numbers for those other fish would depend on what size bass you are stocking, how many bass you are stocking, and when you are planning on stocking them. You really have lots of options depending on how much money you want to spend and how fast you want everything to happen.
Natural forage base is great in most situations, and is definitely icing on the cake, but i have grown some pretty darn big bass in small ponds on a diet of mainly fish food.
I am sure Matt and Greg will get a good feel for which management options will suit your preferences best, but there is more than one way to skin this cat and the major X factor is you, not the pond or fish.
If you really want to customize this pond down to the exact detail of stuff like who will be fishing, how often, how many BIG fish you want to have, how big you want them to be, how fast you want it to happen, and how much money you want to spend, etc. I would definitely get matt or greg out to the pond to help you come up with a complete game plan. You have so many more options than even what you can find on this amazing forum. There are many books and videos and dnr biologists out there with templates on how things can be done, but there are only a handful of guys out there who really can customize a trophy pond management plan specific to the person who owns and manages it.
I am only writing this stuff because I am under the impression you are looking to create something really special with this pond, way above just an average pond. The information to make a great fishing pond is here on the forum. The information to make a world class fishing pond specifically for you and your exact situation is only available by getting grimes or lusk to write you up a site specific blueprint after picking your brain for a bit. The pond stuff they would know with their eyes closed, but it would take a good hour of learning everything about you as possible to really get a feel for the perfect management plan.
Last edited by n8ly; 10/20/10 10:39 PM.
