Feed training bluegills under a light

Not sure if anyone is interested but here is some footage of bluegills feed training in my production pond at night under a light with the aid of a belt feeder. There are two cohorts here but one is to small to make out. Normally I don't have to feed train bluegills but this year the numbers are down with less competition and abundant natural feed (long story), so feed training is needed IMHO. I prefer fish that are strongly keyed in on artificial feed to get as fast a growth as possible.

Next year I hope to do this with pumpkinseeds!

How long are your bluegill being feed trained? I am using a belt feeder as well in my ponds with bluegill being fed floating catfish feed. Fish being "feed trained" are YOY produced by the production animals. Once the YOY are about 1.25", they start showing up around belt feeder and often become what I call bratty bluegill. They defend area from other similar sized and smaller bluegill. Such animals take on a very distinctive color pattern and tend to grow faster than rest of cohort. My ponds are packed with fish so natural forage is limiting.

How long are your bluegill being feed trained? I am using a belt feeder as well in my ponds with bluegill being fed floating catfish feed. Fish being "feed trained" are YOY produced by the production animals. Once the YOY are about 1.25", they start showing up around belt feeder and often become what I call bratty bluegill. They defend area from other similar sized and smaller bluegill. Such animals take on a very distinctive color pattern and tend to grow faster than rest of cohort. My ponds are packed with fish so natural forage is limiting.

Before this year I as I said no feed training occurred even with a light. Last year when I had more fish and the pond was not as productive I would just throw out the feed 3 X daily and they all came immediately. I will feed train in this pond as long as I don't see them keying in the feed during the day if I throw it out during the day. I do see some under the pier during the day where the belt feeder is.

I haven't seen the territorial behavior yet. However in another pond which has become a holding pond, and I dumped in bluegills that I salvaged out of another pond that was not a bluegill production pond, I do have the largest last year's YOY's hanging out under the pier during the day. I am feeding them with a belt feeder also but not at night.

Edited by az9, 20 August 2009 - 09:51 PM.