Excellent information. Thanks, Bruce, Ewest, Bill C, for your time & effort in support of this forum.
I've had little prior experience with LMB, but am now finding them a delight for a small pond experience. Put them in at 8 inches, and they are now aggressively attacking the larger shiners that nibble on surface pellets. There is a horizontal 'pursuit' on the surface that is quite a different attack pattern than that of trout. I joke with my friends that it is the first time I've openly rooted for the bully, the attacker, the dominator. "Go, crush/eat/devour on them defenseless little shiners..." Like rooting for the Lion instead of the Gazelle.
Yes, Bill C, they are the only bass in the pond. I am also interested in whether the sexing was accurate... As you suggest, I will report back on growth and any unexpected reproduction. The pond sides are steep and rock-lined to 9 feet except for one wading/beach area of about 2-3 feet in depth. So I would expect to see nests if there are males?
Bill C, can you explain why growth should slow at 3-4 lbs on pellet feed? I don't doubt your expertise, but would like to know why natural forage would induce a different growth pattern than that of pellets (I assume this point). Maybe I can develop sufficient natural forage base.
