Ok I plan to add some BG to a few ponds next spring and wanted to know if you think it would make much difference to add the 4-6 inch fish as compared to 6+ inch fish?

If I will be feeding how long would it take for the 6+ inch fish to catch up with the 4-6 inch fish?

There may not be too much difference in price depending on how many I get, but would like to know if it would be worth it to bump up to the larger fish or just stick with a smaller fish and feed.

Thanks

It depends on your goals and the existing fish in the pond. If you have LMB that are 14" or larger, then they probably will eat some of the 4"-6" stockers.

If you are feeding, I doubt that the 6"+ stockers will ever catch up to the 4"-6" stockers.

The 4"-6" stockers might spawn the same year that they are stocked, but the 6"+ ones definately will if they are stocked in the Spring.

The biggest difference I see is bass predation. If you have larger bass, the 6"+ BG will be worth the extra cash. Otherwise, I don't see much of a need to go with the larger BG. As Scott said, it really depends on your goals... What is your purpose of stocking these BG?

My main purpose is to get more forage in for the LMB and CC as well as any crappie that may have made it.

I want to thin out the HBG and GSF and also want to have enough BG so they can get large enough to eat, and let the larger ones grow to be Trophy size. (at least for me)

Just to give you an idea of what some options are for me to add some larger bluegill this spring I have added some info on prices from another place that I am thinking about trying this spring.

1"-3" are $35.00 per hundred fish
3"-4" are $45.00 per hundred fish
4"-6" are $60.00 per hundred fish
6" and over are $5.50 per pound


A few questions I have:

1. Do these seem like fair prices and what sizes would you recommend I stock?

2. Do you think getting the 6" and larger fish would help much over the 3-4 or 4-6?

3. How many fish would you think I would get per pound?

4. Since I am feeding how long do you think the smaller sizes would take to catch up to the 6" fish?

7. How many per acre should I add a few will be corrective stockings and the others will be like new with few if any fish at all currently stocked?

I wouldn't think you'd get too many 6" per pound.. Maybe 10 or so purely a quess there

Do you have predators (LMB 12 inches +) that can eat a 4 inch but not a 6 inch BG? If yes then stock some of the larger BG. If not go with the size that can't be eaten. The idea is to have BG that will spawn and not be eaten first. An alternative (with more risk and uncertainty ) is to go with stocking #s large enough to withstand predation long enough to grow and spawn.

If the pond was stocked for a year and there are no/few predators you may be a capacity and don't need to add BG.

I will probably have to get the larger ones then or stock more than I need since many would be eaten.

My LMB and CC should be in the 10-14 inch range now.

I wonder how many of the GSF and HBG they have eaten?

That is why I thought I should add the BG since I have so many predators.

My question is will the 6" plus fish reproduce sooner and more fish per spawn and stay ahead as well in size? If this is the case it may be better deal to eat the cost up front.

Then another question is which size would have more stress put on it as far as stocking them?

Since I do have so many fish in the pond how many per acre should I stock of the 4-6 gills or the 6" plus gills?

Or should I just leave it alone?

I just want to make sure to add the gills in time for them to spawn before the fish eat all of the other fish and run out.

Thanks

1. That is why I use the bigger BG in your situation and stock them 2-3 weeks before the first spawn.

2. If stocked correctly that should not matter.

3. A good question that I can't answer as it depends on your ponds population balance. Standard answer for LMB crowdwd ponds is 300-500 per acre if using 3-5 inch fish. That is why I use the blocking net method - less fish purchased then protected and feed for 3 mths. They grow and spawn then the net is removed.

4. That is a possibility.

I would not say my pond is LMB crowded as this spring coming up should be the first year the LMB may spawn so right now I would guess that I should have 20-30 LMB in my pond depending on how many were eaten by the GSF that nature stocked or just died do to shock of being stocked in December 2009. Plus I added a few larger ones this past summer/fall to help reduce the GSF population. I am sure they are busy at work eating as I have yet to catch a LMB.

Now you could consider my pond to be CC crowded and I plan to remove as many of them as I can this spring/summer/fall or when ever they bite for that matter. Most of them should be at least a pound by now and hope to have them double or triple that by this fall. Which with the GFC feedings a few times a day and all the GSF & HBG they can eat I would think this could be possible. Plus if any of the FHM or GSH made it that may be an option as well.

I am interested in responses as well. I am planning to add Coppernose BG in March in my creek/lake. I have caught bass up to 18 inches/4 lbs...but LMB are not that abundant. Right now, my forage base is Green Sunfish, a few fatheads roaming around, and some Golden Shiners. I wouldn't think you would get more than five or six 6" BG per pound.

I am going to go with the 5 to 6 inch CNBG. I figure they have the best chance to survive and they spawn so much better than other BG. I am looking at a place in Gainsville, TX near the TX/OK border to get my CNBG. I guess the key is stocking enough to avoid the LMB.

See this

http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=5690&Number=52295#Post52295

I am still thinking about adding some Coppernose this spring but wanted to know what people thought since we just had -30 temps 2 weeks ago?

I am sure I run the risk of a fish kill but would you think any at all would make it or would I loose 100% of them?

I like the idea of having different types of BG in each pond.

Thanks

I am going to add CNBG at my place within the next 2 weeks. I am just south of the TX/OK border and it has been 75 degrees plus for the past 5 or 6 days. My water temp is between 66 and 58 depending where you are. I think even if we get a cold snap, it won't be long enough or low enough to cause any problems. Plus, maybe I will beat the rush for fish this Spring and get a head start if there is an early spawn for CNBG!

If you get ice cover for more than a week at a time, stocking CNBG is most likely a waste. My bet, even if they do survive they're going to do poorly. If you want variety, why not trying a different species of sunfish? PS, LES, RBS, RES, etc...

Please let us know how that goes. I want to do the same thing.

No worries about ice covering my water for a week. It never got above freezing for 5 straight days and I never saw more than the edges with a little ice. Now my smaller, half acre pond was covered with ice for 3 or 4 days. I really think it is mild enough here for CNBG.

I will keep you all posted on how it goes.

Alvord/Sniper

Why not stock CSBG [Condello Northern Strain BG] or RES/BG hybrids? My bet is either would outperform CNBG in terms of survival and size. Just a thought and then no worries about a winterkill.

Mr. Hello, where are you finding 4-6 inch BG? I am in Tulsa and would love to find fish this size. Thanks

Larry/Mr Hello

Rex [Rainman] will have Condello Strain BG that size this Summer, maybe early Summer/Late Spring if he hasn't already sold out. In Fisherman and Pond Boss magazine have done features on these fish, and there's a website dedicated to them as well [bigbluegill.com]. I strongly recommend touching base with Rex on getting these genetics in your ponds. I have personally witnessed 8.5" growth on a 22 month old fish. Pretty amazing stuff.

Those BG are amazing. I'm trying to build a forage base for my skinny bass and I'm afraid they might turn on my bass and eat them! On a serious note, how are they for this purpose? Do they spawn often and have large numbers of offspring? Thanks for the info.

larryboy, The CSBG are rgular northern BG that our resident BG guru Dr. Condello has hand selected the best of the best of the best over many generations to get the absolute best genetics possible.

The CSBG will provide a very good bass forsge base along with just getting scary big.

What are the goals for your pond? Big Bass, big gills, both?

What you want to do in the pond determines how it sould be managed.

Thanks Rex. I'm wanting to grow my skinny bass and make a healthy balance of LMB and BG, ultimately resulting in some nice sized bass and some bonus pan fish for the kids. Finishing my dock this weekend and installing a Sweeney feeder for the BG that are already there (not many) and the new BG I'll be adding. I'm going to need BG in the 5-6 inch range to escape predation. I would like to get the BG in before the first spawn. Do you have any available now that would fit my needs? And maybe a better question, are you going to be in the area any time soon?

LB

I'll bet you could pull off 2-4 spawns annually. I pulled 3 last yr and I'm quite north of you.

I'd suggest adding lot's of fluffy cover in 3-6' water to help BG escape predation.

Thanks teehjaeh. I've already added quite a bit and will be adding more this weekend. The additional BG are just a little primer for getting this pond back in balance. I've only owned it for a year and it had obviously never been managed. Lincoln is considerably cooler so I bet your right on the additional spawns I might be able to achieve. Thanks for your input.

You bet LB. Glad to see you posting more often...and glad to hear your ponds will benefit from a more active management strategy.

Are you headed to the conference? I HIGHLY recommend it - for new managers and veterans - you get to rub elbows with the world's best earth guys, fisheries guys, and Johnny Morris. Essentially it's like three days with fisheries consultants that would normally cost you $750 - $1000 daily.

larryboy...it sounds like you have a classic overpopulation of LMB.

If you are indeed light on available BG, I would suggest you remove every skinny bass caught regardless of size and about 75 LMB per acre of water surface in the 6-15" range this year to reduce predation on your new gills.

Still debating. I have a busy April planned but I would love to make it. I'm about 80% in!

Classic overpopulation is exactly right. I have removed about 350 bass so far and the pond is 3-4 acres, and will continue to remove through the summer. I'm starting to see some fish in the 3-6 inch range, which I believe is good but still very light on BG.

Alvord, CNBG do very well in our area.

Alvord, if you want to grow trophy CNBG, know your supplier.
Most CNBG available from suppliers in our area are from Arkansas fish farms and are intergrades - a mix between pure Florida and native BGs.
The only pure Florida CNBG suppliers that I am aware of are from Tyler Fish Farm and Overton Fisheries.
Overton has a representative in your area.

Classic link for CNBG lovers:

http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthread...0046#Post210046

TJ, I got 10 inches and 1 lb growth in 22 months out of a few of my last stocking of Overton's CNBG.
http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=207020&page=1

That's some great growth George, and a beautiful fish. Makes me wonder what those CSBG would do in terms of growth in the long Texas growing season versus Lincloln, Nebraska with a couple months or more under thick ice.

Maybe someone knows already??...It would be cool to find out!

That is a spectacular fish George. The colors are quite striking.

Rainman, I need a variety of that fish, along with some tilapia, that my northern strain BG won't make fun of when the water gets hard.... I can already hear the deragatory name calling from my fish when those southerners start doing their flounder impersonations... not good!! Oh well, maybe someday...

Rex, it would be interesting to stock both mature CSBG and pure CNBG in a pond in the "transition temperature" zone... ... The least that would happen is to get an "intergrade spawn" that might result in more growth characteristics plus a tolerence for colder temperatures.

Why don't you give it a shot?
Interesting!

If I could find a supplier for PS, LES, RBS I would look into getting some of them, but not sure anyone is close to NE Oklahoma.

Now as far as the CSBG go I would like to have some of them as well, but since not too many people that close to me want some Rex does not get close enough to me to have them delivered, so I would have to catch up with him and it may be 200 miles away from my ponds. But will keep it in mind just in case he has some other fish I want as well and I can get them all at one time.

Good discussion. Let's be sure we don't lead someone astray as there are posters from different locations with the same questions here and others reading.

If you are in ID forget the CNBG. If you are in the deep south don't stock BG adapted to the far north. Know the risks of your actions before you buy and stock fish or be ready to live with the results. In other words don't blame PB (us) - fair warning. You are of course free to do what you want and do report the results.

Let's see who has CNBG the farthest north and how they are doing? Bruce who has CSBG the farthest south and how are they doing?

I would be very interested in finding out the northern most range of CNBG myself. While I am currently happily involved with my HBG, I always enjoy planning ahead to future projects. On that note, I can't seem to find any pics or stats on mature female CSBG.. just the males. I feel like I've seen some mention of it here before, but I can't find it. Does anyone have any info and/or pics they're willing to share with me? As long as Bruce doesn't mind?

Well, I have scheduled delivery of 2500 CNBG and 600 RES for next Thursday. I looked at several suppliers here in Texas, but due to the distance I was looking at quite a bit more money. The other suppliers seemed to have great genetics, but I had a budget and growing the biggest BGs wasn't my goal. My goal is to establish a spawning forage base since my current base is GSF. I am primarily looking to grow big LMB with my second goal to have my kids catch some BG for fun. The largest CNBG my supplier currently offers is 4 to 5 inches, so I plan to feed well and hopefully they will establish!

I will keep you posted.

2500 4-5" must of hurt the wallet.. I think they should establish with them numbers, i would think they woulda established with half that much? Im not a pro though. Your RES # seem low id double that depending on size..

Please post your altitude as well, those who have CNBG and CSBG. That'll make a difference too.

He scheduled delivery. Its kinda late for that..

[quote=MRHELLO]Just to give you an idea of what some options are for me to add some larger bluegill this spring I have added some info on prices from another place that I am thinking about trying this spring.

1"-3" are $35.00 per hundred fish
3"-4" are $45.00 per hundred fish
4"-6" are $60.00 per hundred fish
6" and over are $5.50 per pound

MrHello, can you tell me where you are finding BG 4-6 inches and these prices? I haven't had any luck around Tulsa but would love to buy some. Thanks.
A few questions I have:

Bluegillkiller....I thought the numbers maybe actually low. My pond is about 6 acres with a 1/2 mile, non flowing creek that adds another 6 acres. The price wasn't bad....$56 per 100 for 4 to 5" CNBG with a minimal delivery fee. The RES were an after thought. I have a LMB popultion, but I would say it is light. There is an abundance of cover in the creek. I was hoping this would help the CNBG and RES get fairly well established. What are your thoughts? Oh yeah, I could only get 3 to 4" RES.

We need to get the Oklahoma pondsters in this conversation - Texans have no need for concern with CNBG unless they are in the Texas panhandle.
Maybe Chris Steelman can help on CNBG transitional temperature zone.

Alvord, I had to chuckle about your CNBG were just forage for LMB and fun fishing – sounded just like me almost ten years ago when I considered them “bait”.

George....are CNBG not a good forage base? Or were you just implying that you have since grown to enjoy them for more than a forage base? Sorry...I am a little slow this morning.

Alvord, CNBG are excellent forage but IMO no better than common BG.
I was expressing my interest in pure Florida genetics after developing appreciation of their larger size and sometimes shape and color.
Most CNBG suppliers in our North Texas area provide Arkansas “intergrades”, a mix of pure CNBG and common BG.

You obviously know and trust your supplier
I only purchase fish from growers that I trust and not from unknown vendors.

Sorry for the confusion.

Just waiting for it to warm a little and to see if anyone around here will have BG of at least 5 inches or so.

I think one place gets theirs in around April.

Larryboy,

I sent you a PM with some info so not sure if you got it or not. Like I said did not feel right to advertise for them as I am not sure if it would be ok to do so.

Please let me know where else you have checked for fish as well or what other places there are in the Tulsa Area as I have not had luck finding any place besided Dunn's and Moores.

If you know of other let me know.
Thanks

I have a question for the experts, let me give some background...


My pond is 4 acres in western Missouri. Deepest spot 24 feet, its an old pond and has a high population of BG of all age classes and sizes from last years late spawn fry to 9-10 inch fish.

The bass were restocked June of 2010 with 400 4 inch fish. The growth rate has been astounding but considering the BG had two years with no bass to eat them, the new bass cannot turn without seeing food. I am now catching those stocked fish and the largest will go 3 to 3 1/2 pounds. And I have some of the young of those fish in the 5-7 inch range.

The pond has a small stocking of channel cat.


The bass are in the repopulate and grow phase. Im not harvesting any bass yet. The question is regarding the BG. I have some beautiful big BG but I see tons of all sizes and wonder about over population and I wonder how I can grow bigger BG. All the fish are fat healthy and show no signs of overcrowding.

I may add a timed feeder this year and a dock. And Im in an ongoing war to remove the Grass Carp as they have done more than enough weed control.


And last...would adding a new strain of the bigger type BG work or would they just cross with the current fish and lose the genetic potential?

Happy easter...and to the turkey hunters, good luck and be safe.

Do you want to manage the pond for large LMB, large BG or have a balanced pond?

Balance I suppose at this point