Originally Posted By: patcinkc
went fishing again today and caught lots of 12 inch or so fish, so should I just start culling anything under 13? and on another note, what about the larger bass I do catch. 2 fish were caught today at just above 2 pounds one was 16.5 the other 17 inches. first big fish this year was that length and twice the weight. so do I cull malnourished bass even about the size I set?


I wouldn't cull strictly on a size or slot. I would cull on a relative weight basis. Cull out any fish that are below 100% relative weight. There is a relative weight chart in the archives forum.

Here's why. If you cull strictly on size, you might be culling out a 11" "shooter" bass that is only 1.5 years old. Do you want to toss on the bank a bass that is growing really fast? No, you don't.

What if you have LMB that are 14", skinny and 5 years old? Do you put them back in because they are over 12" in length? No, you shouldn't.

Generally, I would say cull every LMB under 14", but now I'm starting to recommend culling LMB according to RW. To me, it makes more sense. Why cull out fish that might perform very well in your pond?

www.hoosierpondpros.com

[Linked Image from lh6.ggpht.com]
http://www.pondboss.com/subscribe.asp?c=4
3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).