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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 267
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 267 |
I have been feeding the fish in the pond at the ranch all summer long. The shiners, bluegill, and bull heads come up to eat and then the LMB come a calling. Over the last week, feeding activity has DRASTICALLY decreased. Only some shiners are coming up in the far corner of the pond. I have heard that feeding will scale back when they are spawning, but isn't it a little late for a spawn here in Texas? Water temps should still be in the 70's. Any ideas?
Water dries, rocks crumble, and trees die. The only thing that is eternal is the reputation we leave behind. - Ancient Viking Proverb
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1
Hall of Fame Lunker
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Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1 |
Has the water temperature dropped quickly recently? I know you said the water temp was in the 70's but perhaps it was in the mid to upper 80's recently? I find my fish slow down temporarily if there is a sudden drop in temp of 5 or more degrees. It's usually only temporary though.
Another possibility is you've had a good hatch of forage fish and the fish are targeting those instead of the pellets. Even the bluegills will target small minnows. I've actually observed some of my bluegills mixed in with a pod of smallmouth cruising the shoreline for fathead minnows.
Last edited by Cecil Baird1; 10/13/10 08:55 AM.
If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 754 Likes: 1
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 754 Likes: 1 |
I'm out close to Abiliene and my fish have stopped feeding in the last week or so. I haven't checked the temp but I agree with Mr. Cecil, I'm thinking the water temp dropped pretty quick in the last week with the air temps dropping like they have.
It's true hard work never killed anybody, but I figure, why take the chance? Ronald Reagan _______________ The good Brian
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,094 Likes: 1
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,094 Likes: 1 |
my bg were cleaning up all the food each time the feeder went off within 2 minutes, now they dont even clean it up at all. we had some pretty cool nights last week. i was figuring the bg feeding would increase as the water cooled a little. water temp is still about 70 here.
Scott Hanners
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,840
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,840 |
I hope to get out and check mine this weekend as I need to add more feed. I hope they are still feeding as I would like to use what feed I have as I know it will not keep until next year when I start feeding again. I should have enough food to last another 3 weeks, which I was hoping to feed through rifle season since my stand is so close and all.
Will the Chanel Catfish continue to feed in this cool weather?
Are there any other fish that may feed as well?
I would like to take the temps as well, does anyone have a recommendation as to what type of gauge to get to do so and where I could find one at a reasonable price?
Thanks
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,534 Likes: 841
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,534 Likes: 841 |
Go to your local Lowes, Home Depot, etc. Buy an indoor/outdoor digital thermometer (not a wireless one). Set it on outdoor, put the probe in the water and wait 'till the temp stabilizes. I bought mine for less than $10 and it has a probe that is 10' long.
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,615 Likes: 5
Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,615 Likes: 5 |
I use to have a high tech aquatic temperature recording device. Unfortunately it has disappeared. I think it migrated south for the winter and has never come back.
JHAP ~~~~~~~~~~ "My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." ...Hedley Lamarr (that's Hedley not Hedy)
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,505 Likes: 3
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,505 Likes: 3 |
I use to have a high tech aquatic temperature recording device. Unfortunately it has disappeared. I think it migrated south for the winter and has never come back. Ah, yes, the Duckmaster 3000. Well, given their highly coveted standing in the temperature management industry, and given the trespassing activity on your land, I don't find it at all surprising that it's gone. The DM3000 was probably stolen by your interlopers and sold for more money for crack and meth. What a shame that you were robbed of such an intricate piece of equipment just so someone could get a 15 minute high. Shameful.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277 |
No dollar signs on the DM3K. That confuses the Beancounter.
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: Dec 2007
Posts: 267
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 267 |
Looks like Cecil was correct as usual. Fish came up to feed again this weekend. I feed by hand, so I constructed a 10'x10' feeding ring out of 1.5" PVC and it is proving to be pretty successful. The feed stays in there and keeps it from getting blown into the shore by the wind. The bass are also really appreciating having all of the golden shiners and bluegill nice and concentrated. Last night they fed for over 30 min.
Water dries, rocks crumble, and trees die. The only thing that is eternal is the reputation we leave behind. - Ancient Viking Proverb
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 221
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 221 |
We had a sudden drop in temps last week in East Texas. However this week we are fairly stable and the fish are feeding at normal levels. At last night's feeding I had a very healthy turnout for the entitlement program.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1
Hall of Fame Lunker
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Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1 |
Looks like Cecil was correct as usual. Fish came up to feed again this weekend. I feed by hand, so I constructed a 10'x10' feeding ring out of 1.5" PVC and it is proving to be pretty successful. The feed stays in there and keeps it from getting blown into the shore by the wind. The bass are also really appreciating having all of the golden shiners and bluegill nice and concentrated. Last night they fed for over 30 min. Thanks for the kind words but I can assure you I'm not always right. Ask my wife! Good to hear your fish are feeding again. I've noticed once temps stabilize they are back on the feed bag as Clayton says, that is, if the temps don't drop too low. Fish are much more sensitive to their environment than we give the credit for. In fact they are much more sensitive period. Don't even get me started on how anglers that pat themselves on the back for releasing fish in very hot or cold water are probably killing some of them.
Last edited by Cecil Baird1; 10/14/10 07:51 AM.
If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 147
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 147 |
Still feeding well here in Central OH. My water has cooled a lot, but they are feeding nicely at this point. Truck said 33 as I drove into work this morning... I need to invest in a thermometer for the pond.
I subscribe!
1/3 Acre pond - Central, OH Deepest point 11 ft. Stocked with: Hybrid Bluegill, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass, White Amur.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,534 Likes: 841
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,534 Likes: 841 |
You can get a cheap indoor/outdoor thermometer from any large store that will work. Mine cost <$10 and it has a 10' lead. I can get readings down to 9' or so if I go out in the boat. Switch it to outdoor temp and away you go!
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,505 Likes: 3
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,505 Likes: 3 |
Still feeding well here in Central OH. My water has cooled a lot, but they are feeding nicely at this point. Truck said 33 as I drove into work this morning... I need to invest in a thermometer for the pond. My BG has been feeding as of this past weekend, but then Sunday afternoon I was at the pond and tossed in some food and they didn't touch a single pellet. I may try once more as we're in a little warmer stretch for a few days and it may entice them, but it looks like we may be just about finished for the season.
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 147
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 147 |
Well, I went out and fed this evening after Rex left, and the activity was way down from last night. However, this morning we were at 33 when I left the house, so they are going to be slowing way down.
Rex should be heading your way! I had a golden trout tonight near the beach which looked to be struggling, so I waded in (cold ^%^& water) and grabbed him, made a couple really nice fillets for supper!
I subscribe!
1/3 Acre pond - Central, OH Deepest point 11 ft. Stocked with: Hybrid Bluegill, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass, White Amur.
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,505 Likes: 3
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,505 Likes: 3 |
Sweet! That's where they're all destined to end up anyway, right? No harm in getting a quick start when nature is providing the bounty! Yep, I should be seeing Rex tomorrow night and getting a first look at the soon-to-be residents of the pond!
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