Pond Boss Magazine
https://www.pondboss.com/images/userfiles/image/20130301193901_6_150by50orangewhyshouldsubscribejpeg.jpg
Advertisment
Newest Members
Shotgun01, Dan H, Stipker, LunkerHunt23, Jeanjules
18,451 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums36
Topics40,899
Posts557,083
Members18,451
Most Online3,612
Jan 10th, 2023
Top Posters
esshup 28,414
ewest 21,474
Cecil Baird1 20,043
Bill Cody 15,110
Who's Online Now
10 members (BillyE, Sunil, Requa, Jason D, Jared015, Freg, Justin W, LeighAnn, Donatello, Theo Gallus), 769 guests, and 252 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
OP Offline
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
I always hear that FHM dont make it in a pond once bass are in, and eat them all, and I haven`t been seeing that many as of late, maybe they are just out deeper, but any way what does you guys use for a small forage fish once all the FHM are gone? I have CNBG, RES, and a few SHR in the pond but would like to have some kinda minnow for the lil fingerling fish to eat.


[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 184
P
Offline
P
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 184
Do you have Gambusia minnows? They help jump start the small bass population , but lots of folks don't like them . I have them and like what they add to the forage base. Next your LMB will work on your CNBG YOY

Last edited by Pat Williamson; 07/04/17 09:46 AM.
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 19
J
Offline
J
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 19
My FHM are about gone now in my 22 month old pond. Still see an occasional small school. I had one accidental LMB in the pond and had to put in five more in April from 5-8 inches because the biomass of the FHM and young BG was getting too large. I still have lots of Gambusia. The Gambusia are also now in my new pond and minnow pond due to flooding events. I don't see any harm in having them. They swim mostly near the top and will eat mosquito larvae out of as little as 1/2 inch of water. The new pond built last December is rapidly filling with spawn of FHM and Gambusia. I think the small CC in there might be eating some.

Last edited by John F; 07/04/17 10:19 AM.
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
OP Offline
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
Originally Posted By: Pat Williamson
Do you have Gambusia minnows? They help jump start the small bass population , but lots of folks don't like them . I have them and like what they add to the forage base. Next your LMB will work on your CNBG YOY


I dont have them in the pond now but I can net some up because they are in about every BOW here in FL. They have been in my grand fathers pond long as I can remember so I know they will stay around. As for the CNBG there are tons of rice size fry swimming around now from this years spawn and some 1.5" so that should take a lil presure of the FHM, plus they are pellet trained


[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
OP Offline
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
Originally Posted By: John F
My FHM are about gone now in my 22 month old pond. Still see an occasional small school. I had one accidental LMB in the pond and had to put in five more in April from 5-8 inches because the biomass of the FHM and young BG was getting too large. I still have lots of Gambusia. The Gambusia are also now in my new pond and minnow pond due to flooding events. I don't see any harm in having them. They swim mostly near the top and will eat mosquito larvae out of as little as 1/2 inch of water. The new pond built last December is rapidly filling with spawn of FHM and Gambusia. I think the small CC in there might be eating some.


Yea i`ll probable end up adding some, didnt know if there was any other options out there


[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 184
P
Offline
P
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 184
Tilapia are another option

Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,596
Likes: 36
Lunker
Offline
Lunker
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,596
Likes: 36
FHM are not very bright in the presence of predators, they panic and run which often triggers a chase. Small BG on the other hand will go motionless to avoid detection if they detect a predator. There is a reason FHM never last long once bass are stocked but BG do. FHM do help jumpstart your forage base and do help get BG populations established.



Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
OP Offline
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
Originally Posted By: Pat Williamson
Tilapia are another option


not really in FL haha due to our hot climate they dont die off and it is against the regulations to have them in my neck of the woods


[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 184
P
Offline
P
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 184
Shame they are good forage( offspring) and ain't half bad to et

Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,930
Likes: 2
R
RER Offline
Offline
R
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,930
Likes: 2
Originally Posted By: Dinsmoreoutdoors
Originally Posted By: Pat Williamson
Do you have Gambusia minnows? They help jump start the small bass population , but lots of folks don't like them . I have them and like what they add to the forage base. Next your LMB will work on your CNBG YOY


I dont have them in the pond now but I can net some up because they are in about every BOW here in FL. They have been in my grand fathers pond long as I can remember so I know they will stay around. As for the CNBG there are tons of rice size fry swimming around now from this years spawn and some 1.5" so that should take a lil presure of the FHM, plus they are pellet trained


I would use sail fin mollies in stead of the GAM's just as easily available but get about double the size and offer a much better forage for a shallow surface minnow. You can find them in most ditches etc... They are live bearers just like the gams too.. They are much less aggressive at eating new hatched fry also.

I would skip the gams if you can avoid it...Although I would not be surprised if you did not have a few in your stockings as hitch hikers...

tilapia are also in just about every body of water around you...they find a way. I have seen ospreys carrying them in the sky...IF one dropped a large female that was holding babies in its mouth in your pond then you would have them...

Last edited by BobbyRice; 07/05/17 07:35 AM.

Goofing off is a slang term for engaging in recreation or an idle pastime while obligations of work or society are neglected........... Wikipedia
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,058
Likes: 7
D
Offline
D
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,058
Likes: 7
What about common shiners or creak chub? In the north here these are both doing very very well for me.


[Linked Image from corvettejunkie.com]
http://www.pondboss.com/subscribe.asp?c=4


7/8th of an acre, Perch only pond, Ontario, Canada.
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,474
Likes: 264
E
Moderator
Hall of Fame 2014
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Hall of Fame 2014
Lunker
E
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,474
Likes: 264
TFS are a possibility. Small LMB will be eating small BG.
















Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,110
Likes: 478
B
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
B
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,110
Likes: 478
Keep your CNBG strong with pellet feeding and you should have adequate small forage fish providing you don't have an overabundance of small bass. I do not know what SHR means.

Most bass management issues are due to too many smaller bass that provide too much competition that results in food shortages and ones desire/need to add more forage items. That is a sign of too many bass per acre. Too many bass per acre can be beneficial depending on ones goals.

Last edited by Bill Cody; 07/05/17 11:12 AM.

aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine -
America's Journal of Pond Management
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,012
Hall of Fame
Junior Member
Offline
Hall of Fame
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,012
dinsmoreoutdoors,
I saw tilapia in the everglades national park last month... Someone didn't get the message about not having them!!!


1 ac pond LMB, BG, RES, CC
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,930
Likes: 2
R
RER Offline
Offline
R
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,930
Likes: 2
Originally Posted By: djstauder
dinsmoreoutdoors,
I saw tilapia in the everglades national park last month... Someone didn't get the message about not having them!!!


Blue Tilapia are in just about every natural water body throughout the state of FL. Brackish and fresh


Goofing off is a slang term for engaging in recreation or an idle pastime while obligations of work or society are neglected........... Wikipedia
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
OP Offline
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
Originally Posted By: RER
Originally Posted By: djstauder
dinsmoreoutdoors,
I saw tilapia in the everglades national park last month... Someone didn't get the message about not having them!!!


Blue Tilapia are in just about every natural water body throughout the state of FL. Brackish and fresh


And its that very reason why if you get caught with live Tilapia with you by FWC (game warden) your gonna have anice fine to pay. they are taking over FL and they are all in the river. Alot of folks bow fish for them


[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
OP Offline
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
I added a couple dozen Golden Shiners, but plan to get some more. and from time to time add shad when the bass get bigger for supplement food since I know they wont last long in a 1 acre pond.


[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 19
J
Offline
J
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 19
A few years ago, a neighbor of mine had gizzard shad get into his 3 acre dug out pond by swimming up the spillway from a large creek about 1/2 mile away during a heavy rainstorm. Since then, they have caught large LMB up to 11 pounds.

Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
OP Offline
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
Originally Posted By: John Fitzgerald
A few years ago, a neighbor of mine had gizzard shad get into his 3 acre dug out pond by swimming up the spillway from a large creek about 1/2 mile away during a heavy rainstorm. Since then, they have caught large LMB up to 11 pounds.


Alot of folks on here are telling me the shad wont make it in my pond because of its size ( 1 acre) but man I would love for that to be the case, we will see when I add the threadfins, if they dont make it oh well just that much more food my bass got to eat to make them bigger!


[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

Link Copied to Clipboard
Today's Birthdays
Bob Lusk, GaryK, GrizzFan, PhotographerDave
Recent Posts
1 year after stocking question
by Requa - 03/28/24 01:39 PM
Happy Birthday Bob Lusk!!
by Sunil - 03/28/24 12:39 PM
New 2 acre pond stocking plan
by Sunil - 03/28/24 12:39 PM
Paper-shell crayfish and Japanese snails
by esshup - 03/28/24 10:39 AM
Brooder Shiners and Fry, What to do??
by Freg - 03/28/24 09:42 AM
Relative weight charts in Excel ? Calculations?
by esshup - 03/28/24 08:36 AM
Dewatering bags seeded to form berms?
by Justin W - 03/28/24 08:19 AM
Reducing fish biomass
by FishinRod - 03/28/24 08:18 AM
Questions and Feedback on SMB
by Donatello - 03/27/24 03:10 PM
2024 North Texas Optimal BG food Group Buy
by Dave Davidson1 - 03/27/24 08:15 AM
Freeze Danger? - Electric Diaphragm Pump
by esshup - 03/26/24 09:47 PM
Newly Uploaded Images
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
by Tbar, December 10
Deer at Theo's 2023
Deer at Theo's 2023
by Theo Gallus, November 13
Minnow identification
Minnow identification
by Mike Troyer, October 6
Sharing the Food
Sharing the Food
by FishinRod, September 9
Nice BGxRES
Nice BGxRES
by Theo Gallus, July 28
Snake Identification
Snake Identification
by Rangersedge, July 12

� 2014 POND BOSS INC. all rights reserved USA and Worldwide

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5