In more recent years, since female stripers are very difficult to come by for brood stock, the agency switched and began producing what they call a "recip" (short for reciprocal) cross, using eggs from female white bass and milt from male purebred stripers.

Biologists want to compare the two mixes to see if either one has better survival and growth potential than the other, and if so, to select the better one to use in stocking.

One other interesting fact they've discovered as well in this research is that hybrids are capable of reproducing, and perhaps crossbreeding with purebreds.

"It's a misconception that hybrids can't reproduce in the wild," said KDFWR Assistant Fisheries Director Gerry Buynak.

"Genetic studies we've had done show that the fish we're stocking are reproducing in a controlled hatchery environment," he said. "That probably means there's some natural reproduction happening from fish we've stocked in the wild, too."

Buynak says that another reason why hybrids are stocked instead of white bass -- besides the tendency of white bass reproduction to fluctuate so much -- is that whites are much harder to grow in a hatchery setting.

He adds that about the heaviest white bass you'll ever catch will weigh 5 pounds. Not surprisingly, the larger 15- to 20-pound trophy sizes that hybrids can reach are more attractive to anglers.

"Big fish are usually more fun to catch than little fish," he said.

Some of the best quality fishing -- and hottest hybrid action in Kentucky -- is on the Ohio River below the various dams. Buynak and Kinman both believe what data indicate, that hybrids tend to survive and grow better than the purebred striped bass also being stocked in the river.

"We put about five striped bass per acre in the Ohio pools," said Buynak. "And some of our research is showing that, depending on the conditions at the time we're ready to stock, that hybrids do better than striped bass."

Regardless of whether the water is high and turbid or quiet and clearer, hybrids basically survive. But striped bass fare noticeably worse in murky conditions.

Kentucky is actively working with other states in managing and providing hybrid stockings up and down the Ohio to keep the fishery robust so all bordering state's anglers can benefit.