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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298
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OP
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298 |
I'm nearing the end of my tether re LMB. Stocked aggressive Northern strain and supposedly elite Lone Star Legacy Florida strain. Fed and fed for years, in rough terrain & rougher weather. Fertilized, ag limed. Placed both natural and artificial structure for fish. When low BG reproduction survival, had pond plants installed to give shelter for their YOY. Bought and installed floating islands to improve periphyton production. Added PK shrimp to boost panfish numbers for bass forage. Stocked FHM to feed little bass, golden shiners and TFS to feed medium sized, BG, RES, CNBG for all sizes. Culled over 200 LMB one year (though only 80 so far this year) Stocked small forage sized rainbow trout. Stocked TP almost every year. Even had a forage pond built for CNBG reproduction which were placed in main BOW.
And yet while every other fish at my place has done great, from hybrid stripers to tilapia, trout, and panfish, the one constant is the failure to achieve good relative weight lunker bass. Hasn't happened, and I fear it never will. Every time I have a survey, no matter what I've done, the same results come back. Perhaps some ponds just aren't suitable for growing big LMB, regardless.
Maybe I should stock alligator gar. Sigh.
Anybody else who's shifted gears away from LMB? What was your experience?
Last edited by anthropic; 05/21/20 04:26 AM.
7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,051 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,051 Likes: 277 |
My immediate thought is that gar and HSB can’t control bluegills. Or, I don’t think they can.
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: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298
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OP
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298 |
I'm sure you're right about gar & HSB not controlling bluegill that spawn five times a year. Looking for answers as to why I can grow everything great except for bass!
Last edited by anthropic; 05/21/20 04:34 AM.
7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160
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Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 129 Likes: 11
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Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 129 Likes: 11 |
HSB are hybrid striped bass ? Maybe they are better at eating most of the food that a large mouth would eat. I know nothing about them but boy it sounds like you should have some big large mouth.
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,741 Likes: 293
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,741 Likes: 293 |
I withheld comment on anthropic's "I'm shocked.." thread because I had no idea why he wouldn't have impressive LMB with all the efforts he put in, especially in East Texas.
We've never really had anyone absorb all the advice here and then not achieve something at least close to what they want.
I almost wonder if it's best to just get back to some basics for a year or two and then see what shakes out.
Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:" "She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,902 Likes: 281
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,902 Likes: 281 |
Knowing the effort and expense that you have invested, I feel your pain. You deserve the pond you dreamed of, if for no other reason, simply because you've paid the price in time, effort, and expense. I took your proposed future tack as humor in a difficult situation. What are you going to do?
It isn't what we don't know that gives us trouble, it's what we know that ain't so - Will Rogers
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,381 Likes: 46
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,381 Likes: 46 |
after reading some of your other posts, I can't help but at least consider maybe the RBT really did steal some of the LMB growth from the last few months. Of course that may not be enough growth to make up the difference from what you think should be there.
Last edited by wbuffetjr; 05/21/20 08:44 AM.
Keep This Forum Viable, Read Pond Boss Magazine - America's Journal of Pond Management
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1 member likes this:
anthropic |
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,741 Likes: 293
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,741 Likes: 293 |
after reading some of your other posts, I can't help but at least consider maybe the RBT really did steal some of the LMB growth from the last few months. Of course that may not be enough growth to make up the difference from what you think should be there. Kind of along the lines of what I'm thinking when I say 'back to the basics.' Maybe drop all non-native species for some period of time (Tilapia, RBT, PK Shrimp, etc.) Also, I would think American Pond Weed would not really impede the LMB from eating as much Bluegill as they wanted.
Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:" "She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."
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1 member likes this:
anthropic |
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,966 Likes: 276
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,966 Likes: 276 |
Don't take this personally, Anthropic, but somebody has to be the left hand side of the curve.
We give and get advice here that works most of the time, on average, but (pick one) 1) "It all depends" 2) YMMV 3) Maybe LMB just don't like you.
Doing everything right doesn't always ensure success in life.
What's your next best pond dream?
"Live like you'll die tomorrow, but manage your grass like you'll live forever." -S. M. Stirling
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1 member likes this:
anthropic |
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298
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OP
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298 |
Don't take this personally, Anthropic, but somebody has to be the left hand side of the curve.
We give and get advice here that works most of the time, on average, but (pick one) 1) "It all depends" 2) YMMV 3) Maybe LMB just don't like you.
Doing everything right doesn't always ensure success in life.
What's your next best pond dream? I don't take it personally. As you say, somebody has to be on the left hand of the curve, and there's certainly no reason it shouldn't be me. Heck, some people have far worse experiences, what with leaky dams, huge fish kills, and otters. I don't have those issues. Really, most of my fish are doing very well. The pond is a dream come true and, like my wife, far better than what I deserve. But you know how it is, you always want what you don't have. Guess I'll keep learning & trying to improve, however frustrating it is at times.
7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160
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1 member likes this:
Steve_ |
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,966 Likes: 276
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,966 Likes: 276 |
Sometime you have to make and appreciate the lemonade. I wanted a nice YP pond and ended up with 12"+ BGxRES.
"Live like you'll die tomorrow, but manage your grass like you'll live forever." -S. M. Stirling
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298
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OP
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298 |
after reading some of your other posts, I can't help but at least consider maybe the RBT really did steal some of the LMB growth from the last few months. Of course that may not be enough growth to make up the difference from what you think should be there. Kind of along the lines of what I'm thinking when I say 'back to the basics.' Maybe drop all non-native species for some period of time (Tilapia, RBT, PK Shrimp, etc.) Also, I would think American Pond Weed would not really impede the LMB from eating as much Bluegill as they wanted. Thanks for the response, fellow pondmeisters. I think you're right about APW, in and of itself. But I've got other stuff growing in it, bushy pondweed & algae, that make it tougher for LMB to get to the panfish. Maybe I'll rake some out & treat with Reward in spots. I like plant cover, but it may be getting out of hand. Wbuff, you make a good point about the rainbows. Trout were great fun this winter, but like hybrid stripers they are feed hogs. Scandalous at it is to admit, I prefer eating LMB and BG anyway. Easier to fillet, too. So if I add RBT again, there won't be as many this time.
Last edited by anthropic; 05/21/20 01:54 PM.
7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298
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OP
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298 |
Sometime you have to make and appreciate the lemonade. I wanted a nice YP pond and ended up with 12"+ BGxRES. Well, that is quite an accomplishment! I've never caught a panfish longer than 10.5" in my life. Bet you have a great time on light tackle, big panfish are a handful.
Last edited by anthropic; 05/21/20 01:52 PM.
7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,795 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: 8,795 Likes: 68 |
What are your LMB averaging WR? If they are low, and your forage base is multilayered plus feeding is high, you just need to keep culling those green carp. Too many mouths to feed.
Do you have a dock?
Do you live on site or visit multiple times weekly?
If yes, ping me and we can talk. I have a plan for you and guarantee you'll have a WR 150+ LMB by end of season if you're willing to put in the work weekly. This process has worked wonders for me and Condello.
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 2003
Posts: 13,741 Likes: 293
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,741 Likes: 293 |
It's guaranteed to work as good as the Shamwow.....
Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:" "She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."
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1 member likes this:
ar_confederate |
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,795 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: 8,795 Likes: 68 |
Have you seen any photos of Bruce's fish lately, half pint? He's got state record RES, LMB, and Black Crappie.
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: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298
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OP
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298 |
Have you seen any photos of Bruce's fish lately, half pint? He's got state record RES, LMB, and Black Crappie. Holy cow! I know he's the mad scientist, but this is amazing. Thanks for the offer. I'll msg you. I'm pretty much willing to try anything that doesn't involve stuffing lead sinkers down LMB gullets. (Tungsten I might try...) I visit our pond several times a week. We have a dock and a total of four working feeders, three on the main BOW including one on the dock, and one for the forage pond. Also have electricity available on the dock.
Last edited by anthropic; 05/21/20 04:02 PM.
7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 67 Likes: 3
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 67 Likes: 3 |
teehjaeh, are they posted on here somewhere?
East Central Missouri 1 1/4 acre pond, build fall 2011 1/8 acre baitfish pond build fall 2022
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,137 Likes: 276
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,137 Likes: 276 |
Scandalous at it is to admit, I prefer eating LMB and BG anyway. Easier to fillet, too. So if I add RBT again, there won't be as many this time. There's no need to fillet those nasty trout before you eat them. Gut em, gill em, stuff some onion and butter in the cavity, season with lemon pepper, then wrap em in aluminum foil and toss em on the coals for a few minutes. Done like that they're almost fit to eat.
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298
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OP
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298 |
Almost. I guess I've got too much Louisiana blood to get away from at least pan-frying. Those LMB and BG fillets are sweet!
7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160
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1 member likes this:
ar_confederate |
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,358 Likes: 4
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,358 Likes: 4 |
Have you seen any photos of Bruce's fish lately, half pint? He's got state record RES, LMB, and Black Crappie. Bruce's instagram is great for photos of these plus the other monsters he pulls out of private and public waters.
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1 member likes this:
brah |
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298
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OP
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298 |
It's guaranteed to work as good as the Shamwow..... So it's especially effective for wipers?
7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160
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Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,470 Likes: 107
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Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,470 Likes: 107 |
I'm a little late to the game. Who is Bruce? Also can you put a link up to his Instagram?
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 67 Likes: 3
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 67 Likes: 3 |
Opps....this is a reply to RStringer - Bruce Condello Instagram
Last edited by Jimmi; 05/21/20 08:54 PM.
East Central Missouri 1 1/4 acre pond, build fall 2011 1/8 acre baitfish pond build fall 2022
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298
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OP
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298 |
I'm a little late to the game. Who is Bruce? Also can you put a link up to his Instagram? Bruce is the mad scientist who either destroys the planet or makes fish grow in ways God never intended.
7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160
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1 member likes this:
brah |
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Moderated by Bill Cody, Bruce Condello, catmandoo, Chris Steelman, Dave Davidson1, esshup, ewest, FireIsHot, Omaha, Sunil, teehjaeh57
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