Yes it is better to be safe than sorry. I saw a picture of a 30 lb striper on another site that had every line broken. I was interested in this fish and emailed the well known guide that was responsible for catching it. He told me that he contacted the state (TN) and asked about the chance that this was a hybrid. It wasn't considered a hybrid because even though it did have some white bass blood in it, it wasn't enough to qualify it as a true hybrid. I don't know if I buy it. There are no 30 lb hybrids, at least not yet.

I hope Lake Cumberland does not resort to hybrids. Hybrids are getting more common. Stripers are not.