Pond Boss Forums FISH & FISHING Show off your catch 2nd year SMB in Maryland

This is about the average size SMB in my pond. All were stocked in the fall of 2013 as 2" fingerlings. I have a few I've caught that are really taking off. This is not one of them, but this picture was really meant to test out a new camera I just bought.



bonus footage from the camera - BG from the same pond. Couldn't guess at how big this was when it was stocked, but it weighed in at a respectable 11oz

IMHO Well done L7. I will say that, to my non-pro eyes, neither fish will break Rw records, but they look respectable and healthy which is all I hope for in my pond.

Nice pics by the new camera!

Thanks Bill. I think the gill is above 100%, but since I didn't measure either I really don't know. The SMB, I honestly don't know because I throw every single one back.

If I catch a fat one in the next few days I'll take a picture and actually do the weight ratio math.

I agree! I think both fish look healthy and right where they should be. Relative weights are based on fish eating natural forage and growing at natural rates. IMHO your fish are great examples of healthy fish, probably right around 100% Rw. I think your fish are on their way to a nice long healthy life.

Regardless of there weights they are beautiful fish and look healthy! I'm curious to see how your pond does in the future with the SMB and BG. Is there any other predators in your pond to control the gills? Any reproduction of the Smallies yet?

Lucky thanks for posting these photos. Beautiful shots.

Since you are managing a fishery with bg and smb you will need to watch the bg population to avoid overpopulation and stunting. Population management through angling, trapping, seining, and cast nets are all good methods I employ. Bg/smb fisheries can be successful it just requires more active bg management which is a lot of fun and a great excuse to work the pond daily!

I also recommend taking weight and length measurements so you can determine wr of fish. Good ounce scales are available at Walmart for $15.

There are Yellow Perch in the pond as well. So far everything is reproducing except evidence of the YP. Though it could be that the SMB are just really hammering the YoY Perch and I'm not seeing them.

I'm not catching as many BG as I'd like to be hand removing, but if it starts getting way out of hand, I'll add some LMB or cages to the pond. So far it hasn't been terrible. The Heron's like to help out a lot as well..

As far as weight ratio goes. I typically just weigh the fish. I could start measuring them, but I don't care enough to be honest. You can tell the healthy fish from the average from the not so good. Usually I remove anything that doesn't look to be thriving.

Here's the scale I use.