Here is an attached pic of a Bass removed 8 yrs 10 months after stocking at 1" to 2" in length. The gentleman that took this photo said the fish weighted in at 10# 3oz on his scale.
Very interesting and impressive. I have always wondered when a fish (in the south) peaks and starts to decline in weight, as well as what is the average lifespan. Do you know a length of the fish? I would assume he has seen better days and was once bigger.
I guess I could have explained that this was from a pond being drained and all the fish where being harvested. This was the only picture taken as this gentlemans wife caught this one while the water was being drained. There was 200 original bass stocked in this and there was around 10 bass between 10 to 12# in the pond. Everything else under 8# which made me think that the 10 to 12 pounders where from the original stocking.
Jakeb it has been my take here that a stocked fingerling bass will reach that size anywhere from 6 to 10 years depending on how the pond is maintained. I would be suprized if over 5% of the bass here live to be older than 10 yrs.
I guess I could have explained that this was from a pond being drained and all the fish where being harvested. This was the only picture taken as this gentlemans wife caught this one while the water was being drained. There was 200 original bass stocked in this and there was around 10 bass between 10 to 12# in the pond. Everything else under 8# which made me think that the 10 to 12 pounders where from the original stocking.
Jakeb it has been my take here that a stocked fingerling bass will reach that size anywhere from 6 to 10 years depending on how the pond is maintained. I would be suprized if over 5% of the bass here live to be older than 10 yrs.
How big was the pond? Do you know what frage species were present?
How big was the pond? Do you know what frage species were present?
About 2.5 acres, original stocking was all 2-3" except bass was 1-2". 4000 BG, 500 Shell cracker. Bass where added 4 months after BG. A 20 to 1 stocking ratio works real good in this area for a Bass fishery. Note that there was no minnows stocked.
Here is something that may interest you.
Dr. Michael Maceina (professor) at Auburn University’s Department of Fisheries conducted research on stocking 2,000 bluegill fingerlings and 100 bass fingerlings per acre. “We stocked Tiger Bass from American Sport Fish and the growth of the original stocked bass was exceptional. We had individuals that gained more than 2 pounds of weight per year for the first three years,” says Maceina. “Based upon our research, it appears that the 20:1 stocking ratio not only provided more food for the bass, but actually suppressed the first-year bass reproduction. This certainly delays the tendency of today’s ponds to develop crowded bass populations,” claims Maceina. “I am not sure that a 20:1 ratio is high enough in some cases. Perhaps we should evaluate a 30 or even a 40:1 stocking ratio.”
JKB it is my understanding the number of 3 - 5" bluegill increase with a 20 to 1 stocking ratio. This provides more ideal-size food for the bass going into their second year of growth and beyond.
In the professors study it was said this often results in weight gains of up to 2 pounds during the second year, especially for Tiger Bass.
wow thanks for the extra info on the pond! This is very encouraging for me because I used more than a 30:1 stocking (and have seen good results so far). Also you mention its only a 2.5 acre pond but produced around 10 10+ pound fish at 9 years gives me hope that one day I could have the same in mine. I know I am not in the "deep south" but still an area that can produce big fish. I also find it impressive that so many big fish were in a smaller pond.
Did the owner do any hard management? or just catch a few bass to eat every now and then?
JKB it is my understanding the number of 3 - 5" bluegill increase with a 20 to 1 stocking ratio. This provides more ideal-size food for the bass going into their second year of growth and beyond.
In the professors study it was said this often results in weight gains of up to 2 pounds during the second year, especially for Tiger Bass.
Thanks Tums, but this has nothing to do with my question's.
wow thanks for the extra info on the pond! This is very encouraging for me because I used more than a 30:1 stocking (and have seen good results so far). Also you mention its only a 2.5 acre pond but produced around 10 10+ pound fish at 9 years gives me hope that one day I could have the same in mine. I know I am not in the "deep south" but still an area that can produce big fish. I also find it impressive that so many big fish were in a smaller pond.
Did the owner do any hard management? or just catch a few bass to eat every now and then?
You can get there. You will just need a plan tailored to suit you and your area.
This is the the management plan that was in place allowing family and friends fishing. The Bass where Florida strain by the way. Did not remove anything for first 2 years except what was hooked to the point it would without a dought die. On third spring cut back amount feeding BG to encourage them to eat bass fry. From the end of 3rd summer on kept all bass under 1#. The 4th spring allowed people to sometimes keep a bass up to 2# and then went up to 3# on the 5th. Also a larger bass was kept a few times along the way for special reasons (like a kids trophy). Around 7 years into is was keep what you want because the pond going to be drained in 2 to 3 years. A few other things to note was there was not alot of cover to allow for a more predation to take place both ways for the first 5 years. Bass on BG and BG on Bass fry / fingerlings. Near year 6 an excavator was used to add trees along the deeper edges for extra cover for the heavy fishing starting at year 7. The pond was drained a little over 9 years after the BG where put in. Harvesting of some BG was also allowed started at the 3rd spring. The pond was limed and fertalized to maintain a somewhat decent balnce. Pond dye was added during winter months due to lack of cover and algea ploom, Stoked ponds in our area have more predatory animals appear for a easier meal during the clear water cooler months.
Anything else you want to know or think of feel free to ask. That is why we are here is to learn from each other experiences and gather / share knowledge.
Thanks Tums, but this has nothing to do with my question's.
I am just curious.
I avoided the answer because it is something that I have discussed / disagreed with people over until I was Blue in the face.
I believe there is no such thing as a set FCR for a species unless you you achieve a static set of parameters. I believe FCR changes during a species life cycle and also due to enviromental influences.
Here is a link to a study by Arkansas Pine Bluff. In it you will notice that just by changing density their FCR dropped from 2.6 to 1.4 for LMB.
Most of the bigger fish were caught using the 4" mister twister Sassy Shad. Looks alot like a natural forgae if you ask me. Then again you know how it goes. I have them to saltwater fish with and once some one sees somebody catching big fish they go to using the same thing. This often is what leads to most of the fish being caught with one style of lure.
Thanks Tums, but this has nothing to do with my question's.
I am just curious.
I avoided the answer because it is something that I have discussed / disagreed with people over until I was Blue in the face.
I believe there is no such thing as a set FCR for a species unless you you achieve a static set of parameters. I believe FCR changes during a species life cycle and also due to enviromental influences.
Here is a link to a study by Arkansas Pine Bluff. In it you will notice that just by changing density their FCR dropped from 2.6 to 1.4 for LMB.
JKB that is what I was saying. I often think in terms of cost per pound when feeding and will makes that mistake. Increase in FCR is a decrease in cost per pound and was pounded into my head as a kid farming.
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