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Yesterday at 03:05 AM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3
Fingerling
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Fingerling
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3 |
Good Morning ALL.... I just by chance found this forum this week...bought the mag subscription and am really looking forward to learning a lot from everyone....
I live in the Pensacola Florida area, I have a small pond in my back yard...covers about 1/3 acre. The depth starts out at 3+ and goes into depths of about 10 to 12'... When I bought the place there were maybe a dozen very large c/cats in there and TOO many brim.. most of them small as well. I think all in all the pond is healthy, as I see new bass around the edges at times. What I'd like to know is how do I yeild the most fish? What are the tricks? I have to admit that as of right now the pond is more for watching than catching...We've only had the place for less than a year...so we are learning. I also noticed these past few days that the brim are forming up into what slmost looks like "bait balls" on the surface...what is this behaviour? Sure am looking forward to getting to know yall....
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 14,301 Likes: 450
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014  Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 14,301 Likes: 450 |
Welcome to Pond Boss, Pensacola.
I'm sure you'll start getting some answers and certainly more questions.
Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:"
"She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,615 Likes: 7
Ambassador
Field Correspondent Lunker
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Ambassador
Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,615 Likes: 7 |
Hello Pensacola and welcome to Pond Boss. Beautiful area to live in by the way! So you have channel cat, bass (I'm assuming large mouth bass) and some type of sunfish. Any idea what type of sunfish? If not catch some sunfish and take photos of them and post the photos here, you'll get an id of what you have that way. In fact take photos of your pond and post them. We love photos.
One of the first things to do with a new pond is to get an assessment of what you actually have in the pond. Start keeping records of every fish that you catch. Measure the length and weigh the fish. Log the fish type, the length and weight and the date of the catch. All this data will come in handy in management decisions.
What are your goals for the pond?
You are already on the right track by subscribing to Pond Boss. Also, you might want to consider purchasing some of Bob Lusk's books such as "Perfect Pond, Want One?" and "Raising Trophy Bass" (IMHO even if you don't want to raise trophy bass this is a good reference to have).
We're glad you found us and thanks for posting. One of the experts will be along to add something more useful.
JHAP
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"My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives."
...Hedley Lamarr (that's Hedley not Hedy)
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 396
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 396 |
pensacola,
Good to have another florida member. I don't have a pond yet, but am in the planning phases. Just curious if your pond is lined or natural and if you know if a contractor was hired to dig the pond?
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 3
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 3 |
Hello Pensacola and welcome to Pond Boss. Beautiful area to live in by the way! So you have channel cat, bass (I'm assuming large mouth bass) and some type of sunfish. Any idea what type of sunfish? If not catch some sunfish and take photos of them and post the photos here, you'll get an id of what you have that way. In fact take photos of your pond and post them. We love photos.
One of the first things to do with a new pond is to get an assessment of what you actually have in the pond. Start keeping records of every fish that you catch. Measure the length and weigh the fish. Log the fish type, the length and weight and the date of the catch. All this data will come in handy in management decisions.
What are your goals for the pond?
You are already on the right track by subscribing to Pond Boss. Also, you might want to consider purchasing some of Bob Lusk's books such as "Perfect Pond, Want One?" and "Raising Trophy Bass" (IMHO even if you don't want to raise trophy bass this is a good reference to have).
We're glad you found us and thanks for posting. One of the experts will be along to add something more useful. And you say you don't have many good posts! Add this one to the list...
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 3
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 3 |
There are a few ways to quickly yield more fish, or scientifically what they call, increasing the carrying capacity. The first one I would recommend, particularly in FL, is to aerate your pond. Make sure you do it correctly. When done the wrong way it can be bad, but when done right, it'll help out immensely in many ways. There are several very knowledgeable people on here when it comes to aeration. Second, you can look at feeding your fish. Look into purchasing a fish feeder and a quality fish food. Many of the members on here can give you their preferences for both. Last, you can look into fertilizing your pond. However, I be very careful, fertilizing and feeding fish can cause problems. Fertilization can also be tricky for a beginner. Best of luck and welcome to the forum...
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3
Fingerling
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Fingerling
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3 |
Wow....great replies already!
gallop: I folks I purchased from dug the pond themselves about 5 years ago.I'll post pictures soon as well as post some pic's of a few of my fish.
Jeffhasapond: THANK YOU for the great info on my first post!
CJBS: I do aerate my pond on occassion as well as supply a little well water when needed.
I am very excited about the replies I have received from my first post. This is gonna be good not only for me but for my fish as well........
Can't wait to get my first magazine in the mail!
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,319
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,319 |
Pensacola, be careful when adding well water. Well water can be very low or have no dissolved oxygen, which can wind up killing the fish you have. When adding well water, you need to aerate it by spraying it in the air or running it over rocks or some method similar to let the water take up oxygen before entering the pond. Good luck and welcome.
In Dog Beers, I've had one.
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