So all this said about carrying capacity and what not, are there other factors that limit the size of bass in the pond? For example, say that a pond has a carrying capacity of 50 lbs/acre for bass(simplified by only bass and bg in the pond.) However, in this particular pond, there are present only 40 lbs/acre of bass, but with 2 eight lbs. bass (16lbs.), 3 five lbs bass (31 total), and 9 1 lbs. bass (40 lbs). While not a likely scenario, it might be possible, especially in a slot limit, high pressure situation. Does the presence of more heavy bass limit the population as a whole from gaining its full potential (50lbs./acre) through canniblizm or some other method? In the instance of shad, I've read here that they secrete a hormone or something that limits reproduction in overpopulation situations. Is there any kind of process or behavior that bass might do the same thing? I guess written as a point blank question, would the presence of large bass in an unconstrained environment effect growth rates of the population as a whole? Maybe I'm way off, but it is a rainy Sunday afternoon and I can't go fishing, so here I am at least reading about fishing. Next best thing!
