OK guys, time to start another fishin’ thread…….
Weekly weather conditions:
Wed nite 19 degrees
Thurs hi 44.4
Thurs day nite lo 31
Friday morning 32
Friday nite 61
Crazy….!
Fished this morning (Saturday)
7:00 am morning air temp 59.2 degrees
Near surface water 44.5
11:00am air 68.6 degrees
11:00 am near surface water temp 46.3
http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthread...ite_id/1#importFeeder off past three weeks due to falling temps.
Tossed a handful and got a few takers early.
One nice 2# HSB and then nuthin’…
Went to ¼ acre pond - no feeding with handful of feed, no takers on files or lures.
Returned to main pond and threw out a handful of feed with limited activity.
Nice school of HSB with about a dozen of nice fat and HSB between 2 and 4.5 #/s – most thee to four lbs.
Several monster CNBG using large hook to cull dinks.
Oh, by the way 20-30 mph winds - challenge casting skills.
Again confirming what I already knew – fish feed on low rising temps and quit on falling temps – not specific temperature numbers but relative numbers.
http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthread...ite_id/1#importGreat morning on the ponds – anyone not fishing HSB on fly tackle missing the bet.
Now bring on the ice fishing stories with pics…
Good fishin’ 2008...
You know what they say George,
Wind from the west, fish bite the best
Wind from the east, fish bite the least
Wind from the south, fish have a sore mouth
Wind from the north, go hunting
OK George, I agree with you this winter time surfing Pond Boss has been a little slow. I was at the pond last weekend in West Texas, we built a duck blind frame out of 1 1/2 inch PVC pipe and painted it OD green. We finished about 4:30 that afternoon and decided to go fishing until dark. It was a beautiful sunny day with no wind and the air temp was about 50 degrees. The bass in my pond were stocked in October of 2006 as fingerlings. To be honest I was not that optimistic about our chances. Boy was I surprised when my fishing buddy caught two bass on his first two cast into a brush pile. Both fish were females and weighed about 1 1/2 lbs. with very large extended stomachs. We ended up catching 10 bass in about an hour. The males were larger than the females and were pushing 2 pounds. I was very surprised with our catch but extremely please with the condition of the fish. We caught all of the fish on a 4 inch watermelon colored craw worm with a light 1/8 ounce weight for a slow fall. Most fish were in about 3-5 foot of water right on the edge of a creek that drops off to about 10 foot. What a blast, I needed that because I have had a bad case of cabin fever. I can't wait for this spring so I can use some of the pellet flies you taught James and I how to tie. I have 3 feeders for the bream and they have done well. Last year when I first started the feeders in the spring was when I caught some of the largest bluegill, I guess the bigger ones may show up first. Good luck with your fishing, it want be long now!
George,
Finally got out icefishing this year! We had a heck of a time getting her through the ice
That is one heck of a fish!
Went fishing in the HSB growout pond this morning. Air temp. 46 degrees water temp. 49 degrees. Caught four HSB 3/4 to 1 lb. with five casts.
Clint
That is a pretty good catch rate to cast ratio. Did you get a strike on the errant cast?
Fantastic day on our ponds today - three HSB on first three casts with new rear weighted fly I'm experimenting with.
Nunerous HSB 1.5#'s to 4+#'s - huge CNBG to 1.5#'s on pellet flies - I'll post pictures when I get home tomorow.
Who says fish don't feed in cold water?
Near surface water temp at 10:00 am 44.9 degrees..
6:00 pm water temp 44.8 and I left them biting...
George,
Is your feeder still feeding? I turned my feeders off in November, just wondering if I could catch some bluegill now on one of your famous pellet flies?
flshinglth, turned off feeders three weeks ago and back on yesterday with moderate feeding activity in ~45 degree near surface water temps. Think I'll leave them on for the rest of the week since moderater temps forecast.
I'll be on the water in a couple of hours with flyrod in hand - a challenge with forecast winds 30 mph or better...
Throw out a handfulll of pellet chum and the bluegill will jump all over a pellet fly.
Have fun...
UPDATE:
What a difference a day makes - air temp this morning 54 degrees - near surface water 46.2 degrees.
Slo fishing this morning with 20-30 mph winds and changing weather conditions - supposed tp freeze tonight - onluy ion Texas.
I did catch a few 8-10 CNBG and a couple of HSB - largest 4.5 lbs, a blast on afly rod.
George, the ice on our pond is 9-11" thick right now!
Open water fishing is still a ways off. I was out on Sunday, the ice fishing was slow but we did manage to cull a few of the smaller largemouth in the 14-15" range. Big fish was an 18-1/2" LMB caught on a large FH rigged on a tip up. You Texas guys do know what a "tip up" is, don't you?
George, the ice on our pond is 9-11" thick right now!
Open water fishing is still a ways off. I was out on Sunday, the ice fishing was slow but we did manage to cull a few of the smaller largemouth in the 14-15" range. Big fish was an 18-1/2" LMB caught on a large FH rigged on a tip up. You Texas guys do know what a "tip up" is, don't you?
Yeah, a "tip-up" is me sliding down the muddy dam almost to water's edge this mrmong - slicker than ice...
Love yuur smallies...
Those are really pretty fish George.
Well done, George!
I can't wait until more of our HSB get as big as the ones in your pics.
It hit the upper 50's and was sunny here today. I had a smidge of free time,so I fired up the electric sticks and quickly collected 9-10 earthworms. Spent 15 minutes at the main pond and CAUGHT TWO BLUEGILLS - the first of 2008 (in Ohio, anyway - I did land two in January at LL2). Both presumed females, 6.5" and 7". Good eatin' material if I'd had the time and inclination to clean fish tonight.
The game is on!
interesting theo.....my first active fish....same size female BG.
george, i'm sorry i never congratulated you on yer january fish above....fabulous...truth is i was really jealous and just couldnt bring myself to post
edited post....theo i forgot to bug you about pics, you know how we like pics.....my admission: i show pics of normal BG and am not ashamed
No pics, DIED. I was stealing time from feeding the cows, which as you may recall me describing, is not always a real camera-friendly environment.
its not always that bad
Mrs. G’S Grand Slam
8:00 am air temp 60 degrees – near surface water 62 degrees.
LMB
HSB
RES
TAF/CNBG
CC
Me too:
davatsa
Lunker
Registered: April 14, 2003
Posts: 364
Loc: San Antonio, TX
(69.150.209.15) Very nice, George and Mrs. G! George--looks like you've got yourself two keepers in each of those first few photos.
The quality of ALL your fish never ceases to amaze me.
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Ponds in Poth & Waelder, TX
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#113048 - March 26, 2008 04:04 PM Re: Mrs. G’S Grand Slam [Re: davatsa]
dave in el dorado ca dave in el dorado ca
Lunker
Registered: April 26, 2006
Posts: 1748
Loc: el dorado ca
(67.166.149.252) awlright george!!
are we not blessed to have wive's w/ good fishin instincts?
dittos w/ davatsa, beautiful fish, i'm gonna show my BG these pics for inspiration...and maybe one day....... when they grow up.....
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GSF are people too!
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#113071 - March 26, 2008 06:24 PM Re: Mrs. G’S Grand Slam [Re: dave in el dorado ca]
Bruce Condello Bruce Condello
Lunker
Registered: August 01, 2004
Posts: 5052
Loc: Upper Central Midwestern Great...
(76.84.115.21) Great wife and great gills and great fishing...
Mind boggling luck, sir.
Oh yeah, maybe luck has nothing to do with it.
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#113074 - March 26, 2008 06:41 PM Re: Mrs. G’S Grand Slam [Re: Bruce Condello]
Theo Gallus Theo Gallus
Lunker
Registered: May 14, 2004
Posts: 6592
Loc: Central Ohio
(67.140.109.2) Outstanding, george!
Quote:
TAF/CNBG
"TAF"?
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#113075 - March 26, 2008 06:42 PM Re: Mrs. G’S Grand Slam [Re: Theo Gallus]
Bruce Condello Bruce Condello
Lunker
Registered: August 01, 2004
Posts: 5052
Loc: Upper Central Midwestern Great...
(76.84.115.21) Texas/Arkansas/Florida?
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#113076 - March 26, 2008 06:45 PM Re: Mrs. G’S Grand Slam [Re: Bruce Condello]
Theo Gallus Theo Gallus
Lunker
Registered: May 14, 2004
Posts: 6592
Loc: Central Ohio
(67.140.109.2) There you go!
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#113085 - March 26, 2008 07:29 PM Re: Mrs. G’S Grand Slam [Re: george1]
Dwight Dwight
Lunker
Registered: December 06, 2004
Posts: 1232
Loc: Southwestern Minnesota
(216.235.174.203) George, That is what Gail and I are hoping for; still fishing together at age 59!
Fish get active around here when the surface water temp is in the area of 60 degrees. Sadly the surface water temps here are 32-33 degrees....... mostly ice.
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#113091 - March 26, 2008 07:51 PM Re: Mrs. G’S Grand Slam [Re: Dwight]
ahvatsa ahvatsa
Lunker
Registered: October 02, 2004
Posts: 233
Loc: Poth/McCoy, Texas
(70.114.36.149) George
AS GOOD AS IT GETS
period
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Rats, I still have 16 inches of ice! My pond is usually open by mid April but we're still having night time lows in the 20's with day time highs around 40. Nice fish guys.
bz - Not to worry. Global warming is coming, be patient. We in NW OH are at least 7 -10 days behind normal spring conditions. Ice left my pond about 10-14 days later than usual. Look on the bright side, you can still get a few more days of ice fishing in.
I'm trying to have patience. Have you heard that given this winter's cold temps a bunch of scientists have gotten together to worry about global cooling?
Bruce is this fish just fat or trying to spawn?
James, nice HSB.....
You and Todd are pushing the enveloppe with big HSB....
Maybe TFS - gotta get me some of those...
I think that fish is probably just fat.
Sheeesh! That thing is a pig!
Bruce/George/Anyone:
George's pic/post brings a question to mind. Can HSB reproduce? I understand the fact that they are hybrids, and in theory can't but I have also heard the phrase "they dont reproduce in small waters". Are HSB analogous to triploid grass carp? Are all of the "stippers" that reproduce in lake Texoma true stripped bass. I have caught HSB in Texoma ( I thought they were HSB) so are HSB capable of reproducing or not?
If this post is confusing, it is because I am confused!
Thanks in advance,
Eddie
HSB are not capable of reproducing in ponds. There are rare cases of naturally occurring hybrids in waters like Texoma that have both stripers and white bass. HSB have some very limited ability to reproduce in laboratory situations. Sometimes in the wild HSB's will be found on spawning grounds of white bass attempting to backcross with whites. There may be an occasional F-2 cross between white bass and HSB, but this is something that is more conjecture as opposed to actually finding a fish that is a product of this cross.
Bottom line. Don't worry about it. It won't affect your pond. And if it does it will be in only a limited and inconsequential way.
You're welcome. I want Bob's job too.
Knuckle bustin’ – reel screemin’ big HSB this morning...
Decision time – harvest begins immediately – too many 3 – 5# HSB.
Not bad for big bull CNBG’s either – females full of eggs at 66 degree near surface water.
Having this much fun outa be illegal...
Oh yeah for the RFD-TV guys …..all fish raised on Purina AQMX.
Send me a AQMX coupon Dr. Mark – good show...
I have not been to my pond since late October '07. Yes, I know...for shame.
I got out today.
Here is one smallie:
Here is another smallie:
I caught one more smallie like those two for a total of (3) nice smallies.
I also caught:
7 Black Crappie
3 Yellow Perch
2 LMB
2 Bullheads
1 Rainbow Trout
I missed several fish including a good sized HSB who was oddly hanging out in about 2' of water.
All of these fish were caught with small fatheads no more than 2" long. Most of the time, they were seasoned with Crawfish Yum. Come to think of it, I was seasoned with Crawfish Yum due to changing wind patterns.
I'm back.
Incredible fun. Way to go.
Let me just bump this up so I can let jealousy fester in those who are not B.I.S.A. members.
Sunil - great looking fish. You need to take lessons from Bruce though. Get a wide angle lens, hold the fish towards the lens and real close to the lens.
Dwight - what in the heck is that???
JHAP - I can't believe no one mentioned your Boga Grip photo. I though that was pretty funny. It just goes to show you that you never know what other folks think is funny. Maybe you should get back on your meds.
I know, I know, the Condello technique of Smoke & Mirrors requires an accomplice.
I had to take these pics w/ my cell phone.
Let me just bump this up so I can let jealousy fester in those who are not B.I.S.A. members.
Very impressive how you can hold a fish or take a picture with either hand!
Good times, little brother.
AWLRIGHTY SUNIL......nice nice fish. love those pics. you reckon average size was 2.5-3 lbs? trophys in the making. i dont know how you could stay away since october, sorry about that. how were the body conditions of the other fish? all fat and happy?
JHAP, it made me
but i felt being the first responder to my own roast inappropriate
and, i know how you feel, last night on bob's live chat i thought sure someone would note how bob lusk sticks his fingers down the throats of BIG RES and lives to tell about it
D.I.E.D., I didn't have time to weigh them or take length measurements, but these were good healthy smallies probably around 3 to 3.5 lbs. All three were over 20" long.
Where did they catch that giant sturgeon???? HUGE!!!!!!
Sunil - Nice Smallies! Wish I had some in my pond.
Oregon River. 11 feet 1 inch long, 56 inch girth, estimated weight over 1,000 pounds. It took four guys taking turns on the rod and reel and 6.5 hours to get it landed. It was released. After a few minutes rest, it swam away.
Is that a white sturgeon? Wonder how much caviar that thing could put out.
Just caught this last weekend. It was getting pretty dark (about 8:30pm), so the cell phone pic isn't the best. Nice bass though.
How big? Looks like it's in great condition!
I didn't weigh or measure this one, but I'm guessing about 20-21 inches and about 5 pounds. This fish was in great shape and much fatter than the 24 incher I caught a couple weeks ago.
I'm starting to think this pond has some real trophy potential.
George I wish you would explain to me what you meant when you said you had too many 3-5lb. hylbrids and would begin to harvest immediatly. Do you have too many fish per acre? How many is too many? Please explain your statement and what your goals are by harvesting these fish?
James, I am stocking an annual HSB “ladder” and tomorrow I will add 25, 2007 class HSB to ¼ acre HSB/CNBG pond and 25 to main pond.
We will attempt to catch and transfer remaining 2006 class to main pond after transferring some 30-40 last year to main pond. I don’t have my records with me but recall we caught and transferred 15 three pounders in one day - what a blast…!
These are three-pound class fish – don’t know how many survivors remain.
I don’t have the foggiest idea of how many HSB per acre in main pond or know how to estimate.
All I know is that on most occasions we are currently catching three or so 4-5# class HSB per outing.
Our goal is for a P&T fishery, but there has been all put and no take.
To date we have only kept one HSB for the table – it’s “take time”...
Here's a 7lb HSB I caught on a swimbait the other day.
Great fish cheyenne19…!
Jog our memory – size of lake – aeration – feed?
When were HSB stocked – size of stockers?
Love the pics - tell us more about your pond and goals.
Good job….
Nice fish, cheyenne19!
I love the slime dripping off the tail. Healthy fish!
Any idea of the age of that fish?
awesome fish! I bet it put up a fight!
My brother Justin. Caught this beast with his hands. She was still alive, but getting ready to die.
His friend took the pic with a camera phone, but didnt do a very good job. They said it was over 5 feet long.
Nice job C19.
Here George " My pond is 37 acres and has an assortment of fish.
Here it is from above"
http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=113431&fpart=1 Here is the thread - both feeding (some) and pump circulation.
George I am surprised you did not pick up on the point -- oh I forgot to say it is shallow. Shallow southern pond/lake , high temps , shad forage with LMB and HSB , feeding and circulation - I thought HSB did not like those conditions - wrong - just like the NC studies the HSB are doing well.
Thanks Ewest, you beat me to it. It's very shallow, max depth of 6ft. I'd venture that that HSB was mainly pellet fed, but he could've starting working on the G Shad. We put in some T Shad about 2 weeks ago. We'll flow over 130 million gallons of water a year through the pond. (We use the water to irrigate our rice) We also drain off of the bottom of the pond, so I imagine water quality is pretty good. Also the HSB can always find some cool water if they desire.
George I am surprised you did not pick up on the point -- oh I forgot to say it is shallow. Shallow southern pond/lake , high temps , shad forage with LMB and HSB , feeding and circulation - I thought HSB did not like those conditions - wrong - just like the NC studies the HSB are doing well.
Y'all will just have to forgive my oversight on trophy HSB in shallow southern hot water ponds - of course I knew it was just a matter of time...
Been too busy today stocking "ladder" HSB and tilapia to check the forum - other than lookin' at pictures
Would you believe 12-14 inch HSB that had not even been spawned ths time last year?
How 'bout 30#'s of 3-5 inch threadfin shad that you could sqeeze the milt from?
Overton says perfect water - should get a spawn by morning...
Report tomorrow when I return home - with pictures.
cheyenne19, don't look so happy that you caught that fish!!!
George,
to answer your question about age, my first HSB were stocked in march of '06 as 3"-5" stockers. They came from Bruce's source, Keo Fish farms. I'm only 30 miles from Lonoke, AR.
Sunil,
I looked back, and I don't seem to happy. Maybe it was the long drive home from ewest's part of the world that made me frown.
I understand.
By the way, I think you have, quite possibly, surpassed Condello in Fish-Photo-Presentation-Technique (or FPPT). There's another shot of you with a catfish if I recall.
Single hand technique; full arm extension, but yet at an upward angle to align the fish's head with yours. Note the proximity, in percieved elevation, of the fish's eyr to yours.
Thank you. I've been trying to learn the best FPPT. I try to make it seem as if I have to peer around the the fish in order to be seen.
cheyenne19 - You've got the concept nailed.
C19, that’s fabulous growth – 3”-5” HSB stocked in March ’06 were 2005 “class” fish.
Our 2005 class HSB were 8-10 inchers stocked in November same year, and the fish are currently 4-5#s, but some larger may be lurking.
Overton recently caught a 6+ pounder from the same class but he has TFS in his HSB pond.
We also feed AQMX pellets and this week stocked TFS.
Our growth rate was achieved in spite of a couple of record breaking drought years with no flushing what-so-ever, so you have given me encouragement as to achieving larger HSB now that we have improved water quality and added TFS to our AQMX feeding program.
Thanks very much for your report
George,
I've been worried since I found this site that we wouldn't be able to grow trophy HSB. With the heat and other limiting factors I really lost hope. Maybe this shows that we will both be able to grow large HSB. I very much to grow one over 10lbs.
Cason
I was targeting BG last night (moderately successful, btw) but this nice (for my bass-crowded pond) 17", 2lbs 13oz prespawn LMB got stuck on a #8 Aberdeen while eating a little earthworm.
There must be something about catching bass if one can be the highlight of a good evening of BG fishing.
Theo, that is a nice bass!
I caught this 18" 4.5lb LMB this morning. My other LMB were not in this healthy.
i detect a slight smile from ya cheyenne, must of been fun to catch and ya just had to go out do theo...BTW, awesome fish theo
i detect a slight smile from ya cheyenne ... ya just had to go out do theo
Sure the bass is a lot bigger, but who has the better FPPT?
Nah, don't answer that question.
Dave I thought to myself as the photo was being taken, "I should smile in this one."
Someone caught this 18.5" 4.5 lb LMB while I was fixing her pole for her.
She caught on a Crappie jig while fishing for these.
I suggest banning cheyenne19.
Naaah it gives us something to shoot for.
-
Aw come on guys.
If it weren't from the help received from this site I'd still be catching small GSF wondering where the LMB were, and thinking that there were no Crappie in my pond.
Aw come on guys.
If it weren't from the help received from this site I'd still be catching small GSF wondering where the LMB were, and thinking that there were no Crappie in my pond.
Nice save.
Wait a minute,
".....I'd still be catching small GSF wondering where the LMB were"What did you say???? Off with his head!
Aw come on guys.
If it weren't from the help received from this site I'd still be catching small GSF wondering where the LMB were, and thinking that there were no Crappie in my pond.
Nice save.
Wait a minute,
".....I'd still be catching small GSF wondering where the LMB were"What did you say???? Off with his head!
Don't get me wrong. I love my GSF. Heck I even restock with GSF.
Don't get me wrong. I love my GSF. Heck I even restock with GSF.
How are you restocking GSF? If this is true you must be a member of GSFA, right?
Don't get me wrong. I love my GSF. Heck I even restock with GSF.
How are you restocking GSF? If this is true you must be a member of GSFA, right?
I would be scared to guess how many 100's of lbs of GSF are produced every year in our rice fields. It's so many that people around here just call them 'rice slicks'. We drained a resevoir that had held water for 3 years last winter. I went out with a dip net and caught over 200 lbs of 1"-2" GSF. I really like the GSF, more than BG. I just wish they were as prolific, or maybe it's best that they're not. I've never been asked to join the GSFA.
Is anyone interested in seeing the fish I caught today?
"Is anyone interested in seeing the fish I caught today?"
Yes, OK. But this isn't helping anyone to like you more!
I've never been asked to join the GSFA.
What the
????
jhap, you got some splainin' to doooo.
Hey don't look at me, I'm in the Warmouth chapter.
And yes, please show us the fish.
Of course, Cheyenne.
I should be over in your neck of the woods in a month or two. I need to buy some redear for my RAS experiment. Do you have a recommendation for a hatchery?
Here are some spotted bass that I caught back in Febuary on a stream that comes out of the Ozark mountains. I haven't been able to fish much since then because of all the flooding that we have had.
And yes, please show us the fish.
I thought you wanted to ban me?
And Sunil if it's going to hurt my popularity I'll go back to simply reading the threads.
I feel like I've hijacked this thread.
Of course, Cheyenne.
I should be over in your neck of the woods in a month or two. I need to buy some redear for my RAS experiment. Do you have a recommendation for a hatchery?
Here are some spotted bass that I caught back in Febuary on a stream that comes out of the Ozark mountains. I haven't been able to fish much since then because of all the flooding that we have had.
I've bought fish from Keo Fish farms, farm cat, and Dunn's fish farm. Dunn's is south of Brinkley, AR and hard to find. I think they mainly supply fish to other fish farms, but they had 12" LMB last year when no one else did. I've had good experience with all three of those.
cheyenne, now I'll call for banning you if you DON'T show the fish!
SHOW FISH NOW!
Can't please them all so don't worry about the replies - just post what you want (within the rules). We like to see fish !!!
Ok here we go.
4.5lb 18"
3.25lb 17"
And 3.75lb 18"
Can anyone explain to me why for the last couple of weeks all I have caught are one to two pound male bass in about two foot of water? Where are all of the big fat girls? I like the big fat girls better.
What are your water temps ? If pre-spawn the fat girls are just off the edge in deeper water getting fatter.
Eric we just keep rolling in with the cold fronts this year. My surface water temps are still in the low sixties during the day. I am not complaining though about the rain.
Love the Pics Cheyenne!
Favorite is the crappie in the cooler,
2nd place goes to the HSB.
Green Carp are pretty much junk fish! Except when a lady is holding one up for a pic.
Condello Impersonation from a 2 year old!
cheyenne, I was only kidding about your pics. I never get tired of looking at beautiful fish from member's ponds. Just wait until I have a pond full of lunker RES, the photos will flow like the Rio Grande.
cheyenee19 looks like he's packing heat in the second picture.
What are we looking out for?
Love the Pics Cheyenne!
Favorite is the crappie in the cooler,
2nd place goes to the HSB.
Green Carp are pretty much junk fish! Except when a lady is holding one up for a pic.
Condello Impersonation from a 2 year old!
I like your pictures even better. She has great FPPT!
I took out another cooler full yesterday too, but I didn't get any pics of it. Sorry.
GW I figured you were messing with me.
cheyenee19 looks like he's packing heat in the second picture.
What are we looking out for?
I have what you might call a snake 'problem'. I've killed over 20 cotton mouths this spring. That doesn't include all of the water and corn snakes either. Funny, I used to look at snakes and think "I should get rid of it so it doesn't bite me." Now I look at snakes and think "I should get rid of it so he doesn't eat my fish." Is that a normal progression?
Here's one from a public lake just southeast of Lincoln. Water temps varied from 42 degrees to 49.7 degrees. This one went 20-1/2" and didn't make big fish for our club tournament.
Notice the water color?
I would be scared to guess how many 100's of lbs of GSF are produced every year in our rice fields. It's so many that people around here just call them 'rice slicks'. We drained a resevoir that had held water for 3 years last winter. I went out with a dip net and caught over 200 lbs of 1"-2" GSF. I really like the GSF, more than BG. I just wish they were as prolific, or maybe it's best that they're not. I've never been asked to join the GSFA.
I wept openly as I read this. What a beautiful sentiment.
Cheyenne19:
By the powers vested in me by the GSA (aka GSFA), the French militia, the Mexican Navy, The Fruit Growers and Packers Union Local 1221, and the staff of the Jacksonville Holiday Inn, I do hereby present to you full fledged membership in the GSA.
Your decoder ring and the secret handshake instructional DVD will be placed in the mail shortly. And for your open admiration of the wonderful GSF and for your reproduction sucess I do hereby bestow upon you the GSA dust bunny collection which will be shipped to you along the the glass display case.
That makes two new members this month! (Heybud and now Cheyenne19). Take that BISA!!!!
Man! Those are perdy fish.
Great pictures Eddie..
Super special with your kids....
Congrats...!!
Pics from fishing on Saturday afternoon.
Norris Pond
62 degrees outside
water temps in the low 60's
southeast wind 10 mph
fatheads and nightcrawlers for bait
Caught a very mixed bag of fish all from the docks
[I
Pics from last week.
Herman Pond
3 acres
wax worms
Again my favorite fishing partners
Awesome. Any chance we can put that middle pic on
http://www.bigbluegill.com ?
Sure, Dave Kellenberger caught the Hybrid. Stocked in the spring of 2004.
Thanks for exposing me to another time consumer! I wont have time until this winter to really check it out though.
Great! I've already put up one of the photos. Very cute.
Great photos guys. I love seeing kids with fish.
Snake Bit....
Recovered from crud and phew-monia – went to ponds last week – starter went out on Mule so limited fishing – able to walk to nearest pond – few fat Gills - round as a dinner plate – no big males - must have been on their beds – couple of fat 2# HSB.
Only one short time fishing during April and May – fish won’t be hook-shy this year for sure.
Mule supposed to be ready next week so maybe jinx will run away.
Anyway guys thanks for the pictures of all your big fish, but Bruce, Theo , Fatty, Eddie, and especially Nate and Cheyenne – you guys are killing me ..STOP IT...
Anyway guys thanks for the pictures of all your big fish, but Bruce, Theo , Fatty, Eddie, and especially Nate and Cheyenne – you guys are killing me ..STOP IT...
Glad you're healthy and hope the Mule will be as well, george.
We could stop talking about it, but WE CAN"T STOP FISHIN'!
Just kidding...
Love the fish talk and expecially the pictures...
Been "virtual" fishin' right along beside
'ya...
Oops, I didn't see the bed this 14"er was guarding last night.
42 Bluegill and 2 redear
All caught while flyfishing by myself and two friends.
nice smallie shorty, they're getting big!
fish fry at chris's house?
You clean 'em, I'll cook.
You clean 'em, I'll cook.
....and I'll eat 'em. Sounds like a plan. hehe
Shorty, have you been abusing your smallmouth again?
I sure don't like the look in that smallies eye. He's pissed.
Shorty,
Deep Fried Smallies during spawning season taste awesome!!!
Shorty, have you been abusing your smallmouth again?
I sure don't like the look in that smallies eye. He's pissed.
I never knew a smallie could look any other way, other than pissed.
I swear it was an accident Sunil, the nest he was guarding was 20 ft off the bank at the end of the boat ramp, I would have sworn it was an old LMB bed.
If it makes you feel any better I was tossing nightcrawlers to the other SMB that were still guarding nests the other night, I figured they might guard them a little longer if hunger did not drive them off the nests.
n8ly, I'm afraid that those kind of comments could get you ousted from B.I.S.A.
I was merely checking with Shorty about the recent rash of insolent behavior by pond smallmouth reported throughout the mid-west.
I dont know what the BISA is?
Smallmouth does however taste alot better than largemouth. They taste alot like Bald Eagle.
Here's one for you n8ly. You know, since you're a fan of big HSB. We turned our well on yesterday to raise the pond level before we start to irrigate out of it. I cuaght this guy hanging out in the cool water.
That's what I call healthy.
Very impressive, you can tell by the pic how the HSB earns its nasty reputation..with that girth and small head, it has a run or two that can easily strip a spool.
Cheyenne19, cap a cottonmouth or two and post a photo, I would love to see the pics, and the snake ID may help others on this board.
Look at that FPPT, and even a hint of a smile in the second pic.
Here you go Eastland. These don't really belong in this thread so if we need to start a snake id thread feel free to move or I can post them again.
Notice the short fat body.
This shows the diamond shaped head, and flat nose.
And at last why they get the name Cotton Mouth.
And yes, I had to put myself in harms way to get these pics. But, aren't they cool?
This snake was harmed during this photo shoot.
No snakes, but I set a new pond record for BG today. A 9 3/4 inch, 1 pound 2 ounce female who was just positively stuffed with eggs!. I bet she won't weigh 13 ounces in a week. Photos can be seen at bigbluegill.com:
Side View Big Fat Belly My daughter set a personal record, an 18 inch 2 lbs 7 oz LMB.
Great pics Theo. Your girl has a great FPPT.
The bluegill pics are great too. So sad you can't just post them here also.
Apologies. It's scaled way too big ...
Stuffed is the right word. Great fish Theo.
Cheyenne,
Absolutely love the big HSB. What gear do you use? I fished alot over memorial day and would catch 14" HSB on ultralight gear and they would strip line in bursts. The LMB on the same gear would jump a few times, but barely pull out any drag.
I was using a medium light fenwick with braided 10lb line. White grub on a 1/4oz roadrunner. That poor rod was crying for mercy.
I went fishing sunday and hooked one that completely straightened the #1/0 hook on my roadrunner. I need to adjust the drag so that doesn't happen again. I was heartbroke.
I caught the one I posted a few pages ago on a 4" matt shad swimbait. 30lb line and a all star big boy rod. He still pinched that broom handle.
Thanks Cheyenne19, those pics are COOL ! I see a lot of water snakes, but nothing like that! I haven't seen one in quite a long time, thanks for the photo and for putting your life on the line
I laughed by butt off with your edit line, that is funny!
Nice going, Theo. A solid 10" female ready to lose several ounces. It looks young. You know how old?
Does anyone else notice some odd text characters for the title of this thread, on the main forum page, when it's the first thread in Questions & Observations?
[quote=Sunil]Does anyone else notice some odd text characters for the title of this thread, on the main forum page, when it's the first thread in Questions & Observations? [/quote It looks fine to me.
Nice going, Theo. A solid 10" female ready to lose several ounces. It looks young. You know how old?
Thank you. Not really. Bruce says my nicest BG are 1 year older than his at the same size. This sounds wonderful to me - being only 1 year behind Bruce in growth!
Does anyone else notice some odd text characters for the title of this thread, on the main forum page, when it's the first thread in Questions & Observations?
This thread ALWAYS has as extra "(ampersand)(pound sign)8217(semicolon)" in it for me, on three different machines and 2 different browsers. Now, whether or not that's odd is a matter of opinion. It is definitely odd that when I copy OR TYPE those symbols & numbers into a post, they disappear in the preview!
Sometimes PHP does weird things when an apostrophe is used. Same thing with other symbols. It interprets them as code.
Well, I edited the apostrophe out of the title on the last post, and added a "g". It looks normal to me now - how about y'all?
Theo's bluegill is a truly special fish.
It is the result of some seriously good management.
Theo,
First, thanks for editing the thread title. That has been driving me nuts.
As for that bluegill, that is fantastic. I've got some very pregnant BG, but they don't have that round dish plate body shape like yours. As I've sampled over the last few days, a number of mine look almost like saltwater puffers. They are ready to explode eggs all over. I caught (and released) a catfish a few days ago that looked it had an inflated balloon in its tummy.
Have you filleted any that look like that? I took a couple out this past weekend that were very deep hooked. They were really fat and full of eggs, but there was virtually no meat on their ribs. However, their "shoulders" were very thick. (They were delicious.)
It sure looks like the really big BG are slowly moving across the eastern US from Nebraska. Maybe next season for me.
Thanks,
Ken
We only caught female-looking BG Monday, but the big one was the only one that looked to (still) be holding eggs. I filleted 5 from 6.25" to 7.5" in length and none had any eggs.
Saturday, not one BG showed up to eat pellets. Today, I had almost a full compliment of them eating. Maybe the spawn is gone.
Thanks for fixing the title Theos.
The pond where the LMB and the bluegill came from, is that your bass-heavy pond?
Do I see a familiar face in that last pic?
The pond where the LMB and the bluegill came from, is that your bass-heavy pond?
Yes.
That's a big mess of people catching fish, Nate.
Theo,
I just wish I could get bluegills that big though
Theo,
I just wish I could get bluegills that big though
You will.
PM me sometime n8t!
Theo,
I just wish I could get bluegills that big though
If I can do it, anyone can do it. Although maybe not in the same pond as all those neat fish you & yours caught.
Too hot to fish yesterday afternoon with air temp at 97 and near surface water temp at 81 degrees, so was on the pond at first light this morning with near surface water temp at 79 degrees.
Between aggravating health problems and equipment problems, I guess I missed out on spring fishing – looks like summer time is here.
Kept 8 fat female CNBG for the table and released several big males.
Caught numerous HSB between 2-3 lbs but had to O2 revive one 4 pounder and a larger one fought til she died. Such a battle deserves an honored place on the grill tomorrow – HSB on the half shell….!
That’s how my goal of a “put and take” fishery is defined, but I’ll restrict my fishing for the rest of the summer to ¼ acre pond where HSB are smaller and concentrate on removing smaller female TAF CNBG.
You northern guys have my attention on BG’s but HSB rules.
They will out-fight any fish in your pond.
What a blast on a Fly rod – FISH ON -
If I didn't know about your prowess for smallies, I would counter with the smallie against your "HSB rules" comment.
But I know that if you could also have smallies in your ponds, you would.
This HSB is a crazy fish, flat out though.
I have a picture to post of one that my brother caught at our pond, but it's on a CD he has, so I'll have it next week.
Side note: The title is still messed up for me on the main forum page when this thread is at the top.
If I didn't know about your prowess for smallies, I would counter with the smallie against your "HSB rules" comment.
But I know that if you could also have smallies in your ponds, you would.
This HSB is a crazy fish, flat out though.
I have a picture to post of one that my brother caught at our pond, but it's on a CD he has, so I'll have it next week.
I would NEVER trash talk a smallie - I'm a charter member - remember?
Even tho they are not the srongest fighter - I have to admit they are the prettiest....
If I thought for a second that SMB would do well in our ponds I would add them. Still trying to get to the point of being ready to add a few HSB.
If I thought for a second that SMB would do well in our ponds I would add them. Still trying to get to the point of being ready to add a few HSB.
Me too...
I added my HSB on a whim, and I couldn't be happier with them. My name for them is white dynamite.
Texas SMB Trivia
Sunil, obviously there is nuthin’ trivial about smallies…
Circa 1980, Small Mouth Bass were stocked in Lake Texoma, a Texas/Oklahoma border Lake.
During this time my wife and I fished many Texas and Oklahoma reservoirs, primarily for Large Mouth Bass and Small Mouth Bass, until we discovered Striped Bass on Lake Texoma, and we were hooked – pun intended.
In April 1984 my wife caught the first reported SMB on Texoma, as reported by sports writer Andy Anderson, who had inquired about previous SMB stocking.
Obviously it would have been a record had it not been released back to the visible spawning beds.
Bruce and Dwight, it was caught on a 1/8oz lead head jjg with a smoke curly tail jig on an OK special UL SMB spinning rod.
NO worms or “night crawlers” allowed.
Over following years numerous SMB were caught but never targeted, frequenting rocky points and gravel shoreline when fishing for pre-spawn striped bass.
The Lake record was broken during early years and at one time held the Ok state record.
One of my smallies would have qualified for record on conventional tackle and likely another on fly tackle, and were documented on certified scales. I have never fished for records – strictly for sport.
SMB are lake Texoma’s best-kept secret.
Sunil – I love them – can I stay in the club?
Oh yeah george, you're IN the club. Frankly, I think you've caught way bigger smallmouth than I have, a couple times over. The same might go for your wife also.
I added my HSB on a whim, and I couldn't be happier with them. My name for them is white dynamite.
Cheyenne, over the years I was a devoted LMB fan, but after I discovered Striped Bass I became bored fishing for LMB.
Hope I’m not offending our many LMB aficionados but a SB will outfight a LMB many times over.
When “our” ponds were built, I absolutely “had to have” HSB to replace my beloved stripers, even though advised by TP&L they were not successful in small ponds “without intense management” and if you can imagine the folly, – “AERATION”..
I wouldn’t trade them for anything even if they are sensitive to our hot Texas weather – as are striped bass.
With a fishing “ladder” of annual HSB stocking you will always have 5 lb class HSB, and even larger as you have – I’m waiting for your 10 lb HSB report – from southern waters no less.
I like your “white dynamite” name of HSB...
George,
I hope we can grow one over 10lbs. Dr. SLipke thinks we can. However, with the thought of a 10lb HSB only one phrase comes to mind "we're gonna need a bigger boat."
Here is my brother demonstrating fairly poor FPPT with a HSB.
Your brother is now a CHARTER member of the esteemed HSB club...
CONGRATULATIONS...
Sunil, that fish has REALLY well defined stripes for a HSB, IMHO. Anyone (who is actually in the know) think it looks more like a Striper?
FWIW, I think that's a HSB.
Sunil, that fish has REALLY well defined stripes for a HSB, IMHO. Anyone (who is actually in the know) think it looks more like a Striper?
IMO, HSB.....
Enlarge the photo and you can observe broken stripes.
Also broad tail and hump back to smaller mouth - yep - HSB..
Hey...I'm a member of the HSB club too!
I'm the one who stocked them.
Dang family members never show their appreciation. Well, it's hard work, but someone has to do it.
Sunil, that fish has REALLY well defined stripes for a HSB, IMHO. Anyone (who is actually in the know) think it looks more like a Striper?
IMO, HSB.....
Enlarge the photo and you can observe broken stripes.
Also broad tail and hump back to smaller mouth - yep - HSB..
Thanks, george. I went back and checked cheyenne's HSB pic, and it's stripes (while also broken) are much less broken than I was expecting - so I was expecting too broken-up lines in the first place.
Many of the purebred stripers I catch have broken stripes too. Usually the striper's stripes are bolder and a little more defined, but I can tell by the more fusiform shape.
Many of the purebred stripers I catch have broken stripes too. Usually the striper's stripes are bolder and a little more defined, but I can tell by the more fusiform shape.
OK Bruce, you made me look it up....
"Fusiform means having a spindle-like shape that is wide in the middle and tapers at both ends".
Theo, Bruce is correct - shape is major criteria...
Like shad or GShiners as opposed to BG.
Right, or better yet, rainbow trout.
George,
How did the 4 lb HSB taste from a texas pond in 80 degree water?
Our water temps just hit 70. Most everyone up here likes to eat SMB better than HSB, and HSB better than LMB.
Nate, you know of course that red meat has to be removed from HSB, the same for stripers and white bass.
The HSB was delicious on the "half shell".
Maranate with soy sauce, cajun seasoning and olive oil and place "skin side down"on the grill.
Leave the scales on skin. Remove the filet from skin and red meat remains on the skin.
I grill onions, red pepper, amd onions and serve with my wife's really good rice pilaf...mmmmmmmmmmmm good.
Never eaten SMB -strictley CPR (catch - photograph - release)
Agreed - much better than LMB.
Nate,
Those are absolutely classic keeper pics! Well done, sir.
That's great, Nate. Keep em fishin'.
If that girls FPPT had been any better you wouldn't be able to see her for the crappie. Great pics Nate
cheyenne,
I saw your name up on the board and was looking forward to another huge striper or bass pic? I guess a compliment works too, but was kind of disappointed nonetheless.
Any guess on how big that crappie actually is?
Nate, your little girl is the cutest thing. I'm sure you have a thousand nicknames for her.
I think that crappie is 17" and 2.9lbs.
She is cute, but she has an attitude! I pity the man she will own someday. If that crappie was 2.9 lbs, she wouldnt be able to hold it, she is only 2 yrs and 23 lbs.
The best FPPT advice I can give is to make the fish take up as much of the picture as possible by bringing the camera as close as possible.
Well...how big is the crappie?
I had a big one this morning.....
oh FMB, TMI, way, way TMI
She is cute, but she has an attitude! I pity the man she will own someday.
You can kinda get that impression from the photo. In her right hand she is holding the fish while maintaining an innocent expression on her face, yet her left had is poised and ready to deliver a devasting uppercut.
Great Photos N8ly.
cheyenne,
I saw your name up on the board and was looking forward to another huge striper or bass pic? I guess a compliment works too, but was kind of disappointed nonetheless.
Get this Nate,
I finished working the other afternoon and went over to the well to fish for a minute. I took one pole, no tackle box, and no camera. I caught 3 HSB as big as those in my earlier pics in 6 casts. I had no scales, and no camera. So I guess I have no proof, but imo all were 5lbs and over. Man those things fight!
Cheyenne,
if you want to catch a BIG fish, dont bring a landing net, a camera, or a companion. I cant wait until you grow a 10 lber!!
Sunil,
the crappie is 13" and about 1.5 lbs. It tasted delicious, but still not quite as good as.......?
FMB,
Did you get any pics this morning? FPPT?
cheyenne,
I saw your name up on the board and was looking forward to another huge striper or bass pic? I guess a compliment works too, but was kind of disappointed nonetheless.
Get this Nate,
I finished working the other afternoon and went over to the well to fish for a minute. I took one pole, no tackle box, and no camera. I caught 3 HSB as big as those in my earlier pics in 6 casts. I had no scales, and no camera. So I guess I have no proof, but imo all were 5lbs and over. Man those things fight!
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK - both of 'ya.....
If that crappie is only 13", then your little girl has the best FPPT, hands down.
.... I cant really comment on that sir.
Sunil,
It is actually the same crappie the boy is holding from the pic right above it.
The closer you take the pic and the more the fish takes up of the screen, the bigger the fish will look. She is only 23 lbs! If I would hold up that same fish it would look tiny.
Yesterday afternoon, too hot to fish so just sat in my Mule and observed pond happenings…
Calm off-color water from morning rain but occasional “rings” of BG slurpin’ and an occasional “blow-up of something or another.
At 7:00 pm the three feeders began to activate several minutes apart. Sheer pandemonium…CNBG and HSB with HSB feeding frenzy in shallow water a few feet from shore – guess since no fishing pressure they lost all fear...
http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=121631#Post121631Some shallow enough to see the stripes on their backs – Cheyenne Class HSB...
On the ponds at first light this morning – near surface water temp 84 degrees so HSB fishing season closed until fall, so I fished for my son’s LMB’s...
Tied a big bass bug the size of my thumb on my 8-9 wt flyrod to no avail, so switched to my favorite 5 wt with a”mini-gurgler – black with yellow indicator pattern.
First cast – nice 2 lb LMB – several nice CNBG – largest 10 inches, 1 lb+, and a fat 9 inch RES.
Walking around pond with fly in water (trolling?), a monster fish blew up on the bug so hard it broke off my mini- gurgler.
Tied on a small rubber leg black ant fly and caught several BG and then a heavy fish that I thought was a HSB.
4.25 LMB.
Who says bigger is better?
LMB - Flat post spawn belly with broad shoulders:
She was 5 lbs last mth (pre-spawn).
The big one that got away with your mini- gurgler - maybe 10 lbs last mth.
I caught this one yesterday on the Arkansas River using cut shad. I didn't get a weight but I would guess 10 lbs.+.
Chris,
you could pass that fish off as 15 lbs+ pretty easy!!!
Did you eat her???
Not yet.
Chris,
The gut on that fish is huge! I'd dsy it's bigger than 10lbs.
George, I really, really like your fishing updates and photos. Thanks for posting them. Oh and nice bass by the way.
Chris great fish! Do you eat catfish that big or throw em back?
Cheyenne, that fish's intestine was absolutely full of mussels. That was pretty interesting to see.
JHAP, that is the biggest one I have ever caught so yes I keep them that big. Most of the ones we catch are 3-4 lbs.
My biggest bass of 2008 came last night on a golden shiner while performing a population analysis on a clients lake. 40- 11" crappie and several big bass in about 2 hours fishing...his fish are doing just fine!!! A few guys had been fishing on his lake this year without catching many fish, so he called me up to see what was going on???
Nice fish Nate. I was able to do a little fishing myself yesterday.
I thought about you on this one Nate. We were fishing for big catfish. He hit a 6" GSF. I didn't even think that a HSB could get their mouth around fish that size. You'll have to excuse my lack of a shirt, he got the line hung on some structure and I had to go in after him.
On a side note they should call it aquamax HSB because my hsb hammer the stuff.
My biggest bass of 2008 came last night on a golden shiner while performing a population analysis on a clients lake.
Nice fish Nate. I was able to do a little fishing myself yesterday.
On a side note they should call it aquamax HSB because my hsb hammer the stuff.
Hey guys, this is my thread –remember…..?
I promised myself to post no more HSB pictures until I caught up with Cheyenne’s seven pounder, but may have to post “Cheyenne Class” HSB...
Great fish guys, thanks for allowing us to share.
C19, if I fed AQMX 600 pelllets “all they can eat in 15 minutes”, I would go broke.
Your HSB are healthy specimens – are you releasing or harvesting?
What is your water temp?
I’m closing HSB season for the summer – too hot for the fishses or me.
Nate, looking forward to meeting you at the conference?
How ’bout you Cheyenne?
My biggest bass of 2008 came last night on a golden shiner while performing a population analysis on a clients lake.
Nice fish Nate. I was able to do a little fishing myself yesterday.
On a side note they should call it aquamax HSB because my hsb hammer the stuff.
Hey guys, this is my thread –remember…..?
I promised myself to post no more HSB pictures until I caught up with Cheyenne’s seven pounder, but may have to post “Cheyenne Class” HSB...
Great fish guys, thanks for allowing us to share.
C19, if I fed AQMX 600 pelllets “all they can eat in 15 minutes”, I would go broke.
Your HSB are healthy specimens – are you releasing or harvesting?
What is your water temp?
I’m closing HSB season for the summer – too hot for the fishses or me.
Nate, looking forward to meeting you at the conference?
How ’bout you Cheyenne?
I release all of them. I kept my first one today due to mort. My water temps are too warm, except for that pool seen in the pics. It's a small cove where we're puming 3000gpm of well water. The water temps in there are below 80. So I assume that the fish we catch stay in the cool water. They are in the cold water when we catch them. Maybe I'm being hopefull, but I haven't seen any morts.
Cheyenne,
You need to get your first 10 lber mounted! Probably will take awhile, like another week or two at your fish's growth rate!!! I am totally chomping at the bit waiting for my fish to get that big!
George,
I thought I was feeding my fish alot, but definitely not for 15 minutes. They eat an enormous amount of food in less than a minute everyday. Must be a conspiracy with the fish food guys?
I am getting pumped up for the conference! I dont think C19 said whether he was going or not?
Bruce,
I will use the condello technique next fish I catch and post it on your thread.
Sorry guys I won't be able to make it to the conference. I do plan on attending sometime.
Cason
At least that helps improve the odds of Bruce repeating as champion in the plaid shirt contest.
Beautiful pike!
What a crazy evening of fishing. Maybe it was because it was the summer solstice this evening
I went down to the pond to get some bluegill for tomorrow evening. First cast -- with a bobber and worm suspended about 12 inches below -- and a bass grabs the bobber as soon as it hit the water. That's happened before, but this time it kept going, and it was taking line on my little 4 lb. test ultra-light. As I got it in close to shore, I noticed that I was pulling the bass in backward. The hook was caught in its tail. The bass came in for dinner -- 18 inches and just over three pounds.
On the next cast, the bobber again disappeared immediately. It was a fighter. From the white belly that flashed now and then, I thought it was a catfish. It was a trout! I guess my pond has some cool spots that I don't know about.
Third cast, and the bobber again disappears immediately. Again, from the pull, I thought I probably had a medium size catfish. This time is was a really thick 11-inch male bluegill. He went back in as fast as I could get him off the hook.
Fishing went back to normal after that. I did get enough bluegill for tomorrow evening.
Ken, our daytime temps are dancing around near 100 degrees and it's too hot for me to fish after about 9:00am.
In winter months however, my envy turns to delight...
You northern guys are in for a BIG surprise when you come to the confrence next month.
Welcome to Texas in July...
My fishing yesterday was great. I've located a place that is infested with small redears. I can barely open and close my hands I got poked so many times. I think I'm going to need to go to the hospital for a transfusion. I think I'm going to leave this place alone and try it next year after they've grown a bit. I also caught a largemouth that had a big lump in his tummy. I figured that he must have eaten one of the redears. I kind of massaged his belly and he spit up the entire stomach contents. I couldn't believe what I saw. Out came approximately 100 damselflys that were mature and fully colored. Some were blue, and others were yellow and black. I can't imagine that he could have had enough efficiency to catch that many off of the surface, so he must have been catching them as they emerged. I guess I really don't know what a damselfly is doing right before he takes to the sky. Does he have to dry the wings or something?
You northern guys are in for a BIG surprise when you come to the confrence next month.
Welcome to Texas in July...
I just checked the weather forecast for the next five days. The Dallas lows are equal to our highs for the week!
My fishing yesterday was great. I've located a place that is infested with small redears. I can barely open and close my hands I got poked so many times. I think I'm going to need to go to the hospital for a transfusion. I think I'm going to leave this place alone and try it next year after they've grown a bit. I also caught a largemouth that had a big lump in his tummy. I figured that he must have eaten one of the redears. I kind of massaged his belly and he spit up the entire stomach contents. I couldn't believe what I saw. Out came approximately 100 damselflys that were mature and fully colored. Some were blue, and others were yellow and black. I can't imagine that he could have had enough efficiency to catch that many off of the surface, so he must have been catching them as they emerged. I guess I really don't know what a damselfly is doing right before he takes to the sky. Does he have to dry the wings or something?
"Then I decided to have some desert, and end up getting jerked out of the water by some kind of monster with these incredibly long arms and a little cowboy hat. To add insult to injury, he made me lose my lunch!"
Bruce. if they are ike other insects I am sure about, they have to "inflate" their new wings with fluid and then wait for them to dry before they can fly. So I also guess the bass was likely picking them off of plant stems where they were drying their wings.
Now that makes some sense. They looked entirely terrestrial--fully colored and such. But that bass would have had to be a jumping maniac to be catching them airborne.
My parents got me a kayak for my birthday. It is a Heritage featherlite 9.5 Angler. I took it out for the first time yesterday and caught two small bass.
The kayak has three rod holders and plenty of room for tackle.
Here is the biggest bass, about 13".
Catch a big LMB , HSB or Catfish and it will pull you around.
That kayaking thing is becoming a real big deal nationwide for fishing. There are numerous websites that talk about how cool it is.
I just starting using a personal pontoon, which is proving to be really effective at catching fish.
You're gonna love that thing.
Catch a big LMB , HSB or Catfish and it will pull you around.
Thats my plan.
As soon as the flow on the Arkansas river slows down I am going to go catfishing. It is at 150,000 CFS right now.
There is a rumor floating around North Texas that a good forum friend of ours, that occasionally breaks off big fish on cheap fishing line and dumps feeders in ponds, caught 2 five-pound LMB and a six-pound HSB this weekend...
Must be true because info from a very reliable source.
Congratulations are in from order…
I have a funny story to tell. I was recently in Italy with my wife and a friend of mine and his wife. He likes to fish maybe more than I do if that's possible. He bought a fishing pole and told our driver he wanted to go fishing. The next day our driver told us he had spoken with a friend of his and had arranged for us to go fishing. My friend was excited until we arrived at a fish market. We walked around and viewed the fish at the market and then left. It was funny just to see my friends face. I have another story for George. George has made me feel like I don't know what I am doing breaking my line all the time. He tells me DR. Condello can catch giant bass with only dental floss. Well I decided to at least see if I could catch some bluegill with an ultrlight using four pound test. The reel was tiny and only held about fifty yards of line maybe less. I put a tiny hook on and a small cricket. I threw out the line and either a catfish or a hybrid ate it. My drag began to scream and I was running out of line. I kept on tightening the drag because I was running out of line. It broke but I am going to try again. New line and new reel.
I had a GREAT 1 1/2 hours fishin' last night. It's been raining every single night here lately, so I was able to shock up some nice nightcrawlers. Plus, I have the fish on incentivized compensatory feeding (i.e., I didn't feed them Thursday).
I landed a 5lbs 6oz Male CC that is currently soaking while waiting to go on the grill, and 25 BG including these two fine Male specimens:
8 1/2 In, 11 5/8 oz
9 In, 11 oz
He tells me DR. Condello can catch giant bass with only dental floss.
Wow James, I think you're on to something. That must be Bruce's secret. I wonder if he uses the minty fresh flavor?
Those are some gorgeous bluegill specimens. What were you fishing with, Theodocious?
JHAP, I'd use floss but it's not sporting enough. Waaaay too strong.
Dude, ya got some monsters there. Solid 3/4 pounder class are a treat to see.
Those are some gorgeous bluegill specimens. What were you fishing with, Theodocious?
About 1" of nightcrawler on a #8 Aberdeen, lightly weighted 20" under a medium small bobber.
Looks like the pond program is paying dividends - and quite nice ones at that.
George,
I tried out your HSB recipe. It was fantastic. Thanks for sharing that.
Here's some fish we caught this weekend.
Way to go Cason...!
HSB on the half shell...mmmmmm good.
Those are some healthy looking fish!
Here is a male BG I caught off one of the beds yesterday. This is a free ranging BG (non-pellet fed) with a decent helmet. This one is a little over 9".
Very nice fish. He's a warrior with that helmet.
Here is a natural hybrid BG that my friend caught last night, I am calling it "hybridzilla".
Can we get that fish posted on
http://www.bigbluegill.com ?
The following pic is for you single moderators and forum members out there. These ladies are all single!
They and others helped me catch enough fish on July 4th to feed 93 people that evening!
We caught some more fish on July 5th and fed 67 more people!
Used Aquamax Largemouth pellets as bait last night. 20 minutes of fishing and a half hour of trying to get a picture of the CC without my daughter running away in fear or my dog trying to eat it. The HSB was was one of the twenty 5"-6" I stocked in August of 2006.
Last Friday I caught a 15.5" LMB the same way that weighed 2 lbs. 6 ounces! I let it go back in the water still hooked on my line with the spool open so I could run up to the house to get the camera. It turned out my wife had taken the camera with her and when I went to reel it in it had wrapped around something in the bottom of the pond. I ended up breaking the line, I hope the overachiever made it.
Caught this 8", 8 7/8 Oz male BG last night. RW = 130% !
He had the honor of being the first Male BG to go into my RES-YP-SMP pond as a bonus fish.
I got one word for ya.
http://www.bigbluegill.com !
That fish absolutely rocks!!!!!
I’m baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack...!!!!!!!...
Little pond alive and well - caught numerous HSB in 1 ½ - 3 lb class on pellet flies and foam pellet flies. Pellet flies were swallowed deeply so switched to foam pellet flies and #6 black/chartreuse gurglers tied at conference and did well.
Aggressive feeding with HSB, CNBG, and pellet trained RES.
Proud little pond that will be my “honey hole” until main pond recovers.
Nice fish George! Glad to see that you still have some of those brutes left. We need to plan a night of fly tying soon.....I'll bring the rods!
Wow! I'm glad you've got such a good "backup plan".
Have a great weekend George!
I am going to flyfish this weekend!!
George what is the fish in the second picture with the stripes? I have the same fish in my pond and was wondering why they have the stripes.
George do you have catfish in your small pond?
George what is the fish in the second picture with the stripes? I have the same fish in my pond and was wondering why they have the stripes.
James, the 1st and 2nd pictures are the same fish.
Note the prominate copper bar on 1st picture.
IMO "Arkansas strain" CNBG.
Vertical stripes very common.
George do you have catfish in your small pond?
No catfish in small pond ever/NEVER...
OOPS.... ONE BC to help control BG spawn....
That's what I thought George.
I caught this nice male BG yesterday and moved him to my new pond so he can keep growing without being distracted by girls. IMO he is immature/did not spawn this year, based on coloration and shape (lacks mature bull BG helmet, shoulders, and breastplate).
Please feel free to give your opinions on his maturity status
AND WEIGHT. I got an kind of unbelievable weight for him off my digital scales (read it 3 times to be sure I was seeing the number right) and would like a sanity check on how much you guys think he could weigh. I will note that he was very thick.
For some reason on my screen he's too long to view entirely. Am I reading it right that he's 9.5 inches?
Very, very impressive body condition.
I'll guess the weight if you give me a length!
That big eartab makes him look like there's some maturity going on, but he obviously isn't expending energy on much else besides growth.
Mature male (currently - maybe not last spring) out of spawning colors. Top condition. Length 9.5 inches , weight 1 lb 1 oz.
-
ewest, we're going to need a metric weight on that please.
Most fish scales are in lbs plus oz or tenths not grams. But just for you 481.94957 grams. Or 1.061542 lbs.
I had him down as 9" last night, but from the photo he's somewhere between 9 1/4" and 9 1/2" (23.5 cm to 24.1 cm for Sunil). Given that he is a little longer than I initially thought, the weight I got is a little more believable - 1 lbs 1.25oz (490 grams, Mr. Metric).
P.S. Photo is so big becuase I have it hosted at
BigBluegill.com, which is just super friendly for BIG photos of BIG Bluegill,
241 mm = 335 g for 100 relative weight.
X 1.4 for Theo's fish ...
1 lb, and 1/2 ounce.
Is that close?
Bigger, maybe?
I've seen a few instances of bluegill with relative weights around 155. The thickness is something I can't view, so it's hard to say.
I spent 30 minutes trying to get him to take an earthworm - he kept snapping at it hard and then letting go. I thought it was about a 17" LMB for 10 seconds or so.
Bruce, how old would you guess he is?
That's a loaded question. :P
In most ponds, a bluegill could be ten years old and never look that good, but I'm going to say in your pond that he's age-5.
You are so, so close to the magic "half-a-kilo" mark.
pixel police
nice fish theo
Theo, dont make me hate you as much as I do Bruce, George, Ewest and others with monster BG. Please stop posting oversized pics to exagerate the size.
Also, guys, stop rounding off, This is just too important.
jk....just for Bill and EW.
BG were turned back on to biting again this weekend after about 3 slow weeks. I spent about 3 1/2 hours at the pond Saturday and Sunday getting in about 2 hours of fishing time; I spent the rest of the time running 4 big (9"-ish) male BG to my new pond and 4 medium sized (7" - 8") BG to the PBR in my basement.
Got in some great fishing last night with one of my favorite fishing companions, my daughter.
I tried my best Condello fish presentation technique with a 9 inch, 9 ounce BG. I think it works better if your fish is bigger and your hands are smaller.
I was really glad I had help when we caught this female channel cat - a new pond record at 29 inches, 11 pounds and 10 ounces. Fish Wife is gonna get another chance to try out CC recipes!
Wow and Whoa!
Oh yeah, and btw....your years of pond management skills might take a shift to boy management v soon.
I got out today too.
This is a 2-3lb. smallie:
This is a maybe 2lb. HSB:
I caught one more HSB that was about a pound bigger than that one, several more SMB, about five yellow perch, a few bluegill, a couple of LMB ranging from 9-15", and I think that's about it.
Nice job. Good mixture of quality fish.
Were you fishing with Shiners? What did you catch the BG on, Sunil?
Did you have some company on this trip? I see the umbrella is up over the picnic table.
For the bluegill, I caught a few on a beadhead fly (on a spinning rod), and the other bluegill were caught on some tiny fatheads.
The other fish were caught on some slightly bigger than tiny fatheads.
I was independent Sunil on this trip and got to enjoy some quality time on my boat, the PM (stands for Pond Master, or Pimp Master, or Pimp Mobile).
Beautiful fall day up in Western PA.
I was independent Sunil on this trip and got to enjoy some quality time on my boat, the PM (stands for Pond Master, or Pimp Master, or Pimp Mobile).
Some time we shall have to see a picture of you in your wide-brimmed, Superfly-fishing hat.
Funny you say that. I used to use an Indiana Jones-type of hat, but it became too much of a pain with the wind.
Great photos guys!
Sheesh an 11+ pound catfish - dang that must have put up a fight!
Sounds like you had a fun day Sunil.
nice fish guys.....enjoyed those pics....
sunil, are u still providing smallies for tournament show tanks?
With the low size and weight creels that came in during that '05 Bassmaster's in Pittsburgh, I could have bet serious money that there would be no more major bass fishing events here.
So now I hear that FLW is having something like the biggest event ever in Pittsburgh for '09.
If they need fish to display, I'll consider it BUT they are touting this event as alcohol-free and that just rubs me the wrong way. They say it's tobacco-free also whatever that means.
Free alcohol and tobacco?? I'm there buddy....oh, I misread that. Next time you are headed off to fish Sunil, give a holler and I will be there to help you launch the boat, heh heh.
Lake Texoma last week.
It looks like a nice fish but I gotta tell you James, you really, really, need to work on your Condello Technique.
Lake Texoma last week.
James,the pixel police have an oustanding warrant for your arrest for posting pictures too small for "viewing with old eye's "- as I rememember the quote...
How does she like her new home in your pond?...
George would a striper live in a pond? Or is it stripper?
George would a striper live in a pond? Or is it stripper?
James, I wouldn't live very long if My Lady found a stripper in my pond....
Someone needs to post the video of james' wife catching a HSB while wearing a cowboy hat, mini-skirt, and cowboy boots.
I thing Bruce has that video.
I think I deleted it out of respect for the young lady who starred in it. I never did get a contract signed, so I can't put it on the open forum.
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My Biggest Striper this year at 42lbs. This gal was caught and released in the upper reaches of the Chesapeake Bay back in April
I'm green with envy....
Congrats - that is one BG mama - congrats....
I'm going on a striper charter out of Cape May, NJ. the weekend of Nov. 7, '08.
Of course, this is for a bachelor's party, so there might be some other misspelled 'stripers' later.
there might be some other misspelled 'stipers' later.
How many other ways are you going to misspell it?
there might be some other misspelled 'stipers' later.
How many other ways are you going to misspell it?
Wow...now THAT'S a tall CNBG. Nice going, George! Did you get a weight on him?
thats a really nice bluegill did you happen to get a weight on him.
Wow...now THAT'S a tall CNBG. Nice going, George! Did you get a weight on him?
1.25#
My daughters first HSB
Nice HSBs, guys!
And that is one bull of a CNBG too!
Your daughter is gorgeous.
The HSB is only beautiful...
Your daughter is gorgeous.
The HSB is only beautiful...
Thanks George. I wished I lived closer so I could get some fly rod lessons from the master himself.
Had a great day on our ponds yeserday afternoon.
Really excited about "fish kill" main pond.
Near surace water temp 57 degrees but fish feeding actively.
Caught many 6 inch 2008 class HSB, several 1 1/2# 2007 class , and 3, 3 1/2# 2006 class.
Really pumped over CNBG - sample representatve photos below of a dozen or so fish in 9+ inch range, but not sure whether suvivors or new OTS CNBG stockers.
[img]http://[/img]
