We have 2 lakes. The old one(7 acres) which was a start over for us now averages 2-3 lb bass. The population got drastically reduced one year during drought but was over populated with skinny fish before the drought. We take no credit besides fertilizing and continuing to take 12" out. Our new lake(11 acres-5 years old) we average less than a pound after taking out more than 400 bass less than 12" last year. We have already taken a 100 less than 12" this year but they are getting noticeably thicker. Managed the same way but 2 different results. I think this is the year the new lake hopefully starts showing vast improvement. It has been a lot of work taking out that many fish. This playing mother nature is a funny business.