I posted an article in another part of the forum about a kid in maryland that caught a state record largemouth out of a farm pond. What does it take to grow bass like that in a pond as far as time, management, stocking, etc? Seems like it would be a daunting task.
In my opinion it takes abundant forage, limited competition for that forage, good water quality, time, and possibly to a lesser degree, a fish with all the right stuff to begin with (genetics).
I'm not a Bass kind of guy, but all of my management strategies revolve around those five items, and how best to leverage them to my (and my fishes), advantage.
Seems to me that Bob Lusk's book "Raising Trophy Bass" would make for some excellent reading in this regard also...
"Forget pounds and ounces, I'm figuring displacement!"
If we accept that: MBG(+)FGSF(=)HBG(F1) And we surmise that: BG(>)HBG(F1) while GSF(<)HBG(F1) Would it hold true that: HBG(F1)(+)AM500(x)q.d.(=)1.5lbGRWT? PB answer: It depends.
On a % basis with the things enumerated above it is easier to grow trophy fish in a pond than a giant reservoir. The environment is easier to manipulate. For example it is easy to pellet feed fish in a pond - not so much in a giant lake. Same for water quality improvements and productivity enhancements.
As Mr. Lusk will tell you on almost every one of his videos when it comes to growning large bass, the Mr. Bluegill is the backbone for LMB to eat, eat, eat!!
I am a perfect example of that! I bought my pond 4 years ago. Had a bunch of 11 inch bass in it, did NOT have 1 bluegill in it. Got rid of some of the small bass and that fall I put in 125 CNBG in the 5 to 6 inch range and about 25 regular BG about 5 inches the next year put in some newer 10 to 11 inch bass to mix things up a bit. And now just over 2.5 years later I have this to show for it! It's all about habitat like Mr. Cody said and forage like others said MAINLY Bluegill for smaller ponds. Here is a pic of my son catching the biggest bass to date on my pond.
Last edited by RC51; 09/13/1301:19 PM.
The only difference between a rut and a Grave is the depth. So get up get out of that rut and get moving!! Time to work!!
RC, your son, and Omaha, seem to have the same narcolepsy issues when being photographed.
Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:" "She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."
Later this month, after discussing (extensively) aquatic vegetation, I believe Bruce is going to have a lecture on staying awake while holding fish and being photographed. Should be fascinating.
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LOL!
