Striper or Hybrid?

[Duayne]

Great pic Peter. The classic difference in body styles between a male striper and female striper from the same class. I've attached a jif that sorta shows the difference in length and weight between males and females per yearly class. You can also see the slightly deeper body style of the female. That deeper body style is why some people mistake a female striper for a hybrid. Some just see broken lines on a torpedo and still call it a hybrid.

One clear indicator that your fish is a striper is the shear length. I don't think Hybrids top the 20 inch mark. I am sure someone could prove me wrong on this but I doubt any hybrid will ever make the 26 inch mark.

I wonder if that fish was hung in the trees\weeds and only came out when you swung around? I've had them run under ledges and cover before while bottom fishing. I've put the rod back in the rod holder and had them come back out later on their own. I've also had them run back into the cover when tree top fishing.

[apb]

...One clear indicator that your fish is a striper is the shear length. I don't think Hybrids top the 20 inch mark. I am sure someone could prove me wrong on this but I doubt any hybrid will ever make the 26 inch mark....

There are plenty of Hybrids out there over 20 inches. I've also caught a good number over 26 inches. Once they hit around 24 inches they really start putting on weight. I've caught a few 12 pound Hybrids that measured 27-28 inches. Andrew

[mhall]

There are plenty of Hybrids out there over 20 inches. I've also caught a good number over 26 inches. Once they hit around 24 inches they really start putting on weight. I've caught a few 12 pound Hybrids that measured 27-28 inches. Andrew

I've seen the pics....they were beasts...

[stripernut1]

both fish in the pic are 100% stripers. yesterday and today we caught stripers (again 100% stripers) that looked deformed they were so fat ad deep from the back to the belly, CHOCK FULL of green eggs, the sleeker looking males would dump sperm all over the floor of the boat when you tried to de-hook them, the cooler looked pretty rough too. Yes there are hybrids in lake Cumberland, several of them, and some bigguns, but using the broken lines as the sole identifier and or the depth of the body can be confusing to some. Once again, if the fish is over 22 inches it doesn't matter what it is.....keep if you want, just count it towards your limit of 2 fish and you are good to go. Also hybrids commonly exceed 20 inches, they are eating machines and grow like weeds, my 13.10 lb caught last year was right at 28 inches. most of the hybrids we caught in the fall were way over the 22 inch mark and rarely needed to be measured. I don't think this hybrid/striper thing is much of an issue, the hybrids have been present for some time, eventually they will be gone. Even though they are present, I never hop in the boat and say "ok today we are hybrid fishing" , you might be fishing for a long time lol. good luck tight lines

[Duayne]

There are plenty of Hybrids out there over 20 inches. I've also caught a good number over 26 inches. Once they hit around 24 inches they really start putting on weight. I've caught a few 12 pound Hybrids that measured 27-28 inches. Andrew

I stand corrected! I don't think I ever measured one.. LOL Most things I've read on them stop at 18-19 inches..

[HURRICANEBOB]

Look close and see the redfin sticking out of its mouth. This is the last time I let a friend throw stale crackers overboard when I'm topwater fishing for Stripers. Is this a state record?

[stripernut1]

Look close and see the redfin sticking out of its mouth. This is the last time I let a friend throw stale crackers overboard when I'm topwater fishing for Stripers. Is this a state record?

Bob, did he taste like the ones in the box? I love those goldfish

[mhall]

Bob, did he taste like the ones in the box? I love those goldfish

LOL....Hey Jeff good to see you posting again, I had wondered where you were....

[stripernut1]

LOL....Hey Jeff good to see you posting again, I had wondered where you were....

been down with the dreaded "fishin fever" lol. glad to say my condition hasn't improved

[HURRICANEBOB]

Bob, did he taste like the ones in the box? I love those goldfish

I don't know, cause after landing and photo-taking, I released it quick. I was afraid I would get beat up by the boat load of ladies fishing beside me that had the "Team Walmart Pet shop" T shirts on.

Besides, I'm a catch and release kinda guy. And, I didn't want to put pressure on a stressed fish population. I mean, how many of these have you seen that weren't in a toilet bowl?