Eastland - exciting report - thanks for sharing.
Especially since you are an old hand at this pond business.
Since you have had experience with HSB and they are at the top of your predator list, I would rethink conventional structure placement rcommendtions.
"Our" pond was planned for a HSB primary predator for my interest and for LMB for my son.
Consquently deep water area is devoid of structure, whereas the upper shallow end has structure for forage as well as LMB.
Spawning bed preparation for CNBG is not required in our area, since they will spawn "anywhere". When the bad drought of a couple of years ago dropped water level some 4-5 ft, we found literally hundreds of "nests" on substrate of bushy pondweed.
Thanks again for letting us share..
