Omaha

That's very cool. I was planning on building a floating dock for navigating around the pond and gaining access to all spots, plus having a nice platform for supplies, other people, etc. But this would be awesome.

http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=92463#Post92463

PVC is the way to go if you have permission. Clean, no snags, fun to make, and really effective. Get an expert to help you place though. Bass tend to follow patterns instead of bouncing over open waters from structure to structure. So plan a pattern before placing.

Very cool. Mine will not eat pellets or anything that doesn't move. I wish they would eat the cichlid pellets (I was told they would) because the live bait is getting expensive.

I have a large tank with a handful of LMB in it from a friend's pond and they're doing great. Run to your local pet shop and pick up a small bottle of the stuff that treats the chlorinated water. A teaspoon or so works fine. And it'll take a couple days of them getting used to the new setting before they want to eat, but when they do they eat happily. Worms, minnows, goldfish, whatever moves really. The bass I have are in the 3"-10" range and I have a channel cat, 2 BG, 1 green sunfish, 1 bullhead, and 1 creek chub in there as well. I set it up for my obvious amusement first of all, but also for educational purposes for my kid and his friends.

Yeah, it's unfortunate when you have to keep bass, but if you want to catch large ones, you should start keeping the bass you catch under 15". Too many bass create too much competition, even though you're saying the forage base looks good.

"Baby" LMB don't necessarily mean larger LMB. First of all, are you confident that what you are seeing are fingerlings and not just stunted bass? Secondly, as you've fished it, what numbers and sizes are you bringing to the boat? This would be an obvious indication about what is in the pond. If all you're bringing to the boat are little bass every time, there's a good chance you have too many small bass competing for the same forage, restricting their size. If this is the case, start harvesting the smaller bass, under 15", and let the larger ones go (if you are catching and large ones).

Here's something that'll work in the shallower waters... and one completed http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=4&Number=160956&Searchpage=1&Main=13450&Words=bush&topic=0&Search=true#Post160956

Ok, some before pictures. They're not much to look at but you can see just how much brush and trees there is to get rid of before we dig. Just lots and lots of stumps and roots, tearing up large amounts of dirt. Stump removal. Very large trees and our 'dozer guy took the afternoon off so I attempted to move them with the bobcat. I think this one weighed about as much as the bobcat. How not to do it. Seriously, though, 30 seconds after this picture was taken, this stump was in the truck.

Sorry, I haven't been keeping up with this thread as much as I have others. I have enabled the topic notification function so it should be easier. We will not be damming up the creek. We will not be interfering with the creek in any way. I will post a "full report" here shortly.

I AGREE!! START CUTTING & FALLING SOME OLD TREES! WILL WORK EVERYTIME. Snags... >

I hope so. I've seen it around, just surprised me at the recent responses. I was hoping to get some quality answers to this question. I've never attempted to fish baby bass before. Should I look elsewhere, or is this the forum to ask this question?

That's just not right, funny but not right Wow. Really? Stay classy gentlemen.

That's why i stopped answering, pond manager was what clued me in, then stocking with rod caught 1 inch bass. I am surprised none of our pro pond mangers here didn't say anything . Very new pond manager who is new to this game of transplanting fish. Like I've said, I've talked to the lake owner numerous times now and he insists that a seine or trap are unnecessary, that he has a specific spot where these little bass will hit anything. I'll take him at his word, being the lake owner and providing 2 boats to us to fish from.

I'd love to go the route of trapping. I'm going to take a preliminary look at the lake and see if this is doable. That sounds like it'd really hurt some fish. I'm sure I'm not the only one he's approached. If I help him out at all, great, if not, I don't know him well, so I'm geared more towards helping out my friend with the pond. Even if we're only able to trap or land 50-100 over time, it would benefit my friend's pond. Anyway, I find it hard to believe someone would go out of their way to amuse themselves with fishing their lake for small bass. Why would anyone invite someone to their private lake simply as a joke? Does this make sense to you? Anyway, in the community where I was approached, these characters don't exist. Maybe they do here, and that sucks, but they don't there so I'm pretty sure he means well. But thanks for looking out for me. ;D

If you would like to follow the progress, I have started a thread at PondBoss here. I'd continue this one, but it's more work than I have time for putting all the info and pictures here.

Made these a few weeks ago for my pond. Will be making more. Super easy to make (kids helped) and they're proven in the water.

This is from private lake to private pond. I have permission from both owners. I'd love to seine them, but I was not given that option from the lake owner. He said simply fishing them out rod and reel. I will take nets in case I do see some in the shallows. Not being paid, this is a "favor" (I think it'll be fun) for local pond/lake owners. If it works, it's win-win. If not, hey, I spent some time on the water. Basically, the lake owner contacted me because he knew I was a pond manager and said he had a 40 acre lake that had stunted bass in it. He wondered if I'd be interested in fishing them out for my pond. I can't use them, but I know someone who does.

I need to fish small bass, 1"- 3", out of a lake to be transplanted to a small pond and don't know what kind of rigging to use. I need to catch as many as possible as this guy really wants his stunted bass lake fixed. And the pond guy wants fish to catch in his pond. Odd question, I realize, since we're always trying to catch the bigger fish. What lures, set ups, etc. would you use to catch the babies?

Broke in my new Pro Qualifier baitcaster with an enormous 3" creek chad. But that was even a lunker compared to the original author's catch.

Ok, I didn't read all the responses, but I'll field this one. Chicken liver in pantyhose. Simple and the cats in Florida, or anywhere for that matter, can't resist it. It stays on the hook easily (actually a bit difficult to get them off) and you get all the benefits of the stink.

Caught some peacocks last year near Ft. Lauderdale and tried one of them. When I get back there I'll have to have some more. It was incredible. Like sweat chicken. Very white meat, just an awesome taste. Tilapia is, of course, amazing, but for your more northern waters, walleye and crappie make for a good meal. Honestly, have never had bluegill, but I'm building a pond of my own right now, stocking plenty of bluegill, so will get the chance to try it.

I trained my pup to point using my fishing pole so, needless to say, she gets a little too excited when I've attempted to take her fishing. She starts whining whenever she sees me grab my fishing rod. I hope she grows out of it (maybe more repetition is required ), but at the time being, it's probably best to leave her at home.