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Deer lease pond
#12442992
09/26/17 07:42 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 16,336
Chris B
OP
TFF Guru
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OP
TFF Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 16,336 |
We have a 10 acre pond that's about 15' deep at the dam. Water stays fairly clear and has a good amount of grass and shoreline cover in it. It only has bass, bream and minnows. The water has been full for the last few years and the bass got real healthy looking in the last year. It seems like it has hit a wall where the largest bass tend to be about 4 pounds and i'm starting to see some skinny fish again. There appears to be plenty of bait and I have been doing my best to take some small fish out. I've probably taken out 100 in the last year. We have a new owner that may be a little more receptive to making improvements to the pond. Wondering what else we could be doing?
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Re: Deer lease pond
[Re: Chris B]
#12443199
09/26/17 10:13 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 662
Dave Davidson
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 662 |
Take a good look at the forage base; bluegills. A predator needs prey that is 1/4 to 1/3 it's size. It's a matter of calories obtained vs calories(energy) burned to get the groceries. Also, a predator needs to eat 10 pounds of prey to gain one pound. There are other considerations but these are a couple of the basics.
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Re: Deer lease pond
[Re: Chris B]
#12444080
09/27/17 05:04 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,130
salex
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,130 |
If the bass are getting thin, you likely have a forage issue. 90% of lakes we survey the owner thinks they have "lots" of forage (bluegill/redear/shinners/shad/minnows). And in virtually all cases they do not have enough. The amount of food a bass eats is astonishing. Removing 100 small bass (1/2 to 1 lb) from a 10 acre pond is likely 1/4 to 1/3 of what you need to remove. Try getting more aggressive with your harvest and see if the weights come up. Moreover, try a measure and weigh a few fish and compare to a relative weight chart. Again, my experience is that most landowners think their fish are "healthy" (meaning their weight is where it should be. But most over estimate their weight by 5% to 15%. Anything over 95% is good. Anything below 85% is poor. 85% to 95% your doing OK. If your not familar with how to use a relative weight chart here is a chart and brief article. Relative Weight Chart
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Re: Deer lease pond
[Re: Chris B]
#12447080
09/29/17 08:38 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 41,525
butch sanders
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 41,525 |
we always take a pound of minnows & dump them in ours
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Re: Deer lease pond
[Re: Chris B]
#12447132
09/29/17 09:33 PM
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 56
WackyRigger
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 56 |
Where is it and can I fish there?
Speak up, you say this is your safety? Well, this is my boot, son, and it will fit up your ass with the proper amount of force!
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Re: Deer lease pond
[Re: Chris B]
#12478312
10/25/17 03:30 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,246
Double K Outdoors
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,246 |
If you need help harvesting fish, let me know. I have a kayak so I could help get to the fish and harvest anything under 14 inches.
~You won't catch any fish if you don't try!
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Re: Deer lease pond
[Re: WackyRigger]
#12478821
10/25/17 11:04 PM
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 666
Nekro
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 666 |
Where is it and can I fish there? me too
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Re: Deer lease pond
[Re: Chris B]
#12484627
10/30/17 07:13 PM
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 563
texasAUtiger
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 563 |
Ranger z21 Mercury 250 ProXS
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