New member, taking the online Pondology class now and trying to learn.
We took on land in 2023 with an existing .6 acre pond with high clarity, good amount of aquatic plants (not excessive). Getting the land sorted out was my first priority and I started paying attention the pond in the spring of 2025. Our location is the Ozarks of North Central Arkansas. Middle of pond gets to 18' deep.
In fishing the pond in 2024, it became clear that we have a huge population of small, underweight smallmouth bass. So under advisement of the local extension agent, I began harvesting every small mouth under 12 inches caught. I did not record progress in 2025. So far in 2026 I have harvested 48. Ultimately, I will stock Largemouth to shift the population to focus the pond on Bluegill for kiddos and Largemouth for me.
In spring of 2025, fall of 2025, and spring of 2026 I stocked BlueGill, Redear, and Fathead minnows. I also stocked 2 grass carp in spring of 2025. The goal was to get a good forage base. My suspicion is I have set myself up to now have an overpopulation of bluegill if the spawn is successful, which I fear may not be due to water clarity from what I am learning here.
I do not have an aeration system. The quote came in at around 9,600, which the wife advises, "that hobby is getting out of control".
Seems unreasonable but location requires solar so a nogo for me at this time.
Point of the post: One month ago, I installed a Texas Feeder stocked with a mix of Auquamax 400 and MVP. My hope was that by now I would see boiling action at feeding time. What I get is pretty tame and scattered action, though I can visually see BlueGill suspended under the feed. I am catching 8" to 4" on the rod as a reference for the current size class. Location is near one corner, distributed across the bedding zone out into 8' depth.
I have it set for 1 second throw at 0730, 1230, and 1930.
The AI Robot thing says I should make the following adjustments for now:
- Change schedule to 2 second throw at 1800 only.
- Build a 4x4 or 6x6 containment ring to capture some of the throw away from the shoreline to hold feed out in water longer.
- Change food to a strictly non-sinking formula (Endurance and utilize 3mm and 5mm mixed)
What say the experienced braintrust here?
Thanks in advance for your assistance.
