Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Largest feed trained bass out of your pond?

For those of you that feed your feed trained bass what is the biggest largemouth you've produced that way?

I have a few pushing 3#'s in about 3 years.

That's pretty good! Do they have small heads and fins for their body due to the rapid growth? I have been growing mine to about 3 + to 4 lbs for my market, but haven't tried to push too many to five or six or more. I am seriously consdering growing out less bass to larger size for higher prices. But the ones that have reached over 5 lbs. are incredibly heavy for their length and lots of fatty tissue internally. I took one bass out of the pond that was close to 6 lbs. and only 19 inches.

I guess what I'm getting at is I'm wondering if these bass will top out at a certain weight with shorter lifespans. I'm hearing through the grapevine that feed trained bass that are feed exclusively pellets have short lifespans and fatty livers. I guess I will find out.

Their heads and fins are a little smaller than their non-feed trained counterparts. I notice fewer coming to feed every year. I have wondered if they go off feed as they grow larger.

Cecil, I put my feed trained bass in @ 1.5lbs in april of 04', I have caught them up to six. This will be the year to see if they pass that number. I just started feeding them again this week. I feed them Silver cup. Hopefully they will reach 8 lbs, that is my goal with them. I also stock Talapia every spring to give them a boost. Time will tell!

I have wondered the same thing -- or that they are disappearing. Seems my largest bass have a little fungus on them come spring vs. the smaller ones that are clean.

I have bass and redear going into the third season. Last season I added tilapia. Mine look to be hitting four pounds.