Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations F1 vs Florida Bass

guys, i am sorry for the post right before this one. i had asked a question a week ago about auto feeders and catching bass. i had to immediately leave town, when i returned tonight i posted the question again and then saw the very thoughtful and helpful answers you had already posted. sorry and thanks.

guys, is this possible, if on a new pond, you used auto feeders for say a year or so until the blue gill population was large and healty, and then removed the feeders and fished for the LMB for the rest of your life?

Darrell, the theory sounds good but I guess it depends on what you do to/for the bass and the bluegill. And also, what Mama Nature does to the environment. I look it like a pasture full of cows. Obviously, before I put cows in a pasture, I'm going to make sure there are adequate groceries growing for the cows. I also have to be sure that I don't overstock; plus, if I start out maximizing my utilization of the resource, I have to monitor the output or calves. They are also eating machines with an output that either fertilizes or overfertilizes the environment. I also must hope that the weather cooperates with appropriate rain to maintain and renew my environment. Other external factors can be pests that compete for the grass or forage base and diseases that affect both the cows and the forage. I believe that the best ranch manager is a good grass farmer. Its the same thing in ponds and whatever lives there. The best word I've found to describe the situation is holistic. Lusk says that a pond is like a garden that has to be weeded and utilized. We also have to keep in mind that if we artificially overstock or ignore the resource, Mama Nature is usually going to make us regret it. I guess this means that we can't always practice catch and release. BTW, all of the above is just my opinion and, if you talk to wife and kids, it don't amount to a whole lot.