The big bluegills that you removed were your breeding stock. I would never remove a bluegill from a bass pond. The bass can only thrive on what they can eat and they need forage that is the right sizes. An often quoted statistic or factoid is that a bass needs forage that is 1/4 to 1/3 it's size. It's a matter of calories obtained versus energy expended.

When looking at class sizes of bass either caught or not caught, look at the forage base size or lack of it.

I would target the cats. When they get over about 2 pounds, they are quite a predator and competitor.

Last edited by Dave Davidson1; 02/01/13 03:51 PM.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.

Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.

Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP Grandpa