Pond Boss Forums FISH & FISHING Show off your catch Not my catch, but still........

Details are sketchy, but a reputed 5.8 lb. Redear has come from Havasu...... we'll see! http://bigbluegill.com/photo/new-world-record-redear

Could a six pound RES be swimming in Havasu?

Wow! He'll probably take it to the cheapest taxidermist he can find and end up with really bad mount. Happens every time.

Yes, they (Lake Havasu) have a mussel infestation and the RES are doing great!!

I read an article on it this past summer, I'll try to find it again.

The asian mussels?

I believe it's Quagga's.

Correct!

holy cow that thing is huge!

Quagga mussels are exotic and similar to a large form of zebra mussels.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quagga_mussel

"These mussels are filter feeders that consume large portions of the microscopic plants and animals that form the base of the food web. The removal of significant amounts of phytoplankton from the water can cause a shift in native species and a disruption of the ecological balance of the lake." From:
http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/zebra_mussels.shtml

"How do Zebra/Quagga Mussels and Asian Clams Differ?
Zebra and Quagga mussels attach to hard surfaces via hair-like threads. Asian clams do not, rather, they burrow in soft sediments and/or gravel. Zebra and quagga mussels are the only freshwater mollusk species that attach via threads to hard surfaces. Zebra and Quagga mussels have thin, fragile shells. Asian clam shells are thicker, with distinct ridges. Zebra mussels seldom grow larger than 1 inch and typically have alternating light and dark strips (but some individuals do not have stripes). Quagga mussels may grow slightly larger than zebra mussels, but generally are about the same size. Asian clams can grow to 1.5 inches and are light yellow-brown to dark brown. Asian clams generally do not have stripes. However, damage to the proteinaceous outer layer of Asian clam shells sometimes exposes a lighter calcareous layer beneath that may appear to be stripes. Zebra mussel shells are D-shaped. Quagga mussel shels are more rounded, but both species of Dreissena have generally asymmetrical shells compared to Asian clams. Asian clam shells are more round and symmetrical." From:
http://www.100thmeridian.org/zebras.asp

http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?speciesid=95

I wonder if the Redears that consume all of these mussels are safe to eat?

MrHello - Good point. Eating RES that have survived a long time eating mussels from contaminated water and mussels have bioaccumulated chemicals could be a concern - at least for me. Some chemicals/pollutants will bioaccumulate in the good chain and some chemicals will not accumulate and be excreted.

Then again at what size are RES not fit to eat?

To me it seems like just about types of fish reach a size that they may as well be tossed back.

Does anyone else feel this way?

???

So everyone who has RES is thinking, should I put freshwater clams or mussels in my pond? Why do they call them shellcrackers?

Can't do it in Indiana. They are all protected and you aren't even allowed to have the empty shells.

They also like snails.

The pond that produces our largest RES is loaded with mussels. Naturally occurring of course.

I never knew there were that many types of mussels in Michigan!

http://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/pub/pdfs/FreshwaterMusselsOfMichigan.pdf

sprkplug, that picture makes me wonder if the Flathead will show up again this year?

Ah yes, can't forget about Flat Albert. I'm curious about him also.

I can't believe he is not any bigger than that. Sure is a nice looking fish though.