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Joined: Jun 2015
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OP
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 618 Likes: 73 |
I thought I would try a little supplemental feeding on my pond, so I reviewed what others have been feeding, and how, and ordered up a bag of feed. I have not stocked this pond, so am working with the 'natives', which are BG and BCP. I have been curious how well the BG will take to the pellets, with no prior experience. I realize the BCP will not take feed, but I'm keeping my eye on Brian's feeding project, to see if they can be trained. *fingers crossed*
I quietly walked out on the dock last evening, and hand tossed some pellets onto the water over about 24-36 inches of water. I have BGs nesting in this area, so know I have bulls guarding nests. I was happy and maybe a bit surprised to see 1-2 pellets being 'hit' right away. I waited for a minute or so, and tossed another handful. More hits than first toss. Of course then my enthusiasm begins to build, with visions of giant BG begin forming in my mind (like many forum members have demonstrated and posted pictures of). I carefully leaned over the edge of the dock rail on the other side and carefully scattered 5 or 6 pellets. I willing volunteer ascended the Z axis and sampled one carefully. I could see this BG well and was watching for a spit out but they didn't. After a minute or so, I trickled a few more pellets over this fish. Round 2 generated a bit more aggressive pellet hit. I took this as a thumbs up on taste. My plan is to hand feed this bag until it's gone, evenings (and mornings in a few days) and gauge my BG response. Then I am thinking of getting a feeder. I think I might trial a TH hanging (smaller) feeder, as it would work nicely off the side of the gazebo at the end of my dock.
Just sharing. I enjoy reading other pondmeister's ventures, so thought I'd chip in one..
"Politics": derived from 'poly' meaning many, and 'tics' meaning 'blood sucking parasites'.
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,318 Likes: 6
Ambassador Lunker
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Ambassador Lunker
Joined: Jul 2009
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Nice Doc!! Here is what kinda baffles me. BG are bug eaters, worm eaters meat eaters if you will and they still take pellet food, but yet why don't BCP, RES are very hard to get on food as well. And Bass have to be trained from the get go. I don't get it why does the curious BG seem to take hold of them and no other fish? Maybe because they are so curious and they give it a try and like it? Where other fish don't even bother.... I don't know just seems weird that totally wild BG will take to feed but not many other fish will....
RC
The only difference between a rut and a Grave is the depth. So get up get out of that rut and get moving!! Time to work!!
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,861 Likes: 298
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,861 Likes: 298 |
Apparently a few LMB will feed train on their own. I wouldn't have believed it, but I saw a six inch Fla LMB take a long floating pellet of Optimal BG feed at my pond the other day.
In all honesty, though, that's the only one I've seen directly take feed. Obviously not common!
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: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952 Likes: 184
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952 Likes: 184 |
Doc it's probably more common than you think. I have at least a half dozen LMB that gobble up pellets and they are not stocked fish......
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 618 Likes: 73
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OP
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 618 Likes: 73 |
It probably doesn't hurt that the BG is a naturally curious fish, and seem to 'taste' everything just to check it out, kind of like toddlers..
"Politics": derived from 'poly' meaning many, and 'tics' meaning 'blood sucking parasites'.
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Joined: Aug 2016
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 491 Likes: 13 |
I rarely see my BG's take pellets on the surface but I do often see them come up and snatch pellets as they moisten and sink. My BCP will hit floating pellets just as they do surface bugs. The black bullheads were the first fish to be feed trained in my pond so I started feeding where I knew there were more bluegills and crappie. The interesting thing is, ALL of the painted turtles in my pond are now pellet trained - once I walk down the trail they start B lining to myself or the row boat. They'll follow me everywhere and when I'm in the row boat you can reach out and touch their shells as they swim hahaha
I'm nearing the end of my first 40lb bag and feed about a pound a day, usually everyday with a few missed lately as we've been pretty busy.
Mat Peirce 1.25 acre southeast Iowa pond LMB, BG, YP, WE, HSB, RES, BCP
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,861 Likes: 298
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,861 Likes: 298 |
Doc it's probably more common than you think. I have at least a half dozen LMB that gobble up pellets and they are not stocked fish...... Wow, Pat, that does surprise me. I had the idea that Fla LMB were harder to feed train than the more aggressive northern LMB, but maybe that's not true. Actually, many bass come around feeding time, but they are usually more interested in the CNBG than the feed. "My" GBH feels the same.
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: Mar 2007
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Hall of Fame
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I have about a half dozen LMB up to 4lb. in a 1 acre pond that have learned to eat the pellets.
Last edited by djstauder; 06/21/17 03:16 PM.
1 ac pond LMB, BG, RES, CC
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Joined: Mar 2005
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Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Fla and northern LMB and their crosses all feed train. Its Fla LMB that have lower catchability on lures than the others.
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,861 Likes: 298
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,861 Likes: 298 |
I have about a half dozen LMB up to 4lb. in a 1 acre pond that have learned to eat the pellets.
Are they eating BG size pellets or something larger?
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: Aug 2004
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Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,054 Likes: 12 |
Question for you ewest (or anyone).... does it seem SMB feed train easier than LMB?
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Joined: Jul 2009
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Ambassador Lunker
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Ambassador Lunker
Joined: Jul 2009
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Ya'll must have some special bass, cause mine won't touch the stuff..
The only difference between a rut and a Grave is the depth. So get up get out of that rut and get moving!! Time to work!!
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,012
Hall of Fame
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Hall of Fame
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They will eat the AM600 if that is only thing available they prefer LMB pellets I hand throw when I'm at the pond site. I started throwing the LMB pellets for the HSB as they grew and perhaps that is when the LMB caught on.
Last edited by djstauder; 06/22/17 09:37 AM.
1 ac pond LMB, BG, RES, CC
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 618 Likes: 73
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OP
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 618 Likes: 73 |
The hand feeding is progressing nicely. The BG have markedly increased in number and enthusiasm each day. I'm feeding morning and evening now. I also was able to see one BCP take a sinking pellet clearly. I suppose it's logical a few BCP would take to pellets out of the gazillion a have in my pond.. Black sheep or odd duck, etc.. I'm thinking of getting the small hanging feeder sooner than later now. Anyone else used the one from Texas Hunter?
"Politics": derived from 'poly' meaning many, and 'tics' meaning 'blood sucking parasites'.
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 618 Likes: 73
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OP
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 618 Likes: 73 |
So another brief feeding trial update. The 'crowd' of BG grows every day it seems. They have started arriving a bit before the typical feeding times and loitering near the surface, which is cool. And the reaction at the surface looks like water at low boil on the stove. Also very cool to see. The BG in the area of the feeding are more aggressive biters when fishing now too. And, not surprisingly, the are noticeably FAT! Not kind of, or 'a bit more than usual', but FAT! I measured one 7 inch BG a few days ago that was almost 3 inches wide across the belly! What a pig! At this rate, I may have to recommend a formal dietician consult or maybe bariatric surgery... ( a little lame doc humor there people). Is there such a thing as 'too fat' on a fish? I'm only feeding a 1/4 to half pound of feed over 3-4 minutes.
Lastly, I broke down and bought a TH hanging feeder. I just got it last night and haven't tweaked it's location and settings yet, but am impressed by it's build. Will keep you posted..
"Politics": derived from 'poly' meaning many, and 'tics' meaning 'blood sucking parasites'.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,028 Likes: 274
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,028 Likes: 274 |
Luke, sounds like they are pigging out more than they can digest.
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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