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 Thinking about adding bass to my pond
#7540816
05/17/12 06:16 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 18
Onski26
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 18 |
I have about a 2/3 acre pond, 8' is the deepest spot. I'm debating adding bass to my existing squad of catfish and bluegill. Will they kill off my bluegill? They're not that big, maybe 4-6" at the most. And will my pond be able to accomidate them (is it deep enough)?
Any suggestions?
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Re: Thinking about adding bass to my pond
[Re: Onski26]
#7540970
05/17/12 06:49 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 |
My thought is that generally bass do better in ponds at least 1 acre or more....but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try them. I have them in both 1/2 acre and 1/4 ponds and they do just fine. They just don't reach the large weights that bass will in larger ponds. For example, I think the largest I've raised is about 8 ponds in a 1/2 acre pond, 5 pounds in 1/4 acre pond; whereas bass over 10 pounds raised in larger ponds.
Yes, your pond is deep enough. They will feed on the bluegills...but that isn't necessarily bad. The bluegills that survive will generally grow larger, much larger.
It just depends on what you want from your pond.
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Re: Thinking about adding bass to my pond
[Re: Meadowlark]
#7541342
05/17/12 08:02 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 18
Onski26
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 18 |
Thanks for the input. It's a pretty established pond, probably 5 years old at least. Previous owner stocked cats & gills. Some of the cats are probably pushing 10lbs. He swore there was a 15lbs in there but I have yet to confirm that. I was just worried the bass would wipe out my bluegill population. I don't have any real structure either yet. Probably going to add some PVC nests and a rock bed. Kind of new at being a pond owner.
Thanks again for the advice. I sure would like to be able to put some bass in there too.
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Re: Thinking about adding bass to my pond
[Re: Onski26]
#7543584
05/18/12 10:16 AM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 662
Dave Davidson
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 662 |
It can certainly be done but, for the best results, fish hard and cull small bass after the 2nd year. And that can be tough to do. The bass are easily conditioned to fishing pressure.
With only cats as a predator, the bluegills might need some thinning. They just can't handle BG reproduction.
Catch and release and too small to keep bass can over run and ruin a 2/3 acre pond.
Last edited by Dave Davidson; 05/18/12 10:17 AM.
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Re: Thinking about adding bass to my pond
[Re: Onski26]
#7556585
05/22/12 04:47 AM
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 152
bferris
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 152 |
Definitely add bass!!! Can't wait to have a bass pond...
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Re: Thinking about adding bass to my pond
[Re: Onski26]
#7556650
05/22/12 05:30 AM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,027
Bluwave Mike
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,027 |
Do it if thats what you want and cull them out when needed.
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Re: Thinking about adding bass to my pond
[Re: Onski26]
#7558320
05/22/12 06:20 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 18
Onski26
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 18 |
Thanks for the help guys. I was just worried about them surviving in that little water and eating all my gillies.
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Re: Thinking about adding bass to my pond
[Re: Onski26]
#7561106
05/23/12 03:34 AM
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 81
Amy Saterfiel
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 81 |
thumbs up 
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