I kind of wondered about that CJBS2003. If they were in a pond by themselves, they might be easier to catch.

If in a lot of ponds stocking of RES was maybe only 10-20% of the BG numbers, then the fact that BG out reporduce them, it only stands to reason that in sheer numbers there are not going to be as many or as easy to catch. Then add to that the fact that they don't hit the top of the water much, and that cuts the chance of catching one down even more. Throw a baited hook in the water and there is probably 95% chance of catching something else simply because there are not a high percentage of RES in there and something else gets to the bait first.

In my refurbished pond of about an acre I put 125 RES in. I had put ten adult 5" BG in a couple months earlier. Kind of wish I had not done that. They may or may not have got off a late summer spawn. Kind of wish I had just kept it a RES only pond just to see what happened. Had put in some FHM in the spring earlier, and that is all the fish that was put in.

There was a puddle left in the middle of the pond when I cleaned it out and it had some tiny minnows and I am going to guess a GSF or two. And maybe even - gasp- a bullhead. Wish I would have went ahead and killed everything off, but something sentimental made me want to leave those fish if they had the determination that bad to live. I know.............. bad decision. But what is done is done. I think this was about the time I discovered Pond Boss Forum also, so there was a lot I had not learned yet that I am aware of now (not saying I have "learned" anything yet, just been exposed to the process. LOL)

Anyway think I will just leave the pond as it till next summer, then maybe to a sein sample and see what is there. At some point will put in a few LMB just to keep the BG population down, but want to give the RES a good chance to populate the pond. So if there is not too much young, may wait till 2015 to put predators in. Who knows, might even try a few HSB or something else.

Guy that sold me the fish and brought them out suggested a put and take HBG/HSB pond, but somehow that just did not float my boat. So the RES pond will be my experimental pond. It is kind of muddy, so who knows maybe I will end up with some RES/BG hybrids anyway. We will see.

You think esshup likes that picture? I can't keep from laughing every time I see it.

Last edited by snrub; 01/19/14 04:02 PM.
John

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