Originally posted by JABIII:
No need to get all defensive. I am truly trying to learn. Forgive me if I don't just take the word of some guy off the internet at face value. I am sure you are right but if I have learned anything around here in the last year, it is that some of those who talk the biggest game, kill the least. I am certain that applies to fishermen as well but neither here nor there. You can't learn if you don't question...
Was there, in your opinion, EVER a migration of anadromous striped bass in the Santee system?
I thought my smiley would indicate I'm not taking the questions the wrong way. However, as I continue to spout off all these answers, I just wanted to let you know the sources of the info from which I'm working. I still have more questions than answers myself. Hell, I was recently spreading some serious misinformation about the Santee situation and the ratio of hatchery to natural fish there.
As far as the "were they ever anadromous" goes, I can't point to any evidence that shows they were. Like I said, William Elliott wrote about southern strain fish not leaving their home rivers in the 1840s. Not sure we have much to go on before that time frame. My personal guess is that striped bass evolved to migration in the north because their food was migrating and they have to eat. In the south, the river environment contains enough food year round to keep such a migration from being necessary. They all require riverine environments for reproduction.
Claimer, what fish are you talking about?
Disclaimer: I'm not a biologist, just another know it all on scducks.
"hunting should be a challenge and a passion not a way of making a living or a road to fame"
Rubberhead
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