I am finally learning enough to ask the right questions – or maybe learning just enough to be dangerous...
I find that 4 – 6 inch hybrid stripers stocked early in the year are spawned at the same time that 4-6 inch HSB that are stocked in fall and the following early spring.
They are held in overcrowded conditions at the hatchery in holding tanks to control the growth rate – you experts correct me if I am wrong…?
These over-crowded stressful conditions could possibly be the reason I have had poor survival rates on late HSB stockers.
This seems to be a good reason to purchase late HSB from vendors with "grow-out” ponds, which I will do in the future.
George Glazener
N.E.Texas 2 acre and 1/4 acre ponds