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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 186
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OP
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 186 |
On March 13th I stocked my new 1 acre pond with 1000 CNBG and 15 lbs of FHM. Up until two weeks ago you could almost walk across the surface on them. It was easy to spot several different sized fry so I know they had spawned multiple times already. Also, at feeding time, you could spot multiple schools of adults milling around as well. Fast forward to today and not a one can be found! I have looked along the banks, under the feeding dock where they used to be so plentiful, and out in the open, but again, not a one to be found. Any ideas? I'm worried because I'm scheduled to add F1 Tiger Bass from American Sportfish on Wednesday and now I don't know if I have enough forage anymore. (although the BG have also spawned twice already so I do have that)
FYI, today will be the 25th consecutive day of temps over 90 degrees so maybe they just went deep?
Thanks in advance for any insight!!
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298 |
How large are the Tiger bass?
7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 186
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OP
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 186 |
He said they will be about 2 inches long. Will be adding 120.
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344 Likes: 101
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344 Likes: 101 |
JK, I am surprised that you can not find even the smallest of your FHM's. My larger ones stay deep and you rarely see them, the mediums ones stay fairly shallow and away from the bank, but the smallest ones (1/4 inchers) stay very close to the shore and in 4 inches of water.
You are ahead of us in Missouri as far as warming weather, so I am going to bet that your forage has seeked cooler waters. Recently, I used a small minnow trap baited with a small handful of dog food and in a few hours caught a few dozen of my biggest FHM. I tied the trap off the dock deep enough that I could not see the trap. The trap was within a foot of the bottom probably about 3 foot from the surface. You could do some trap sampling which may ease your mind if you catch some. Move the trap around if you don't see some results within a hour or two and try different depths.
Fish on!, Noel
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 186
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OP
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 186 |
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,058 Likes: 7
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,058 Likes: 7 |
I find if you get a cold snap the fat heads and shiners will go deep. I am not sure why but have felt the same as you.
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 186
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OP
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 186 |
Well, I just got back from Academy with two minnow traps so, hopefully, I'll have more info soon.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,051 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,051 Likes: 277 |
Be sure to check the trap about every 20 to 30 minutes. They can get out pretty quickly.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,312 Likes: 300
Moderator
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Moderator
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,312 Likes: 300 |
JKS, what size were the CNBG you stocked, and are they aggressively feeding? The reason I ask, is that I have a very similar situation in my quarter acre hatchery pond. I stocked 30#'s of FHM with 1,000 CNBG, and the FHM were the dominant feeders for 2-3 weeks. The CNBG suspended under the FHM, and ate what food sank. Once the CNBG got a little bigger than the FHM, they came to the surface, and were the primary feeders.
There are no predators in the pond, and the CNBG's gape isn't big enough to eat fully grown FHM yet, so they still have to be in there somewhere.
AL
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668 Likes: 57
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668 Likes: 57 |
my FHM's would go to deeper water during the hot summer days.
Do not judge me by the politicians in my City, State or Federal Government.
Tracy
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 186
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OP
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 186 |
Well, when I checked the minnow traps, they were full of adult FHM's with plenty of smaller ones swimming on top of, and all around, the trap. Before setting the traps, I looked everywhere and there was not a one to be found so obviously they are there, just staying suspended and out of sight in this heat, I guess. I feel much better now. Fire, my CNBG were on the larger side (3-4") when I added them since they were hold overs from a late spawn last year. They really hit the ground running and have grown dramatically since March. Up until a couple of weeks ago, whenever the feeder would go off, the BG and FHM both would feed together. About this same time, the BG seemed to become much more aggressive feeders and started really tearing up the water at meal time. I figured maybe the FHM were not so fond of that new behavior and decided to suspend for that reason as well. So it looks like all is well after all and now I can look forward to my Tiger Bass delivery tomorrow! Thanks for all the input everyone!!!!
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,490 Likes: 265
Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,490 Likes: 265 |
Great to see a plan work ! This thread shows that it can be hard to visually evaluate pond fish populations or events. Using other tools like creel surveys , seine surveys (including traps) and electroshock surveys along with visual info is much better.
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 186
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OP
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 186 |
I agree, it was an interesting situation with a happy conclusion! I definitely appreciate everyone's advice. I added 120 Tiger bass fingerlings to the mix yesterday so now the minnow population has a legitimate reason to worry!
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Moderated by Bill Cody, Bruce Condello, catmandoo, Chris Steelman, Dave Davidson1, esshup, ewest, FireIsHot, Omaha, Sunil, teehjaeh57
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