Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations When fishing becomes work.

Believe it or not fishing can become work. I'm now moving my female yellow perch from the 1/10th acre holding pond back to their orginal much larger pond as repairs are pretty much completed, and the big pond is 80 percent refilled. I'm concerned once the water really warms up in the small pond I could be way over capacity and end up losing fish. Hence moving them now.

Since the water is a tad warm (low 70's) I'm not keen on seining so I'm catching them by hook and line, putting them one at a time in a five gallon bucket and quickly walking them 450 feet to the big pond. I've now made almost 150 trips and moved 75 big female yellow perch. Good exercise but not as fun as a relaxing day of fishing!

BTW the soupe du jour of the day is the pantyhose pellet fishing a couple of feet below a slip bobber. I've caught them at a rate of 20 per hour this way. (Includes all the walking back and forth). I've think I've got about 25 more to go not including about 75 bluegill up to well over a pound.

That's dedication Cecil!

Cecil:

You need to make a mini fish haulin' trailer for your JD! I'll take that kind of work over most any other any day of the week.

Actually I have used a really large cooler in a trailer pulled behind the John Deere lawn mower but that's usually when temps are cooler. I don't like moving too many fish and holding them for a little while when the water is warmer. I prefer to put them in a bucket and immediately take them to their destination. I also like the fact that singling in the bucket they won't trash against each other. For anyone that has ever handled a yellow perch or even a walleye it's like handling coarse sandpaper. Two or more fish like this rubbing against each other can't be a good thing.

I'm hoping after this there will be no more major fish moving! I've completely drained down the big pond twice now and don't want to do it again!

You are correct about YP feeling like sand paper. Between that, the nasty spines and sharp gill plates, its amazing so many fish love to eat them!

I have a few marks to prove it! Only thing worse is the musky and pike teeth I accidentally bump into when sculpting inside their mouths. (taxidermy) Ouch! And yes they draw blood!

When I had to catch smallies from my pond to showcase at the '05 Bassmaster's Classic in Pittsburgh, it was the most unenjoyable fishing I have ever done.

Ok I'm new here so please explain the pantyhose pellet fishing method? Sounds effective!

For some reason fishing with a purpose is more fun. When I am out trying to cull LMB I have a lot more fun than when I'm out just fishing.

JHAP: Can Cecil deduct his fishing equipment as work related now?

It's where you take a piece of panty hose and imbed a pellet or two or three in it. Then twist the end and tie off with a piece of monofilament fishing line. When you hook it run your hook through the edge of the hose. Stretched tightly the hose becomes transparent and hardly visible. Also very strong. My trout are real suckers for this when it's time for harvest.

Only downside is I can't get my perch and bluegills to feed on pellets for a few days after being caught on them. Whose says fish are stupid?

Here are three tied up to make them heavier and to float when fishing for trout. I also use a small salmon egg hook when fishing for the trout to keep the pellets floating.

For the perch and bluegills I fish two small pellets below a slip float. Put your split shot a good distance from the pellets to allow them to sink tantalizingly slow.

Yeah but you didn't have to worry about not stressing them and carrying them by bucket 400 plus feet.

Bait, gas, equipment, seminars, supplies, food, lodging, etc. Always have, always will. If I go fishing to collect specimens the expenses are deducted.

Cecil,

You'll be ready for the Iron Man competition by the time you finish!

Ken

I gotta say I'm doing better than some at 51. I would be working outside all the time if I could, but other than seasonally the taxidermy work pays the bills and that's inside.

That's true Cecil. The only traveling my LMB do is from the cooler to the cutting board.

Pantyhose pellet fishing RULES ...
Cecil, you're my main man for coming up with the original idea.

Glad to be of service George. I'm flattered you liked my idea.

I moved another 23 yellow perch tonight to make it an even 100. Now if I could just get the transfers to start feeding again. Not a peep out of them yet!