Anyone have any hi-res photos of bass with black blotches on them? I've got a story to run, but need photos. I've shot some over the years, but can't find them. Anyone? If so, please email me at bob@pondboss.com and send photos as an attachment, preferably as a jpeg. You'll get credit in the magazine.
Thanks...
Bob, I don't have the pictures you requested, but I would like to show some of my naivety or 'lack of experience' by asking about your signature line.
What is the entry in your subject line about free pecans and free watermelons a reference to? Was there a time where both of these items were free? Was it like the free chicken in every pot promise from someone on the campaign trail? I was not aware of a free watermelon program or what its context was
I agree, fish are not free, I'm not free to move them from one place to another in Michigan either, and wasn't sure who these days thought fish were free as well.
Thanks for the history lesson!
It's satire...
For years, many states gave away free fish to stock ponds. Some still do. Every fall, I hear stories about people stopping on the side of the road to pick up pecans under trees on private property. Back in the 'day', kids stole watermelons from the farmer's patch.
I've been in the private sector as a fisheries biologist for 35+ years and I'm still amazed that people don't truly understand the 'value' of fish. For example, I recently saw a story where some guys caught and harvested their limit of giant blue catfish...totally legal...from a public lake in east Texas. But, some of those catfish were at least 20 years old. That's how long it will take to replace a fish that size and age. Those guys had more than 400 pounds of fish. I don't see that as good stewardship and those guys either didn't know or didn't care about the age of those fish and their importance in that lake to perpetuate the species.
When most people see a fish, or a population of fish, they don't think of it as having value. They're just fish.
From a different angle, when someone builds a lake or pond, maybe spending well into five figures to build, they'll often question the cost of the fish, which, by comparison, costs much, much less. From a dollar standpoint, often the same guy who spent $15,000 to build a pond wants to question $600 worth of fish to stock it properly.
I'm still looking for photos. Found one, could use two more.
Repeat request: Anyone have any hi-res photos of bass with black blotches on them? I've got a story to run, but need photos. I've shot some over the years, but can't find them. Anyone? If so, please email me at bob@pondboss.com and send photos as an attachment, preferably as a jpeg. You'll get credit in the magazine.
Thanks...
I've always seen a different angle on the free fish part. I think of poachers.
I agree on often getting raised eyebrows over the initial stocking costs of fish. So many people will spend huge dollars to build a resort for fish to live and thrive in, then bring in the equivalent to the local Crack-Head to live in it.
I recall a post here where a guy spent well into 6 figures building a 40 plus acre lake. After his first rain, there was about 3 acres of water in it. He was anxious to stock his 60,000 CNBG, but wanted fish in it right away. He then found the forum and bragged about his catching and stocking 6 LMB, all over 6 pounds, into the 3 acres....and not one forage fish. I think he sterilized the pond to remove them before he stocked $20,000 worth of snacks for those 6 starving LMB.
I know this doesn't help with the picture request just thought I would rant a little on my experiences. Please believe me when I state that I'm trying to change the current way of peoples thinking...just don't know if it's possible.
There is rarely a week that goes by that I am not educating or helping guys that I know or have been "referred" to me about pond construction and management here in MN. I am not a pro and usually refer guys to PondBoss or other resources that are pro's. Currently, I have close to a zero $ interest in anything related to the pond industry. With one exception, a how to create a business learning tool for my teenage daughters (marketing,engineering, and sales interactions). I tell every new pond owner where to buy the fish and teach them to use resources like PondBoss to determine stocking strategies that fit their goals. Completely unbiased information with proven results. And almost every single time, I hear something like this...."I'm not going to spend $1,500 on fish. I'll just go and catch some and release them into the pond." They just spent $10,000 on construction and aeration. They got many, many years of experience,for free,telling them how to do it. They listen to all the construction suggestions and aeration strategies. Then on the last step they decide to "save" some money. How's that saying go... "Pennywise/pound foolish". It must be very frustrating for you guys in the industry! Ok, my rant is over.
Sorry I have a lot of bass pics but none of the black spot ones. I have like 2 or 3 of those type bass in my pond but never took any pics of them I guess.
They don't seem to have anything wrong with them just have some oblong looking black blotches on them.... If I ever catch another one I will take a pic or 2 in case you need them again!
RC
Im sure you know this already Bob but if you do a Google search for lmb with black blotches they have some nice images out there you may be able to use!
RC
If you mean blotches like the famous Dottie I just caught a bass the other day with a dot. Today I caught a bass with some unusual black spots also.
Bob -
I don't think these spots are what you're looking for?
I think that is what he is looking for.
Cody note: I also think that is what Bob wanted. Send him your bass picture.
Anyone have any hi-res photos of bass with black blotches on them? I've got a story to run, but need photos. I've shot some over the years, but can't find them. Anyone? If so, please email me at bob@pondboss.com and send photos as an attachment, preferably as a jpeg. You'll get credit in the magazine.
Thanks...
I sent you several, Bob....hope it helps.
Someone may can tell me for sure but aren't those black splotches common especially during the spawning season? Over the years we have seen them show up primarily during the spawn. Can you tell me why?
I've never seem them before at my pond.
Someone may can tell me for sure but aren't those black splotches common especially during the spawning season? Over the years we have seen them show up primarily during the spawn. Can you tell me why?
Im gonna say no to that, they are not common. I have been bass fishing for 35 years now from Wisconsin down to Texas, and very rarely do you come across that on LMB even during the spawn. At least I haven't.
RC
If you want to know more about these patches of black on largemouth bass get the next issue of Pond Boss Magazine (May-Jun 2015) where Bob will have a story about it.
http://www.pondboss.com/subscribe.asp
Thanks for the help, all. Got three good photos. We'll see how much space we have and put in as many as we can. Ralph Manns wrote the story. It will run in May-June.
I have seen it many times here on Lake Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend Resevoir. It will be interesting to read Bob's story.
I know I am late to the party but if this is what you are looking for I will send it to your email.
