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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 23
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OP
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 23 |
2acr pond , looking to stock 25-30 8-10in HSB and pellet feed 4-5 times a week. Given that the pond is pretty much empty from my observation is there anything I should stock to supplement feeding? The kicker is there could be some large lmb hence the larger HSB stockers. Would adding 50 adult bg do anything to help feed through spawning?
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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If your sole goal is to feed the HSB a supplement other than the pellets, I would stock golden shiners over BG, even if there are some bigger LMB. The LMB will hammer your GSH as well, but unless you stock some really tiny BG, HSB in the 8"-10" range are gonna have a hard time preying on them... FHM would be another option for 8"-10" BG, but would be way to easy a snack for you already present LMB, so I would stick with the GSH.
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 23
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OP
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 23 |
I still plan to pellet feed, but know I will miss some weeks at times and thought it'd be a good idea to have some other type of forage in the pond. Would they do ok w/o pellets for weeks at a time finding other insects/ etc in the pond? I'm trying to get a better idea on what's currently in the pond as it used to have stunted lmb and you could catch one on every cast but that was years ago.
How many lbs of GSH if I'm just looking to supplement feeding 25-30 hybrids, I assume the GSH should spawn pretty well if the hsb are being fed pellets on a regular basis.
thanks
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 2
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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The big factor is how much pressure the LMB will put on the GSH. I would try to get a better idea as to the population structure of the LMB in your pond. Besides LMB, what other species are present?
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 23
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OP
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 23 |
No other species are present, I caught a 12 inch bass today, but saw no activity in the shallow, no bluegills, small baitfish, etc... The pond is surrounded by rocks but not much other structure besides some concrete blocks in some shallows.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 2
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 2 |
What are you eventual goals for the pond?
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 23
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OP
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 23 |
catch HSB is about the only goal I have, would like to get them big enough to catch by late Summer/early Fall. Looking to buy the 8-10 inch in the next couple of weeks. Would pellet feed 4-5 times a week but would miss weeks at times. Wouldn't mind some LMB and some BG as well for variety but primarily not looking to fish all that often and when I do will probably just use a stubby steve or some type of pellet bait and try to catch a couple hybrids.
My plan right now is to stock the hybrids in a couple weeks and in the mean time get a better idea of what is in the pond. Possibly stock some adult BG in small numbers as well and/or some shiners as you recomend
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 23
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OP
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 23 |
BTW...I could stock some 5-7 inch HSB now , do you think they would be prey for LMB at that size?
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 2
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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If your sole goal is to catch decent HSB, I wouldn't even both stocking the BG. I'd catch and keep every LMB you catch and stock 10-15 pounds of GSH.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,537 Likes: 842
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Would a battery powered solar charged directional feeder be an option?
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Joined: Mar 2005
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Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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If you had stunted LMB you are likely still in that situation. Larger HSB should survive LMB predation. The HSB will need forage/food. A feeder would be good. You need more info on what is there now to make a sound choice. Adult BG and adult GShiners should be good.
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 199
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 199 |
I would spend the money on a feeder. Most reliable way to get the HSB up to a nice size by fall.
Mikey
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Posts: 28,537 Likes: 842 |
I would spend the money on a feeder. Most reliable way to get the HSB up to a nice size by fall. Which one you got?
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 199
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 199 |
The very expensive but not so reliable one...... Teenage daughter
Mikey
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