Food Habits of Morone Hybrid Bass In Clarks Hill Reservoir, Georgia

Food habits of hybrid bass (Morone saxatilis x Morone chrysops) were studied in Clarks Hill Reservoir from 1 July 1980 to 30 June 1981. Stomachs from 820 hybrid bass ranging from 221 mm to 736 mm total length and 0.13 kg to 4.21 kg were examined. Overall, threadfin shad was the predominant food item of hybrid bass (62% frequency of occurrence). Data indicated hybrid bass were fully utilizing the threadfin shad. Hybrid bass did not shift to gizzard shad despite the apparent winter depletion of threadfin shad. Analysis by season and by size group indicated that insect larvae and non-shad fishes were of periodic importance and occurred in the diets at levels higher than previously reported.