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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 19
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OP
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 19 |
It seems like some local fishermen tend to offer some of the lunkers (LMB) they catch to new pond owners as a good gesture. I could see this happening in my case as well. I assume this is not a good idea for a brand new pond (5 acres), even though it could be introducing some good genetics. If I am correct at what point is it ok to accept some of these big boys. I don't want to offend anyone by not accepting their thoughtful gift, but I also don't want to screw up my ponds food chain.
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,347 Likes: 100
Editor, Pond Boss Magazine Lunker
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Editor, Pond Boss Magazine Lunker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,347 Likes: 100 |
Don't accept the fish. Your mission is to create an environment conducive to long term success. That means you build a food chain, first. Then, stock the appropriate numbers and sizes of predator fish, based on your stocking plan. By stocking a few large bass early, you'll lose control over the initial stocking numbers, increasing your odds of failure, long term.
Teach a man to grow fish... He can teach to catch fish...
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 2
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 2 |
You figure a 5 pound bass is going to be 18"-20" in length or so. That means it would prefer to be eating BG in the 5"-6" range. Not too many brand new ponds have large numbers of BG in that size range to feed 1 let alone several bass of that size.
Also, there have been studies done showing the survival rates of larger bass transferred to a new body of water is often low. You can use that as an excuse to kindly turn down the bass offered to you...
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 951 Likes: 39
Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 951 Likes: 39 |
I had the offer of an 8 pound bass about two years after my pond was stocked. I turned it down; but sure thought about it a few times wondering if I did the right thing. FWIW: I still think I did.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,544
Hall of Fame Lunker
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Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,544 |
You'd be pretty p*ssed if you introduced some kind of parasite or desease.
I believe in catch and release. I catch then release to the grease.. BG. CSBG. LMB. HSB. RES.
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,794
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,794 |
I have some pure Florida LMB certified genetics recently stocked in 1/4 acre brood pond for transfer to main pond for my son - he's a bass fanatic. I'll soon have to start removing to prevent overcrowding - hate to throw them on the bank!
N.E. Texas 2 acre and 1/4 acre ponds Original george #173 (22 June 2002)
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,537 Likes: 279
Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 ![](images/stars.gif) Lunker
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Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 ![](images/stars.gif) Lunker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,537 Likes: 279 |
See if Todd or Bob want them for resale.
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 344
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 344 |
A brand new pond isn't good for any kind of fish. As Bob said, your big bass won't find any fish to eat. Smaller fish won't find anything either. I think that it's smart idea to leave such pond without any fish for some time to create a natural wildlife in it (I mean all kinds of insects, small creatures and so on). There won't be any plants in the beginning too - fish usually don't enjoy such beach-like ponds.
Last edited by Grundulis; 02/13/12 08:22 AM.
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,730 Likes: 289
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,730 Likes: 289 |
Disagree - add forage fish as soon as there is enough water
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 344
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 344 |
If only you are planning to feed them (somehow I dislike all that fish food and I prefer fish to be fed in a natural way).
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,318 Likes: 6
Ambassador Lunker
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Ambassador Lunker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,318 Likes: 6 |
If only you are planning to feed them (somehow I dislike all that fish food and I prefer fish to be fed in a natural way). Forage fish will find things to eat. It's amazing whats in water and we don't even know it! All kinds of little microscopic animals to munch on! ![smile smile](/images/graemlins/default/smile.gif) Plus day after day more stuff will begin to emerge in the water. I don't think you would have to feed them anything if you didn't want to.
Last edited by RC51; 02/13/12 01:03 PM.
The only difference between a rut and a Grave is the depth. So get up get out of that rut and get moving!! Time to work!!
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,730 Likes: 289
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,730 Likes: 289 |
I added the LMB, BG, and CC to my new pond within a month of it being dug (late summer after a freak storm that filled it up 2 weeks after being dug) and got a pond full of nice fish. Lots of invertebrates to eat but no feeding by me. This is the recommendation of the DNR to help keep undesirable fish out.
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