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#505985 05/16/19 12:46 PM
Joined: Jun 2015
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DrLuke Offline OP
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Thought I would share some data on my BG. For background, these are native born (i.e. not stocked by me) to my pond, which is 39 yrs old and highly eutrophic. I've added aeration (2016) and feed Optimal BG twice daily (2 sec throw) from a small TH hanging feeder. I have added some small rock/gravel for better bedding, as well as some brush piles. My thinking is to pump up my BG production for my LMB (added in fall 2017).
Here is the data I've collected for 2019, all from the last 30 days:

Species sex Length Weight Standard W Relative W
Bluegill male 9.10 0.44 0.64 68.28%
Bluegill male 8.40 0.44 0.49 89.03%
Bluegill female 7.40 0.33 0.32 101.66%
Bluegill female 6.80 0.26 0.25 106.02%
Bluegill male 7.30 0.30 0.31 96.68%
Bluegill male 6.80 0.26 0.25 106.02%
Bluegill male 8.00 0.44 0.42 104.67%
Bluegill male 7.50 0.33 0.34 97.23%
Bluegill male 8.20 0.40 0.46 87.67%
Bluegill female 7.00 0.24 0.27 88.89%
Bluegill male 7.20 0.30 0.30 101.21%
Bluegill male 7.70 0.35 0.37 94.51%
Bluegill male 8.20 0.46 0.46 100.82%
Bluegill male 7.20 0.33 0.30 111.33%
Bluegill female 7.00 0.22 0.27 81.48%
Bluegill male 7.67 0.33 0.37 90.27%
Bluegill male 7.15 0.26 0.29 89.76%

Sorry the table is a bit packed in, I couldn't get the spacing to post correctly. Also, sex is my opinion only, based on ear tab size and coloration.

Here is a typical male BG from my pond:


"Politics": derived from 'poly' meaning many, and 'tics' meaning 'blood sucking parasites'.
DrLuke #505999 05/16/19 02:25 PM
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Beautiful fish! Your relative weights appear to be in good standing too. Do you think the relative weights will go down if you increase BG production?


Fish on!,
Noel
DrLuke #506005 05/16/19 02:56 PM
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Wow Doc, Those are some fantastic colors on that fish!! My water stays so muddy all the time and makes my fish "white" I forget how pretty they are supposed to be. Great job!!


Dear Alcohol, We had a deal where you would make me funnier, smarter, and a better dancer... I saw the video... We need to talk.
Quarter Acre #506007 05/16/19 03:16 PM
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DrLuke Offline OP
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Originally Posted By: Quarter Acre
Beautiful fish! Your relative weights appear to be in good standing too. Do you think the relative weights will go down if you increase BG production?


I don't know how much credit I can take for the BG's looks, but I think it's related to the Optimal. IIRC one of the mods pointed out that fish coloration tends to improve with feeding? Either way, I also think the BG is a darn handsome fish! If they could only grow to 4-5 pounds, they'd be even more fun to catch! I still get a kick out of how they spin (swim in tight circles) when fighting.

RE: WR reduction with boosted numbers. I'm leary about that, but hope to counter the increase in food/forage eaters with my increase in numbers and size of apex predators (LMB). I also have found my plans and mother nature's plans don't always (or even that often) mesh up. But I still am having fun 'managing' my pond.


"Politics": derived from 'poly' meaning many, and 'tics' meaning 'blood sucking parasites'.
Flame #506010 05/16/19 03:21 PM
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DrLuke Offline OP
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Originally Posted By: Flame
Wow Doc, Those are some fantastic colors on that fish!! My water stays so muddy all the time and makes my fish "white" I forget how pretty they are supposed to be. Great job!!


Thanks Flame! BTW, I pay close attention when you Texans are swapping LMB catching ideas, and jig types. I am a big time rookie in that department. FWIW, my best lure for my pond is a teeny little jig called a Mini Mite. I can catch any fish in my pond on it, especially the white color. I took that same jig to Manitoba, Canada last spring, and caught a 44 inch northern pike, a 24 inch WE and a 12 inch YP..on the same white mini mite! Jigging over the side in the same spot! I lucked out on the pike, because she was hooked in the bony edge of her lip, so wasn't sawing on my line.


"Politics": derived from 'poly' meaning many, and 'tics' meaning 'blood sucking parasites'.
DrLuke #506011 05/16/19 03:24 PM
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Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent
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With only a few outliers, your WR data reflects a successful BG fishery, well done. Now that you have some experience measuring WR, you will know a low WR fish upon sight - these are likely non feed trained fish or some other factor[s] contributing to their poor performance. I recommend you construct a floating cage and collect poor performers - I can teach you how to repurpose these fish to increase your LMB condition simultaneously removing biomass and easing your carrying capacity. Plus, it's a blast! Ping me, let's chat.

PS: That's a beautiful photo of your male BG...colors are outstanding and body condition looks good. Well done.

TJ


Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau

[Linked Image from i1261.photobucket.com]


teehjaeh57 #506012 05/16/19 03:37 PM
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DrLuke Offline OP
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Originally Posted By: teehjaeh57
With only a few outliers, your WR data reflects a successful BG fishery, well done. Now that you have some experience measuring WR, you will know a low WR fish upon sight - these are likely non feed trained fish or some other factor[s] contributing to their poor performance. I recommend you construct a floating cage and collect poor performers - I can teach you how to repurpose these fish to increase your LMB condition simultaneously removing biomass and easing your carrying capacity. Plus, it's a blast! Ping me, let's chat.

PS: That's a beautiful photo of your male BG...colors are outstanding and body condition looks good. Well done.

TJ


Thanks, TJ! I will.


"Politics": derived from 'poly' meaning many, and 'tics' meaning 'blood sucking parasites'.
DrLuke #506038 05/17/19 07:41 AM
Joined: Jun 2016
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Originally Posted By: DrLuke
I don't know how much credit I can take for the BG's looks, but I think it's related to the Optimal. IIRC one of the mods pointed out that fish coloration tends to improve with feeding?


From my old tropical fish/aquarium days...I can tell you that diet has a big influence on color. The cheaper foods would work, but the higher end stuff would make the fish pop with color.


Fish on!,
Noel
DrLuke #506513 05/26/19 06:51 AM
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What scale do you use to weigh the fish? Ive been wanting an accurate scale to use for BG as well as LMB. The typical ones sold at BPS/Cabelas are pretty wonky and seem terribly inaccurate. Thank you

DrLuke #506522 05/26/19 04:35 PM
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DrLuke Offline OP
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I use this one:


"Politics": derived from 'poly' meaning many, and 'tics' meaning 'blood sucking parasites'.
DrLuke #506523 05/26/19 04:37 PM
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DrLuke Offline OP
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I either hang an ice cream bucket from the hook, or a small net (from the handle lanyard), and tare it to zero.


"Politics": derived from 'poly' meaning many, and 'tics' meaning 'blood sucking parasites'.
DrLuke #507029 06/07/19 09:35 PM
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Posts: 135
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Thank you!


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