Blue catfish help - Pond Boss Forum

Ok guys been quit a while since I've been here. Use to be a regular here. I was the guy who was nuts about getting blue cat for the ponds that I have. To start off, of all of you that have blues, how are they doing ? Do you find that they tend to stress and die easy even after they get older? I know this seems to be an issue when they are young fingerlings, but when they get older do y'all still see an issue?

Here is where I'm at. Back about 12 to 13 years ago, I stocked about 250 to 300 blue catfish fingerlings and about 300 channel fingerlings in my 8 acre pond. Over the years I have noticed that the blues seem to quit coming to the floating feed. I never understood why.
Has anyone ever seen this?? What could have possibly happened to them? Has anyone else had this happen to their blues?

What else is in the pond for forage for the Blues besides the feed? Could they have changed their feeding habits from feed to live fish?

Originally Posted By: big_pond

... Back about 12 to 13 years ago, I stocked about 250 to 300 blue catfish fingerlings and about 300 channel fingerlings in my 8 acre pond. Over the years I have noticed that the blues seem to quit coming to the floating feed. I never understood why.....

First, welcome back!

They are 12 to 13 years old in a Southern pond. Did they maybe just die of old age or do you know that they are still there and just not feeding on pellets? If they are still there, how big are they?

Thats the thing I am not sure.. I have the usual Bluegill and Bass out there. I just don't see them.. I see the channels all the time but not the blues... the channels are in the 8 to 10 lb rang. The blues could indeed be there.. I am wondering if anyone else has seen this with their blues..

Hey man thanks!!

I don't think they died off the channels are still there and about 10lbs. From what I read Blues live a long time.. 30 years plus.

Originally Posted By: big_pond

The blues could indeed be there..

Since you don't see them at the feeder, I am assuming you have tried fishing for them with no luck?

Well... I can't say I have tried to hard to fish for them specifically... I guess o fish from them specifically I would need a fairly large live bait...I have not done a whole lot of that..

BP,
My BC are no way near the age and size of yours, but I have had success catching them on fresh BG cut bait...good luck!

Have you seen this ?

https://srac.tamu.edu/serveFactSheet/252