[dennishoddy]

Catching Dennis. Catching not killing. Catch and release. 😎

The fish in the front of the ranch where everyone fishes are bit harder to catch. The majority of the fish I caught were in two ponds at the back of the Ranch, that don’t see much traffic. The guy who coordinates the lease for us says he has fished most of the ponds out here, but never those two.
Most of the fish in those two ponds were small, so they may be over populated. Next time I will bring gear to filet and bring fish home.

Ponds need fish removed from them to grow bigger fish.
I’ve managed several ponds for folks that just put them in and think they are going to grow trophy bass by catch and release.
The entire concept of management is to remove the mid sized fish to allow the larger fish more forage. Catch and release only the biggest fish.
if the mid to smaller fish aren’t removed, they run out of bait fish and result into cannibalism of their own.
There has to be a balance of small bait fish to supply food to larger fish, otherwise the entire pond becomes stunted with 6-7” bass over time.
One can find a rough calculator with how many pounds of bass need to be removed annually on the ODW website that discusses this subject.
My memory without looking back says about 30 lbs of bass needs to be removed annually from a one acre pond.
My numbers may be off a bit but I was surprised at what they recommended

 

[TheDoubleD]

Thanks Dennis, I agree with what you said. I think I will now make a plan to feed the hungry.

 

[baby]

Today was the Youth, Veteran and Active Duty waterfowl hunt today. I got 1 spoonbill and 2 mallards this morning on my pond.

 

[Bullbuster]

Glad you scored some off your pond.

 

[TheDoubleD]

Back in the deer blind.

Checked on the way in to see if the fish were biting

They were.

 

[Bullbuster]

You got a stock tank in the deer blind you fishing from or you put a stand in a tree over the pond?

 

[dennishoddy]

You got a stock tank in the deer blind you fishing from or you put a stand in a tree over the pond?

I'd love a ground blind on a dock to fish while waiting on deer.

 

[Bear Sits In The Woods]

DoubleD is killing the bass!

 

[baby]

Shot these two trash bandits this morning. They were in the dumpster. Not a good picture but it will have to do.

 

[TheDoubleD]

Went deer hunting again…

One

2

3

4. 2 1/2 lbs, 17 1/2”

5. 3lbs. 19 3/4 inches new PB

No deer were seen or harmed.

 

[TheDoubleD]

Headed back to blind….

had a shot at an armadillo. Used the 10 yard pin and overshot. Standing broad side. Think I need a 10 foot pin.

 

[baby]

Headed back to blind….
View attachment 9404

had a shot at an armadillo. Used the 10 yard pin and overshot. Standing broad side. Think I need a 10 foot pin.

I think you need to quit deer hunting and join the Bass Pro circuit.

 

[TheDoubleD]

Wife asked me at lunch today if I was getting discouraged .

I told her no. Deer season doesn’t end until January and there is still a bunch of fish to catch.

 

[TheDoubleD]

Well the big bucks went to the others blinds so I went fishing.

big sunfish

I am not getting the big point for the team, but I am getting points.

I think I will bring the .22 pistol down next trip for armadillos

 

[Bear Sits In The Woods]

I’ve seen more armadillos this year than I have in the past 8 combined.

 

[dennishoddy]

Nice catch! That is a big green sunfish.

 

[TheDoubleD]

Look close, an Armadillo with my Glock 24, 40 S&W

 

[TheDoubleD]

Forgot the obligatory fish picture

 

[TheDoubleD]

They say if you hold the fish way out in front of you, it makes it look bigger. Didn’t help this time

 

[TheDoubleD]

Okay one point is one point