Good for you!! \:\)

I'm the worst person on the forum to ask for stocking numbers, but I'd make the following comments.

I think low density CC stocking can be compatible with big panfish. My favorite pond is about two acres, and has about 30 big CC, and lots of big panfish. The big CC's definitely command the feeding area early on after the feeder goes off however.

3/4 acre is a great size. You can grow all sorts of big BG in a pond this size, especially if you put harvest pressure on female bluegill from the beginning.

I like the two feeder idea, but I like it for a different reason. Two feeders can be placed separately so that they each take advantage of different types of winds. That way you've always got one feeder that sends feed across the main body of the pond. This seems to favor big bluegill for me. If the feeder on the downwind side is the only one that is in use, then the CC will dominate the feeding near shore and not let any bluegill in on the fun.

You're correct that larger BG discourage small males from spawning, that is given the fact that there is a limit to prime spawning areas. I'd say to let 'em spawn, but always emphasize female BG harvest, and harvest of smaller mature males, i.e. fish that have bright colors, big eartabs, and smaller size. These fish are way more interested in spawning than growing.

I'm wildly interested in how this plays out. I'll bet anything that the grandkids would be into the male/female BG ID thing. \:\)


Holding a redear sunfish is like running with scissors.