David M. Yeager

Equal numbers of tagged sunshine bass (Morone chrysops female X M. saxatilis male) and palmetto bass {Morone saxatilis female x M. chrysops male) were stocked in the Escambia River for 4 years to determine which striped bass hybrid was better suited for stocking based on tag returns. Total tag return rates after 4 years was 11.2% for sunshine bass and 10.1% for palmetto bass. Over 90% of all tag returns occurred during the first 9 months after stocking. There was no consistent difference found in return rates between palmetto and sunshine bass. Although not statistically significant for...

Relative survival rates for phase II (150- to 250-mm total length) striped bass hybrids (Morone saxatilis x M. chrysops) were 23, 200 and 137 times greater than phase 1 (30- to 45-mm total length) fish for the 1983, 1984 and 1985 year classes, respectively. Mean condition factors of phase I fish collected in the field were significantly higher than phase II fish for all 3 year classes. Mean total lengths of phase I fish were significantly greater than phase II fish for the 1983 year class and for the 1984 fish collected in the spring of 1986. However, 1985 phase II fish collected during...

Biotelemetry studies of 13 striped bass (Morone saxatilis) x white bass (M. chrysops) hybrids in the Escambia River, Florida demonstrated positive affinity of the hybrids for saline waters. Average salinity at relocation sites ranged from 0.5 to 4.1 ppt at the surface and from 3.6 to 21.8 ppt on the bottom. Movements of hybrids in the river system appear to be strongly influenced by seasonal fluctuations in river discharge. Hybrids usually inhabited the lower, tidal delta of the river during periods of low and normal discharge and moved into the bay during times of high flow. No evidence...