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Meadowlark,
There are lots of folks who can and will do just that. What they are selling is HYBRIDS. The one's I raise are Georgia Giants and in a well maintened pond will go to the mid to high 2's easily. BUT (you knew that was coming, didn't you), the first generation will go that big and then each succesive generation will get smaller till the fish return to their original species. And remember that Bluegills will go through 2 to 4 spawns a year, depending on the water temp. So in 2 years or so, for your effort (lots) and money (also lots) you will have bluegills and green sunfish. The effort to maintain ponds is greatly under-estimated and requires a commitment of time that most are un-able to complete. A lot learning by experience talking here.
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Clint
I feel closer to HIM when I'm fishing.
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Hey Meadowlark,
As it turns out, the Bonneau Fish
Hatchery about 2 miles west of me here
on the lake is milking a number of these
large red eared sunfish and raising fry
to share with other states. I don't
know about individual ponds but I can get
you a contact number if you want one.
Warm regards, Jim
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Forgot to mention Shellcrackers. Biggest Shellcracker (Redear) was 10 inches last fishing season on a yellow foam pusher with the fly rod. Where I got it, I can't say. My fishing buddy would shoot me. Sorry.
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Robert B. McCorquodale
Sebring, FL
"Flip a fly"
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Bluegill Budd,
Yes I am familar with the GG...in fact have a "Kids pond" with 200 of them growing now and should be ready for some fun fishing next spring. I have several ponds and more planned. The management required is a function of the pond itself and the fish you choose to place in them. I have established a set of management techniques which include a couple of very critical species, Tilapia and grass carp, which allow me as a part-time weekend pond meister to maintain them without significant effort.
When the GG's outgrow their usefulness, I will simply pump out the small pond(1/4 acre) and start again...a weekend operation. Thanks.
[This message has been edited by meadowlark2 (edited 06 January 2006).]
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Jim Hatch,
Yes I'm very interested. Not sure where that is located and it will most likely require shipping to East Texas, but that is very doable...if I can find someone willing. Thanks much.
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Hey Meadowlark,
As it turned out, I had a meeting this
afternoon with some of the DNR types here
in SC. I queried them on red ear fry and
was informed that the state had recently
discontinued stockings/dealings with private
ponds/individuals. They do however still
operate the hatcheries but only deal with
official agencies of state and local
governments. I was referred to a private
hatchery that provides red eared sunfish
fry for private ponds. The info is:
Aquatic Management Services, 918 Arborgate Dr., West Columbia, SC 29172, 803-755-1389
Triploid Grass Carp, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear
Hope this helps. Warm regards, Jim
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Jim,
Thank you for your efforts. I can purchase red ears and about everything else locally, but not fish with 3 pound genetics...especially BG. Texas has a lunker bass program where anglers provide LMB over 13 pounds to the State for breeding purposes. In turn, the State stocks Texas lakes with the offspring of these special fish. It would be nice if large BG genetics were also somehow available.
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Hey Meadowlark,
I don't know what kind of contacts you
have locally with county or state folks
involved in stocking programs, but here are
the folks that are milking just the fish
you refer to. Might be worth having your
local guys contact my local guys.*G*
SC Department of Natural Resources
305 Black Oak Road
Bonneau, SC 29431
(843) 761-8829 or 761-8820
Warm regards, Jim
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My biggest bluegill was 1.8 lbs out of Lake O The Pines in east Texas. I caught it on a hard-bodied fly-rod popper from K-Mart. I think it was red.
My biggest 'brim' type fish was a 2-1/2 lb. rock bass, caught in Turkey Creek, near Sweetwater, Tn. It attacked my Pheasant-Tail Nympth with total abandon.
Semper Fi!