Deb,
The problem I'm worried about is what Bob Lusk mentioned above as unpredictable spawning...hundreds of thousands maybe one year and little or none the next. That has significant implications to management involvement, in my mind. It also has significant implications to my overall system objectives. I'll try to explain those implications briefly below.
I don't know how to hire and fire predators depending on the spring spawn of crappie. It means frequent seining and very heavy fishing pressure and removal. Seining is not a one person task in a three acre pond.
Also, like some of my other ponds, this new one will be "back in the sticks". That's great for keeping poaching down, but not so good for inviting friends and neighbors over to control crappie populations on a daily basis....in the manner that Robinson aptly described. Also, a good way to loose friends is to ask them to help seine a pond.
. If professional assistance were available, then it might be different.
Now to the real reason...the implications to the system I'm after. My long term objectives (the real secret method to my madness
) are for several more ponds to enable the establishment of a world class fishing experience (as defined in other posts I've made).
I've developed the management techniques which utilize Tilapia and eliminate the need for artificial feeding and chemicals. This minimizes the amount of pond management and expense required per pond. This enables me to achieve my intent of more ponds....more ponds without more work or much more work. More ponds reduces the fishing pressure on each pond and as a result, catch rates for the skilled angler are terrific, world class. That's the grand scheme of things. A world class fishing experience in a system of ponds. I will get there some day soon. It is within reach. I've simulated every aspect of the system and it works. Now, all I have to do is build it.
My fear, again based on this unpredictability factor, is that a crappie pond will adsorb so much management attention, that my end objectives and dreams of a world class fishery on my own land will not be met. Give me a crappie with predictable spawning habits and I'm back in the game. Otherwise, its continue with my journey toward my objectives. Thanks.
