Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Fishing 2015

Be sure to be clear that's not MY fish. I'm sure you meant the fish pic I posted. I could get in deep do do if it looked like I was saying it was my fish. And add to that he may be bring it to me to mount.

Went out to check the fish this morning, and they were very active. We've had a pre-front conditions for the last 2 days, and nothing was feeding or biting. There's been a strong NE wind, and everything shut down. I'm still learning this winter CNBG fishing. It's not really something I've ever done much of, but CNBG seem to be a smidge more finicky than Florida LMB.

Guessing 11", and over a pound and a quarter. Legacy CNBG for sure.

Al, do you suppose there are some RES genetics present in that fish? Either way, that thing is tremendous!

(Nice job on the winter fishing also)

Tony, not that I saw, but I'm pretty weak in the hybrid department. That may explain some things though. I do know that my RES spawn within a few yards of the feeder.

What are you seeing that leans you that way?

I'm desperately trying to find that point where CNBG turn on and off in cold weather. So far, it hasn't been water temp related, because they bit at mid 30's surface temp. Just my WAG, but they do seem to be more affected by the moon and weather changes than they do in the summer months. I'm definitely going to try the tungsten jigs with tippings when nothing else works. I see no reason CNBG can't be catchable 365, if you put in the time to figure the patterns out.

"... but I'm pretty weak in the hybrid department."

Not just in that department....

Al I wondered about the overall coloration, the projected nose, the mottling pattern on the cheeks, and it almost looks like a spot of color towards the bottom of the opercular?

And even though I've never fished for CNBG, I feel the same as you....they're still down there, and I think they could be caught during the colder months.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but it'll be good to see you again next month.

Interesting. We'll hit them hard this weekend, so I'll try to take some more detailed pics.

Tony my immediate take was along the same lines...no color on opercular tab, but still, something seemed to whisper RES....

It does have more of a RES head shape, CNBG often have a more pronouced helmet Head.

They're still hitting well. First fish was 10 3/4" and 1.23 pounds

2nd and 3rd fish were both around 10" and less than a pound.

Tony and others, the reddish copper in the second 2 is not a reflection. I've had big bulls that matched that color in the spring, so I'm good with that being something that's normal here. 3rd fish definitely had red on the lower edge of opercular tab, so I'm not sure at all on that one.

8 1/4 right beofre sunset this evening. Caught her on a jerkbait.

A balmy 78 degrees here today.

Tremendous Al!
You're creating quite an amazing fishery down there.

A little preview-teaser of what we're going to see in a scant few days.....

Really nice Al.

I see you didn't want to risk freezing your beard to the ice to save your life tho.

Very nice Al! It was a pretty day today!

Fine looking fish Al!
Pat

Thanks guys.

Tony, the big test will be around the first of April. We're electroshocking the big puddle almost 2 years to the day after the last shocking. Lots of LMB culling, and the addition of supplemental breeding sized CNBG hopefully helped the overall condition of the pond. I do know our days of catching 30-40 skinny LMB a day are long gone, and that's a very good initial sign.

Beautiful bass! I'm hoping my largest bass will be that size next Summer. Trying for 1.5-2lbs weight gain per year.

On the BG Al, how many years since stocking of fingerlings do you think those fish are?

Fantastic BG.

snrub, the CNBG that we have, and are targeting for brood stock are 2 years old. Even in the water in it's very easy to identify them, and it's the first time I've had the ability to exactly pinpoint their age. Hopefully, lot's of growth potential still let in them.

Well done - that first CNBG was a brute. Are you doing WRs? I picked up a digital scale weighing to .01 oz at WM that works very well. I use a bowl on top too hold the fish as they rarely like being still - scale adjusts for that additional weight. Cost was $15.

TJ, I haven't done any relative weights, but I'm logging the data.

I bought a Rapala hanging scale that helps things a bit with the CNBG. I love my Boga, but IMO, it doesn't work well for smaller fish.

That is fantastic growth for 2 years. I'm coming up on two years this March 19 of stocking 3" northern BG, and I would be happy with 2/3 your performance.

Thank you very much. The last 2 years have been all about the CNBG, and we've had a blast with them.