Originally posted by ewest:
All of the matters you noted are fixable over time with info and work. Do not worry about it to much.
I do not agree with the above. It is certainly not generally understood how to fix the catchability problem of LMB. If it were simply a matter of work and info., my ponds would have been fixed long ago. The issue is much deeper than that. It involves a very complex set of variables, the most prominent of which are genetics, fishing pressure, and to a lesser extent perhaps artificial feeding. The interaction of these variables to achieve a catchable LMB in small ponds is certainly not well understood.
In my mind, the issue is to the point of questioning the validity of the sanctity of LMB as the fundamental predator in small ponds. If you want to fish for them regularly, as Pat does, if you want a reasonable chance of catching them, it is far from being simply a matter of work to achieve that objective, IMHO.
