hopefully, if you've been considering implementing a management program in your pond, or working with a landowner to help manage theirs, what you're about to see will be a source of encouragement. here's pics of the same fish after less than 11 months of aggressive management. the first pic was taken july 29, 2009. the second, today. no matter how many times i see it, i am always stunned by one particular phenomenon. i guess it's a visual illusion of sorts. as these fish begin to fill out their frame, it seems that they actually appear to get shorter. i always have to do a a double take to make sure they haven't shrunk. ;D and this is just one of the "medium-sized" ones. trust me y'all, if i can do this anyone can. if it was difficult or expensive, i sure couldn't do it. you'd be amazed at how simple it can be to have your own little bassin' paradise. and the rewards can be huge - literally. hopefully some of y'all will give it a try. good luck.

Paul, that's pretty awesome man.

What kind of stuff are you doing to manage the pond? I have a pond I would like to do "something" to, but I don't know what the "something" is. Basically, manage it for trophy bass. I just don't know where to start.

Awesome post, with great results as well.

Paul, that's pretty awesome man.

What kind of stuff are you doing to manage the pond? I have a pond I would like to do "something" to, but I don't know what the "something" is. Basically, manage it for trophy bass. I just don't know where to start.

the basic formula seems to be pretty simple - good habitat + abundant food + selective harvest = quality bass. the other thing that i'd encourage you to do is starting right now, set some specific goals regarding whatever it is you hope to accomplish with the pond. and it's o.k. to dream big. it's just a lot easier to accomplish anything in life once you set specific goals in that direction. that's the "something" that will get you started.  please don't get me wrong. i don't have any fancy letters behind my name and i ain't a fisheries biologist. but i'll certainly be happy to try to answer any specific questions you have or help ya however i can. just holler. in the meantime, if you follow that basic formula, it will take you a long, long way towards your goals.

In one year, that's amazing Paul....A perfect example of a young fish that is well fed and well managed. WTG Man 

Big O

www.ragetail.com

wow. that fish is beastly.

good work!

A friend of mine has some family land with a 6-acre pond that has been overrun with dink bass.  It's stocked with nothing but bass and bream, and the bream are huge.

The handful of folks who fish there have begun removing the small fish caught, but it's a work in progress.  Also, this particular pond doesn't seem to have any structure except a few fallen trees found against the bank.  There's nothing in the middle of the pond to speak of.

I purchased 6 of those PVC fish attractors that I'll be donating to the cause the next time I'm down there so hopefully that would help.

The other concern I have is the bass food supply.  The bream in this pond are large, many larger than the bass caught lately.  So I'm a bit concerned that there's not a lot of food especially for the smaller fish.  I've wondered if it was worth getting a shipment of minnows in there to add a food source.  I've often heard that stocking only bass and bream can be successful, but I'm not sure it's working in this instance.

Great pics, though.  It gives me hope   I've personally witnessed some of the monsters caught from this pond (my avatar, for example) but it's been quite a while since a picture-worthy fish has been taken.

Wow what a difference. You are doing a great job Paul - keep it up.