Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

Thought these might be of interest to some here, from that American classic, GRIT - - .

Farm Pond Management:

http://www.grit.com/departments/farm-pond-management.aspx?newslette...

Fish Stocking in Farm Ponds:

http://www.grit.com/animals/fish-stocking-in-farm-ponds.aspx#axzz39...

Views: 251

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

The advice offered in both articles on fish stocking and management is pretty rudimentary and outdated, to put it mildly.  For instance, the biologist who makes the blanket statement that anytime most of the bass are 12" are less, bass should be harvested, is about fifty years behind the curve.  Most state DNRs, which are not always the most forward-thinking, still recognize that an overabundance of small bass is key to growing trophy bluegill.  Even my home state, which is pretty laissez-faire with many of its regulations and advice, notes as much in their literature on pond management.  

Likewise with the blanket advice to stock 100 channel cats per acre, which is awful advice if you want to maximize either your bass or your bluegill.  

Well, I feel bad then for putting it out there.
But maybe some of our readers will be taught the right way with your help.

Remember also that most state agencies, as well as  many, very knowledgeable pond professionals tend to base their recs on the notion that folks desire a balanced pond.......and a great many pondowners do in fact. There are no "one size fits all" pond strategies, and in a lot of cases the pros and state biologists are simply covering the bases with the majority in mind.

Having said that, a great deal of info is based on principles that are better understood today, and in keeping with that theme the older strategies might not be optimum advice anymore. We're fortunate to have access to cutting edge material and ideas here at BBG as well as over at PondBoss, and I would encourage anyone desiring to manage their pond to try and seek out many different opinions and experiences..

Thanks for posting David....we should always appreciate the ways and means that allowed us to achieve our goals, even if they came about simply due to someone saying "there has to be a better way"......Progress, that's what counts.

Nice Tony, thanks.
It came up in my email and was just sharing.
You know I don't know doodly about pond management!

I didn't mean in any way to criticize your intent, David.  I just wouldn't want people to read those articles and take them as gospel.

I consider the readership of GRIT - most don't manage for bluegill specifically.
Bass and catfish are the likeliest intent for the rural man with a pond. I mean, any I talk to, the first thing out their mouth is, "bass."
If they stock gills, it's as forage for the bass. That's kinda the extent of 'balance' in their esteem.
So the articles may have struck the mark for those guys. The folks here are always going on about ponds and managing them, so I figured it might'a make for conversation.

I have to keep reminding myself that not everyone manages for, or desires, a pond full of trophy bluegills. It's become such a part of my life that I am guilty of just assuming that everyone feels like I do.....this is after all, BigBluegill.com!

However, for many they simply want a place to wet a line, catch a few for supper, (of any variety), and have little to no further out-of-pocket expenses once the initial stocking efforts are accomplished. And that's fine. Shoot, it sounds downright relaxing!!

Nailed it, Tony.

HEY TONY ,

 Yup not everyone on here manages a pond , but we wish we did !!!! Your last statement tells all what i'ts all about for most of us on here, ' JUST PLAIN RELAXING " !!!

I am no biologist, but 100 catfish per acre seems awfully high to me if you are managing for quality bass or gills. At 100 cats per acre I would think that may be a strategy for pond owners who wish to raise catfish for routine harvest and food. Additional feeding efforts may be helpful in such a case to get catties to a 'eating'size.'

Then again, if it were I, I'd rather have the small bass/big bluegill makeup to help the chance for trophy gills of 10" or greater.

But I'm not a biologist.

RSS

Latest Activity

Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
5 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"There’s multiple variations in the Spotted Sunfish….in Louisiana the Red Spotted…"
5 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"Growing up in Louisiana into a fishing family I got many introductions to the Sportsman’s…"
5 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"I have personally caught 11 of the 12 panfish featured in this discussion. I have never lived in…"
5 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a discussion
5 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
22 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
23 hours ago
DAVID L EITUTIS commented on DAVID L EITUTIS's photo
Thumbnail

THIS COLOR COMBINATION SEEMS TO WORK THIS YEAR

"Yup blue and white is an essential with my oldest son......."
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"My glass boat is going to the shop tomorrow, need an ignition system tune up, figured I would give it up during this extended heat wave.."
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

July Bully jig/crawler piece

"Fun….my biggest fish yesterday was a three pound bullhead…..couldn’t believe he…"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on DAVID L EITUTIS's photo
Thumbnail

THIS COLOR COMBINATION SEEMS TO WORK THIS YEAR

"Glad you’ve had success with it………I always use pink to locate…"
Sunday
DAVID L EITUTIS commented on DAVID L EITUTIS's photo
Thumbnail

THIS COLOR COMBINATION SEEMS TO WORK THIS YEAR

"Thanks for the  comment jeffrey, it has worked in the past but seems to work berret this year…"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Great Habitat on the Albemarle Estuary…….7/20/2025

Always search for clues to why you’re catching fish in the area you’re in when so many areas look…
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Beautiful 9” Class Warmouth……7/19/2025

Growing up in southeastern Louisiana the two most abundant species of sunfish in the bayous and…
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on DAVID L EITUTIS's photo
Thumbnail

THIS COLOR COMBINATION SEEMS TO WORK THIS YEAR

"Bleeding pink Silent Stinger and all pink jigs work on multi species in brackish water…..I…"
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Nice Round Specimen…..7/19/2025

Bleeding 🩸 tail working in the cypress roots……all of the coastal counties in the northeastern part…
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Some Bleeding 🩸 Coppernose Behind Last Week’s Buck Moon…7/19/2025

"The busted fins are also a dead giveaway to colonizing gills….."
Saturday

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service