Hey everyone, it's been awhile since I posted. The last one was about Willow Trees all around my pond and even on my dam. Big ones. Well, I got them cleared out. 30-40 of them! So now the wheels are turning towards getting this started. My wife and I just had a son in mid Feb, so getting something setup for him to get started and enjoy is my ultimate goal.

Several questions. The pond is about 2 1/2 acres, what kind of numbers would y'all suggest for a healthy coexistence of LMB and CC? What kind of forage #'s are ideal? Good cat fishing and trophy bass are my goal. Would you go with the F1 strain? Would you place any dens for the CC to spawn, even a couple?

Sorry so many questions, but I know this place is full of knowledge! Thanks in advance!

As much forage as you can afford and your body of water can support.

"good cat fishing" and "trophy bass" seem opposed to one another as they compete for the same forage. But if you have plenty of forage available, healthy water and structure and cover, you can probably do it. A mate of mine has about a 1 acre pond with LMB and CC and they coexist. The key to this pond is forage. Six days each week they are fed hundreds of forage fish.

Have you considered other species of cats as many have noted that CC become hook shy after being caught?

lake Thompson, I would read outbreeding depression thread here now. The thread goes back to Sept of 09. And I joined up here back in November and I have still not read all the information available to us through this forum set up by Mr Lusk. Most likely others here with vast knowledge will offer answers to your request. And Good luck on your pond

Tracy

Thanks guys! I'll be clear, Bass are more important to me than the CC. I just think my son will have fun feeding them and watching them sink his bobber.

@ TGW1, I have perused it some but I need to completely tackle that read I suppose. I've been back and forth on them and CB. CB will likely be the one in the end, I'm sure. But I do like the F1 price a little more

@ basslover, That's what I was afraid of. But I do keep reading about decent coexistence of the two in ponds greater than 1 acre in size. I just cannot find any stocking numbers in reference. Ehhh yeah I have, but the only other real option are Blue Cats. Those things will eat me out of house and home.

LT,

In the title of your thread you mention CNBG but do not mention them in your post. Is your current thought a CNBG, LMB and CC pond?

@ Bill D, yes sir, I was considering them as a forage.

I see no problem with CC's. Yes, they will become hook shy but that happens with all fish. A big bass got that way by being hook shy and so do big bluegills.

The goal should be to to catch and eat the cats at around 2 or so pounds. If you let the kids name them, you're hosed.

LT,

IMHO LMB, CC and CNBG sounds like a "traditional" stocking plan to me and should work fine if you stock at appropriate rates and sizes. I would consider adding a few RES as well. I am sure one of the experienced guys here can recommend size and rates for ya.

Bill D.

Look to your goals. Trophy LMB IMO is not a good goal for kids. Too few fish and action. Kids like to catch. You could do that with CNBG , a few CC and only have a few LMB (trophy) but that is a difficult management plan (maintaining population balance). The catching would be of CNBG.

A balance pond would be a better kids option IMO. If that interests you then I suggest you start with CNBG , RES and FHs and one other forage source (GShiners , tilapia or TShad). Then while the forage grows decide on the predator stocking plan LMB and CC. Low numbers of predators to start is my preferred path.

Hi Lake! The forage suggestions are great here. I wouldn't be afraid to add some CC in a 2.5 acre pond that you also want big LMB in. Under 3 pounds, CC (stocked no more than 25/acre) will mostly eat the natural mortalities in your pond, keeping water quality a bit better and not be a noticeable competitor to LMB.

Since you are in Central TX, I'd suggest the pure strain Florida Genetics, like the Camelot Bell LMB from Overton's Fish Farm.

Two things I would NOT do is; one, create spawning structure for the CC and two, try catching them before they top 3#....they are really cheap, even for larger sizes...you replace every couple years as needed.

For trophy Bass in a relatively small pond, Threadfin Shad and the most Tilapia annually that your budget can afford would be great forages.