Do you love big bluegill?

Your Pond

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This group is about your pond. How's it going? Questions on what to do next. Fish size and type.

Members: 46
Latest Activity: Aug 16, 2018

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Fish Feeding 13 Replies

I have a 5 acre pond with bass,bluegill, crappie, and catfish. I was thinking about getting a protein based food called Aquafeed to feed the fish in order to keep them fat and healthy. Is this a good…Continue

Started by Wade Jones. Last reply by Terry E Brand Aug 16, 2018.

Bad Luck Stories 1 Reply

I caught 4 bluegill Thurs. before I laid my pole down around a post, and went to get my fishing chair. It never got pulled in before when I did this, but it did then. Whatever it was swam all around…Continue

Started by 10.5" RES Sharon. Last reply by David, aka, "McScruff" Jun 22, 2013.

Looking for Rotenone or someone to do it cheap 1 Reply

Thanks for this cool group everyone! I currently have a 1/4 acre pond that I'm wanting to redo. I am unable to locate a source for Rotenone or someone to do it for a good price. I live in MD, so…Continue

Started by Chris Roberts. Last reply by Ryan McCaw Apr 27, 2013.

Skinny bluegill and bass 6 Replies

Hey everyone hope you all are great fishing season and enjoying the summer, unfortunately at my pond the fish are not doing all that great this summer. My pond has always produced 4 to 5 pound bass…Continue

Started by Wade Jones. Last reply by Mike Cross Oct 11, 2012.

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Comment by Walt Foreman on December 13, 2011 at 9:00pm: This time of year, in my experience, pond fish (especially bluegill) shut down. I know bluegill bite well under the ice up north, but I've had this discussion in the past with other experienced anglers who have fished both places and they've observed the same thing: bluegill don't bite much this time of year in the South.

If you don't have many bass in the 10-12" range, which I was already suspecting considering the larger bass you mentioned, that's the clearest indication you don't have enough bass. I just made a discovery thanks to Google maps that makes me tickled for you: you're only 77 miles from one of the best hatcheries in the country, Overton's Fisheries. I drove to Arkansas this past spring just to get some of their coppernose.

They sell larger largemouth, various sizes ranging from 5-7" to 6-8" to 10-12" to over a pound each. I would recommend stocking as many as you can afford, but at least 30-40 per acre, of at least 8-10" so they're less likely to get eaten by the large bass already in the pond. You might also think about eventually getting some of their coppernose when you get your present 'gill population well-thinned, as their genetics are really exceptional.

They would definitely deliver to you, as close as you are.

Comment by 10.5" RES Sharon on December 13, 2011 at 8:19pm: Last time I saw some bass, there were a few 6"ers, fry, and the oldest ones should be 18" now if they are still growing 1" a month. I don't think many of the fry survive, as there are not that many medium sized bass. None of the fish trucks sell anything but bass fry. I have caught a few 9" bass in the creek and put them in the pond. My plan was to take out any bass in the pond over 18" , so that those left could only eat the bg under 6". BUT, as I have said, can't even get the bass to bite lately. Maybe in the spring.................

Comment by Walt Foreman on December 13, 2011 at 8:09pm: Sharon, have you thought about stocking some more largemouth in the 6-8" range, or 10-12" if you're catching them from another pond? I know we discussed that some in the past; it sounds to me like you're still a little bass-light if big bluegill are your primary goal, which it sounds like they are.

You wouldn't believe how many 10-14" bass there are in my best bluegill ponds. It's common to catch as many or more of them in a day of fishing for bluegill, as we do bluegill.

Your 'gills are definitely growing, but if you want to kick it to the next level you need fewer bluegill surviving to adulthood, which means more small bass.

Comment by Tony Livingston on December 13, 2011 at 7:34pm: Getting more food into the BG is important, so thinning down their numbers is probably a good idea.... although, from looking at some of your pics I believe whatever you're doing now is showing results.... the body shape on some of those coppernoses is incredible.... nearly as tall as they are long.... If I were you I would feel good about where my fish are headed!

Nice job!

Comment by 10.5" RES Sharon on December 13, 2011 at 7:23pm: No restocking. Already have bass, bg, res, coppernose, and minnows. My bg are typically small (5-6"). Very seldom get one bigger although I have followed all the bg growing advice. With the bass now 16+", I am hoping this problem will correct itself this winter. I know other people with ponds have 8" bg within a year. This will be my third winter, next summer third summer.

Comment by Tony Livingston on December 13, 2011 at 7:04pm: Are you planning to restock anything Sharon, or are you just thinning down the existing population?

Comment by 10.5" RES Sharon on December 13, 2011 at 6:24pm: Last spring I cleaned out all the catfish from my pond. This fall, I am cleaning out all the hybrid bg and gsf. They all go in the creek.

Comment by 10.5" RES Sharon on November 14, 2011 at 4:51pm: Actually caught some fish today. The baby:

The mom:

Comment by 10.5" RES Sharon on October 31, 2011 at 6:08pm: latest catch. biggest was 8"

Comment by Walt Foreman on October 28, 2011 at 3:26pm: The top one looks to be a pure-strain longear, probably from the nearby creek - that's a pretty big longear.

The biggest one is a fantastic-looking coppernose.