Summer is the perfect time to go outdoors and do some fishing. Those who love to fish know the thrill of catching that prized trophy fish out on the waters. If the particular fish breaks any records in size, you know the fisherman will be telling that story for years to come. How can you grow your trophy fish in your pond? Although some may think it is near impossible to grow a large enough bass to call a trophy fish, you can do it with persistence and dedication. In this article, we’ll go over a few tips that can help.
Habitat and Environment
Regarding habitat, you want to know what type of bass you have. Whether you have small or large bass, you must adjust their surroundings to their needs. In general, bass fish like to hunt their prey in cover. Therefore, having good plant life or cover in the pond is essential to their habitat. Bass do not want to chase after their prey, which is one of the reasons they grow. By not wasting their energy swimming after prey, they conserve more energy resulting in weight gain. As the environment changes each season, it is ideal to diversify your pond’s layout. This includes changing or implementing new plants, coverings, hardwoods, and rock piles.  If your pond lacks cover, consider adding a Fish Attractor to protect your small baitfish and provide structure for your bass. We offer a variety of sizes to suit your pond.
Monitor and Research Your Bass
You also have to monitor your fish. Make sure that they are growing according to your goal. To ensure proper growth for bass, it is essential to keep an abundance of forage fish. Of course, you have to remember that smaller bass eat smaller fish. Large bass can feed on larger meals with various fish, including bluegill, threadfin shad, and more. A Fish Attractor will allow your bate fish to thrive so they can feed your bass.
Harvest and Genetics
Genetics play an important role in how you raise your fish. Remember that young and small bass live as any other small fish would. They travel in schools of fish, waiting to prey on the smaller fish in groups. On the other hand, larger bass usually hunt on their own in the thick of cover. Finally, harvest is another essential component to growing your trophy fish. Make sure that you keep your bass population at a controlled level. Too many bass in one spot can suffocate growth rates. If there is too much competition among the bass, you should harvest your bass to keep a healthy living environment. Your best bet would be to harvest out the mid-range sized bass to reduce competition and keep enough forage fish for the population.
At Outdoor Water Solutions, we offer a variety of pond aerators & solar pond aerators providing you with the options needed to pick the perfect pond aerator for your pond. We always enjoy working with clients on ways to improve the quality of their ponds’ health so, if you have any questions or would like more information on our solar pond aerators, contact us at 866.471.1614 today!
