Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations HSB vs LMB behavior and growth

My 3/4 acre pond (1.5 yrs old) has 50 native LMB (7-10"), 18 FL LMB (9-11") and 49 HSB (max 16"). The native and HSB were stocked in Dec 07, @ 6-9" and 8-13" respectively, FL LMB were added Mar 08. Over the last 2 days we have caught 6 native LMB and 5 HSB. All of the LMB seemed slim, except for 1 of them that had a pretty nice bulge, but was only 7" (all others were 8-10"). The HSB were 8", 9", 14", 15" and 16", with the 15 and 16" having nice bellies.

The natives and HSB are feed trained from Todd Overton. I hand feed AQMX 500 and 600 mixed 2 times/day. I also have 100 4-6" CNBG (stocked Dec 07) and 137 5-8" Tilapia (stocked Mar 08).

My questions are:
1. The LMB seem to cruise the shallows continuously in packs, rarely stopping except to blast into the 6" water after some small fish. I have noticed this for the past month. I have a bunch of little bitty fish now in the weeds/grass. Is it normal for the LMB to be moving so much and burning calories ? Do you think I have enough forage for them ? I was expecting them to be more wait-and-pounce rather than swim constantly. I never see the HSB up in the shallows, but they seem to go after the AQMX in 4-5 ft of water. As the LMB mature, will they slow down ?
2. When I feed, now that the water is above 75F, the Tilapia really attack the food, and seem to crowd out the LMB. Should I try some AQMX Largemouth feed (3/4" pellet) so only the LMB and HSB can swallow it?
3. Should I be throwing out some 1/16" pellets into the shallows now that I seem to have had some spawning?
4. The HSB seem to be outpacing the LMB in size gain (at least in girth), is this normal ?

Thanks for your thoughts,
Darryl

I can’t comment on the feeding characteristics of LMB vs. HSB in ponds because I focus primarily on HSB, and only catch an occasional LMB.
Our HSB normally feed on the outer edges of the feed pattern in the deeper water but occasionally catch one or so in shallow water.

I can comment on the feeding characteristic of LMB vs. SB in reservoirs, and I will guarantee either species will follow the food.

LMB are “littoral zone “ species and frequent shallow structure, but will follow shad into deep open water in a feeding frenzy – fun pattern.

Striped Bass are “pelagic zone” species and will suspend in deep water above the thermocline when inactive. When feeding they will chase shad to the bank in less than a foot of water.

I believe the same HSB/LMB analogy exists for ponds as well.

If your predator fish seem skinny it usually indicates they need more food/forage. A population assessment is in order I think. Small LMB patrol the bank when feeding in ponds - so that is a normal activity.

"As the LMB mature, will they slow down ?" LMB only slow down when it gets cold or they are sick or dead.

Hey archer, it looks like if you aren't short on forage/food, you're close. For a 3/4 pond, you have a lot of predators ! But, you have a nice strategy too.

Here's what I would suggest (and you may be doing this). First, every time you fish, have a scale/tape measure, record each fish, it take less than 5 seconds once you get the hang of it. Plot the RW's in one of the Excel documents we use around here. You can easily see the RW's moving over time in an environment like yours, lol...read your fish

Take the time to sample your cnbg too, your top end LMB can easily take out your adults. Make sure you are catching/sampling CNBG of all sizes, that too will show you population dynamics when a certain size group disappears.

Finally, be thankful the Tilapia are getting the most off the feed buffet, they are the backbone of your system.