Some professionals at growing trophy bass like Lusk, Grimes, Shawn Banks, or Jeff Slipke should have input on this before you add gshad. IMO you should focus on maintaining your current fishery that has the large bass that it already has and not try to take it up a notch. You could be getting spoiled with the quality of your current quality fishery.
The number of larger bass could increase slightly if the forage level that achieved the currrent fishery is maintained. The pond could be at near mature capacity of large bass and on the verge of decline that the 12 acres can support. From your description the fishery of large bass is on the fence and in danger of declining since the bluegills in the 2"-4" range are scarce. Before adding gizzards I would 1. maintain or enhance the threadfins with good fertility to maintain or improve zooplankton, 2. focus on enhancing the bluegill population to increase numbers as Sepond suggested of the 2"-4" bluegills. A few platform feeders would improve the bluegills. G.shad in the improper conditions can create sediment turbidity, negatively impact plankton, hinder the threadfins and have major impacts the overall ecosystem. Once you have out of control g.shad you have a real headache that is complicated and expensive to fix. IMO, I repeat, you need a professional opinion with good experience with waters similar to yours.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 02/16/13 09:44 PM.
