Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations removing bream

Bluegill are the backbone of largemouth bass food chains. As goes the food chain, so goes bass.
Weigh and measure bass to determine body condition. Compare your bass to "average" bass, and you can determine the condition of bass populations.
Skinny bass need food. Bluegill are food. Certain size ranges of bluegill feed certain sizes of bass. For example, if most bass are 10-14" and underweight, and you have an abundance of larger bluegill, without presence of young bluegill, that tells an important tale. Bass are overeating young of the year bluegill. Harvesting bluegill won't solve the problem. As a matter of fact, harvesting adult bluegill can compound the problem. Overcrowded bass are the problem. Harvest bass, while working to increase production of small bluegill. Then, watch bass grow.
As bluegill populations mature, you will see several scenarios. One..crowded bass with skinny bluegill. Two..crowded bass with fat, healthy bluegill. Three..balanced bass with balanced sizes of bluegill. Four...everything else. For one, harvest bass and bluegill while increasing productivity with fertility or feeding. For two, harvest bass, but leave bluegill alone for the time being. For three, harvest balanced sizes of all species. For four, expect the fishery to be in transition, responding to some stimulus such as drought, flood, fish kill, feeding, etc. Rarely, you will see a fish population where bass can't reproduce, due to an abundance of bluegill. Your choice there? Stock the missing size class of bass while harvesting a few bluegill.