Dave - The bigger gears are not used in the ponds around here because the ponds are seep sided and whenever the bottom is flat it is in 10 to 18 ft of water. Best gear in those situations I think is a gill net but they are not very selective and not catch and release friendly.
I have bullhead- green sunfish contamination that seems to keep getting worst in one of my ponds. This year it is getting drawed down and the low water pool is getting treated with rotenone.
