Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Fishing 2013

15-1/2", my biggest SMB so far since stocking them in the fall of 2011.

Very nice Shorty.

I don't get it. You have that same white stuff in the background that TJ had.

Your beard is in the background?????

Shortaaay!!!!! What did you catch it on?

Congrats Shorty!!

FHM on a tip up.

I also caught another 14-1/2" SMB, a couple of smaller SMB and this YP.

Is your pond fully frozen?

It looks spotty in the pics.

Congrats, Shorty! Those fish look amazing!

Sunil, the pond is frozen over but it was 60 degrees and very windy here yesterday. The 3" of snow that was on the pond two weeks ago has mostly melted and you can tell where I ran paths with the snow shovel to let daylight in. The ice does have uneven spots on it and standing water on top of it in places. Most of the pond has 5-6" of ice on it but there are a few holes that have opened up along the edges. I had 5-6 BF tadpoles get stranded in the standing water on the ice yesterday.

Saturday was the last fishing trip of 2013... we caught quite a few really good fish at my lake...

















George, I expect you to kick off the 2014 fishing thread, and hope you do so on New Years Day, cause I plan on fishing the first day of the year!!

n8ly - what bait were you using to catch most of those big CC through the ice? Impressive group of fish by ice fishing.

Bill, if you look closely off to the side, you'll see the snuba gear. Justin was under the ice hand feeding them to get 'em to bite.

Bill,
the catfish would only hit a tiny stationary jig with 2 waxworms on it... either laying on the bottom or a couple inches off the bottom...

we have a hole that is 17-24' deep that the catfish lay in during the winter... seriously every catfish in the hole lake is in a 1/2 acre area. We put the camera down there and just watch how they react to the baits and presentations... they bite very surprisingly light....

Here are some bass we caught on Friday fishing with Infisherman guys. I had to quick get them in this thread before the new year... These bass will be in their magazines and advertisers marketing material:

Nate...awesome!

TJ wants WE. You want to show TJ the WE. You will dedicate yourself to putting TJ on many large WE. We will both be very happy.

TJ, we will have to go to Lake Erie to fulfill your wish....

OMG!!!

I second what Nate says about going to Lake Erie for big Walleye. Here is a few that I caught out there this last year.





I have had days out there with multiple 28 and 29 inch fish. That 30 incher is always hard to come by and have only caught 4 during my life. 3 on Lake Erie and 1 in Canada.

I bet that thing is slap full of round gobies........

We are hooking up with Lassig next Summer...what do you say? Those are outstanding fish, I am so impressed.

Nate - I see WE in those photos, those aren't from your lake? I'll be there in a week, you realize, jigging all dang night if I have to! Josh can bring me hot cocoa to keep me thawed.

I am always up for a trip to Lake Erie, just I don't have a boat any more. All my fishing buds have boats and are completely rigged for the great lakes so mine wasn't getting used so sold it a couple of years ago. Plus the house, farm and pond are keeping me pretty busy.

You going to be in the neighborhood next week? I am just a little south of Herman's places. Only problem I will be in Charlotte, NC next week for work.

Forget that. I've still got the Abolut and the Stoli, waiting for their meeting with Fate.

TJ,
I'm not offended about your comment about my BG; I appreciate it as I never even noticed.

My BG population has grown significantly over the last year. I've gone from feeding about 8 seconds a day (using one feeder) to 28 seconds (using two feeders) and that still doesn't seem like enough. The feed was about 70% AM500 and and 30% AM400 mixed. I bought about 10 lbs of AM600 to "try" and found that even BG about 6 in. can eat that. So, in the spring, I plan to buy 50lb of AM600 and add that to the AM400, AM500 mix and increase feeding time.

The HSB appreciate the AM600 as well.

Dan

So true. Its easy to grow the original stocker fish ! The trick is to manage all that follow. Food , water quality and harvest are key ingredients ! To do that you also need to know about each species life history and other traits.

BTW nice fish guys - all !

DJ that is a beautiful fish, and might be simply on the decline. If you aren't witnessing a large qty of fish with the concave or pinch belly - you're likely doing just fine! Sounds like you're feeding plenty, at least.

I, conversely, have a much more serious issue I'm contending with where all my BG are exhibiting that characteristic. Talked at length with Condello - he agreed different feeding times would help, as would more aggressive management practices [fyke net]. I'll never have a trophy panfish fishery, and that's not one of my goals, but I'd like to at least relieve the pinch belly syndrome this upcoming season.