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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 3
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OP
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 3 |
Awesome Forum! Just found it. Is there a way to calculate how many LMB need to be removed from an overcrowding situation? The pond is 5 acres and since purchase in March you can catch 8-12 inch LMB on almost every cast- they are classically big headed cigar shaped.- I've built pallet structures for Fatheads- but don't want to introduce them until I think I have a handle on the overabundance of LMB. How deep should the Fathead minnow structures be placed?. I appreciate any, and all responses!! Thanks!
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,565 Likes: 850
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent  Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,565 Likes: 850 |
Welcome to the forum. There's no set number to remove, with a pond that size, just keep hammering them until you can't catch any more, then go back at them again the next day. I wouldn't stock any FHM, they'd be a quick snack for the LMB. You have a LOT of LMB in the pond, and you'd have to place a LOT of FHM in the pond for the LMB to benefit. It takes roughly 10# of forage fish to put 1# on ONE LMB.
LMB do better with eating fish 1/4 to 1/3 their size. It'll take a year or more to get the fishery turned around. What are the other fish in the pond? If you aren't feeding, you might look into getting a feeder, and feeding BG (if they are in the pond) good quality food. The BG are normally stocked with LMB, and are the most commonly used prey fish for LMB.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,058 Likes: 278
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,058 Likes: 278 |
After the 2nd year of stocking, eliminate every LMB 13 inches and under.
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: Jul 2011
Posts: 3
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OP
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 3 |
Thank you very much! There are some huge bluegill. This spring a guy caught a nice Crappie (Originally thought this might be a problem- but have not caught any since) Did catch a couple small green sunfish and extracted those quickly. Mainly a lot of BG and tons of LMB. BG look great, LMB look pathetic. I'll just keep extracting small bass until I notice something different going on!!
Thank you guys- I'll stay tuned in here- there is a ton of good advice and info!!!
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,058 Likes: 278
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,058 Likes: 278 |
I wouldn't mess with the Green sunfish. They will either be bass food or make some bass food.
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: Jul 2011
Posts: 3
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OP
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 3 |
10-4 on the GS. Did the pallet structures yesterday- and am pumped about the slow process of working this lake into shape! Any suggestions you guys have, I'm all ears!
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,347 Likes: 99
Editor, Pond Boss Magazine Lunker
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Editor, Pond Boss Magazine Lunker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,347 Likes: 99 |
Keep records. Don't depend on your memory. Every bass...weigh and measure and log it in a journal. You want the date as well. Over time, compare your lengths and weights, regardless of how many bass you have taken. Track all bass. When you've harvested enough bass, you will see improved growth rates and higher relative weights.
Compare in time segments, for example, third quarter, 2011 compared to third quarter 2012, then 2013. You'll soon know if you are harvesting enough fish. At the same time, focus on the food chain. esshup is right on about the fathead minnows. If you want to stock fathead minnows to make you feel better, do it. If you want to stock them to improve the fishery, don't. Spend that money on a feeder or fish food or improving the habitat. By decreasing the numbers of bass and growing more natural forage fish, your fishery will change.
Teach a man to grow fish...
He can teach to catch fish...
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