There is a lot to learn.
Firstly, remember the more time you spend fishing in a small pond (<5 ac) the more you condition or 'educate' your fish to become hook shy, hook smart and less likely to bite. This applies especially to the larger fish. Then it takes more & more angling finesse and education to catch the wise old fish. Numerous discussions have occurred here about this topic for further reading try searching the site.

Secondly are you sure some of the catfish are truly flatheads? Those when large will eat 14"-16" bass. IMO get all CC out unless you love to eat CC. CC are pellet hogs and night time predators serving a similar niche as the owl. IMO each CC takes the place of one bass. I prefer bass to CC.

If the LMbass are just 14" after around 6 yrs old then your pond has serious food shortages for the adult bass if your goal is LMB 4 - 6 lbs. Fingerling bass in IN that are well fed should be minimum 14" at the end of the 2nd yr in the pond. IMO you will never get LMB 4 -6 lbs with the current fishery balance. I think it will take a concerted and wise management effort to correct the current problem due to having too many hook smart fish and too many wrong species present. The path to recovery will be slow, similar to how long it took to get where the fishery now stands. Removing and probably adding fish is one probable path. Several paths and choices can be taken based on your goals for the pond and its fishery. Maybe you should reconsider your goals for the pond based on its current conditions? Consider and re-examine if your goals are realistic.

Do you use pond dye? That by itself will reduce the amount of fish a pond will grow by about 50% because it suppresses the bottom of the food chain - primary productivity.

Most of your answers and options will be listed here from our extensive information thread about LMB. Other members can provide additional advice.
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=255372#Post255372

Last edited by Bill Cody; 03/25/14 11:19 AM. Reason: fixes and a link

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