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Pan-sized bluegill
#12210633
04/21/17 10:06 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,694
uncle_bagster
OP
TFF Team Angler
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OP
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,694 |
Given average conditions, how long does it take a pond bluegill to reach eatin' size? I'm looking for a ballpark figure...1 year after being born, 2 years...etc.
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Re: Pan-sized bluegill
[Re: uncle_bagster]
#12210649
04/21/17 10:22 PM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,120
Brad R
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,120 |
3 to 4 years of age . . . if you mean around 8" in length.
This assumes that the body of water they live in will support full growth potential.
They double in size from age 1 to 2, then add around 50% over age 2 to 3 . . . most are fully mature by age 3, then the length curve starts flattening out.
As with most animals, genetics will determine how big they eventually get.
Gosh, I've seen those videos of absolutely huge bluegills. Some are so fat, they are as round as dinner plates!
Brad
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Re: Pan-sized bluegill
[Re: Brad R]
#12210655
04/21/17 10:27 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,694
uncle_bagster
OP
TFF Team Angler
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OP
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,694 |
3 to 4 years of age . . . if you mean around 8" in length.
This assumes that the body of water they live in will support full growth potential.
They double in size from age 1 to 2, then add around 50% over age 2 to 3 . . . most are fully mature by age 3, then the length curve starts flattening out.
As with most animals, genetics will determine how big they eventually get.
Gosh, I've seen those videos of absolutely huge bluegills. Some are so fat, they are as round as dinner plates!
Thanks for the quick answer. Sounds like you know your bluegill.
Brad
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Re: Pan-sized bluegill
[Re: uncle_bagster]
#12210660
04/21/17 10:30 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 75,779
banker-always fishing
Pumpkin Head
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Pumpkin Head
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 75,779 |
3 to 4 years of age . . . if you mean around 8" in length.
This assumes that the body of water they live in will support full growth potential.
They double in size from age 1 to 2, then add around 50% over age 2 to 3 . . . most are fully mature by age 3, then the length curve starts flattening out.
As with most animals, genetics will determine how big they eventually get.
Gosh, I've seen those videos of absolutely huge bluegills. Some are so fat, they are as round as dinner plates!
Thanks for the quick answer. Sounds like you know your bluegill.
Brad 100 Percent right! Water conditions and good food sources are the two most important parts in Bluegill growth.
IGFA World Record Rio Grande Cichlid. Lake Dunlap. John 3:16 Sinner's Prayer. God forgive me a sinner. I accept Jesus Christ as my Savior !
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Re: Pan-sized bluegill
[Re: uncle_bagster]
#12210697
04/21/17 11:08 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,327
Meadowlark
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,327 |
It all depends on conditions....conditions of the water and food supply and weather.
In my ponds, I can generally hit 8 inches the second year and 10 inches and up thereafter. Above about 10 inches, nature gets really selective about which fish continues to grow. Best one I've grown and caught went just over 13 inches and I estimated that fish was in its fourth year.
Now, at the other extreme, I've seen ponds that were over 50 years old without a single bluegill over about 4 inches...yep, it really all depends.
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Re: Pan-sized bluegill
[Re: Meadowlark]
#12210714
04/21/17 11:26 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,327
Meadowlark
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,327 |
It all depends on conditions....conditions of the water and food supply and weather.
In my ponds, I can generally hit 8 inches the second year and 10 inches and up thereafter. Above about 10 inches, nature gets really selective about which fish continues to grow. Best one I've grown and caught went just over 13 inches and I estimated that fish was in its fourth year.
Now, at the other extreme, I've seen ponds that were over 50 years old without a single bluegill over about 4 inches...yep, it really all depends. I should add "type" to that list of things it all depends on. For example, I have raised hybrid bluegills to 10 inches in one growing season...documented with photos...but little growth after that. Red ears appear to me to be slower growers relatively speaking and greenies somewhat faster. Copper nosed are just steady and top out the highest of the bluegills, IMO.
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Re: Pan-sized bluegill
[Re: uncle_bagster]
#12211549
04/22/17 05:06 PM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,120
Brad R
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,120 |
Wow! From a fry one year to 10" in year two would be off the charts. I certainly can't say for sure, but I don't think it would occur often in nature owing to competition balances.
For sure, though, if panfish are managed, likely with supplemental feeding and culling, you could get really nice fish faster.
The 4" largest bluegill syndrome is very common: too many fish per acre, not enough predation/fishing pressure/not enough food. It'll stunt their potential.
You see this in home aquariums where someone is holding gold fish, for example. It'll be limited in its size just by the smallness and fish density. If you take the same fish outside and put it in a gold fish pond, it'll grow much larger.
Most of the private lakes for anglers who then pay to fish there "manage" their fish in myriad ways. Tom and I fished a series of private lakes in Oklahoma in the fall of 2015 and we were not allowed to throw back any bass less than 14". That culling works very well.
Brad
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Re: Pan-sized bluegill
[Re: uncle_bagster]
#12211556
04/22/17 05:17 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,438
River Mongrel
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,438 |
Ive netted two giants on the Brazos in the late 90s below PK dam. I mean huge
Keep em tight!
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Re: Pan-sized bluegill
[Re: uncle_bagster]
#12211670
04/22/17 07:15 PM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 728
Littlefeather
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 728 |
I'm very blessed to have my own stock pond in the back yard. It's 22' deep but all but dried up due to prolonged drought. It overflowed once the rains came and I stocked it with these awesome hybrid perch. This photo is a 1 1/2 year old. It was maybe 1 1/2" when stocked. Keep in mind that I feed heavily and often. I just love to watch them boil the water. I also eat a few when I'm not full on crappie or catfish.
Those who dance are considered mad by those who cannot hear the music.
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Re: Pan-sized bluegill
[Re: uncle_bagster]
#12211683
04/22/17 07:26 PM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 728
Littlefeather
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 728 |
Thank you Sir! I'm proud of my fishy's.
Those who dance are considered mad by those who cannot hear the music.
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Re: Pan-sized bluegill
[Re: Littlefeather]
#12211711
04/22/17 07:54 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 17,610
Gitter Done
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 17,610 |
Thank you Sir! I'm proud of my fishy's. You have every right to be proud. That fish is a TANK. Awesome job for managing your pond.
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Re: Pan-sized bluegill
[Re: uncle_bagster]
#12211752
04/22/17 08:43 PM
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,079
Wildman of the navidad
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,079 |
Psalm:91
Quote on the wildman" They Said he'd eat the hair off of a man's head when he was hungry and squeeze the water out of rocks when he was thirsty"
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Re: Pan-sized bluegill
[Re: uncle_bagster]
#12211982
04/23/17 01:31 AM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,120
Brad R
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,120 |
Yes! That is one really healthy looking fish! Whatever you are doing, keep it up.
Brad
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