F. George on 12-pound test line. This catch shattered the existing line class record by six pounds, three ounces. Davis caught the record fish while trolling for crappie near Fort Gaines. One can only imagine the surprise that he must have experienced upon hooking and successfully landing a striped bass while using a crappie jig.
"The Gulf Coast strain of striped bass, such as Mr. Davis caught, has been stocked in low numbers in Lake Walter F. George as part of a restoration project for this species," says Steve Owens, the WRD Fisheries Biologist who verified the catch and weight of the striper.
Adult striped bass, greater than ten pounds in size, require water temperatures cooler than 73 degrees Fahrenheit to survive the warm summers found in this area. Due to the limited cool-water habitat available in Lake George WRD has stocked fewer hatchery-reared stripers in the lake. Instead, WRD annually has stocked larger numbers of the more temperature tolerant hybrid striped bass. This combination of striped bass and hybrid bass provides ample opportunities for anglers to catch large fish in Lake George.
"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and wildlife agencies from Florida, Alabama and Georgia are all working together to re-establish populations of this unique striped bass throughout its former range in Gulf river drainages from Florida to Texas," says WRD Fisheries Management Regional Supervisor Russ Ober. "It is exciting to hear about Mr. Davis' new line class record striper catch, and I believe it may be the largest striper caught on Lake George to date."
For more information about striped bass or hybrid striped bass fishing at Lake W.F. George contact the Region V WRD Fisheries Management Office located in Albany at (229) 430-4256. For more information on other fishing opportunities in Georgia, visit the WRD website at www.gofishgeorgia.com.