Fish Harvesting in Year 3 - 02/09/18 04:12 AM
Bob Lusk wrote an article about overstocking a fishery and harvesting early with some good results that resembles what I have done on accident. Meaning, I thought I had a new 1.5 acre pond in NE Tx and in November 2015, I stocked 2000 CNBG and simultaneously 150 LMB (3-4 inch FL and F1 hybrids) with 6000 FHM to account for stocking the bass in the fall. The next summer, I actually measured the pond surface area and discovered it is only 0.9 acres! Thus, we harvested 50 of the poor-looking bass (didn't officially calculate relative weight). We have been feeding the CNBG and they appear prolific with incredible catch rates and many big fish although I haven't weighed them. I fertilized and had a good bloom all of the first summer. Had a good bloom spring of last year but, paradoxically, after putting in bottom aeration system, developed a bad FA problem which chewed up any fertilizer forcing me to stop and end up with clear water the last 6 mos. I plan on putting in tilapia to deal with the FA this spring and resume fertilization. My question is, when would you suggest harvesting more bass, what length, relative weight, and gender, how much bass, and should I harvest any CNBG and what size? I was thinking about harvesting the really big CNBG reasoning that the bass can't eat them but I read an article saying not to take the biggest. We have started to record all of our catches and we have some under standard weight and some right at standard weight and I did catch a 3# LMB when the pond was 2 years old. Goal is to have decent catch rates of 3-5# bass with hopes of an occasional 6-8 pounder. Thanks for your opinion.