Production of Hybrid bluegills

**MA Machine** · 09-10-2009, 09:12 PM

We have Hybrid bluegills in our lake. I love them! The problem seems that there is only 1 maybe 2 year classes of them. One class is 8 inches and the other 9 to 9 1/2 inches. I'd like to try and get some natural production of hybrids in the lake but what are the risks? In 3 years of heavy fishing I have only caught 2 GSF. 1 small and 1 big. Both females as far as I can tell. If I added some females to the mix would that be a good idea? I absolutely don't want to add any male GSF since they are really not part of the equation and I don't want or need any naturally occurring GSF. Would it be better just to buy them or does this sound like a sensible plan?

I am also in the process of turning my bluegill population upside down. The BG population has a majority or 6-7 inch skinny females. The plan is to remove as many as possible over the course of the next year or two while restocking geneticly superior bluegills next spring. I am also planning on putting the gills on feed next spring, finally!

duckhuntr · 09-10-2009, 10:28 PM

Click on this link. It has a lot of info that might help you. I think it might contradict your plan a little but it is some more information for you to use. Hope it helps
Matt
http://www.ncrac.org/NR/rdonlyres/686537E3-0F55-4B93-89F2-235289EF4812/0/sunfishreport5.pdf

http://www.thefishsite.com/articles/281/species-profile-hybrid-sunfish

Shorty · 09-11-2009, 08:21 AM

IMO you will get better results growing big BG by thinning their numbers down and putting them on feed than you will by stocking more hybrids or female GSF.

**MA Machine** · 09-15-2009, 09:59 AM

In three short fishing sessions: 142 7 inch or less skinny females are evicted so far. We've caught a bunch of nice fat 9 to 9 1/2 hybrids, 13-15 inch bass, 8-9 inch fat male gills, 1 perch, 32.5" channel, and 5 female GSF. It's a bunch of fun. It's weird when you get all excited about the smallest fish you can catch and cuss the bigger ones.

09-10-2009, 09:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
MA Machine MA Machine is wondering if he should put away his boat or not 2008 Catch and Continue Finalist Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lincoln NEFGA Line Recycling Volunteer Posts: 2,195 Thanks: 615 Thanked 806 Times in 460 Posts	Production of Hybrid bluegills We have Hybrid bluegills in our lake. I love them! The problem seems that there is only 1 maybe 2 year classes of them. One class is 8 inches and the other 9 to 9 1/2 inches. I'd like to try and get some natural production of hybrids in the lake but what are the risks? In 3 years of heavy fishing I have only caught 2 GSF. 1 small and 1 big. Both females as far as I can tell. If I added some females to the mix would that be a good idea? I absolutely don't want to add any male GSF since they are really not part of the equation and I don't want or need any naturally occurring GSF. Would it be better just to buy them or does this sound like a sensible plan? I am also in the process of turning my bluegill population upside down. The BG population has a majority or 6-7 inch skinny females. The plan is to remove as many as possible over the course of the next year or two while restocking geneticly superior bluegills next spring. I am also planning on putting the gills on feed next spring, finally! __________________ The art of conversation is, like, kinda dead and stuff.

09-11-2009, 08:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
Shorty Shorty is comfortable sharing our lakes with other anglers Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: on the water near Lincoln Posts: 2,039 Thanks: 646 Thanked 203 Times in 135 Posts	IMO you will get better results growing big BG by thinning their numbers down and putting them on feed than you will by stocking more hybrids or female GSF. __________________ Sometimes it's just fun to sit back and watch the circus.....

09-15-2009, 09:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
MA Machine MA Machine is wondering if he should put away his boat or not 2008 Catch and Continue Finalist Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lincoln NEFGA Line Recycling Volunteer Posts: 2,195 Thanks: 615 Thanked 806 Times in 460 Posts	In three short fishing sessions: 142 7 inch or less skinny females are evicted so far. We've caught a bunch of nice fat 9 to 9 1/2 hybrids, 13-15 inch bass, 8-9 inch fat male gills, 1 perch, 32.5" channel, and 5 female GSF. It's a bunch of fun. It's weird when you get all excited about the smallest fish you can catch and cuss the bigger ones. __________________ The art of conversation is, like, kinda dead and stuff.

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09-10-2009, 10:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
duckhuntr duckhuntr is catching fish for poker night Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lexington Posts: 441 Thanks: 218 Thanked 202 Times in 99 Posts	Click on this link. It has a lot of info that might help you. I think it might contradict your plan a little but it is some more information for you to use. Hope it helps Matt http://www.ncrac.org/NR/rdonlyres/686537E3-0F55-4B93-89F2-235289EF4812/0/sunfishreport5.pdf http://www.thefishsite.com/articles/281/species-profile-hybrid-sunfish