I have been feeding the fish in the pond at the ranch all summer long. The shiners, bluegill, and bull heads come up to eat and then the LMB come a calling. Over the last week, feeding activity has DRASTICALLY decreased. Only some shiners are coming up in the far corner of the pond. I have heard that feeding will scale back when they are spawning, but isn't it a little late for a spawn here in Texas? Water temps should still be in the 70's. Any ideas?

Has the water temperature dropped quickly recently? I know you said the water temp was in the 70's but perhaps it was in the mid to upper 80's recently? I find my fish slow down temporarily if there is a sudden drop in temp of 5 or more degrees. It's usually only temporary though.

Another possibility is you've had a good hatch of forage fish and the fish are targeting those instead of the pellets. Even the bluegills will target small minnows. I've actually observed some of my bluegills mixed in with a pod of smallmouth cruising the shoreline for fathead minnows.

I'm out close to Abiliene and my fish have stopped feeding in the last week or so. I haven't checked the temp but I agree with Mr. Cecil, I'm thinking the water temp dropped pretty quick in the last week with the air temps dropping like they have.

my bg were cleaning up all the food each time the feeder went off within 2 minutes, now they dont even clean it up at all. we had some pretty cool nights last week. i was figuring the bg feeding would increase as the water cooled a little. water temp is still about 70 here.

I hope to get out and check mine this weekend as I need to add more feed. I hope they are still feeding as I would like to use what feed I have as I know it will not keep until next year when I start feeding again. I should have enough food to last another 3 weeks, which I was hoping to feed through rifle season since my stand is so close and all.

Will the Chanel Catfish continue to feed in this cool weather?

Are there any other fish that may feed as well?

I would like to take the temps as well, does anyone have a recommendation as to what type of gauge to get to do so and where I could find one at a reasonable price?

Thanks

Go to your local Lowes, Home Depot, etc. Buy an indoor/outdoor digital thermometer (not a wireless one). Set it on outdoor, put the probe in the water and wait 'till the temp stabilizes.
I bought mine for less than $10 and it has a probe that is 10' long.

I use to have a high tech aquatic temperature recording device.


Unfortunately it has disappeared.


I think it migrated south for the winter and has never come back.

Ah, yes, the Duckmaster 3000. Well, given their highly coveted standing in the temperature management industry, and given the trespassing activity on your land, I don't find it at all surprising that it's gone. The DM3000 was probably stolen by your interlopers and sold for more money for crack and meth. What a shame that you were robbed of such an intricate piece of equipment just so someone could get a 15 minute high. Shameful.

No dollar signs on the DM3K. That confuses the Beancounter.

Looks like Cecil was correct as usual. Fish came up to feed again this weekend. I feed by hand, so I constructed a 10'x10' feeding ring out of 1.5" PVC and it is proving to be pretty successful. The feed stays in there and keeps it from getting blown into the shore by the wind. The bass are also really appreciating having all of the golden shiners and bluegill nice and concentrated. Last night they fed for over 30 min.

We had a sudden drop in temps last week in East Texas. However this week we are fairly stable and the fish are feeding at normal levels. At last night's feeding I had a very healthy turnout for the entitlement program.

Thanks for the kind words but I can assure you I'm not always right. Ask my wife!

Good to hear your fish are feeding again. I've noticed once temps stabilize they are back on the feed bag as Clayton says, that is, if the temps don't drop too low.

Fish are much more sensitive to their environment than we give the credit for. In fact they are much more sensitive period. Don't even get me started on how anglers that pat themselves on the back for releasing fish in very hot or cold water are probably killing some of them.

Still feeding well here in Central OH. My water has cooled a lot, but they are feeding nicely at this point. Truck said 33 as I drove into work this morning... I need to invest in a thermometer for the pond.

You can get a cheap indoor/outdoor thermometer from any large store that will work. Mine cost <$10 and it has a 10' lead. I can get readings down to 9' or so if I go out in the boat. Switch it to outdoor temp and away you go!

My BG has been feeding as of this past weekend, but then Sunday afternoon I was at the pond and tossed in some food and they didn't touch a single pellet. I may try once more as we're in a little warmer stretch for a few days and it may entice them, but it looks like we may be just about finished for the season.

Well, I went out and fed this evening after Rex left, and the activity was way down from last night. However, this morning we were at 33 when I left the house, so they are going to be slowing way down.

Rex should be heading your way! I had a golden trout tonight near the beach which looked to be struggling, so I waded in (cold ^%^& water) and grabbed him, made a couple really nice fillets for supper!

Sweet! That's where they're all destined to end up anyway, right? No harm in getting a quick start when nature is providing the bounty! Yep, I should be seeing Rex tomorrow night and getting a first look at the soon-to-be residents of the pond!