Sitting Dockside

Send a text In today’s episode, we’re diving into the science of hydrology and how it affects the health and stability of your pond. Ever wondered if your pond is leaking, or why you’re seeing more green water and oil slicks on the surface? We’ll explore how water loss, heat, and environmental factors impact your pond, and what you can do to manage it. Here’s what we’ll cover: Hydrology and Water...

Send a text In this episode of Sitting Dockside , Troy and Matt dive into the topic of fertilizing ponds in spring. They stress the importance of timing and understanding why fertilization is necessary. Rather than just applying fertilizers without thought, they encourage listeners to consider the reasons behind the practice, as the results may not always be as expected. They suggest listening to...

Send a text Spring is here, and your pond is waking up! In this episode, we’re celebrating the beauty and excitement of the spring season in your pond or lake. What’s your favorite part of spring? For us, it’s the moment everything starts to come back to life. Fish are feeding, Spring Peepers are singing, and nature is buzzing with energy. We’ll talk about the signs of spring you should look for i...

Send a text Welcome to season 4 of  Sitting Dockside, your trusted source for pond and lake management tips. In today’s episode, we’re diving into an important seasonal topic— how cold water impacts your pond or lake. As the temperature drops, you may be asking yourself: Will my fish survive the winter? What about my Coopernose? Or, What’s this thing called ‘Winter Kill’ that I keep hearing about?...

Send a text In this episode, we’re focusing on one of the most sought-after panfish species—the bluegill. Whether you're aiming to grow trophy-sized bluegill or just looking to improve the quality of your fishery, we’re breaking down the essential factors you need to consider. What does it take to raise big bluegill? We’ll explore the critical elements for success: Management Expectations : S...

Send a text Spring is springing. We’re starting to get our first warm days of the year and all of a sudden you  look out and see your pond looking terrible.  Where did this algae come from?  What type of algae is it?  Why did it grow so fast? Is it algae or scum?   These are questions that we hear every year.  if you have not had problems with your lake yet, you will  so sit back with a cup coffee...

Send a text Do you have questions about pond colorant?  Are pond dyes  good for your Pond or Lake? Should you use Pond or Lake dye ?   This podcast we do a full breakdown of when it is good  and when it is bad. The should’s in the should nots. Bring all your questions.  Matt Rayl, and Troy Goldsby spend the next 30 minutes Giving you some colored  Come  sit with us on Sitting Dockside. We hope you...

Send a text Welcome back listeners, we had a pause  to do our day job. Thank you for continuing to listen!  With popular request, we are back for another great season. Our lineup for 2024 will probably the best one yet. But with further ado, Troy and Matt talk about the past year and all the blessings that we received, but we can’t get together without talking shop. We talk about cold weather and...

Send a text On today's podcast, Troy and Matt answer questions from you.  We take questions that have received the most traction from our Facebook page and  Troy and Matt  answer questions like... You ever wonder what trophy  fish eat to get so big?  Well we talk about some common denominators when it comes to fish diets.  Should I keep my lunker fish  and mount it? I think the answer will  s...

Send a text Today's special guest is a l ake owner,  our community Facebook moderator, and wildlife farmer Micah Jefferson.  We sit down  and talk about what he has learned about his pond construction, pond stocking, and some of his mistakes along the way. We also have a little fun and turn the table  around and let  Micah lead us in a little Q and A.   This podcast is  great for a new pond o...

Send a text Our special guest, F isheries biologist,  David Beasley,  from the nation's biggest lake company SOLitude  talks to us about water quality and how it is the basis of fisheries. He  talks about..  Water Quality  What things does he look for with water quality What weather conditions cause bad water quality  What phosphorus does? Why is high phosphorus detrimental? What to check for...

Send a text Do you want to learn more about fishing your pond or lake?  If so, this is a must listen. Kevin VanDam is one of the most decorated fisherman in the planet.  Some would say, he is  the Tom Brady of fishing.   He talks about... What baits are good in what conditions? What gear is best for fishing private water? How to get kids loving the  water and fishing .  If you are a beginner fishe...

Send a text Catfish have been stocked all over the country , but there is one type of catfish that you may may not want, that is the Flathead Catfish.  We bring in aquatic biologist, Wes Goldsmith, who has a ton of experience with Flathead Catfish. He tells us the do and don’ts. He also tells us the damage these fish can do and some ways the have learned to correct a lake after these fish been sto...

Send a text Terry McNabb sits down with us to discuss his rich knowledge of lake management and how it has changes in the last half century . He talks to us about  H ow things used to be How technologies have changed in lake management  H is best and worst day on the job  and a whole lot more   stay tuned ..  Come sit with us on Sitting Dockside. We hope you love this podcast as much as we do.  If...

Send a text Have great guests today, Johnny Foster and Mitchell Morton. Johnny brings his 41 years of experience to us live at the SLMP Summit.  He talks  about his best and worst days on the job.  What he loves about his life long work.  We hit on new technologies and changes in the lake and pond industry during his 4 decades.  He answers rapid fire lake management questions and more. Come sit wi...

Send a text Everyone has heard of a day out fishing alnd brining  home fish to put into your pond or lake to save money or stock something you don't have or think one needs.  On Sitting Dockside, we dive into the reasons you should or why you should not.  Could it cause disease? Does it really help? What are the risks? We answer these questions and more. Come sit with us on Sitting Dockside....

Send a text Ho Ho Ho now Christmas is over, should I put my old Christmas tree in my lake or pond? In today's episode we talk about... Does  my old Christmas tree help the fish? Where do I place my old Christmas Tree in my pond? Springtime is coming and so we are answering your questions about  liming a pond.   What does liming do for my lake? Should I lime my pond? How does one know if they...

Send a text What happens when mother nature brings the heat?! In this podcast, Troy and Matt talk about lakes during Feast and Famine  times. Drought  Preparation Shoreline plants HAB- Harmful Algae Bloom  Benefits of droughts  Take away during a Flood event Preparation during Design  Nutrient loading Capturing sediment  Water shed  and more Come sit with us on Sitting Dockside. We hope you love t...

Send a text We kick off the new year and a new season by answering questions from our listeners. In this podcast we talk about... fish habitat  green sunfish  emergency aeration  small pond fish surveys  weed identification windmill aeration  and more Come sit with us on Sitting Dockside. I hope you love this podcast as much ae we did.  If so will you hit the 5 stars button. Have questions or want...

Send a text In this Piranha Gill Challenge episode, Matt and Troy and talking all about Bluegill while Troy is doing the podcast in Matt Rayl's Bluegill pond wearing a feed bag!  They talk about.. The benefits of Bluegill Why we stock them Why we like them When to stock Bluegill in your Pond or Lake Listen till the very end for some behind the scene bloopers.  Come sit with us on Sitting Dock...

Send a text In this episode, Matt and Troy answer your questions from our community Facebook Group. They talk about.. Fish Stocking Shoreline plants Relative Weight and much more Come sit with us on Sitting Dockside. I hope you love this podcast as much ae we did.  If so will you hit the 5 stars button. Have questions or want to tell us your thoughts on this subject? Join our Facebook Community: ...

Send a text Have you ever asked yourself what should I do about the weeds in my lake?  Have you wondered do I... Rake or physically remove them? Use Biological Control? Use Aquatic Herbicide? Which one do I use? If so, you won't to miss this week's episode! These are all decisions a pond or lake owner will have to process. Our Guest, Bridget Harrison from Clear Lake Township Land Conserv...

Send a text Today we sit down with the elite fisheres biologist, Steven Bardin. Steven returns to the show to talk about: Are cormorants eating all my fish? Should I stick crappie?  And what  he is doing with major league fishing. The great opportunity for young biologist and Pond enthusiast, And a whole lot more cool stuff about Pond and Lake management. Come sit with us on Sitting Dockside. I ho...

Send a text Spring is here, and there is big work happening in your pond or lake.  Have you ever wondered why Largemouths spawn before bluegill? Why do bluegill need to nest next to their friends while yellow perch don’t even make a nest? In this episode,  Troy Goldsby and Matt Rayl sit down and talk about your lake or pond's  harmony of order that is happening this spring. Come sit with us o...

Send a text Part 2 of Sitting Dockside is at the 2022 Society of Lake Management Professionals yearly summit in Savannah, Georgia.  Aeration and Aeration Products  Today we had an awesome opportunity to sit down with the top manufacturers and the national salespeople from the leading products sold in the lake in the Pond industry.   Sitting  Docksise podcast Takes this opportunity to ask vendors.....