Wanted to circle back to this thread and update it for new pond managers.
Saturday, we caught 20 bass from our pond and kept 17. The 3 we threw back had a relative weight of over 100%. The 17 we kept had a relative weight below 100%; a sign of insufficient forage to predator ratio.
Of the 17 kept, 14 had empty stomachs. Another sign of insufficient forage to predator ratio.
Unfortunately, we had to keep a 2 pound 0 ounce, 16 inch largemouth because it was hooked in the gills and was bleeding profusely. Other than that mishap, I'm very happy with our harvest. We fed the entire family and have now created a lot more room for the existing fish.
I will not fish the pond again for bass until May in which I will once again let the relative weights steer me in the correct management direction.
