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
Topics40,900
Posts557,089
Members18,452
Most Online3,612
Jan 10th, 2023
Top Posters
esshup 28,414
ewest 21,475
Cecil Baird1 20,043
Bill Cody 15,110
Who's Online Now
17 members (BillyE, FishinRod, PRCS, LeighAnn, bstone261, LANGSTER, Sunil, dg84s, ewest, Fishingadventure, Shorthose, Freg, IND1371, Augie, Groundhog7, Brandon Larson, Dave Davidson1), 747 guests, and 303 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 6 of 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
blavis #505405 05/06/19 09:37 PM
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,220
Offline
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,220
I think that's what's happened here. Haven't seen the first LMB recruit. Since I dont have a grow out pond, I guess I'll be bucket stocking a few more soon.


.10 surface acre pond, 10.5 foot deep. SW LA. The epitome of a mutt pond. BG, LMB, GSF, RES, BH, Warmouth, Longear Sunfish, Gambusia,Mud Minnows, Crappie, and now shiners!!...I subscribe!!
blavis #505409 05/06/19 11:50 PM
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2,213
Likes: 514
S
Offline
S
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2,213
Likes: 514
It won't take many Mike, a half-dozen will go a long ways without upsetting the cart.

Snipe #505410 05/07/19 03:41 AM
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,220
Offline
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,220
Originally Posted By: Snipe
It won't take many Mike, a half-dozen will go a long ways without upsetting the cart.


I'm figuring another three 12" fish to go with the three I stocked last year...assuming those three are still in good shape. I haven't seen much of them lately.


.10 surface acre pond, 10.5 foot deep. SW LA. The epitome of a mutt pond. BG, LMB, GSF, RES, BH, Warmouth, Longear Sunfish, Gambusia,Mud Minnows, Crappie, and now shiners!!...I subscribe!!
blavis #506545 05/27/19 02:59 PM
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 94
Likes: 2
B
blavis Offline OP
OP Offline
B
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 94
Likes: 2
Good afternoon ya'll! I have received over 17" of water this month just outside of Wichita KS.

Check on the pond today and saw at least 6 snakes on the water. I'd like some help with the I.D. They were swimming on top of the water and only went under when I startled them, but they didnt stay under for long.

My guess is a cottonmouth/water mocccasin.

https://youtu.be/AtM5wVMS04c











Cheers!

blavis #506546 05/27/19 03:15 PM
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,220
Offline
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,220
It's hard to tell. When I blow up the pics they become too grainy to really see their heads. From the length of them they appear to be water snakes of some kind.

From what I can make of their heads, they are narrow, not wedged like a viper. Cant make out the eyes either. Moccasins are typically shorter and stockier. Around here anyway. A 16" moccasin will be as big as around as my wrist and have slitted pupils. I think those are all long and skinny and appear to have round pupils.

I killed 13 moccasins in two weeks after we got flooded in '16. They dont tend to spook. If anything, they are very aggressive and will challenge you.


.10 surface acre pond, 10.5 foot deep. SW LA. The epitome of a mutt pond. BG, LMB, GSF, RES, BH, Warmouth, Longear Sunfish, Gambusia,Mud Minnows, Crappie, and now shiners!!...I subscribe!!
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 94
Likes: 2
B
blavis Offline OP
OP Offline
B
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 94
Likes: 2
Thanks for your thoughts. I've read that venomous snakes swim with most of their body ON the water and non venomous snakes will swim with just their head out of the water. Everything that I saw today was with most of their body on TOP of the water.

I also saw about a 4 foot long and fat bodied one that was lying on a pallet and then shot into the water when I was close. It was probably as thick as my wrist. Obviously didnt get a pic, but it was definitely thicker than the other ones that I was able to get a video/pic of.

blavis #506548 05/27/19 04:09 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 1
Offline
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 1
Hard to see in the pics. If I had to guess, I would say the pattern on the first and third pics look like Northern Watersnakes.


[Linked Image]
Be Brave Enough to Suck at Something New!
blavis #506551 05/27/19 05:16 PM
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,220
Offline
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,220
"Thanks for your thoughts. I've read that venomous snakes swim with most of their body ON the water and non venomous snakes will swim with just their head out of the water. Everything that I saw today was with most of their body on TOP of the water."

Every snake I've killed in the water was swimming on top. The only one I've ever seen whose entire body was on top was a rattler. If a water moccasin was 4' long, I doubt seriously he would be running off. I dont think they get that long. 3'...occasionally....maybe, but I've never seen one much over 30". One of my best friends in high school was killed when his water-ski hit a breeding ball of moccasins. They never saw the first snake until he fell into them.


.10 surface acre pond, 10.5 foot deep. SW LA. The epitome of a mutt pond. BG, LMB, GSF, RES, BH, Warmouth, Longear Sunfish, Gambusia,Mud Minnows, Crappie, and now shiners!!...I subscribe!!
blavis #506552 05/27/19 05:30 PM
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 212
Likes: 5
Offline
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 212
Likes: 5
I agree with Bill, it looks like a common water snake. They don't get much bigger than 3-4' max and are harmless to both you and your pond.

blavis #506559 05/28/19 08:42 AM
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
Shoot one behind the head and get a close up picture of its head.


aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine -
America's Journal of Pond Management
blavis #506563 05/28/19 09:38 AM
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 176
Likes: 17
L
Lunker
Offline
Lunker
L
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 176
Likes: 17
Hard to say for sure, but I would second the Northern Watersnake (sometimes also called a Common Watersnake). They get killed all the time around here by people that think they have Cottonmouths in their ponds, even though we are probably 500 miles from their typical range. You are probably right on the northernmost edge of the Cottonmouth territory. I don't doubt you get them in your area, but probably not very common.

Bill Cody #506604 05/29/19 07:31 AM
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668
Likes: 57
T
Offline
T
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668
Likes: 57
Originally Posted By: Bill Cody
Shoot one behind the head and get a close up picture of its head.


Bill, that is the way I check them. Works good at my pond smile


Do not judge me by the politicians in my City, State or Federal Government.


Tracy
blavis #506616 05/29/19 11:12 AM
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,903
Likes: 109
Offline
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,903
Likes: 109
Thought for sure I had a water snake in my pond the other day. Turned out it was just one turtle very closely following another one. Could have been some hanky panky going on.
On the subject. I’ve always thought water moccasins were a southern snake. Not sure how far north they will hang out.

Last edited by SetterGuy; 05/29/19 11:13 AM.

9 yr old pond, 1 ac, 15' deep.
RES, YP, GS, FHM (no longer), HBG (going away), SMB, and HSB (only one seen in 5 yrs) Restocked HSB (2020) Have seen one of these.
I think that's about all I should put in my little pond.
Otter attack in 2023
blavis #506830 06/03/19 12:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 94
Likes: 2
B
blavis Offline OP
OP Offline
B
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 94
Likes: 2
Good afternoon!

We were out yesterday and saw something I'll probably never see again! Not sure on the type of snake, but it had caught a bullhead and pulled it out of the water. My son walked up to it and scared it back into the water and we got a video. It was an absolute awesome experience to see this live.

We also caught a snake yesterday (standby for pics), saw a box turtle, and saw a small alligator turtle on the dam (standby for video). It was a huge lesson for my two boys ages 7 and 4 about how fast those turtles can strike when they are angry.

We are about 2 months away from moving in and I can NOT wait!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlToQ9nu-C0&feature=youtu.be


Any I.D. on the snake?


Cheers!!!

blavis #506835 06/03/19 01:08 PM
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,358
Likes: 4
Offline
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,358
Likes: 4
Looks like some kind of watersnake (non-venomous) but I wouldn't want to find out I was wrong.

blavis #506836 06/03/19 01:13 PM
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 274
D
Moderator
Lunker
Online Content
Moderator
Lunker
D
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 274
Wow!


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
blavis #506838 06/03/19 01:23 PM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 101
Offline
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 101
Nice capture on video! I would say that it is a Diamond back Watersnake. The problem with my identification abilities with water snakes is that they very so much in shade and color within one species, but if it's not a Diamondback Water Snake then it's a Fox Snake.


Fish on!,
Noel
blavis #506850 06/03/19 06:03 PM
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 96
Likes: 5
K
Offline
K
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 96
Likes: 5
Diamondback water snake. Ill tempered but not poisonous. The only documented water moccasins in the state are along the spring creek drainage in Cherokee county. Some idiot tried starting them on the Verdigris in the 70s but they didnt take.

Last edited by kswaterfowler; 06/03/19 06:04 PM.
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 6,086
Likes: 93
S
Offline
S
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 6,086
Likes: 93
Agree. Diamondback water snake. I have several every year that come and go in my main pond and the small creek that is behind it.

Usually have a batch of babies reared in my forage pond. They seem to be smart enough to not have babies in the main pond where there are large predator fish. Had three about a foot long last year in the forage pond.

Somewhere in one of my old threads I have a picture of a medium size one swallowing a peeper toad late in the night. Man that toad was making a horrible screeching sound.

Take those boys out with flashlights around midnight during the summer. All sorts of neat stuff for kids to experience. Pick up a baby BG in your hand while they are sleeping in shallow water.


John

I subscribe to Pond Boss Magazine
blavis #509708 08/02/19 02:31 PM
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 94
Likes: 2
B
blavis Offline OP
OP Offline
B
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 94
Likes: 2
Well, I finally had my water tested at T A&M. Below are the results.

Please comment and give suggestions as I am completely ignorant when it comes to this. Thanks!


blavis #509730 08/03/19 12:02 PM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 101
Offline
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 101
I am, also, very new to water chemistry, but here is some info that will help you get started...

From this website...

http://pondplace.com/chemistryofapond-phammonianitratesetc.aspx

"pH
Ideal: 7.5
Acceptable Range: 6.5 - 8.5
Phosphate
Ideal: 0
Acceptable Range: 0.0 - 0.5
Ammonia
Ideal: 0
Acceptable Range: 0.0 - 0.25
Nitrites
Ideal: 0
Acceptable Range: 0.0 - 0.25
Nitrates
Ideal: 0
Acceptable Range: 0.0 - 0.5
Salt/Salinity
Ideal: 0.1 - 0.25
Acceptable Range: 0.1 - 0.25"

I have also collected ALOT of water analysis info and have saved it on my Water Chem Log thread. See the very first post and enjoy...

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=39072&Number=508352#Post508352


Fish on!,
Noel
Page 6 of 6 1 2 3 4 5 6

Link Copied to Clipboard
Today's Birthdays
Bob Lusk, GaryK, GrizzFan, PhotographerDave
Recent Posts
Working on a .5acre disaster, I mean pond.
by PRCS - 03/28/24 04:13 PM
New 2 acre pond stocking plan
by LANGSTER - 03/28/24 03:49 PM
Happy Birthday Bob Lusk!!
by ewest - 03/28/24 03:37 PM
1 year after stocking question
by Dave Davidson1 - 03/28/24 02:44 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
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