Getting lotz of calls about big sandbass which most likey are small hybrids. If you are catching a measured
sandbass that is 14" are bigger it is most likey a small hybrid. They are a lot of hybrids being caught
right now but I have not seen a legal one yet so be careful. People are funny on estimating fish sizes. They will
catch 50 10 to 12 inch sandbass and then they catch a 13 or 14 inch sandbass and it becomes 16 to 18 inch. I have seen one true measured sandbass over 15" in the last 2 years. It is a stiff fine . Remember distict line that go to tail and 2 tooth patches. If any doubt throw it back because limits are so easy why take a chance. Don't
let the game warden identify your hybrid because it is real expensive.
Johnny

We have the same issue here an they started checking catches to protect the hybrids growth.

The thing that makes it so bad on Eagle Mountain is we don't normally have hybrids only during
escape from Bridgeport during floods.
Johnny

I guess we need to have side by side pics with us.
I have fished long enough for sand bass I know the difference.
I even catch a crappie fishing for sand bass every now and then.

Next time I go to Lewisville I'll try to get some good comparison photos. All I've been catching from shore lately is dinks, so it shouldnt be too tough.

Be careful at PK as well, I have latched onto a few this year.

I notice the patches are getting harder to tell what they are

I've also found this to be true, especially on the smaller fish. I've also found that my finger tip is just not as sensitive as it once was. However, all is not lost since an even better way to detect the tongue patch is to insert your own tongue into the fishes throat. Whether you should do this in the presence of a game warden is debatable.

It's debatable whether you should do this in the presence of another TFFer who will almost certainly post pics of the event!

lol

Be careful.....I have witnessed it be an expensive lesson to others!

These are BP 2013 fish. The are very bright compared to sandies. They also have a blue tint to their upper backs. I think that after four huge releases from here in two years, EM will have numbers of hybrids for several years to come.