I'm worried about stunting my bluegill. Here's a history on the pond. It's probably just under 2 acres located in east-central North Carolina.
The dam was closed up in December 2012.
March 1, 2013 started with 700 CNBG 1.5"-2.5", 300 RES 3"-4" and 10 lb. FHM.
August 17, 2013 added 95 LMB 4"-5".
November 1, 2013 added 15 HSB 6"-12".
I added the wipers because of what I perceived as a FHM overpopulation. If you stood still in the water for just a minute they would swarm all over you like mosquitoes.
I did a very un-scientific survey this past weekend. The largest BG I come up with are about 6" now. The LMB are 8"-9". I can't report on the RES as they are less than cooperative. These growth rates for the first generation seem about on par from my understanding.
My concern is based on what I can see from the shore when feeding. For every large bluegill I can see there must be at least 10 or 20 in the 2" to 3" range. I worry that I may have waited too long to introduce the LMB and the CNBG got too much of a head start. My primary objective was to grow some large bream. So I'm looking for opinions on if I might have a problem. I was thinking that if I were to add some more LMB right now I could get away with some more 4"-5" and they would be mostly safe from the existing bass population. I really don't care if the bass were a little stunted. I can fish them back into equilibrium but not the bluegill.
I don't really have a regular feeding program. I just enjoy watching them and seeing how things are progressing.
