Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Fishin' 2008

We only caught female-looking BG Monday, but the big one was the only one that looked to (still) be holding eggs. I filleted 5 from 6.25" to 7.5" in length and none had any eggs.

Saturday, not one BG showed up to eat pellets. Today, I had almost a full compliment of them eating. Maybe the spawn is gone.

Thanks for fixing the title Theos.

The pond where the LMB and the bluegill came from, is that your bass-heavy pond?

Went fishing with about 20 different people over Memorial Day from Friday to Monday from sunrise to well after sunset. Probably the best fishing so far this year every trip! Here are just a few pics! All of these fish came from our 25 acre lake. The BG and LMB were on their beds and not feeding at all, but the coolwater species were very active and biting better than ever!

4 lb smallmouth!


3.15 lb smallmouth!


Big Crappie




Jumbo Perch





Walleye



Multi Species

Do I see a familiar face in that last pic?

Yes.

That's a big mess of people catching fish, Nate.

Theo,
I just wish I could get bluegills that big though

You will.

PM me sometime n8t!

If I can do it, anyone can do it. Although maybe not in the same pond as all those neat fish you & yours caught.

Too hot to fish yesterday afternoon with air temp at 97 and near surface water temp at 81 degrees, so was on the pond at first light this morning with near surface water temp at 79 degrees.

Between aggravating health problems and equipment problems, I guess I missed out on spring fishing – looks like summer time is here.

Kept 8 fat female CNBG for the table and released several big males.
Caught numerous HSB between 2-3 lbs but had to O2 revive one 4 pounder and a larger one fought til she died. Such a battle deserves an honored place on the grill tomorrow – HSB on the half shell….!

That’s how my goal of a “put and take” fishery is defined, but I’ll restrict my fishing for the rest of the summer to ¼ acre pond where HSB are smaller and concentrate on removing smaller female TAF CNBG.

You northern guys have my attention on BG’s but HSB rules.
They will out-fight any fish in your pond.
What a blast on a Fly rod – FISH ON -

If I didn't know about your prowess for smallies, I would counter with the smallie against your "HSB rules" comment.

But I know that if you could also have smallies in your ponds, you would.

This HSB is a crazy fish, flat out though.

I have a picture to post of one that my brother caught at our pond, but it's on a CD he has, so I'll have it next week.

Side note: The title is still messed up for me on the main forum page when this thread is at the top.

I would NEVER trash talk a smallie - I'm a charter member - remember?

Even tho they are not the srongest fighter - I have to admit they are the prettiest....

If I thought for a second that SMB would do well in our ponds I would add them. Still trying to get to the point of being ready to add a few HSB.

Me too...

I added my HSB on a whim, and I couldn't be happier with them. My name for them is white dynamite.

Texas SMB Trivia
Sunil, obviously there is nuthin’ trivial about smallies…

Circa 1980, Small Mouth Bass were stocked in Lake Texoma, a Texas/Oklahoma border Lake.
During this time my wife and I fished many Texas and Oklahoma reservoirs, primarily for Large Mouth Bass and Small Mouth Bass, until we discovered Striped Bass on Lake Texoma, and we were hooked – pun intended.

In April 1984 my wife caught the first reported SMB on Texoma, as reported by sports writer Andy Anderson, who had inquired about previous SMB stocking.

Obviously it would have been a record had it not been released back to the visible spawning beds.

Bruce and Dwight, it was caught on a 1/8oz lead head jjg with a smoke curly tail jig on an OK special UL SMB spinning rod.
NO worms or “night crawlers” allowed.



Over following years numerous SMB were caught but never targeted, frequenting rocky points and gravel shoreline when fishing for pre-spawn striped bass.

The Lake record was broken during early years and at one time held the Ok state record.

One of my smallies would have qualified for record on conventional tackle and likely another on fly tackle, and were documented on certified scales. I have never fished for records – strictly for sport.

SMB are lake Texoma’s best-kept secret.
Sunil – I love them – can I stay in the club?

Oh yeah george, you're IN the club. Frankly, I think you've caught way bigger smallmouth than I have, a couple times over. The same might go for your wife also.

Cheyenne, over the years I was a devoted LMB fan, but after I discovered Striped Bass I became bored fishing for LMB.
Hope I’m not offending our many LMB aficionados but a SB will outfight a LMB many times over.

When “our” ponds were built, I absolutely “had to have” HSB to replace my beloved stripers, even though advised by TP&L they were not successful in small ponds “without intense management” and if you can imagine the folly, – “AERATION”..
I wouldn’t trade them for anything even if they are sensitive to our hot Texas weather – as are striped bass.

With a fishing “ladder” of annual HSB stocking you will always have 5 lb class HSB, and even larger as you have – I’m waiting for your 10 lb HSB report – from southern waters no less.

I like your “white dynamite” name of HSB...

George,
I hope we can grow one over 10lbs. Dr. SLipke thinks we can. However, with the thought of a 10lb HSB only one phrase comes to mind "we're gonna need a bigger boat."

Here is my brother demonstrating fairly poor FPPT with a HSB.

Your brother is now a CHARTER member of the esteemed HSB club...
CONGRATULATIONS...

Sunil, that fish has REALLY well defined stripes for a HSB, IMHO. Anyone (who is actually in the know) think it looks more like a Striper?

FWIW, I think that's a HSB.

IMO, HSB.....
Enlarge the photo and you can observe broken stripes.
Also broad tail and hump back to smaller mouth - yep - HSB..

Hey...I'm a member of the HSB club too!

I'm the one who stocked them.

Dang family members never show their appreciation. Well, it's hard work, but someone has to do it.