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Joined: May 2017
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OP
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 46 Likes: 1 |
1/2 Acre 5th year in south Texas. LMB, CNB, TP, 1 GC. The TP and GC have eliminated my FA and any other plant in the pond (So far) At first I was mad at the GBH etc that indiscriminately "culled" my fish (although I do still strongly discourage Water Turkeys) . I came to realize that I don't cull, I take my Grand-kids fishing and It's easier to just throw them back and enjoy the kids catching more. My TP typically over winter. I have decided that since my Christmas tree cover is deteriorating that I'm not going to replace it. My theory is if I keep my cover to 5-10% The predators will be able to keep the numbers down therefore less feed and less fish less chance overpopulating?
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Joined: Sep 2003
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,762 Likes: 302 |
Seeing as the LMB might be your apex predator, how large are they, and what kind of year class sizes are you seeing for the LMB?
With no Tilapia die off, are the LMB controlling the Tilapia numbers?
Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:" "She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."
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Joined: May 2017
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OP
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 46 Likes: 1 |
I always have fry in the pond year round. I have 6"- 17" LMB ( all around 80-90% relative weight) I do have TP up to 3lbs and they are being caught on small jigs, Stubby Steves, and worms (I do remove all that are caught . The TP and GC are eating my Optimal. Probably more adult TP than I should have
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,762 Likes: 302
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,762 Likes: 302 |
Thanks!
Your LMB don't seem to be as large as they should be for some being (5) years old. Even without pellet feeding, a natural LMB should be over 17" at (5) years old, IMO (someone can check me on that) assuming it's not malnourished.
Depending on your goals, some adjusted could be beneficial.
Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:" "She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."
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1 member likes this:
jludwig |
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
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When you replace the cedars, don’t use oak. Oak has tanins that kill fish. Been there done that. Had to pump the pond dry. Let the summer dry everything as practice my rain dances.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: May 2017
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OP
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 46 Likes: 1 |
May be bigger but I believe the GBH Etc are keeping my sizes down. They may not eat them but several that i catch have healed stab wounds. I have 200 oak trees i mow around and because of this forum I have never added them for cover but there leaves are falling in. I always have a good olive color to my water
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Joined: Feb 2023
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Joined: Feb 2023
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Would oak stumps be bad for a pond? Or just the leaves?
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,762 Likes: 302
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,762 Likes: 302 |
Some of us believe that the Great Blue Herons are trying to 'kill' larger fish as those larger fish compete with the herons for eating smaller fish in the pond.
However, I don't think the herons would limit the size of your LMB.
You might have some stunting of LMB, and perhaps a lack of a good forage base for them also.
All of that is just guessing based on the limited info available right now.
Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:" "She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."
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Joined: May 2017
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OP
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 46 Likes: 1 |
Also working, hunting, offshore fishing, pruning trees, etc too much and not sampling (fishing) enough
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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If the pond doesn't have cover it it, then the LMB have a harder time ambushing their prey. The prey see the fish coming. Think of sneaking up on an antelope out in a flat prairie vs. sneaking up on one in rolling hills with tall brush and trees. Adding cover will help the bass catch more fish.
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1 member likes this:
FishinRod |
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Joined: May 2017
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OP
Joined: May 2017
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That's the angle I didn't consider. The information in this forum always amazes me. Thanks
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Joined: May 2017
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OP
Joined: May 2017
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You answered the original question. Pretty typical when I think I know things and someone that does know things politely shows me my ignorance. You would think when you reach 60 years you would pay attention to the real experts. Thanks again
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,762 Likes: 302
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,762 Likes: 302 |
I think a part of true wisdom that comes with age is the rate at which you realize that you don't know something.
Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:" "She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,982 Likes: 280
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,982 Likes: 280 |
Some of us believe that the Great Blue Herons are trying to 'kill' larger fish as those larger fish compete with the herons for eating smaller fish in the pond. I had to read that a couple different times before I got your point. In the past I've seen GBH take fish I'm pretty sure were too big for them to eat (although recently I believe our local Osprey is harvesting that size).
"Live like you'll die tomorrow, but manage your grass like you'll live forever." -S. M. Stirling
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,762 Likes: 302
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,762 Likes: 302 |
I was trying to talk about why some of his bass have those puncture wounds from Great Blue Herons.
Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:" "She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,954 Likes: 184
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,954 Likes: 184 |
Do you think GBH hit LMB? They usually don’t walk in water deep enough…. Maybe cormorants are poking holes in them
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