Partly Disagree - Jimmy is IMO only PARTLY correct. Although you, as tim K, may have misinterpreted really what Jimmy H was saying. For just one main reason of several reasons - Start with and have the best genetics for growing trophy bass. If the bass does not have good genetics and possible a stunted or runt fingerling starting out it will never be a truly BIG bass. However if one is just interested in growing big bass then the right foods and right sizes of food are very important factors. Technically bass eating just fertilized plankton will not grow very well. They need a good forage fish of the correct sizes and have them abundantly. One can do that without fertilizing a pond.
Plus a big bass could be 5 lbs, 7lbs, 9 lbs or 10lbs and larger. What does Jimmy H call a big bass? Also remember that LMB are almost always one half males. And male bass often never get much larger than 5 lbs no matter what they eat. IMO 5 lb bass is a nice bass but not a big bass.
Technically bass eating just fertilized plankton will not grow very well. They need a good forage fish base and have them abundantly. One can grow big bass without fertilizing a pond providing the bass are not too crowded and those present ALWAYS have the right foods. However - PROPERLY fertilizing a pond can play one of several roles in growing big bass.
Jimmy Houston and tim k need to listen to Pond Boss Bob Lusk's Podcast about growing trophy bass and then decide if fertilization is the biggest reason for growing big bass.
One has to remember that Jimmy H is a specialist in catching big bass and not necessarily an expert in growing them, Two VERY different specializations.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 08/12/2308:37 PM.
aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine - America's Journal of Pond Management
Untrue BS. There are too many factors to pick out just one. I personally think the predator prey relationship is key. And it ranks right there to balanced water. And balanced, in my case, is natural.
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
I happen to be good friends with Jimmy’s partner and when a got my pond back in April I got ask many times when are you fertilizing, when are you fertilizing, you better fertilize. So I have to believe Jimmy thinks it’s a must. I do know their pond has Big Big Bass
Fertilizing without knowing if the alkalinity is at the correct level to know if the fertilizer will work is just plain stupid. That is like saying here take this medicine without knowing if the medicine will work on what's ailing you.
I simply quoted what I heard him say yesterday on the TV show - I had never heard that before and was curious what it entailed and if it was effective - thanks for the info
We have a very good archive link on fertilization. The majority of ponds do not need fertilization as they are already fertile (sometimes too much so). You need a total plan based on the pond/lake in question.
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