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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,025 Likes: 1
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,025 Likes: 1 |
Bruce, tell us about the forage base and nutrition you provide in the repro pond. How long have these age 5 females been in it.
Awesome fish. Over 2# by April.
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,854 Likes: 1
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,854 Likes: 1 |
The fish were in the repro pond since spring of '07, when they were only 12 ounces or so. They pulled off a great year class each of the last two years, but it's a pond with a pure mud substrate that I hate to seine, so I just keep putting it off. Actually Lusk seined it by himself without getting a drop of water on himself, which to be perfectly honest with you, screwed with my head. The man is GOOD!
The nutrition is Aquamax 600 pellets, but there's also thousands of dragonflys around it, and probably hundreds of thousands of midge hatching every night in the summer. I'll bet this fish is 60-40 natural forage vs. pelleted feed.
Holding a redear sunfish is like running with scissors.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 119
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 119 |
Bruce I read through most of this thread but I didnt find anything about predators. Are you and the seine net the only predators?
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,854 Likes: 1
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,854 Likes: 1 |
There are some herons that make occasional visits. The seine is definitely predator numero uno.
Holding a redear sunfish is like running with scissors.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1
Hall of Fame Lunker
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Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1 |
Very Impressive Bruce! I can only hope to come close to that with the ones I got from you and their offspring. I can't wait to compare notes on the pumpkinseeds I will be getting you later this year!
BTW how long have you been ice free like that? I'm jealous! I keep losing ice and then refreezing here!
If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,854 Likes: 1
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,854 Likes: 1 |
We've been ice free for over two weeks, but we've gotten a couple of overnight skims.
Holding a redear sunfish is like running with scissors.
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,261
Ambassador Lunker
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Ambassador Lunker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,261 |
dang bruce....nice feesh. congratulations on yer hard work, its really paying off. burger, dont let bruce intimidate you, keep posting pics of yer fish, they were beautiful by the way, i dont think i posted on that thread so i'll say it now. i'm gonna go right on posting my pics of my dinks too
Last edited by dave in el dorado ca; 02/26/09 09:37 PM.
GSF are people too!
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,794
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,794 |
Just turned age-5 CSBG
Length 11.375 inches
Weight 1 lb 12 ounces
I've now caught 4 almost exactly like this over the last 5 weeks. All between 11 and 11.5 inches. And all female!! Bruce, beautiful fish.... I can hardly wait for your big ole mean, hunchback, handsom spawning colored 2#+ male. Way to go my friend....
N.E. Texas 2 acre and 1/4 acre ponds Original george #173 (22 June 2002)
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 2
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 2 |
And who said backyard biologists can't get'r dun!
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,854 Likes: 1
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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About 75 days short of being 3 years old. This is one of the original fish from this thread. It's been tracked closely since it was born in July 2006. It's vital statistics were 10.5 inches and 1 pound 8 ounces. I think it will jump in weight dramatically soon, since it has been sequestered in a lined pond for the winter with virtually no zooplankton. The only thing it could eat was a bunch of small CSBG's.
Holding a redear sunfish is like running with scissors.
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,854 Likes: 1
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Aug 2004
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...and same fish with improper handling technique. (luckily it landed in the bucket)
Holding a redear sunfish is like running with scissors.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 2
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 2 |
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1
Hall of Fame Lunker
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Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1 |
Long arms.
If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,534 Likes: 842
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,534 Likes: 842 |
Hey Cecil, I've got a CC that will knock Bruce out of that division. While my scale isn't certified, I can bring it over and we can check it against yours. It was released, but it was weighed as well. Lets see how long it takes for Bruce to knock me off the podium.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1
Hall of Fame Lunker
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Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1 |
Hey Cecil, I've got a CC that will knock Bruce out of that division. While my scale isn't certified, I can bring it over and we can check it against yours. It was released, but it was weighed as well. Lets see how long it takes for Bruce to knock me off the podium. Scott, I got your entry and will try and get it on the site. Hopefully we still have the software to get 'er done. The wife no longer has the software to update may main website. If anyone else wants to pick up the torch on that website I wouldn't complain...
Last edited by Cecil Baird1; 10/02/10 08:34 AM.
If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,544
Hall of Fame Lunker
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Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,544 |
OK, what a thread I just got done reading the whole thing end to end.. Bruce you are truly amazing.. I have a couple questions though.. First off have you had a fish reach 2lbs yet? Second do you ever see this process so called topping out or will there always be increases in your #'s? Just curious..
I believe in catch and release. I catch then release to the grease.. BG. CSBG. LMB. HSB. RES.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1
Hall of Fame Lunker
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Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1 |
BGkiller,
Bruce is really occupied right now in his business, he is buying cars for his girls, and getting them ready for college so he hasn't spend much time here lately. So don't be miffed if he doesn't answer you right away. However I can answer your first question if you don't mind: Yes, he has grown some 2 lbers.
Last edited by Cecil Baird1; 10/02/10 08:39 AM.
If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099 Likes: 23
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099 Likes: 23 |
Bear in mind, he grew 2 pounders in.....NEBRASKA!!!!!
That's a pretty short growing season!
I spoke with Bruce and TJ briefly yesterday while they were in the KC area heading to a visit with our buddy Shawn Banks and to do a radio interview I think he said....he was playing witht he new truck's hand's free phone system.....the guys never slow down!
Last edited by Rainman; 10/02/10 11:46 AM.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1
Hall of Fame Lunker
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Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1 |
Bear in mind, he grew 2 pounders in.....NEBRASKA!!!!!
That's a pretty short growing season!
True. I'm going to keep some indefinitely in one of the RAS tanks where I can keep temps in the upper 70's. I'm curious what they will top end at. They're also going to get Yellow Perch in as companions. I will be interesting what they do if they can't produce eggs due to no chill period. Hopefully something like triploids.
If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099 Likes: 23
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099 Likes: 23 |
I've wondered how bluegill would do with the comparatively dense stocking of a tank compared to a pond.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1
Hall of Fame Lunker
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Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1 |
I've wondered how bluegill would do with the comparatively dense stocking of a tank compared to a pond. I think dense stocking will limit growth in a tank once they get large enough. However at the same time you need some kind of density to keep territorial behavior down. I'm convinced cages are not the way to go for really large bluegill for that reason from experience. Maybe I'll find the same thing about tanks.
Last edited by Cecil Baird1; 10/02/10 09:53 PM.
If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,854 Likes: 1
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,854 Likes: 1 |
I think high density tanks are great for rapid growth of age-0 and age-1 fish, but the bigger fish slow way down in tank environments.
Holding a redear sunfish is like running with scissors.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1
Hall of Fame Lunker
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Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1 |
I think high density tanks are great for rapid growth of age-0 and age-1 fish, but the bigger fish slow way down in tank environments. Probably so. So far I'm still getting good growth in my RAS though. Many 7 inch bg's in the RAS tank that can't get enough to eat 3 X per day. These fish were the size of the fingernail on my little pinkie 7 months ago. Of course there are some in there that are lagging far behind, which I need to cull out in the next few days. Bill Cody sent me an article on a guy that grew out a 2 pound bluegill back in the 60's in an indoor swimming pool in his basement. I don't recall how many were in the tank though. He got the fish he raised from a nearby lake in Wisconsin. Maybe Bill can provide us more details. Bill?
If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.
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