Great story Cody.

About 10 years ago one of my ponds had bass that were really, really hook shy. I had over fished it. I even tried minnows and grass hoppers to no avail. When the fish heard my foot steps they got lockjaw. They knew there were strings attached.

Coincidentally I decided to fish an absentee neighbors small bass heavy pond. I knew that he wouldn't mind since he lived out of State and I had the grazing lease on the place. I caught about a dozen stunted, skinny bass and decided to put them in my pond to see if they would grow. I fin clipped them. About a week later I tossed in a small bait and caught a couple of the new fish. Then my original fish stated hitting and I caught about a dozen of my original bass. Learned behavior? Follow the leader? Crowd mentality? I don't know but have never really tried it again.

It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.

Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.

Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP Grandpa