Existing Pond, bunch of questions: HSB - 01/13/12 09:47 PM
Hello,
Been lurking for awhile, great site and resource.
I have the chance to stock a 400x250 ft existing pond. Not sure on the depth but it looks to drop right off the bank pretty sharply in places, I'd guess 10-15 ft at the deepest?
The last time I fished the pond ( Sept. ) I caught zero fish. 3-4 years ago it was loaded with small LMB, 4-8 inches, could catch one on virtually every cast. No sign of blue gill , catfish, at that time. The pond has very little if any fishing pressure.
My questions
I have been reading about HSB and think this could be a decent option for this pond. Keep in mind their would be no water flow or fountain/aerator etc.. I also don't want to stock them if there really are just bigger fish and the HSB would end up being expensive forage. The other issue is the pellet feeding, there would be no automatic feeder but I could hand feed 4-5 days a week but would miss days...would that be a problem?
Is there a way to test the water as I am somewhat nervous about what happened to all the bass that used to inhabit this pond? I would want to know the hybrids have a chance at surviving.
I know one should have a goal in mind when stocking, main goal would to raise some nice size hybrids...but if not possible , should I stock something easier to maintain?
That is all for now, but I am sure will be posting more questions as people respond. Thanks
Been lurking for awhile, great site and resource.
I have the chance to stock a 400x250 ft existing pond. Not sure on the depth but it looks to drop right off the bank pretty sharply in places, I'd guess 10-15 ft at the deepest?
The last time I fished the pond ( Sept. ) I caught zero fish. 3-4 years ago it was loaded with small LMB, 4-8 inches, could catch one on virtually every cast. No sign of blue gill , catfish, at that time. The pond has very little if any fishing pressure.
My questions
I have been reading about HSB and think this could be a decent option for this pond. Keep in mind their would be no water flow or fountain/aerator etc.. I also don't want to stock them if there really are just bigger fish and the HSB would end up being expensive forage. The other issue is the pellet feeding, there would be no automatic feeder but I could hand feed 4-5 days a week but would miss days...would that be a problem?
Is there a way to test the water as I am somewhat nervous about what happened to all the bass that used to inhabit this pond? I would want to know the hybrids have a chance at surviving.
I know one should have a goal in mind when stocking, main goal would to raise some nice size hybrids...but if not possible , should I stock something easier to maintain?
That is all for now, but I am sure will be posting more questions as people respond. Thanks