Florida bass headed for the Rappahannock

Within a couple years there could be many more big bass along a stretch of the tidal Rappahannock River. The nonprofit Concerned Bass Anglers of Virginia expects to buy about 62,000 two-inch F1 Florida bass fingerlings this spring to be stocked  in the river from Port Royal to Leedstown, says CBAV co-founder  Bruce Lee. He says the American Sport Fish Hatchery in Montgomery, Ala., will deliver the fingerlings in May.  Florida bass can grow to four pounds in two years in the right habitat, he said, with the possibility of bass in the 10-pound plus range over a couple more years.  Currently, he says, a five-pound largemouth bass is a nice fish in the river, which has seen a steady decline in bass populations. CBAV raised about $31,000 to buy the fingerlings, and is collecting more money to increase the number of fish ordered.  Make checks payable to: CBAV, c/o Bruce Lee, 19507 Ware Creek Road, Rappahannock Academy, Va. 22538. Read more  in a recent column by Free Lance-Star outdoor writer Ken Perrotte.

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