Here’s a few 'gills a friend and I kept. Note the brighter colors and the larger gill flaps on the males.
Meadowlark - obviously we are managing ponds in two different directions. You are obviously using bg as a “forage fish” while I tend more to manage for “trophy” bluegills.
When dealing with small waters, and looking for only trophies (whether bass or bluegill) (IMHO) a pond needs to be slightly out of balance. A pond with a large (read that over) population of 12-14" bass is likely to have large bluegill.
A pond with an over-populaton (stunted) bluegill may soon become a “trophy” bass pond if a good strain of LM is introduced.
lee s - Rick points out the most common cause of a pond going “kaput” but the the other can be if someone wipes out the bull bluegill. There are two times a year bulls are especially vulnerable - 1. On the beds and 2. Through the ice.
The thing is, either of these infractions may take year or two to show up. Toss back the big bulls and encourage everyone else to do so. I can attest to the fact that it pays dividends.
[This message has been edited by HideHunter (edited 23 September 2005).]
I still think that the largest gills, male or female, in the pond should be returned.
The same “IN-Fisherman” article talked about the large gills in hibiting the small ones from spawning.
I want the large genetics to spawn in the ponds I fish, so the large fish go back in.
That is relative in the various ponds, but the size is increasing in many of them.
Soda, this actually turned into a very educational thread. It should be reprinted in conservation magazines and church bulletins throughout the pond areas of the U.S. I know of many ponds that have been whacked out of balance on the bass issue. People will keep any bass they catch and not even think of catching the gills. Often happens within a few years after the pond was stocked. Or, some wiseman will put in a grass carp. Heaven forbid! JGW
I like your thinking on the “genetics” Rick. I seldom keep anything over 8". And my “optimum” is a 6 inch female. I also do a lot of “herd control” on smaller fish.
The main reason I “preach” putting back the big bulls is the studies I’ve seen indicate that a female will continue to grow through out her lifetime. A bull - once he reaches sexual maturity (spawns) he largely quits growing (stunts). These smaller bulls then tend to throw smaller offspring and the whole thing is “off and running”.
Good thread.
[This message has been edited by HideHunter (edited 25 September 2005).]
