Last year I stocked 30 BG @ 8" or larger. I stocked about 2000 FHM, Crayfish, PKShrimp, and tadpoles to get the food chain going.

In the fall I then stocked 200 LMB fingerlings. This spring I stocked another 2000 FHM and added 20 YP from sizes of 5" - 9".

I have been using the smallest of hooks and worms and I have yet caught a single LMB. I find it very unlikely that the LMB didn't make it as there were TONS of FHM swimming around the shore this spring (before I added more).

My BG are spawning right now. I have a total of 24 beds that I counted.

Should I be concerned? Or should I wait until next year to add a little bit more mature LMB to the pond? Pond size is only 1/4 acre so I'm not super worried at this point, just unsure of what my next step should be. Something else worth noting is I'm feeding (doesn't seem to be much eating it though) and aerating.

I have the ability to catch and transport YP, BG and LMB to my pond in varying sizes. I also have the ability to purchase a number of different sizes as well, it's just hit or miss when they're in stock.

I could also change the predator to a combo of LMB, HSB, SMB or just one of the three.

Opinions welcomed

Patience Grasshopper!!

A client had the same concerns. Stocked LMB in the pond 2 years ago at 3"-5". None to be seen for a year +, and none caught. This Spring? Some 14"-16" were seen bedding.

Well that's what I wanted to hear esshup. I figure there's no way some didn't make it. I also figure the pond is small enough that even if it does get over run, I can handle the problem.

I'm glad it's a pond newb concern.

I agree with esshup...Patience!

On a side note, 200 LMB fingerlings and only 30 adult BG? Let's hope about 175 LMB became snacks and that you don't have 24 male BG out of the 30. If your goal is some monster gills, 200 LMB could be a big help. If balanced was the goal, it might take some work to get now.

No matter what happened, it will take some time to know what the dynamics will become.

The goal was larger BG at the start. These days I don't care so much. It's funny what having a young child will do to you. He likes keeping the fish to eat them which is why I added the YP.

I also had planned on pulling some of the bass out as they grew. I was going to look at the RW of the fish and get some of the skinny ones out of the gene pool.

On a good note, I took a look at my notes last night and it was only 100 bass, not 200.

Lucky, if you want bigger BG, you should expect, and want a bunch of skinny bass in there to eat most of the BG spawn. This reduces competition for food among the few BG that escape becoming a stunted LMB's meal. Those can grow really big, but there just won't be a lot in there to catch. Also, for big BG, remove the healthiest, fattest LMB for table fare...these LMB have figured out how to hunt your wanted BG, well.

For nice size LMB AND BG, you'd want about a 6-10:1 ratio of BG to LMB and then remove skinny bass at about 50#/acre annually.

Apparently all I had to do was talk about the bass and I finally catch one. And I'm not sure why I keep typing in LMB when I know I have SMB...

Pretty nice growth too from last year. Stocked these as fingerlings in August last year

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag368/lukkyseven/20140531_193702_zpsa9b9ebcc.jpg

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag368/lukkyseven/20140531_193712_zpsc29e3e6f.jpg

If you have smallies, 200 would be fine in there! Smallies are very unlikely to control BG, allowing the BG a good chance to overpopulate.

I hear that rainman. I'm not overly worried about it. I have an extra 40 HSB in the pond as well. It's only 1/4 acre and I plan on manually removing a slot class of BG to help.

If I HAVE to add LMB in a couple of years I will.