Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations How to catch the big ones in the pond

Background:

1 acre pond, 2/3 of pond has emerged with grass, effectively making that 2/3 of the pond about 1' deep now (normally 3-4 feet). Water clarity 2-2.5 feet. Main forage: minnows & native bluegill. This past spring I stocked 30 adult LMB in the pond from another local farmpond...including 2 three pounders and 1 five-six pounder. The rest were in the 1-1.5lbs range.

Long story short - I am catching the 1 to 2 pounders with regularity now and they all seem very healthy and active. I frequently see them cruising the shallows, busting small bluegill, and whacking bugs.

Problem is, I can't seem to get to the bigger ones. With the pond having grass in 2/3's of it, I feel like the bigger fish must be concentrated in the deeper dam-end, which is about 1/3rd acre in size and about 6-8 feet deep....regardless of what I toss, I haven't see hide nor hair of them. I've tried slowly down and working something along the bottom like a texas rigged worm but I just come back with a clump of grass. Any ideas?










I think in the long run I'm going to have to hang a bluegill under a bobber in the deepest spot.

I think doing that with a 4" to 5" BG is your best bet, unless you can get some 8" or so golden shiners.

They didnt get that big by being stupid

Be sure to use a circle-hook (less likely to gut-hook & injure/kill a big LMB); and clip the BG's tailfin for improved "action" and lifespan.

A better question would be did your big bass actually make it? I have read and been told that transfer of bass 4 plus pounds usually don't end up very good as they are very established to their own little world and then you take them from it and put them in a whole new world and they don't do very well. Not saying yours died but that's just what I have read. Not to mention you need some serious fish to keep 4 plus pound bass hunger happy! They say it's best if your going to transfer bass from one lake/pond to your pond that they are not over 2,lbs. That way they are still fairly young and not quite as established in their current BOW.

I think they survived b/c I tend to go down to the pond often and haven't seen any floaters.....not that they'd automatically float (or not get eaten by critters quickly) but....

And we don't tend to have much trespassing (thankfully) so I don't think anyone poached 'em yet...

I don't know.....I'll give the bluegill treatment a shot and see what I can come up with.

These always seem to do well with numbers and size.

LFT Magic Shad

They swim well, and cruise through the grass.

Worth a shot, Al