Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Bass Seem a bit Skinny

The Hybrid Bluegills won't reproduce enough to produce enough forage for the bass, neither will the Redears. Fatheads won't do much, it's like you trying to gain weight picking up pieces of popcorn off the living room floor to eat. Bass over about 8" have to expend more calories to catch one than they get in return.

To put one pound of weight on one bass it has to eat 10# of fish..... Are your bass feed trained and eating the food?

I'd up the feeding time and make sure you are feeding a good quality food. I have all my customers that feed using Optimal Fish Food - the fish do really well on it.

I'd also start taking out the skinny bass, take out 15 pounds this year.

If we stock ponds where the pond owner wants the bass to grow fast, we stock 30 bluegill to 1 bass. (Not Hybrid Bluegills - regular bluegills)