It certainly would not be how I would paraphrase what I suggested. Anyways, you wanted to take 5 or 7 more this fall and I think that along with the 3 you have already taken ... that's a good reasonable number that could be (probably is) enough grow them as much as climate would allow for the next 12 months.
If you make this adjustment, it may not be necessary to remove fish next year until fall. BUT, if you catch a poor performer in June, what advantage would there be releasing it for cull later? It seems prudent to remove that fish when you have caught it (a bird in hand). But then if you anticipate that you would need to remove X number of fish in the fall time frame to meet your 2027 growth goals .... you can count the one removed in June as part of that goal. An advantage of taking it early is that you won't be supporting it as long as if you wait.
Let recruitment be an issue when it becomes an issue. This is not something that can be planned at the YOY level. You've not noticed any recruitment. I accept that at face value. It is possible, however, that you have had recruitment and haven't noticed them. You probably don't have any, but if you do they would be found along the edges of your pond. An ideal way to catch them is with a bare size 12 hook and a GAM 1" or less in length. Just fishing along the edges. I have caught many this way and several times as many on small trout flies at the edges of ponds. LMB YOY become reliably catchable with these methods at 3-4" lengths.
Mark some individuals uniquely so that you can monitor identities. I think this could provide you with useful context.
It isn't what we don't know that gives us trouble, it's what we know that ain't so - Will Rogers
