Pond Boss Forums FISH & FISHING Show off your catch Thanks, Bob Lusk!

Thanks again, Bob, for creating this opportunity to share information and friendships. Here's a recent catch that would have never happened without Bob Lusk, and Pond Boss forums!

Cool pic Bruce.

Very nice set of bookends.

Great pic Bruce. You've been fishing in Tony's ponds again??

Nice job of showing members of what they can do if they raise some hybrid bluegills. Anything special about the pond and the management where these dandy HBG were grown?

A couple great fish, and a beautiful backdrop. Very nice Bruce!

Thanks, Bill!

The secret to growing big hybrids in the Quarry Lake is the naturally high water quality combined with a modest feeding program of Purina Aquamax 500. One other key factor is to have VERY LOW angling pressure on these fish. We rarely angle for them, and in the case of this picture, my father and I simultaneously hooked them while fishing for crappie. The fish were quickly measured and released.

Some day... I hope!

Nice fish Bruce! What are we talking length and weight wise?

I don't know under what context Bruce intended this statement,(e.g. perhaps there is a very limited population of these fish in Bruce's lake?), but based on my own observations and experiences I couldn't agree more. It seems that these fish are often portrayed as always willing to bite, a good kids fish, etc. And I think that may be true if there is a high population density of hybrids, and they're on the smaller side, say 8" or so.

But once they start reaching trophy dimensions, it's a whole other ball game. Just like any other fish, they can be subject to lockjaw if fishing pressure is high, especially under catch and release conditions. And while I have no proof of this, I also feel that the oft-reported hardiness of HBG declines as their size increases. I do think that there may be several variables that influence this however, such as increasing age, time of year caught, (water quality), and diet....the same circumstances that affect other species as well.

In addition, think it's notable that Bruce and his father took these HBG while crappie fishing. I'm curious as to what size baits they were using, and whether or not the larger gape of the hybrids led to them utilize a bigger bait, one more commonly associated with crappies? Were there any native BG taken on this outing?


(And the PondBoss family is always welcome to fish my ponds!)

You're right on the money on all counts, Sparkster.

We were using 1/32 ounce jigheads with Blakemore slider tails for crappie on a 12 foot deep underwater structure break. The hybrids hit boom-boom, one right after the other. The bigger one, which my Dad caught was 12 inches and weighed 2-1. The smaller one, which I caught was 11 1/2 inches and weighed 1-15. Both great fights in spite of the chilly water!

I know from observation that there are several fish in this size class on the other side of the lake, and I can't get them to bite for anything!

Two pound HBG's......sweet! Any idea on the age?

Based on the stocking reports from before my arrival, I'd say age-6

Bruce, good ta see a post from ya again, been too long. I can see in the interlude tho that your arms must have grown significantly. If ya slouch do yer knuckles drag the ground?

Sweet fishies!!!

That some impressive weights! I hope some day to hit the 2 lb. mark with my bluegills (not hybrids) as they are heavy enough to weigh that much if they can only get up to 11 inches or more. A 10.25 inch fish in my pond weighs about a pound and a half. 10 1/4 inches is typically 1 lb. 4 oz.

Going to run the seine trough next spring as I suspect there are some that are avoiding hook and line.

CB1 - Your biggest BG have lock jaw because they have seen what you do to their siblings.

Yup!

Thanks Bill, since it's Sunday and there ain't any Jerry Springer that's the first time I laughed out loud.

I should draw a cartoon of a taxidermist working on a fish and several fish hanging from the rafters. And two bug eyed frightened fish in an aquarium nearby.

If that is not inspiration for those of us with newer ponds with 2-3 year old fish, I don't know what is.

Thanks for posting Bruce. Would love to see something like that in my ponds some day.

FYI - interesting to note that both these fish earned state record status, and Bruce didn't register either of them. That's at least four fish representing three different Lepomis species that have earned that status due to Bruce's management and angling skill.