Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Rookie needing some words of encouragement

Hey guys, I just recently discovered the world of pond management. Dug a 1.25 acre pond two years ago. I've posted here a couple times trying to find the answer to the same question: where are my LMB?
The fall of 2011 I stocked CNBG, redear, and FHM... In the spring of 2012 I stocked 150 northern feed trained LMB. I have a vertex aerator and a feeder. The water is a stained brown color with limited visibility, I'm still working on establishing vegetation along the pond bank due to the effects of drought in southwest arkansas, but it's improving. I've used lime and alum with limited success.... My problem is I'm still unable to see evidence of LMB in my pond, and have been unable to catch any... There is an unbelievable amount of FHMs that feed on the surface throughout the pond... I have used panfish traps and caught small bream and crawfish, so I feel confident they are spawning... I also notice a snapping turtles poking their heads out of the water occasionally... Is there any chance the bass are no longer there? Why am I not seeing evidence of LMB predation on these FHM? Should I be concerned that the FHM population is so large and they are swimming around care free? Or are they suffering from low visibility? I just need some advice, words of encouragement, etc. thanks

Have you tried to catch the LMB? You should be able to do so. Did you get the soil and water tested? Did/do you feed the fish?

Yes I feed, the FHM and BG feed well... I've fished it times over the last couple months... I've tried live bait, small spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and I've fished with worms and crickets. No bites.

How big were the LMB when you stocked?

They were 2-3 inch

Baward,
This is not exactly "words of encouragement..."

I stocked 50 F1 LMB bass in a 1 acre pond the spring after my pond was dug in 2005. One year later, they were relatively easy to catch on small spinners, rat-l-traps, fly-fishing bugs, etc. Even though they were still only 8-10 inches, they were easier to catch the first year than they have ever since.

I hope you can figure out your dilemna.

Dan