Bobby - You can ask a real heap of questions. How does one begin to answer all those questions?. Plus I'm not sure there are definate answers to your ??? anyway. As always, It All Depends!! It seems like this is leading to you're working on a future PBoss mag article. I will briefly tackle one question. You've got some complex topics.
Preface. I am sure there are much more knowledgable persons out there than I about SMB biology. I have only been working with them about 15 yrs.
As you know optimum ambient temperature plays a big role in SMB growth & survival.
SMB in the correct conditions can spawn successfuly each year providing the weather doesn't interfere. Even in marginal conditions they can do well; providing.... For instance, There is a 1/3 acre pond near me where forage is not optimum and the SMB dominate with a good range of year classes. The primary benefit in this pond is it has quite a bit of 1"-1.5" angular limestone stones along the steep sided shore for spawning nests. Some nests are even built on a slight down angle of the slope. Some rooted weed growth is present as refugia for fry.
SMB seem to have origially evolved in the stream habitat and later were transferred to the lake habitat. They seem to be most "at home" in the stream setting where lots of crayfish and large invertebrates are abundant.
Other helpful items for SMB spawning are:
A. minimal competition for nesting sites with LMB
B. low numbers of nest robbing panfish or forage fish.
C. ample crayfish,
D. and logs or structure in the spawning sites so the males do not have to defend the nest from all 360 degree directions. I think SMB are structure oriented normally and when spawning. In the small pond example above the SMB spawn along shore on a steep slope so only have to defend the nest perimeter for basically 180 degrees.
LakeDoctor had other very good hints for raising smallies. Reread them. Keep in mind that the LakeDoctor stated that the SMB-Bgill combination needed to be monitored carefully.
Okay; I will do another question.
Yes, as latitude and geography changes, I am a firm believer within reason in modifying the fish species that are best suited or adapted for the "local" conditions. But LMB & bgill can do well just about anywhere in typical NA waters.
However, if one wants something else out of his fishery besides LM bass & bgill, then you should look for species that are naturally compatable or naturally occur together. Nature spent thousands of years getting it pretty cohesive and pretty functional, so why try and "swim against the current". In this light I think it is unnatural to try an get a small mouthed predator to eat a wide bodied fish no matter what the geography. Unless this is done for a specific reason or purpose. In these conditions the predator is forced to be less efficient and eat the smaller than optimum sized prey, again "swimming against the current". It can be done but would it work better another way?
The most important perameter or factor for which species of fish are best suited for your water is temperature. Tempearature is usu the most variable as one moves to different latitudes.
The LMB-Bgill is a very versitile and successful combination over a real wide range of conditions. As you know, it has been studied and used extensively and it is a real hard combination to beat for simplicity and a high degree of success. The more species you start trying to manage in a water body the more difficult it becomes to get it all clicking together in a more complex food web. Simpler is often better unless you are trying to achieve something special.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 03/26/08 11:27 AM.
