"Forget pounds and ounces, I'm figuring displacement!"
If we accept that: MBG(+)FGSF(=)HBG(F1) And we surmise that: BG(>)HBG(F1) while GSF(<)HBG(F1) Would it hold true that: HBG(F1)(+)AM500(x)q.d.(=)1.5lbGRWT? PB answer: It depends.
Many people have an opinion - that does not mean they are correct. There is a lot of information here on most questions for people with an open mind to learn. GS can work in some cases for the right goal but will be a problem in many others.
The following is an excerpt from a Florida fishery biologist study report: "A recent study determined differences in food habits of largemouth bass in vegetated versus unvegetated lakes in Central Florida. Findings indicated that sunfish (e.g., bluegill and redear) were primary fish species ingested by bass in vegetated lakes, and crustaceans (grass shrimp and crayfish), constituted a significant portion of their diets. In contrast, shad and tilapia were the dominant species ingested by bass in unvegetated lakes, with little or no feeding on crustaceans. Bass swallow organisms whole instead of biting off pieces, limiting the size of prey that they consume. Any prey having a body depth less than the diameter of the bass' mouth may be consumed. A bass will grasp its food any way it can, but usually tries to swallow fish head first. This allows the dorsal fin of prey fish to lie flat when swallowed." Largemouth bass often ambush their food, lying in wait for prey to swim by. This type of behavior is used when vegetation or other cover, is available. In open water, bass become pursuit oriented in which their streamlined shape and strong body allow them to move very quickly for short distances and catch their prey. Although the larger bass are usually solitary predators, the smaller ones often school to 'herd' their prey and make catching them easier.
The following is an excerpt from a Florida fishery biologist study report: "A recent study determined differences in food habits of largemouth bass in vegetated versus unvegetated lakes in Central Florida. Findings indicated that sunfish (e.g., bluegill and redear) were primary fish species ingested by bass in vegetated lakes, and crustaceans (grass shrimp and crayfish), constituted a significant portion of their diets. In contrast, shad and tilapia were the dominant species ingested by bass in unvegetated lakes, with little or no feeding on crustaceans. Bass swallow organisms whole instead of biting off pieces, limiting the size of prey that they consume. Any prey having a body depth less than the diameter of the bass' mouth may be consumed. A bass will grasp its food any way it can, but usually tries to swallow fish head first. This allows the dorsal fin of prey fish to lie flat when swallowed." Largemouth bass often ambush their food, lying in wait for prey to swim by. This type of behavior is used when vegetation or other cover, is available. In open water, bass become pursuit oriented in which their streamlined shape and strong body allow them to move very quickly for short distances and catch their prey. Although the larger bass are usually solitary predators, the smaller ones often school to 'herd' their prey and make catching them easier.
I wouldn't believe anything from Florida... or Indiana
Let me know where you found those X-ray specs??? They would be very helpful in my line of work.
For God's sake, just run with the GS idea. It's obviously what you want, and it's YOUR lake after all. I'm not sure what you expect from the forum...you've gotten good advice, and still you persist. If you're that convinced you're on the right track, then sometimes you need to take a leap of faith. Let us know how it looks in 3-5 years, and we'll all learn something together. Or not. Either way you will have done what you thought was best, and sometimes that's all we can hope for.
"Forget pounds and ounces, I'm figuring displacement!"
If we accept that: MBG(+)FGSF(=)HBG(F1) And we surmise that: BG(>)HBG(F1) while GSF(<)HBG(F1) Would it hold true that: HBG(F1)(+)AM500(x)q.d.(=)1.5lbGRWT? PB answer: It depends.
Gizzard shad are native to river systems in NE. We dig many sandpits along the rivers in NE, and every sandpit I've ever fished has resident populations of GS. In some fisheries, their existence supports decent populations of apex predators including BC, FHC, HSB, WE, etc. and the CP and LMB also join in the schooling of YOY GS which number literally millions of fish. Often the forage is so abundant, angling return suffers for extended amounts of time. In these large BOWS [average size 50-200 acres] the GS seem to have found a niche and help support the fishery. HOWEVER, in smaller BOWs I personally feel GS presence would serve as a detriment to the fishery - there cannot exist enough topline predators present to manage the population in my opinion. I would not want 18" adult GS taking up precious biomass in my small fishery.
However, science is only achieved when one experiments and goes against the grain. Per Spark - it's your fishery - I encourage you to go for it and we'll all benefit from your results. Good luck.
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau
The following is an excerpt from a Florida fishery biologist study report: "A recent study determined differences in food habits of largemouth bass in vegetated versus unvegetated lakes in Central Florida. Findings indicated that sunfish (e.g., bluegill and redear) were primary fish species ingested by bass in vegetated lakes, and crustaceans (grass shrimp and crayfish), constituted a significant portion of their diets. In contrast, shad and tilapia were the dominant species ingested by bass in unvegetated lakes, with little or no feeding on crustaceans. Bass swallow organisms whole instead of biting off pieces, limiting the size of prey that they consume. Any prey having a body depth less than the diameter of the bass' mouth may be consumed. A bass will grasp its food any way it can, but usually tries to swallow fish head first. This allows the dorsal fin of prey fish to lie flat when swallowed." Largemouth bass often ambush their food, lying in wait for prey to swim by. This type of behavior is used when vegetation or other cover, is available. In open water, bass become pursuit oriented in which their streamlined shape and strong body allow them to move very quickly for short distances and catch their prey. Although the larger bass are usually solitary predators, the smaller ones often school to 'herd' their prey and make catching them easier.
I wouldn't believe anything from Florida... or Indiana
If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.
I wish I was as ruggedly handsome, fashion conscious, and fastidiously groomed as the fellow in that photo. And he can use a baitcaster, also???
Some fellows just have it all. Fate can be so unkind.
"Forget pounds and ounces, I'm figuring displacement!"
If we accept that: MBG(+)FGSF(=)HBG(F1) And we surmise that: BG(>)HBG(F1) while GSF(<)HBG(F1) Would it hold true that: HBG(F1)(+)AM500(x)q.d.(=)1.5lbGRWT? PB answer: It depends.
That must be true. So horribly, unfairly, painfully true.
"Forget pounds and ounces, I'm figuring displacement!"
If we accept that: MBG(+)FGSF(=)HBG(F1) And we surmise that: BG(>)HBG(F1) while GSF(<)HBG(F1) Would it hold true that: HBG(F1)(+)AM500(x)q.d.(=)1.5lbGRWT? PB answer: It depends.
Why is it my photos have me looking like I've spent 12 hours on an open cab tractor, plowing a dusty field in full sunlight on a 100 degree day, stopping only long enough to crawl under the tractor and tighten up those loose, dripping oil pan bolts?
"Forget pounds and ounces, I'm figuring displacement!"
If we accept that: MBG(+)FGSF(=)HBG(F1) And we surmise that: BG(>)HBG(F1) while GSF(<)HBG(F1) Would it hold true that: HBG(F1)(+)AM500(x)q.d.(=)1.5lbGRWT? PB answer: It depends.
Why is it my photos have me looking like I've spent 12 hours on an open cab tractor, plowing a dusty field in full sunlight on a 100 degree day, stopping only long enough to crawl under the tractor and tighten up those loose, dripping oil pan bolts?
Because pics don't lie?
Dale
"When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water." - anonymous
IMO growing BIG LMB is all about having an abundance appropriate sized forage throughout the entire lifetime of the fish and those LMB will never be easy to catch.
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