Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Dipping out bass fry

i am not sure how many of you are growing fish but i know some of you are. i was wondering if anyone has tried using lights to attract bass fry at night to help in dipping them out and moving them to growout ponds. i have some brood bass in some larger ponds this year and was thinking this might be an easier way of doing it when they begin to spawn. any information would be appreciated. thanks in advance

Night, lights, that's the best way to do it. Most bass hatcheries catch fry that way. Get a spray bottle, fill with light vegetable oil.
Watch your bass nests at night. Spray the oil, it will make the water smooth, reducing glare. Look at the bottom of the nest. You should see eggs, then fry. But, don't disturb the fry. Watch them, when fry rise from the nest and begin to move, collect them. When you move them to rearing ponds, only stock those fish caught that day. If you stock fish that are even three days younger than the last batch, cannibalism will be a problem.
Careful when handling fry. Use soft nets, or better yet, herd them into a bucket, then transfer into a hauling tank with pond water and a small amount of salt. Never, never touch them, or keep them out of water.

We caulk a piece of plexi-glass to the bottom of a 4' length of 4" PVC and stick that in the water to observe the nest. We also take the eggs before they hatch because the fry are so touchy.