Kevin Finley with one of the biggest bluegill ever caught.

Comment

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on April 5, 2014 at 7:04am

Good illustration. Thanks.

Comment by Tony Livingston on April 5, 2014 at 6:58am

Because it describes something altogether different. Recruitment refers to fish that live past a certain age, escape predation, and join the general population....eventually contributing to the population themselves. AND adding to the biomass present in the BOW.

Reproduction is necessary for recruitment, but recruitment is not necessary for reproduction. Case in point: in our hybrid bluegill pond, reproduction takes place every year, but by having tons of small bass in place eating up the young fish, very little recruitment takes place....they simply don't survive long enough to grow into mature fish.

Excuse my bluntness here, I'm just trying to illustrate a point and not meaning to be crude....... but people on birth control can have sex without having kids.....no offspring, aka no recruitment. The act of reproduction doesn't have to result in a bigger population.

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on April 5, 2014 at 6:40am

"Recruitment" What a funny word to replace breeding or reproduction.
Why did people start using it?

Comment by Tony Livingston on April 5, 2014 at 6:19am

Bruce can you elaborate on the management strategy in place in regards to limiting BG recruitment, since smallies aren't usually thought of as providing adequate pressure?  Is this a single sex pond? What's the BG population density like?

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on April 4, 2014 at 7:53pm

What a beast!

Tony, you'lI be pleased to know, "I get it."

Comment by Tim Overbaugh on April 4, 2014 at 7:48pm

Yes sir, Big Bluegill.  Alpha gill with all that purple behind the flap. 

Comment by Bruce Condello on April 4, 2014 at 7:30pm

3-pounds, 12 plus inches, and yes there are several other photos that I took.

Comment by Bruce Condello on April 4, 2014 at 7:29pm

Definitely not a fish farm. :)

 

But yes, alas, it was caught in a pond that was maximized for bluegill forage.  The intent was to grow big bluegill, big smallmouth, and a couple of some big Florida strain largemouth.  The bluegill were eating a few pellets, but as the pond matured, it was essentially all natural foraging.  It was an amazing accomplishment, and much was learned about bluegill, and what it takes for them to thrive.  Very exciting stuff to me. :)  The panfish in the pond had just a gorgeous array of natural foraging opportunities.

Comment by Jeff Soto on April 4, 2014 at 7:18pm

Arizona!?  Can we hear all specs on this great fish?  Please tell me it was not caught from a "fish farm" where trophy Bluegill are raised for trophy-sized fish..  Is there any other pics of this fish?

Comment by Walt Foreman on April 4, 2014 at 7:13pm

Awe-inspiring.

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