Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations 2010 Florida LMB Spawn

What would be the current size of this year class Florida LMB, with abundant BG and RES forage?

It depends !!! Somewhere between 0 and lots.

I was going to say the same thing. Why do you ask George?

Even in the same body of water with the same foraging conditions from the same spawning bed there will be some super small and super large yoy.

I thought you ask about "class size" not size of fish.

It still depends.

OK, more info:

100 certified Florida LMB fingerlings were stocked in 1/4-acre “grow-out pond” spring of 2009.

One three year old certified Florida LMB was already in pond having been stocked previously to assist HSB for BG control.

Last weekend, son Jeff took some kids fishing and caught a ~ 6-7 inch Florida LMB (Cody’s fingernail scale guestamation).
Also caught a larger LMB but no picture.

~ 6-7 inch LMB photo below stocker or spawner?

OR – “It all depends?”

I guess spawned this year. Most fingerlings got eaten so the few left spawned this spring; this is the result.

This year. From TPWD study length at 1 from 3.5 to 8.7 inches on TX Fla LMB in ponds.

my guess would be stocker due to its large mouth size compared to other body features. A LMB could be several years old and still that exact same size as the one pictured.

Should not be 18 mths and that size in a newly well foraged (stocked)pond in TX as per George's facts. I did note the head is big for the body but that may be due to how the pic was taken. But 100 in a .25 acre pond is a lot. ? feed trained and pellets.

I am pleased at survival of any numbers of fingerling stockers. This is now a brood pond and Florida LMB will be transferred to main pond to produce F-1 feed trained LMB.

Two year old Blue Cat to control over population - will add another if needed - or take them out ....

George why the bluecat? I thought you were staying away from catfish. P.S. Is that the way your water looks now? It looks really good.

James, ONE BC for BG and potential LMB overpopulation control in 1/4 acre pond.
Yep, that’s the present water condition in ¼ acre pond with NO aeration.
It’s an amazing little pond - has grown out many HSB for transfer to main pond.

Main pond - no mas CC!!
Aeration 24/7 since April in main pond!