Pond Boss
Posted By: 08TR20XHP SMB and LMB - 07/09/13 03:24 PM
I am currently constructing a pond that will be almost 1 acre it will be lined with 4" natural rock 1' above and 2' below water, have 3 rock lined pennisula's the rock on pennisula's will go down to 6', i will add rock piles off each pennisula and have a ledge 10' wide by 6' deep with scattered rock. The pond will have a max depth of 12' and be located in southern Ohio. My goal is good bass fishing.
I want to stock FHM, GSH, paper shell crawfish, YP, RES, SMB and LMB if they can live together with restocking of SMB. I wouldn't mind restockingSMB every few years if I can enjoy catching both LMB and SMB. I want SMB to be the main target fish in the pond but I would like to have a few LMB also.

Has anyone tried this approach and what were the results?

Is there any advantage to the F1 or gorilla bass and do they do well in Ohio ponds?
Thanks
Posted By: Yolk Sac Re: SMB and LMB - 07/09/13 04:54 PM
Sounds like you'll have a beautiful place and a very smallie friendly environment. However....
If SMB are your main focus, I wouldn't add a spawning population of LMB in a 1 acre pond-they just won't be able to compete with the LMB in a pond that size, IMHO.
If you really want LMB-add a modest number of adult female LMB, which will let you control numbers and prevent reproduction.
It's not just a matter of restocking the SMB. If you have reproducing LMB, the offspring each year will consume a tremendous amount of your YOY forage that then won't be available for the smallies.
Posted By: 08TR20XHP Re: SMB and LMB - 07/09/13 05:15 PM
Can you purchase female ONLY LMB anywhere? Does anyone out there know somewhere near Ohio to purcxhase pellet trained YP, SMB, HSB and FEMALE LMB?
Thanks
Posted By: esshup Re: SMB and LMB - 07/10/13 01:21 PM
Welcome to the forum. Nowhere that I know of to purchase single sex LMB. No way that I know of to sex them before they are of spawning size/age. I would not stock LMB unless they were single sex. The water is too cold in the winter for F1's.

For the pellet trained YP/SMB, look at Laggis in Michigan. I know Jones has HSB, and all HSB are pellet trained. There are other suppliers, I can't remember them off the top of my head right now.

Bill Cody lives in Ohio, if he sees this I'm sure he will have other recommendations as he's more familiar with the area than I am.
Posted By: ewest Re: SMB and LMB - 07/10/13 01:47 PM
Originally Posted By: esshup
The water is too cold in the winter for F1's.




Maybe not in SW Ohio. I know of them (F-1s) doing ok in NY and other mid-West locations away from the North part (great lakes). Not saying they are best and they may well not reach their potential. I would use northern LMB and might use a few F-1s just to see. That of course assumes you want LMB at all.
Posted By: esshup Re: SMB and LMB - 07/10/13 01:50 PM
ewest, true. "Ohio" stuck in my head and "where" didn't. wink
Posted By: ewest Re: SMB and LMB - 07/10/13 01:59 PM
We still don't have many of the answers to F-1S. See current issue of PB mag about the genetics of F-1/Xs as to having catchability like northerns and not like Floridas even when only a small % of the genetic material is northern. Almost no evidence on F-1/Xs ability in northern locations other than a few reports. Much to learn.
Posted By: CJBS2003 Re: SMB and LMB - 07/10/13 02:21 PM
Keep in mind that a 1 acre pond even with ideal conditions can support 100 pounds of SMB and LMB combined. Doesn't add up to many adult quality sized bass which leads to very hook shy fish...
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