Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Feeding Day Old Bread Store

I had been going to the Day Old Bread Store, near my house, and buying 6 loaves of bread to feed the fish. Spending about $5.00 and saving a couple bucks, even over going to Wally World.

Today, on my way into the store, I noticed a sign that read, "Spend $5.00 and get 1 item free". I got inside and inquired about it. They pointed towards a blue rack. I investigated the rack, then unknowingly said the magic words, "I don't see any thing here I can feed to fish".

They said, "Why didn't you tell us on your last 2 visits that this was for fish. You need the expired stuff." 5 shopping carts later, I had filled up the trunk and the back seat of my car. Is everyone sitting down? Total cost $6.00.

They said they can do this for me at least once a week. Like with the 78 free Christmas trees, can I get another "You lucky dog" from Todd Overton?

I also found out that my fiancee has never been fishing. Anyone got any tips about how to get and keep her interested in fishing, so she'll keep letting me continue to spend money on this passion of mine? She does like to eat fish.

BTW, Todd, I've gotten 3 calls from my Mom, about those shiners you delivered, today. I think she's about to start naming them. I can hear it now, "I can't believe you stuck a hook through Fred and Sally, but this Crappie sure is tasty."

great deal on the bread. it my fill the fishes belly , but there is no real nurishment in bread for fish.

It is basically empty calories for them, although I don't think it will do them any real harm as long as it isn't their only source of food.

SHHHH, keep the secret or you will find lots of competition in getting the bread. Seriously, I gave my fish bread for several years but have now converted them over to fish feed. It is not as messy and the wife no longer complains about all the bread bags and twisty ties on the dock. The squirrels would dig them out of the trash looking for crumbs.

BigMac, good deal on bread. I can't believe you spend $ like that in past though. If your trying to lure them over, great they love that stuff. If your trying to grow them you need a bigger truck. So have fun with the bread but realize it does really have enough protein to grow the fish.

The bread is mainly for my Mom and guests to watch the BG, RE, and GS. Those 2 previous trips at around 7 loaves and $5.00 each trip, were over a 2 month period. She usually only feeds a few slices at a time.

I don't like that the CC have begun eating the bread, but this weekend, I'll change the feeder from once a day at 2 seconds to twice day at 4 seconds. I'm using a floating Catfish food in the feeder, with a 32% protein count. It's not cheap. Soon, I hope to have time to go to the feed stores in the nearest town, where their proximity to the Railroad tracks might lower the cost a bit. Considering the cost of gas, I'd have to buy several bags to make up for the 30 mile round trip.

Up to a three month supply should not be a problem.

Thanks. I was wondering how long I could store the feed bags if in a 4 walled shed. I just recently set up the feeder, so the rub is that I don't know what a 3 month supply is. I think I'll be able to make some calculations from how much has gone out, since filling it full on my last trip, with the feeder set at once a day for 2 seconds.

BigMac you can keep the food for longer than that if it is cool. If it gets hot in shed then may not get more than 2 months worth. A new feeding rate you can expect the hopper (75 lbs.) to empty in little less than a month. If goal is for Mom to have fun get her the bread. When we are tyring to seine up catfish we use bread and get more than with fish food.

Last summer, I got to travel to a subscribers 10-12 acre pond, with Lusk when Lusk was in Pittsburgh for the Bassmasters.

This guy had a single LMB that would eat bread.

Not that it matters, but just thought it was interesting.

75 lbs. a month. Hmm. I may kick it up a notch if they are eating all of it, but I don't want the fish to get so full, they won't take my bait and lures, at all. I still doubt I'll be able to put much weight on the fish in 20 acres of water, with just one feeder.

Wow! An LMB that eats bread. That's a new one on me.

Well, I got all 132 pieces of 1/2" PVC, under the bread in the back seat and in the front seat of the car. I went to Academy and bought myself a minnow trap and a Perch Trap. I also picked up some Alpo, Beef with Brown Gravy, to bait the traps. All of my anchored jug lines are ready to go. I have just enough room left, for my tackle box, two rods 'n reels, an overnight bag, and me in the car. I think I'm set for a weekend of sinking porcupine fish attractors and catching fish.

What bait should I put in the minnow trap? Will the Alpo work or should I use lunch meat, such as bologna? If I trap a snake, the trap stays in the water for a few weeks. My moto is "If it has scales, no legs, and no flat, vertical tail, kill it."

Bigmac,

My gf loves to eat fresh fish. She used to fish when she was younger and I wanted to get her back into it. The easiest and most exciting way was to have her fish for bluegill because they would bite a lot more frequently and keep her entertained. Think "kids" here!! She always has a blast doing that and doesn't care how big they are. Though she does have me take the fish off the hook for her.

ceadmin,
Good. I was thinking correctly on the BG thing. I'll probably be baiting the hook and removing fish from the hook. However, she might surprise me, until she pulls up an ornery looking Bullhead and it starts croaking at her.

LMB that would eat bread - there is always one or two in every crowd that will do that. Natural variation is always amazing.

The cheap bread products at the bread outlet store are called pet food. I buy it for $1.00 per garbage bag full. Ask about it at our local bread outlet. I either dry it or freeze it for storage. I use it to bait minnow and bgill traps.

Bill,
When I was a youngster we used to feed whole slices of loaf bread to huge LmB at a pond above the one I life guarded. The owner fed them regularly in one corner of the pond & it was spooky to see so many big fish crowd into that corner. It was not a feeding frenzy. The bass held close to the surface & would simply move under a slice & gulp it down!
I would stand trembling with my eyes poping out of my head watching!
He wouldn't let anyone fish for them. It was the first time I ever had evil thoughts of sneaking into someones pond & fishing.

Bigmac,
Try big fat potato slices in your perch traps sometime. The color and starch attract as well as anything I've ever used but not near as messy and lasts a long time. Cheap too and my wife never misses just one !

Thanks for all the tips! I got caught up in problems with an airconditioner and trying to get some roof repairs done, before it rained, so I didn't have a chance to use the perch or minnor trap this weekend. Oh well, hopefully next time.