Pond Boss Forums FISH & FISHING Show off your catch Close, but no cigar...

Thought I had the new pond record when I caught my first glimpse of this fish, but once he came out of the water I knew he didn't have the bulk to pull it off. If he had been BG dominant rather than GSF, he might've made it. One pound 9.5 ozs, a half ounce off the record. Eleven and a half long.






Another one, showing potential at 9.5" and 18.6 ozs. Tripped the lights at 158% Wr.





Caught them on a slip float rig, using a 2.5mm tungsten ice jig tipped with Gulp Alive pink maggots.

If the bigger fish would've maintained the body dynamics of the smaller one, there would be a tremendous celebration occurring at Sprkplug's house tonight.

Smaller fish, 9.5"

How old do you think that fish is?

I honestly don't know. I couldn't find any evidence of a clipped fin, and I'm sure he didn't have a tag. I'm a little baffled myself.

Tony....that's incredible!

Tony, heackuva fish.

Super nice fish Tony. Congratulations!

Very nice Tony.

Mr Goodwrench, how close to the nuclear plant are ya?

Nice big ugly fish Tony! Congrats!

My record so far is only 1 lb. 8 oz. Pure strain though. Was only 10.5 inches. Don't think I've produced any over 10.5 inches yet.

Interesting thing is I gave away a bunch of runty fingerlings to an Amish friend that had a new pond. This was when I had cage escapees, with subsequent reproduction and drained the pond and started over.

Anyway his biggest was 1 lb. 12 oz.! So they can catch up!

Awesome fish Tony! I think we should check for steroids.What is your guesstimate on the fish's age?

I would guess the fish at around 5 years, and that's only a guess.

Soooo disappointed when it came out of the water and I got a good look at it! Still an enjoyable catch and a great fight, but I was hoping for something extraordinary.

TUNA!!!!!!!!!!!

Dang Tony; hoping for something extraordinary? You're a hard guy to please.

One man's disappointment is another man's excitement. I'm sure there are lots of people here that would be tickled pink with that fish.

You must really be disappointed when you fish public waters. I know I am.

I suppose I have become somewhat jaded, and I should've chosen my wording a little more carefully. I'm certainly still excited by pulling in a large bluegill, but there's always that voice, claiming that I need to tweak, adjust and overcome....there's room for improvement.

And maybe I've lost something along the way. I remember catching my first one pounder like it was yesterday, and I recall how excited I was having done so. Now it's just a competition with myself, to top that last, biggest fish. It doesn't count if it's not the biggest I've seen thus far. And that's a shame. I probably caught 15 HBG last evening, none under a pound. Several fell between 1.25 and 1.5 lbs. And one went eleven and a half inches...that should be cause for celebration, but instead it's reason to wonder what went wrong, in a population where Wr's consistently run around 150%.

Sure it was a blast to catch, but that fish should've been all over that 2lb mark at that length. And the fact that it wasn't, overshadows the joy of the catch for me. And that's a terrible way to be. I've been around fish long enough to know that sometimes the stars simply don't line up like we feel they should, for big fish status to occur. Most times actually. But it's small consolation.

It's been a hectic summer, with a lot going on right now. I don't remember the last time I fished for fun or enjoyment. These days it's all about fishing to evaluate the population, and to try and get a feel for what's happening down there, and decide where to go from here.

If my comment offended anyone, I apologize. It wasn't my intent to demean or belittle another, or myself for that matter. Just a glimpse into my big bluegill world.

No offense taken here Tony and I know exactly what you're talking about. I kick the obsessive behavior up another notch by selling my fish as trophies.

And the ignorance is bliss thing left me a long time ago by being a fish taxidermist that sees exceptional specimens on a regular basis.

Everything is so relative. I remember fishing in Massachusetts as a kid, when a 13 inch brook trout got me really excited, as that was as big as they come in that little oligothrophic small lake. Now a 13 inch doesn't even get a second glance from me.

I'm right there with you, Cecil. I moderate for Bruce over at BigBluegill.com, and fellow mod and outdoor writer Jim Gronaw recently caught and submitted a photo of the biggest HBG I have ever seen. 13" and 2.25 lbs.

I distinctly heard the "clink" of the bar being raised.

Outstanding fish Sprk !!!!

I judge them on condition not size. Yours are tops. All fish can't be giants so condition shows much better how well they are managed.

I don't grow huge fish but lots of "nice" ones. I built my pond with the idea that I'd never have ta ask someone to let me fish their pond. After a couple of yrs it was easy ta catch nice fish anytime. For the last two yrs I've almost exclusively switched ta what Cody calls micro fishin. I target Spotfin, Bluntnose and yoy YP and SMB. It's harder than you'de think and I wonder what my friends think when I brag about catchin a dozen minnows. Once in awhile I'll catch a 12" SMB or a 17" CC and man tryin ta finesse one of those in on a ice fishin rig is a good challenge. The HSB are impossible.

Tony, I think we're all guilty of that to some extent, and IMO it's a good thing!

For me, and I'm sure many others, it's always the thought of "how can I make it better". Whether it be the water chemistry, size and condition of the fish, etc.

My BG are dwarfs compared to yours and others here on the forum, but knowing I stocked them myself, I feed them and do what I can to offer them a healthy BOW to thrive in, I'm excited all the same to see their growth and progress. But on the other hand, for every fish I catch I wonder why they're not fatter, or longer, or healthier, and what can I do to make things better .

I don't think we'll ever be content, but I don't think we want to be. Personally I'm enjoying the challenge and I'm learning so much along the way, along with others in the same boat, and those who have "been there, done that" and willing to share their experiences to help us achieve our goals!

What IS reassuring though, is when guests come out to the pond and comment on how nice it looks and how big and healthy the fish are. And although under my breath I'm thinking "man, there's so much more I can, and want to do", it gives me that moment of realizing I have something I should be proud of!

Then when the guests leave, it's back to work .

Congrats to you on a job well done, Tony and keep shooting for the stars!

Tony my guess is to get HBG over 2lbs you need to feed them gizzard shad!

Now why didn't I think of that?

You can also feed feed them split shot sinkers!

I've only grown and caught one to 2 lbs., (without splitshot). It was a female redear that I caught about 4-5 years ago.

Outstanding fish Tony! We'll be fishing again here in a month or so, and those fish have certainly got me amped up. Congrats buddy.