thanks for the kind words gents (yolk...i apologize if i offended you with my topless sunfish cabaret......of course, the sub plot to this thread is bringing awareness to those who claim to hate them, when deep down i know there is a green sunfish lover in all of us).
i cant explain the feeling to fish for just an hour on my pond, and catch really beautiful examples of 3 sunfish species....i am tickled pink.
i am particularly proud of mommy and daddy..i stocked about 29 total last summer, and knew they spawned by late Fall 06. i was worried they didnt survive though...i didnt see any evidence of them all winter, and through early spring. they sure showed up with the warmer weather though and i couldnt be happier. i dont know how many are left. there was at least one floater last year (multiply by 5 rule?) but not only did some survive, i believe they've even fattened up (probably since the BG stocking). they were afterall raised on LMB fry in the ranch pond, and put into a relatively sterile pond with nothing but gams and bullfrog polywogs, but i figure if i kept them alive this long, and they're as mean and hardfighting as ever.....i'll now claim those pigs as mine
