Forsyth, Georgia ElectroShock Recap

electroshocking big bass

Weather finally started acting like late spring and all of the solar powered AES employees are over joyed. Bring the pull over and coffee for morning shocks then break out the Sun Bum and straw hat for the afternoon jobs. It looks like the heat has set in for good so that means shock season is operating on limited time. We are still shocking some good fish but, we are much more cautious with the fish. As water temps become warmer the water holds less oxygen hence why there are no trout streams in South Georgia. When we shock fish we put them in a live well. We are constantly adding fresh water and pumping out soiled water but there is a certain carrying capacity we reach. This time of year we are always watching the fish in the tank to make sure the client does not loose any fish.

Water had almost twelve feet of visibility so shocking was an uphill battle. Luckily Capt. Matt had a good tech netting.
Don’t let the rush of catching the big one make you forgot about letting her recover.
Once you get your pictures do not just throw her back in. Give her a few back and forth motions to push water over her gills.
She rode off just fine.
These are a pair of three year old pure Florida strain bass. They do not have the aggressive nature of a F1 or Northern Strain bass but they have a higher top end potential. If you hear about bass over ten pounds it probably has a good amount of Florida genetics.
Crayfish season is getting close!

After a few lakes in the Forsyth area we headed a ways out on hwy 41 in Crawford County, Georgia. This client has us shock every few years to make sure their habitat efforts and harvest are still going in the right direction. We love their pond because there goals are for a quality bass fishery. We shocked tons of healthy three pound fish. The fish are stacking up around sixteen or seventeen inches so the next step is stocking gizzard shad. It’s always a privilege to work with clients that take our management suggestions seriously.

Luckily for John’s son the big girl was still a little stunned so she didn’t put up a fight for pictures.
Greg trying to measure a rowdy one.
Working fish quickly in the heat is critical. Dissolved oxygen levels drop rapidly in our holding tank.
Even with the tight timing accuracy is still important.
Aerial view of the metrics.
Healthy bass of thick shoulders as Greg is describing here. They also have short and stubby tails. Unhealthy fish have bodies that resemble a torpedo.
Healthy post-spawn fish.
This lake was full of quality fish like this. Can’t wait to see how the fish will do with the addition of gizzard shad.
New family portrait?
Good feeding with high protein Purina food can make one pound bluegill a reality.
Got the sunfish grandslam today!
A lot of people would have harvested this fish based on length. However, we want clients to harvest bass off relative weights which are much more accurate than eyeballs. Even small fish can be healthy.
She wasn’t having any of it.
With lots of coaxing dad convinced her to get this close.
Always good to see big shiners like this in lakes. There were not many in this lake but something is better than nothing.
Even the dogs were ready to go home after the past two days.

If you missed out this spring we will be back shocking this fall. Call the office to guarantee your spot.