Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Stunted Bass pond

Have 2 ponds about 1/3 acre each that need to be re-stocked after the drought. One will be a CNBG only nursery pond. Will stock with about 200 CNBG and use for kid fishing and trap CNBG to supply larger bass pond.

The other pond I want to turn into a Bass pond for kid fishing. The goal is to have plenty of Bass (stunted) in the pond so they are easy to catch. What are your suggestions for stocking this pond?

Thanks, Tentmaker Farm

Well the way to do that is have many more predators than prey. I am not quite sure why you want to purposely stunted fish growth. I do not know if that makes them easier to catch or not. You might want to look into other options with ponds that size.

Tent

I think I understand your goals. I love your idea of a hatchery/forage pond. Too cool.

On the BG pond, without any predation you will be facing potential overpopulation and stunting issues unless you harvest or collect and move to LMB pond frequently. Also, you'll need to consider feeding these fish as their high populations may outpace your pond's ability to provide enough forage to go around. Aqua Max and a Sweeney or Texas Hunter feeder will fit the bill. You may also want to consider adding some RES on initial stocking to provide a bonus fish. They do not compete with BG and will help keep snails hammered reducing risk of grub infections in your BG.

On the LMB pond I see 50-100 LMB/acre recommendations often on the forum. I'm not a LMB guy, but were it my goal to produce abundant LMB action on a micro pond like this I would still stock BG and RES and consider another forage fish too - like whatever Shiner is native to your area. Once your forage base is established [6 - 12 mos] I would stock your LMB. For a 1/3 ac pond where your goal is plenty of LMB action I would consider stocking 50+. If your forage base is solid, you may not even have to sacrafice size as much as you're anticipating. With a heavy LMB population you will also have the bonus of trophy sized BG in that fishery.

Have you considered going single sex LMB in your pond to prevent overpopulation and keep sizes roubust? I don't know how hook shy LMB become, but it's an option to consider.

Thanks for the responce,

The goal is to have maximum catachability of lmb in a small pond. This means that the pond must be loaded with lmb. The lmb will stunt, do to overcrowding; eating each other and small pond -- max size 10 to 12 inch.

The question is will a forage base, cnbg, do any good and can forage fish survive ?

There was an article on this very goal last year in Pond Boss. I'll see if I can dig it up before Eric does.

Where in the dickens have you been and how are you?

Take large BG out of pond 1 and stock them in the LMB pond.

BTW, what do you mean by after the drought? One good rain doesn't end a drought.

Dave,

Doing great, planning fish ponds for grandkids. The dried up ponds offer a new opportunity. Moved from Weatherford to Kennedale to be closer to rugrats and downsize. Tentmaker Farm still in Eastland county close to Desdemona. Have you officaly retired? Hope all is well.

Yep, I'm officially 110% retired. Really sorry about your move to town. Why didn't you just kidnap the Grandkids?