What size fish to you try to target when collecting

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I would recommend maybe checking the ph of the pond and the ph of your stock tank. Wild caught fish stress easier in differentiating PH levels then aquarium bred fish. There could be a big gap in the ph levels between the two and that could be whats killing them. Also temp. I would try and match all perameters in both lake and tank.

Good luck!
 
brockfishhawk said:
I would recommend maybe checking the ph of the pond and the ph of your stock tank. Wild caught fish stress easier in differentiating PH levels then aquarium bred fish. There could be a big gap in the ph levels between the two and that could be whats killing them. Also temp. I would try and match all perameters in both lake and tank.

Good luck!
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The pond in question also supplies some (though not all) of my towns tap water, so parameters should be pretty close. Tank is also unheated, so the temps are pretty close right now.

I also do use prime on the tank, but not on the collection bucket, so maybe I will try that as well.
 
I tend to say smaller is better but it really depends on what you have in your talk already. I go smaller with in reason for species as that way they have the longest possible lifespan within the tank.
 
I find that small fish (around 2") will adapt faster to my aquariums, and switch over to pellets faster than larger fish. Also, dip nets and seines are a great way to get fish this size. If fishing regulations don't allow the use of nets, then get small hooks, and squish the barb down. Go microlight!
 
A little off topic, but does anyone know what species has white lining on their tail fins? Everything I catch out of this pond is Blue Gill or Pumpkinseed (mostly Blue Gill though), but from the spot I fish in, I can see fish with white tails mixed in, but they never bite? Any idea? If it helps, I am in MA.
 
The smaller the better for sunfish. I bought my northern longears ranging from .5" to 1.25". I have size 20 fly tying hooks and berkley wigglers (rubber scented wax worms). I literally use 1/3 of a wiggler (they're like .5" long total) and a splitshot. I'd say bend the barb down if you're keeping the fish. The smallest sunfish will be very close to shore most of the time.
 
When I collect I consider smaller is better...I seine with a local university.

I think that large fish that have spent their days in the wild do not acclimate as well, and also show the blemishes of a long life in the rough outdoors.

Never had any issues keeping any natives alive...people just need to feed more, and clean more water.
 
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