Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Fish Truck!!!

Nice one, Deaner!

Caught one of my new trout on a rubber lizard.
About 12" and <1#.
They are starting to feed pretty well, and I'll keep pumping it to 'em
until they scream "no mas".

Suhweet - nice work Randy! Are you going to try fly fishing for them? Are you noticing them taking anything from the surface [midges this time of year, most likely]? Maybe try a streamer or nymph?

Randy,

So glad to see that someone else is really enjoying winter trout. They are magical and mesmerizing. And, they keep the pond active when all the other fish take their long winter's nap. We absolutely love ours.

Here is my wife's 83 year-old aunt about a week ago pulling out one of several 12-14 inch golden trout we threw in with the rainbows (it quickly went back in to provide another thrill, another day).



If it wasn't for the trout this time of year, we'd have no fishing excitement at the pond.

Ken

TJ & Ken, I'm really enjoying mine too. They haven't settled in yet, but are showing a good bit off activity on the top. I've only caught 3 (fly & lizard), and am learning that they can't be fished like we do for bass. They like to "gum" the artificial lizards, and "inhale" the flies. This is all new to me, so probably not the same feeding description that you might get from George or others. They'll be fun this winter and tastey too when the time comes.
I would strongly recommend trout to anyone - especially fellow Southerners who get plenty of pretty weather during the winter. I'm hoping to get a couple up to 2.5 lbs before they come in for dinner.

Randy - curious what type of fly worked for you? Bruce's trout grew quite a bit over the winter...I think 2.5 lbs should be no problem for you as they will continue to actively feed and grow all "winter"...if guys in Georgia can even call January "winter".

I used this little black bug (green underneath). It floats, but when you pull on the line it sinks about 6".

Randy, what type of food are you feeding the trout?

Matt, regular Game Fish Chow. Should I feed something else?

I can get some food out of North Carolina that all of the trout farmers use. It’s what we sell to everyone who gets trout. And we have had clients grow a trout from ¾ of a pound to three pounds by June using this food. There is also a picture on our website and I think Bruce has the picture also of a huge bluegill we shocked one day. One of the reasons this bluegill was so big is because the pond owner uses this trout food. The food has 44% crude protein (min.), 18% crude fat (min.), 3% crude fiber (max.). Like I said this food is designed to feed trout and has a strong smell that helps the trout find it. We are trying to make a food delivery run soon because we just got some in so I will let you know when I can bring you some. Josh hunts in Carrollton so he might be able to bring some out to you when he goes hunting. Not sure when that will be, could be up to a couple of weeks but we will see. Send me a pm if you want some, it does have big price tag unfortunately.

I think I was sleeping when these aprons were handed out...and yes, I think it was around 11 AM.

Matt, having trouble with my PM.
How much is a bag of the trout feed?
Also, how much to ship UPS?
Randy

Randy matt and josh holding down the fort while I chase deer. I think it is $32-$34/bag. I will ask Josh if headed your way. UPS will really add up $. Night and Day Difference in growth. Most of the game fish chow will go right through a trout with little weight gain. Much more costly in long run and as Matt mentioned this food reslly draws them in due to smell. Glad you have already started enjoying them.

Greg, Randy, Matt or Josh, how much faster growth would be expected if the trout were fed with AquaMax 600 then switched to that food?

I'm sold (I'm the most impulsive, impatient shopper on the planet).
Tell Josh to throw a couple of bags in the trunk, and either drop them off or I'll meet him somewhere.
Is he on the way yet???

Randy, I had to get 20 trout out the pond this morning for a order later today. Since I have the seine net in the pond seperating some fish the best way i had to get the 20 trout was to fish them out. I used a small hook with a piece of stubby steves and caught all 20 trout in about 30 minutes of fishing time. it was also 32 degrees here this morning when i was catching them. i also removed the barb on the hook so i missed probably 20 more fish plus i was being as gentle with them as i could since i did not want to stress them too much. but anyway, josh just left to bring you food and he is also bringing some stubby steves. i caught all 20 trout on two pieces of stubby steves. could have done it with one piece but i dropped one and could not find it. but give it a try and let us know what you think.

Hi Matt, just got back to my house, and the fish food was there, so I decided to give it a quick test - the trout loved it. I think it's going to be great for them. I'll let you know. I appreciate the offer of the Stubbies, but I think Josh forgot to leave them.

scott the food is awesome but not tht much better than aquamax. I would not worry abotu it too much.