"We have narrow guidelines about where to stock Floridas because we don't have millions and millions of them to scatter all over," Dennis said. "We're particular about where we stock and try to get the biggest bang for our buck. The first thing (we require) is good forage, good potential for growth. We're looking for shallower, more productive reser-voirs . . . so the fish have the opportunity to reach their potential."

Water temperature is also a factor. Floridas survive harsher climates north of Arkansas, but "the warmer the water, the faster the metabolism and the more it'll eat and the faster it'll grow," Dennis explained. "They seem to be doing well where we've stocked them so far," which is primarily in southern and eastern Arkansas. Growth rates between northern- and southern-strain fish are equal until the third year, when Florida genes begin to assert themselves.

GAINING EXPERTISE
Since the state's early experiments with Florida bass years ago, the Andrew Hulsey State Fish Hatchery on Lake Hamilton has been improved with conservation tax dollars, and the staff has expanded and received countless hours of training -- the formal kind and lessons learned by trial and error. The staff now maintains its own pure-bred Florida brood stock and produces each year's fingerlings from parents in their prime.

District biologists request a half-million Florida fingerlings per year, but the hatchery has produced as many as a million, providing bonus fish that were stocked, used for research or traded to other agencies. Hatchery technicians have also learned to raise Florida bass on pelleted feed, a significant accomplishment that saves money, Dennis said.

AGFC scientists verify fish genetics, general condition, age and growth trends and scour samples for largemouth bass virus and other diseases. Current genetic testing requires tissue samples and sacrificing fish, but the AGFC hopes to soon adopt a newer method that requires only a bit of clipped fin. "We've got so many lakes with Florida bass that we're going to put them on a rotational basis and do complete testing on three or four every year," Dennis said.

REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
Dennis knows that anglers dream of reservoirs brimming with 10-pounders, but said, "We're not trying to produce a lake full of pure Floridas. We're just trying to get that Florida gene, which has many benefits, out there in that population."

When native northern bass mix with Floridas, the first cross, known as the "F1" generation, typically shows the full benefits of hybrid vigor: a largemouth that can grow larger in its native Arkansas habitat. Studies show that subsequent generations -- known as "Fx" -- display the positive Florida traits even as the occurrence of Florida genes gradually declines.

"It's still a better fish than your northern, with its potential to get bigger and live longer," Dennis said.

TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE?
For all their good traits, Floridas aren't perfect. For example, they're an expensive commitment.