Pond Boss Forums Thread Like Summary - Observation on Feed Fed Largemouth Bass

We are doing an experiment on Largemouth Bass and Spotted Bass where we are pushing them to large size using a commercial diet. Something that is popping out quickly between those getting feed and those eating forage is coloration. I am liking the looks of the forage fed fish over the feed fed even though the latter are growing much faster.

Dustin,

We (includes Centrarchid) will be working with Bluegill where we are trying to use a more refined soybean product to get around some cost and health issues associated with current formulations. We just ran a Bluegill trial using more practical ingredients where we manipulated type and amounts of carbohydrate. Manuscript ready for submission on those findings. Bluegill, like LMB, have trouble managing carbohydrates. The grain side of formulations are likely causing the problem we currently see in our production ponds every year. We have resources in place to work with Bluegill over this winter indoors with small fish starting around 2". We are trying to drum up resources to do a larger parallel effort involving LMB where we treat 4" to 10" separately from fish being finished in the second year. It takes two growing seasons for us to hit 2 lbs and the second year has by far the highest feed cost. Research typically concentrates on smaller fish because easier / faster. We have resources to tackle fish approaching 2 lbs.

Jim