Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Creating habitat Bed ideas

I was thinking of making some beds. Here's my idea first get about 15-20 tires arrange them on the bottom in a big tight cluster. Also on the bottom of the tire attach some kind of material to make somewhat solid bottom. Next fill with pea gravel and sand mix. The shape of the tire and the bottom in the tire would hold te gravel in and keep them from sinking as fast making them hold gravel and basically last forever.. And I figure 13-14" tire could only hold about a 5 gallon bucket of gravel so I could fill each tire from my boat with a bucket. Anyone else done this or what's you guys thoughts on this..

I'd use 14" or 15" tires, and drill holes in the up facing sidewalls to prevent any gas from accumulating, floating the tire. 13", even 14" might be on the small size for BG beds.

Good idea! You know, even tho you have ideas where they will spawn, they might have different ideas and spawn on a completely different area of the pond, completely shunning your tires.

Next year I plan to actually look for the bed locations. I've seen them in on the shallow end but never towards the deeper end.. Would you suggest if I did find them, after spawn is over to go ahead and build the tire structure directly over the old bed? Reason I'm wondering if they don't like the tires then there original bedding area is ruined..

That's what I'd do if you were determined that you needed the tires for beds. If they are bedding succesfully, then why put the tires in there? I guess I'm lazy.

I was just thinking it would improve the spawning and bedding results. I'm adding RES and CSBG here soon and better spawning and bedding for these fish in turn will make better fish for me. I'm lazy too lol and self centered I'm doing this for me not the fish lol..

I wouldn't mess with it. There is no way you can keep BG from having a rolling spawn.

How bout RES though?

RES and BG beds are similar. No tires for either. I have tried tires and BG and RES will not use them for spawning.

Use the tires like this to make a regular structure/reef.



Here is what you want for BG/RES beds.

Are those beds made? Or is that natural? I have deep mud bottom.

Those should be natural. I know BG will work with whatever they have. I moved some from one pond to another that is extremely turbid and full of muck.

They still pulled off a spawn. Now how successful was it, how did with the fry do, what other issues they will run into, I am not sure of.

But I have since been able to net some smaller ones up and the pond was virtually dead besides some GSF and HBG.

As far as RES I am sure I will never see any again but one can hope, my thought is as long as they eat the snails and keep them to a minimum I will be happy.

I will keep checking back to see what everyone has to say.

Thanks

I would really like to establish a perfect area for my RES. I know the bluegill will spawn in mud puddles if they have to..

I am with you on that, and if you figure it out please let us know. I am sure there are at least a few that have the secret to get the RES to spawn prolifically.

We just have to wait for them to respond I guess.

Good luck.

Ha it's one of those trade secret things huh lol.. RES GUYS PLEASE SPEAK UP

See if this helps. Actual proof.

I've had RES pull off a rolling spawn as well as the BG in my pond. The RES seem to spawn closer to shore than the BG in the pond, in the exact same area.

One more

I just want to know the secret to get you water to look like this.

For one, I'll bet there are no cattle in the pond.

No cattle. Secret is knowledge and effort and still sometimes things don't work.

There are not cattle in one of them. Which is is pretty clear, actually really clear now but of course there are not fish spawning this time of year.

Another thing that will make it hard for them next year is the step bank, FA, and weeds.

But I guess fish will find a place regardless.

Well put in 750 RES last night. And a few CSBG, couldn't get the #'s I needed on the CSBG but thanks for the effort Rex, and there's always next time. Finally met Rex have to say all around good guy and hope you got your shoes dried out lol..

What sizes did you stock?

How big is your pond again?

3-4" 3.5-3.75 acre most were at the 4" mark too, good looking batch

Pics ?