A couple of thoughts that are, at this time, only thoughts.

Since this water has never been fished, you are catching pretty naive fish. That will change as you keep educating them.

On culling smaller bass, you haven't said whether they are a problem. If you have a plentiful forage base, I'm not sure that I would mess with them. They are your future. What size range are the bluegill/perch? Can you identify the different types?

It doesn't sound like the vegetation is a problem.

I agree that you are missing an age class on the bass and it MIGHT be the variable spawning habits of the crappie. Tell us more about the crappie numbers and sizes.

Regarding adding more bass: If you do it, you should probably add bass of at least 10 inches. The number one predator of small bass is larger bass. I'm not sure that you would get a return on your investment. Enough of them to make a positive contribution could get really expensive in a 12 acre water hole.

If it were me, and it's not, I would PM Bob Lusk regarding an analysis of the place. He's pretty good at this stuff. I would take no action regarding a solution/game plan until I knew my current situation. At this time, I'm not sure you have a problem.

It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.

Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.

Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP Grandpa