Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Can you feed Bass saltwater baitfish

Right now being in the early stages of our only pond build, this is really just an idea we had sitting around a fire one night. We are huge saltwater fisherman and live very close to the Mobile Bay. I can walk off my dock and catch 25-50 pogey baitfish in a cast net. These 4-6 in long baitfish are the same fish we use as bait offshore every time we go. Once the bass get big enough to eat over the underwater lights off the dock, I believe it would be the perfect bonus food to help the bass get an extra boost in growth. With the biggest pro to this whole idea is how convenient it is and low cost. My question is will this introduction to a new fish harm the bass or the pond? Could my pond get some bacteria from the fish? Is it Legal?



Thank you for your responses, again this is just an idea. Has not been attempted

No idea if it is legal! I assume it is so common to try, that the baitfish rules must be clearly addressed in the Alabama regulations?

Can you identify the exact species of fish? I believe that Menhaden Shad are commonly called pogeys, but around the Atlantic seaboard the locals may refer to other fish species as pogeys.

If you get an exact identification, then you can determine if they may reproduce in your freshwater pond. If they CAN'T reproduce, I would think that would be excellent bait.

I have heard of guys fishing for channel cats with goldfish. A few years later, that catfish pond became a significant goldfish pond.

Is this what you are talking about?

https://fishbase.se/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?ID=1589&AT=Pogey

Yes that is the exact fish. I was thinking the name "pogey" was probably just a local name. But that is 1000% the same fish.
Every year the school up in the bay by the millions. I also believe they will not reproduce since they probably cannot survive in a freshwater pond being a brackish/saltwater species. We have all of our forage species in the pond right now thriving. This is just for throwing the baitfish in and watching the big bass chase them around for a few seconds. Thank you for the reply

I've seen that musical, "Pogey and Bass".

Yes I think you could use "pogey" to supplementally feed your bass. You might be surprised how long they will live in a freshwater pond assuming they are not eaten first. I think they could live at least several months. Some basically salt water fish can live for years in freshwater - striped bass is just one example.

To add to Bill's post above, this info was taken from the fishbase.se page. " Salinity tolerance range from 0.1-60 ppt, but the commercial catch is mostly from 5.0-24 ppt."

Had no idea that any saltwater fish could live In freshwater.

Turns out it is legal. I will be sure to update in a few months when the bass are getting bigger!

Many saltwater fish can and do use/inhabit freshwater. Striped Bass , shads- alewife and others. They can create problems if they live and reproduce (just like any baitfish). I posted the link so all could read - see fecundity - possible 3X BG at 152,000 and about 25% of shads at 600,000.


https://fishbase.se/Reproduction/Fi...mp;SpeciesName=patronus&autoctr=1217

Yes, you can feed your LMB pogeys/pogies/menhaden if you want to. The only thing I'd wonder about is parasites but if you froze the fish first, that should solve that problem.

A live pogie isn't gonna last long in freshwater. They are pretty tender and die easy.