Originally Posted by FireIsHot
I'll stick to my statement. I will call it forage 1A, and genetics 1B though.

For most pond owners, IMO forage is essential while top line genetics are not. You can have average genetics and lots of forage and have a good fishery. In thousands of studies the main limiting factor is "food" not genetics. The opposite is not true - you can have fabulous genetics and without enough food you will have a stunted out of balance fishery.

Genetics is IMO the last 15-20% of having a trophy fishery. That is assuming plenty of forage and good management. Even top 5% genetics fisheries get out of balance without harvest.