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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 102
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 102 |
Have 2 ponds about 1/3 acre each that need to be re-stocked after the drought. One will be a CNBG only nursery pond. Will stock with about 200 CNBG and use for kid fishing and trap CNBG to supply larger bass pond.
The other pond I want to turn into a Bass pond for kid fishing. The goal is to have plenty of Bass (stunted) in the pond so they are easy to catch. What are your suggestions for stocking this pond?
Thanks, Tentmaker Farm
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,748 Likes: 33
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,748 Likes: 33 |
Well the way to do that is have many more predators than prey. I am not quite sure why you want to purposely stunted fish growth. I do not know if that makes them easier to catch or not. You might want to look into other options with ponds that size.
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,792 Likes: 68
Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
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Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,792 Likes: 68 |
Tent
I think I understand your goals. I love your idea of a hatchery/forage pond. Too cool.
On the BG pond, without any predation you will be facing potential overpopulation and stunting issues unless you harvest or collect and move to LMB pond frequently. Also, you'll need to consider feeding these fish as their high populations may outpace your pond's ability to provide enough forage to go around. Aqua Max and a Sweeney or Texas Hunter feeder will fit the bill. You may also want to consider adding some RES on initial stocking to provide a bonus fish. They do not compete with BG and will help keep snails hammered reducing risk of grub infections in your BG.
On the LMB pond I see 50-100 LMB/acre recommendations often on the forum. I'm not a LMB guy, but were it my goal to produce abundant LMB action on a micro pond like this I would still stock BG and RES and consider another forage fish too - like whatever Shiner is native to your area. Once your forage base is established [6 - 12 mos] I would stock your LMB. For a 1/3 ac pond where your goal is plenty of LMB action I would consider stocking 50+. If your forage base is solid, you may not even have to sacrafice size as much as you're anticipating. With a heavy LMB population you will also have the bonus of trophy sized BG in that fishery.
Have you considered going single sex LMB in your pond to prevent overpopulation and keep sizes roubust? I don't know how hook shy LMB become, but it's an option to consider.
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 102
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 102 |
Thanks for the responce,
The goal is to have maximum catachability of lmb in a small pond. This means that the pond must be loaded with lmb. The lmb will stunt, do to overcrowding; eating each other and small pond -- max size 10 to 12 inch.
The question is will a forage base, cnbg, do any good and can forage fish survive ?
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,791 Likes: 14
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,791 Likes: 14 |
There was an article on this very goal last year in Pond Boss. I'll see if I can dig it up before Eric does.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,028 Likes: 274
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,028 Likes: 274 |
Where in the dickens have you been and how are you?
Take large BG out of pond 1 and stock them in the LMB pond.
BTW, what do you mean by after the drought? One good rain doesn't end a drought.
Last edited by Dave Davidson1; 02/08/12 11:28 AM.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 102
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 102 |
Dave,
Doing great, planning fish ponds for grandkids. The dried up ponds offer a new opportunity. Moved from Weatherford to Kennedale to be closer to rugrats and downsize. Tentmaker Farm still in Eastland county close to Desdemona. Have you officaly retired? Hope all is well.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,028 Likes: 274
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,028 Likes: 274 |
Yep, I'm officially 110% retired. Really sorry about your move to town. Why didn't you just kidnap the Grandkids?
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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