Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations PB Fishing Contest?

Anyone intersted in seeing who can haul out, photograph and weigh the biggest LMB (or others) this summer? It would be fun to see what everyone is catching...? After all what is a better measure of a good pond? Big Bass!

We would need some moderator help to pull it off.

Gator

Gator, looks like no takers.

Your question prompted the following thought...perhaps a better measure of a pond's performance would be relative weight(some ponds are very new, others very old).

I would love to see a tabulation from all Forum members of their relative weight data for LMB, BG, and HSB. Coupled with each entry would be the management techniques used, i.e. Tilapia, fertilizer, fatheads, Gambusia, artificial feeding, etc.,etc. More than one entry for many folks would be expected as they may use a different management technique on different ponds.

If we could compile such a table of RW vs management techniques for various species from over 2000 members, wouldn't that data be most interesting? Perhaps it would be more revealing, in terms of collective knowledge added, than anything else we might post.

It would have to be done honestly, of course, and that would require documentation, e.g photos.

Maybe if it were viewed as a knowledge capture event rather than a contest, it would be more widely received.

Anyone interested in compiling RW's vs management techniques for LMB, BG, and HSB across the Forum community?

ML, help me out. I tried to find a post that described how you calculate RW but could not. Can you explain it please? By the way, doesn't Cecil or someone have a contest web site for trophy pond fish?

It is calculated by dividing the weight of your fish by a national standard weight for that same length of fish. Tables exist and in fact Greg Grimes has posted a terrific spreadsheet to make the calculation simple...I don't have the post reference handy, but it should be still available. All you have to do is enter your weight and length and RW comes out. I was thinking about best RW for the pond...an even better number would be the average RW for a given species per pond per management technique, but it might be difficult to get folks to compile the averages.

You mentioned Cecil and he has already done so much, but I wondered if someone like Cecil could offer a site where we could each enter our RW data along with the pond management technique.

It would take some effort on all of us, but the amount of data, and hence derivable information, is potentially staggering. I would pay to read that data, much more than I would pay for a book, for example.

The problem with Trophy pond fish is that we all have various ages of ponds and various management techniques. Comparing a 10 year old pond to a 1 year old pond in terms of largest fish is an exercise in futility, but comparing RW across all ponds and management techniques could be extremely interesting, valuable data to each of us.

I like the RW idea.
If someone could post the link to the RW spreadsheet, it would be much appreciated. I only have the data for LMB.

A suggested table of columns and an example:


Name: Meadowlark
Type of fish: LMB
RW: 1.4
Management description: Tilapia, CNBG, Gambusia, no feeding or fertilizer, F1 LMB
Documentation Link: http://www.meadowlarkponds.com/LMBexperiment.htm


Maybe size of pond should be included? Other data?
Would have to add the weight scales to photo in this example for better proof. Need to keep as simple as possible.


If it were in tabular form, it would be easy to enter and read the data. Imagine 2000 entries that could be used to compare various attributes of pond management techniques across the geo area of the entire country. What a powerful set of information that could be!

Sounds like a good idea to me. How about including age, size, location (state), and temperature of pond in the information of when the fish were caught? This might add to the data pool as far as judging RW by season, age, etc. Hopefully if everyone views this as an opportunity for learning rather than for bragging, we can keep the data honest even with out pictures.

Greg Grimes explains RW and has the tables for LMB and BG at his website, lakework.com

Thanks TG,
Had seen the table, but neglected to notice the BG # on the right side.

What about the possibility of a traditional fishing tournament? Ok, virtual fishing tournament.

This is how it works:

PB sets up a registration form online. Fishermen fill out form and mail or email back to PB. Also to be included is a (TBD) entry fee. Fee to cover winning prize, which is a year subscription to PB.

5 fish limit. Fish are measured, weighed and photographed next to daily newspaper (for date verification). PB to determine required fishing scale for consistancy.

Other rules may be necessary, but this is a beginning point.

Any thoughts?

I think simple is better. A table with RW is pretty simple and a good indication of overall pond health, imo.

Gator

I'd like to try it with the R/W format.
Chip

Here's my entry...couldn't find RWs on the list for striped marlin...no wonder my BG are starving

Im not sure we have enough takers here for a full blown contest. Maybe we scale back to log RW over the summer?

We should all be keeping RW measurements anyway - lets log RW this summer and take a fall check to see how everyone is doing. I will compile and share with the forum. Perhaps there is something to be learned...Someone sent me a RW speadsheet last year, but I cant find it - Does anyone have a speadsheet already built? If so, send it to me.

Interested parties email me and I will send it to you, then send back this fall for consolidation.

I will keep track of BG/TGG and LMB for myself and compile anything sent to me.

Gator

Here's my entry.

Sorry guys I'm a keep it simple kinda guy and it was hard enough coming up with this:

http://www.ligtel.com/~jjbaird/pprf/species.htm

Considering the lack of response I doubt you'll get many takers.

BTW, if you're talking relative weights bring it on. I have bass in the pond that may exceed any relative weights on the chart. Feeding them by hand twice a day does this and the fact that they are ready to spawn makes it even better. Stay tuned for pics. How about 16 1/2 inches and 4 lbs.? Or just under 6 lbs. and ony 19 inches?

Whoa!

Hey Bruce,

I painted your bluegills the other day like the photo of your daugher holding the big one on cover of the Pond Boss issue. A rather dark fish! Anyway didn't like them! Since you said I could paint them the way I wanted to I want to repaint them like more typical male bluegills during the spawning season. Dark fish look smaller too! I will be sending them soon!

I've seen your work. Anyway you want to paint them is great with me, boss!

so would these two beauties win it for me??

[img]http://webpages.charter.net/fatbasstracker/tff/GRAPE[/img]

A trophy bass, like beauty, lies in the eyes of the beholder....

Here's my entry. As the photo clearly shows, I once caught a HBG longer than my wife (5'10") is tall:

That doesn't explain why you thought it was a good idea to purchase a 7 inch tall windmill.

Or why you are 200' tall.

Cecil no pets allowed.