Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Feeding Aquamax 300-Fingerling starter

I know several of the members here are all into the AM 500 & 600, but have ponds that are further along than mine. I have opted to begin with the AM 300. It is a sinking feed of 50% protein and smaller in size than the 500-600 (the measurement escapes me at the moment). I plan to hand feed because, at the moment, I'm gonna have to sell a kid to pay for the feed, so a feeder is not in the mix right now. What I would like to know is how to effectively feed this stuff and by that I mean sticking to shallow water versus deep water, a combination perhaps? My fish (BG,CC,FHM,RES,LMB-soon) are all of the fingerling variety. I see what I think are BG in the very shallow areas on the edges (I'm talking less than inches here, footprints and other depressions). There attitudes are different from the FHM, much more leary and cautious and I think my RES are already developing (in a week) their angry yet illusive behavior patterns (I've seen a couple suspected RES feeding at the surface and then darting deep after a mouth full). Any suggestions, short of springing for the feeders, on how and when, what depth and all that jazz. The dealer/feed store said 2-4 weeks, so maybe water temps will be more conducive to feeding(?). Expensive at a heart stopping $38.00 per 50 lb bag :(, but if the fish convert the higher protein to body mass, well spent I'd say.

If you are seeing fish rise to the surface to take a midge or other insect, it probably isn't a RES. They tend to stay towards the bottom. More likely a BG, but you never can be sure.

I don't have much experience with feeding so I will leave that up to the guys who do...

No visible bug, just a quick glimpse of fish, but thanks. I have no idea, other than panfish.

How far along is you pond. If the bluegill are 3" or so they can easily eat Aquamax 500 its about the size of BB's. I haven't seen 400 yet it is probabaly really small. I don't like to feed sinking foos because you don't know how much of the feed is getting ate and how much just sinks to the bottom and rots.

The pond was dug in the summer of 2007. Filled to 2/3(?) pool in fall of ’07, stocked with FHM in Spring ’08, then BG & CC in Fall ’08, RES and Rosy Red minnows in Spring ‘09, and will be stocking LMB sometime late Spring –early Summer ’09 The BG stocked were of the 1-3” category, but were actually not much bigger than the first knuckle of a thumb, from tip to joint. I believe they are smaller than 3”. I have observed them eating in very shallow water, 2” or less (no typo, I mean 2 inches). The higher protein content is what I am after. I just am not familiar with the sinking variety (or floating for that matter) and figure I can see what I need to in the shallows of an area or two. Pond is not full, but supposed to be 3 acres. The feed in the deeper water will benefit the RES (?).

STRIZZO a couple of thoughts. First one bag of 300 will go a long way as there are about 50 million pellets in a bag. I have used both 300 and 400 (500 and 600 also). Those fish will not need feed that small very long. I fact they are big enough now to eat 400. I would suggest the following to try. Do you have a piece of tin or plywood that you can sink in shallow water ? If so do that and feed over the tin. Every few days (week) sweep it off with a broom or lift it a few times to wash off. I would also suggest a bag of GFC or 400. Mix the 2 a little at a time starting with mostly 300 and gradually moving to mostly 400 or GFC. Mix some in a bucket thoroughly and the excess fish oil will stick on the GFC and up its protein. Some will float some will sink. Fish will eat both. FH and RR eat much better on the surface. RES will if started early eat the 300 off the tin. I have a few RES that eat surface AM 500 and GFC.

Well, I wasn't sure how far one bag would go, and since it was gonna take a little bit to get, I ordered two bags on Friday. I'm not sure I can back out of it, but I'll check and see. Why the tin, to make the feed last longer? The minnows I am not too worried about, but I thought it would do the sunfish some good to put on some weight ahead of the bass stocking. Do you think I should stick to the shallows where I see the fish or try some deeper feed, 3-4' or so for the CC? Thanks.

PS if I crush the pellets will the pulverized powder float for the FHM?

The tin or platform is to keep the feed from landing on the mud bottom where it is basically waste unless invertebrates or bottom ooze eating fish will clean it up. Often smaller fish will take food that is lying on the hard surface but pellets get "lost" in soft bottom sediments. Cruching the pellets will make it easier for smallest fish (1"-2") to eat. Powdered consistancy is not necessary just large crumbles is okay. For small fish spread most of the feed in water less than 4ft - 1'-3' best.