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#512580 10/10/19 02:44 PM
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Neighbor caught 6 SMB from 4-12" which indicates they are spawning! He did not catch any of the YP although I know there were plenty last year based on the number of 4-6" fish that washed out the drain tube during flooding. He did not catch any of the stocker SMB because they were bigger than that 2 years ago based on a single catch (16"). Spawning structures suggested on this forum are working as advertised! Another thanks to the Pond Boss family! Also have RES, GSH, and LCS in pond. What fun!

RAH #512585 10/10/19 03:49 PM
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Congrats on the recruitment!

Snipe #512602 10/11/19 05:00 AM
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Thanks Snipe - Really pumped about this and appreciative for all the help from members here! Most folks, including me, would not have considered SMB in a warm-water pond.

Last edited by RAH; 10/11/19 05:01 AM.
RAH #512642 10/11/19 01:41 PM
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What is the likely age of 4-12" SMB if well fed?

RAH #512652 10/11/19 04:44 PM
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SMB are my favorite freshwater fish. Congratulations on your success!


7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160




RAH #512654 10/11/19 04:51 PM
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I will get corrected if wrong here but 4" to possibly 7~8" this time of year is (likely) this years hatch.
I am guessing the 10-12" fish are 1.5 yr old.
It IS possible that it could take 2.5 yr to grow a 12" SMB depending on available forage.

Last edited by Snipe; 10/11/19 04:58 PM.
RAH #512660 10/11/19 08:56 PM
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Do you have pictures of your spawning structures?
What depth are they and are they in a special area or on a special slope?

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Pic of SMB spawning structure:


RAH #512705 10/13/19 06:54 AM
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Congrats RAH. What kind of forage are they eating? Pellets, natural?

I'd love to try some small mouth down here. TJ, if you read this, could you post some of your spawning habitat photos too? It's time for me to start thinking.


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Pic above is a SMB spawning structure I built based on help I got on this site. Just Big rocks on the down side and softball size rocks above. No pellets have been fed but I let the FHM get a good start, followed by RES, YP, and LCS. Once those got going, I added 10 SMB in two consecutive years. Based on the one catch of the SMB the following fall, the growth was unbelievable to me. Pond is just shy of 1 acre, so they should have had plenty to eat.

Last edited by RAH; 10/13/19 08:34 AM.
RAH #512732 10/14/19 09:12 AM
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I've also had SMB reproduction this year although I am not seeing as many YOY as last year. That could be because the established larger fish are controlling the recruitment or it also could be I am simply not seeing them as I have a terrible infestation of bushy pond weed that has taken over about half my one acre RES/SMB pond.

I have taken out a good number of fish and transferred to other ponds to "thin the herd". I catch SMB somewhat regularly now in my main pond from the ones I transferred to it.

Glad to see you are also having success with the SMB recruitment.

Last edited by snrub; 10/14/19 09:14 AM.

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