Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Proud pond owner/manager

This bass was caught on March 23rd from my pond, I stocked it in June of 2002. She appeared to be full of spawn so hopefully it will happen this year. Sorry, no details on weight or measurments. Photo bucket image

Oh, she definitely is mature!!

Yep, that one is a female. Nice 5-6 yr old fish. The fish was probably 1 yr old when stocked.

Fishhead - I hope you don’t mind. I couldn’t resist doing a little tweaking on such a cool photo!

That is one SOLID looking fish!

Nice LMB. Always handle them as little as possible and always with wet hands if you are going to release them. Keep your eyes open and you may see her on a spawning bed soon as it warms a little up there.

good fish. Great background.(the flag)

It looks like it has almost outgrown its head. Are you feeding it?

Dwight, I do not mind at all and really appreciate it, I tried to post it like that but didn't get the same outcome, she is the fruit of my labor. I tried to get my 10yr old hooked up with one of the bass by hanging out away from the dam in the canoe but it didn't work out, of course, after my wife took them to swim practice I couldn't resist the day long wind beating into the dam and 3 casts later she couldn't resist the night crawler. She was out of the water a total of maybe 1 minute. I did have her on a nylon stringer for about 1 hr off the dock which is a few steps from where the picture was taken in order to show her to the family.

I am not feeding at my pond but have had some real good BG spawns and I'm pretty sure I am short on LMB, the combo makes for nice, healthy bass and a lot of 3-6" BG's. It also makes the bass finicky, I see them cruzing the shore lines but maybe catch 6 a year, so far all the same size. I did count 17 bass one day last year when I walked around the pond. I couldn't get good looks it every point and don't think I doubled up. I'm sure there's more but really have no way to check.

Oh, the old clich'e, "Wish I knew then what I know now", I don't think I have the perfect bass spawning pond and should have drained it and added it before stocking, I think I could still do it and might at some point, drop it about 5' and add the structure, the overflow runs 75% of the time since I've owned it and think recovery would be quick, it's total depth is about 17' averaging at least 10' at pool level.

Thanks for all the nice comments, makes a pond owner/manager feel all fuzzy

FH

Fishhead-
It could be the flash of the camera at night, but that bass has unique coloration. I don't know that I've ever seen one that golden. I've always seen them from a dark green in clear water to a cream/white/silver in muddy water. That sure is a beautiful fish!

Funny you mentioned that, the picture shows what I think was the true color, I too think she is beautiful but I'm pretty bias. I don't know what would make her that color but believe it would be the characteristics of the water and/or the location of the pond. It sets low in what use to be a deep drainage ditch and is tile fed from ag land. The south side bank is probably 25 feet above the surface of the water level which leaves it shaded most of the year. Maybe it's a combination.

FH

I want Golden Bass.

Fishhead -

I believe it is the flash from the camera that makes her look golden. She is a beauty in any case!

I am concerned about that hour on the nylon stringer. That is extremely tough duty for a pregnant LMB, or any fish for that matter.

Is she OK?

Dwight, I too shared the concern but watched her swim off and haven't seen her since. I worried but couldn't resist showing the rest of the family.

The flash actually washed her a out little, the fish in my pond are all dark, I'll post a big gill next time I get one, they are also darker.

FH

Fishhead - That is good news on Mama Bass! I look forward to the next photos.