eyedoc, i have GSF and BG in my pond w/ no apex predators. what limits overpopulation and stunting in my case is SEVERE summer drawdown. the last three years i've been experimenting w/ GSF as top predator and am trying to grow them large. i currently have a good number of fish in the 9-inch, 3/4 lb range........but i digress.......
my point is what (i think) i am seeing, that without an apex predator, the GSF crush BG recruitment. if i were to add adult bass now, i strongly believe i would see what has happened in the ranch pond below me, and that would be the rather quick decimation of the GSF population, afterwhich the BG would be able recruit more and take over as the lmb forage base. bottom line as dave davidson mentioned above, you have a great forage base to grow huge bass by doing nothing other than stocking good numbers of adult lmb now.....my 2c from el dorado
