Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Tiger bass growth

Well, it's starting to get a little cold down here in south Alabama. I'm seeing some days on the 10-day next week going down into the low 50's with a high of 75

Compared to you guys up north I'm sure this is still very warm

It seems that my bluegill aren't eating as much anymore, and I imagine that means the same for my bass

The bass were stocked in June of 2024 at 1-2" and the biggest we have seen so far was about a month ago at 9"

My question is, is there a certain temperature that bass get lethargic and stop eating as much?

Would the warmer southern winters here in the south affect that period and help them grow for longer?

The 'conventional wisdoms' about feeding into the winter months, or perhaps year-round, are developing. I think this is mainly because a lot of pond owners are heavily supplementing their fish with fish feed.

I've had fish hitting feed in Western PA when the water temp is 49/50 degrees. It takes a lot longer for them to hit it, and there are way less fish feeding.

In the south, I think you may be able to feed year-round, but the fish will tell you. Probably less feed going out and being consumed during the winter months, but still, it's happening.

I'd imagine that if your water temps stay above 50 degrees, you'll have takers.

A bit limited on experience but with the cooler temps I have noticed the fish feeding less as well, but they are still hitting the food. On the warmest part of the day there is more activity. As a result we have changed our feeding to follow their pattern. Shorter feed times and have started to mix in a sinking food (previously 100% floating - Optimal BG and added in 100% sinking Optimal Winter). On the warm days when I've been on site I have hand thrown the 50/50 mix and when the fish eat readily I throw more if there's not much of a response I stop.

On a side note the Optimal Winter is a larger pellet at 10mm. After putting it in the feeder I checked operation and had to adjust the feeding plate in the Texas Hunter feeder to allow the larger pellet to pass through. It's super easy to do. From there I tested the rate at 2 seconds and weighed it to see how much food I was putting out. If the fish activity drops again....I can still shorten it to a 1 second feeding or cut that rate in half. Plan is to hold that same rate until we ice over as we aren't aerated yet.

I'm not sure what you are feeding the fish but adding in some sort of sinking food may help your fish when they aren't as agressive on floating food.

Seems as though the GSH and FHM are still happy to hit the floating so it doesn't appear to be going to waste.

Largest BG we have sampled this year is 7.5" and the 10mm pellet is pretty large for them. Personally wish it was a little smaller but I'm pretty sure if they are hungry they will eat it either on the fall or once it softens up a little in the water.

Sounds like your LMB are doing well at growing to 9" in 4ish months. Keep up the good work!

Boondoggle,

I have recently read of more members mixing their feed types when the size distribution is less than perfect.

Perhaps add in some smaller feed from one of your other bags to make sure your BG still get max calories going into winter?

I'm with ya Rod. Optimal doesn't have a huge selection in the sinking catagory to my knowledge.

The current Cold Weather is a 10mm 100% sinking.

and

The current Optimal BG is 100% floating only.

I have used the Optimal JR as well and it's 100% floating as well. I was mixing the BG and JR for the mixed sizes you mentioned through the year but it seems as though there has been a pretty significant pellet configuration change in the JR and I went to 100% BG when it was warm. The difference between BG at 5.5mm and Cold Weather at 10mm is pretty apparent. I haven't checked the other brands to see if there is an offering for high protein, sinking, and quality.

Not trying to sell or push one product however. This is just the one I have some experience with.

Our bass school up and hammer the shad in the winter. I don't see much slow down except for weather changes.