Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Fish Location

Y'all ever noticed that in your body of water 90% of the fish live in 10% of the water?

It might not be that drastic...but it sure feels like it for me. I see and catch more fish near the feeder(duh) and where the depth changes more than anywhere else.

So...adding more structure to the void areas is the only thing I can think of. In hindsight, it's a pond build problem. Needed more contour! Depth! Builders be wary!

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think that's where I find myself. Christmas trees here I come!

I’ve wondered how many fish are just living fat and happy right under my pier. It’s about 60 ft long with 4x4’s on either side every 7-8 ft and im feeding the gills right off the end. I caught a few under there it this summer but I know there are more down there. They just are not interested in anything I throw. The biggest one was 3lbs and fat. Only fat fish I’ve caught 😆 Now that I’ve added a bunch of supplemental CNBG, there are TONS of gills hovering around and under the pier.

I’m out there venturing all over, grinding it out trying to cull bass and I’d be willing to bet 50% are around that pier laughing at me saying “look at this idiot over there on the other side”.

I am basically doing the same thing as you. All I really know to do as well. I’ve added cedar tree and oak branch piles in various spots, mostly in the 6-8 ft areas close to the banks, but also in a couple/few of the deep, more open water spots. CNBG are definitely hanging out in the brush piles, but only young,4-6 in bass.

I’m hoping theyll venture out shallow in early Spring when they are looking to spawn and spread out. 🤷🏼‍♂️

It does seem like the fish need something anchor/attract them. We did a combo of forever structure with riprap, chunk limestone and artificial that were homemade and added some natural trees that can be expanded each winter.

Likely expand the tree stuff this winter with more cedars and some homemade plastic.

Complex structures also seem to do better than simple.

I fully agree with your observation ML10.

I have heard much better fisherman than I am, refer to those types of structures as "fish concentrators".

I believe that is an excellent way to think about the problem of catching more fish in our ponds.

The 90/10 axiom is mostly for larger bodies of water. A bass/bluegill farm pond is (generally) much more fertile and featureless and far less diverse than a lake or a river. That, and bluegill and bass are pretty territorial and don't school up like other fish do. So they tend to be spread out a lot more. At least that's my experience.

I tend to agree with rib3 for the 90/10 axiom. It is especially true in larger bodies of water for the most commmonly used fish species that are mostly in the areas with structure that serves as HABITAT. Habitat develops natural foods and serves as refuge areas i.e. cover. Structures are forms of habitat that congregate fish. Exceptions are with some of the fish species that are more open freshwater dwellers (Pelagic) such as shads, hybrid striped bass (HSB) and often golden shiners.

The forum in the Archives Section has a large section of at least three pages filled with types of structure. Many of the ideas have been provided by creative PB Forum members. Read through it for great examples of structures.

https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=92463#Post92463

Lusk told me about 90/10 a long time ago when discussing cover.