Pond Boss Forums Thread Like Summary - Will my bass be able to eat my bluegill?!

Hi,

New pond stocked back in April with 3000 1-3in bluegill and 50 pounds minnows.
Bluegill now appear to be in the 4-6 in range and are growing exceptionally maybe too exceptionally.
We are on track to stock fingering bass this July.
Goal is to have some biggg bass
HERE’s my concern

My fathead minnows appear to be MIA
My bluegill will be 6-8 inches by the end of the year and my bass will maybe reach 10 in. Are the bass supposed to somehow eat these monster bluegill? I DON’T want a pond filled with skinny bass and 3000 trophy bluegill. Maybe instead of fingerling bass I should stock adults?… Spent a lot of money and did the stocking the hatchery recommended and maybe I’m overreacting but I don’t see any way a 1/2 pound bass is gonna eat a 8 in bluegill.

Thoughts and input would be greatly appreciated. Please let me know if somehow we have faltered in this stocking process and/or what we can do to correct it.

Thanks!

I read a bit further into your post and seen a flag or 2... Your BG probably are to a point that growth will slow way down because they a gonna be focusing on filling the void, producing as much offspring as possible-their energy is put towards that task.
The flag I see is the July addition of Bass.
Why not let those BG that are becoming sexually mature fill that pond with billions of BG yearlings to provide a larger assortment for higher growth potential and wait until fall for stocking bass?? Am I out of whack here guys?

Nope, you're not. Another consideration is the water temp in July. Stocking any fish when the water temp is potentially in 90s+ is tough on them. Waiting for cooler water, and another month or two of BG fry growth would be my choice.

This is not a suggestion, just a thought. Once LMB get settled in, your goal of big bass could mean you'll potentially be culling small ones forever. That can be a PITA. I might look at getting larger, but fewer, LMB for the initial stocking. If needed, it's far easier to add LMB, than it is to get them out down the road.

Higher the temp, the higher the respiration but higher temp water holds LESS DO (Dissolved oxygen), it's very stressful, slime coat is thinner and harder to replace when temps are above 60. It's very, very stressful on them and if things are not perfect, expect high mortality rates.
Sorry, I should let ewest speak being you ask him, but I've been down this road many, many times..


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I agree ! Well stated.

The using of more BG (2500-3000) per acre @ 2in size has been found to increase the time period at which the LMB out eat the forage base from 18 - 24 mths to 36-48 mths in southern ponds. Keep in mind that new ponds approach carrying capacity in the south at about 2 yrs. So, keeping a strong forage base beyond the reaching of carrying capacity is important for fish size structure in your pond. Generalities, so recall, it depends on water quality and productivity.

July is to hot IMO for advanced fingerling LMB stocking in TX. Wait until late Sept and stock fewer 8-10 in. LMB. They will feed on new BG ( those spawned by the 4-6 in BG you see now) in the 2-3 inch range by fall. As a general rule do not harvest (nor have them eaten as prey) your original stocker BG or LMB.

If you are feeding try and get feed trained LMB. Depending on your goals stock 20-25 advanced stocker LMB per acre. How big is the pond?