Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Uh-oh

Sweet, sweet irony.

My dad and I get back from the Conference pumped up to go see the ponds. We eat lunch, quickly change clothes, and point the truck south. The ride is filled with anticipation as we look forward to seeing real water in the new crappie pond after a few good rains. First, though, I decided I would throw the castnet a few times in the CC pond and the big pond to find out whether our threadfin shad were able to get themselves established. The answer is a resounding and exciting yes. Unfortunately, I also caught at least 20 white crappie in the CC pond (6 spines = WC??) that were anywhere from 2-6" long. Talk about frustrating when you didn't stock them.

The funny thing is that they were just about to get their own pond with all the forage they could stand. Instead of this preferential treatment, they chose to barge in on the CC pond.

Now onto the big pond. The threadfins are definitely getting established there. More great news! Then we haul this thing up in the net:







That's what happens when the creek backs up to the San Antonio River and then feeds the pond.

More irony: After examining our latest catch, I told my dad it was a good thing he bid and won Todd Overton's electrofishing survey. Todd, we're gonna need some help down here. I have a feeling we'll be shocking and taking out a few more.

Gar-rrrrgh ! ! ! -

Ewest said it best.....

Nothing shocks me anymore in the realm of ponds. We'll do our best to remove more of these. If I recall correctly, Al know a lot about catching these creatures.

That's great news about the shad and also great news about the crappie, so now you have a source for both blacks and whites for your new crappie pond.

I'm glad Al won the electrofishing bid and look forward to the work.

Well, those should help keep the crappie in check. Along with a few grinnel.

what the heck kind of fish is it(ag)alligator gar??

That's right--alligator gar.

Type "alligator gar" in google images to get an idea of how big these things can get in a larger environment. The hunt is on.


Todd--Yes, it is great news about the shad! I wasn't sure if they would establish themselves in a pond full of predators, but I think our timing was right and our water clarity was just low enough to let them acclimate and do their thing. I'm looking forward to seeing what you shock up.

I'm going to stock Gar in Cindy's pond, but not Alligator Gar. Florida and Spotted Gar are native to our area and don't get larger than 9 or 10 lbs. They don't reproduce like LMB and I'm thinking letting Gar, RES, WM, Chain and Grass Pickerel, and other native fish get very well established before introducing LMB. My hope is that the other species will slow the population explosion of the LMB.

On the other hand a few same sex Alligator gar might help thin the LMB.

But David, they're so cute when they're small.

Those narrow jaws and many, many teeth just scream "fish eater"! That style of dentition has been used for catching fish in a great many varied species from the mesozoic (Icthyosaurs and more) to present (porpoises, those fish-eating crocs in India [can't remember the name]).

Gharials

I eat those gar. You all probally wont believe it but they taste better than catfish and crappie. I bowfish for them. I seen them get up to 7ft long.

I've heard they're good, but better than crappie!

Trust me if u fry gar and crappie u wont be able to tell the difference

I can attest that Gar is a very good eating fish. The meat is much more firm and tougher than regular pan fish, but still about as tender as pork tenderloin. In fact, it reminds me of pork. It's very good BBQ'd.

Excellent table fare but a real pain to clean.

Davasta, well it looks like a karma/fate intervention with your Dad bidding on and winning the electrofishing survey. Make sure you take and post plenty of photos when this occurs.

Oh and as an also and besides it was great meeting you and your Dad and talking with the two of you.

i've heard this style of dentition catches alot of fish too:

They arent that hard to clean if u cut down the back and then cut the meat out.

I'll definitely snap some pics. It was nice to meet you as well! Tell Ricki hi also...she's a sweet lady.

I'll have to ask the fireants if they enjoyed it.

I hate chunking fish, but some just gotta go. I might just clean the next one we catch, though. So much for LMB and HSB being our top predators.

I'm so tired. I didn't get in until after 1:30 p.m.

I'm incapable of saying anything intelligent....

Ooops. I guess that ALL the time.

I sure will. Ricki is absolutely wonderful, you can only imagine all of the antics that she has to put up with.