I'd remove EVERY bass that I caught, not just the low RW ones.

Since '23 that is exactly what I have done. I have very good records. The fish caught, almost ALL were in the 12-15" range & RW 75%. By the summer of '25 I had expected to see a relative weight change. I did not, only a decrease in fishing efficiency. Only at the end of the '25 summer did I return a fish that was >18" RW 80% & a 12" RW 90% that fought very hard. Spending 6 hrs to catch a LMB, I chose to spend time surveying BG.

Keep removing LMB until you get a balanced size distribution of BG in the pond.

I have been using 2 baited Z traps, Reel Texas Outdoors, & angling. Angling I have found that I only catch > 7" (7-10.5") rather easily.. The traps capture 3-7" BG. I have good records (Excel) with BG captures, 400. Culling 5-9" & happy to see that the greatest # caught are in the 3.5-4.5 range 40%. I am sure there are a great biases in these figures because of the traps & small area used. 400 caught, 30 lbs of 180 lbs goal removed, with 26 recaptures. The surprise information gained: 1% caught were Warmouth, 1% White Crappie, 2% RES.

In the summer if I see smaller LMB cruising the banks I will go to a small bait.

Since '23 I have never seen a small LMB 3-10" cruising the shore, but I have the rod rigged & bait ready for them. My fishing buddy Hank Heron is looking forward to those times, LMB are much easier to swallow. I have caught only one <10 LMB

If the catch rates of the LMB in the pond start dropping, then go to live bait. #2 wire hook tied directly to the line, 8# test fluorocarbon line, a weight 12" pinched above the bait to keep it at a certain depth and a bobber that is enough to keep the bait from taking it under the water.

This I was going to try once the LMB spawn is coming to an end, perhaps 6 more weeks. No bait shop near me has shiners. I was going to try BG in the 3-4" range. Once in awhile as I throw a small BG back after marking the water explodes. I assume the BG will never be seen again.

Seine, tried it once. I looked like a fool. The fish were all quicker & smarter than me. Never trapped a single fish.
Access to the pond for an e-shocking is extremely difficult & limited.

Last edited by J. E. Craig; 02/11/26 12:35 PM.