Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Creating the food chain Purchasing Threadfin

Next Saturday I am purchasing these for $525 delivered from a private manager that raises threadfin, F1 largemouth and variouse other fish. This is a delivered price and the fish are guaranteed by that I mean if I loose more than 25% he will replace them. He says I will receive between 5000 and 7500 and now is a good time to purchase them as the will be spawning this spring so I get the benifit from the spawn as well. My pond is 2.5 acres. Seems like a lot for this size lake. He says it is not as some will die and many will get ate and the remaining will allow for reproduction. I think this is a great price but wanted some comments about the price and the amount I am adding. I am in South Ga.

Thanks, Jake

Big Jake,

The price is about in line with what I have paid in the past. Also, the numbers sound right to me. I have twice purchased 10,000 for a 3.5 acre pond and the delivered price was comparable to yours. Neither time did the Threadfins establish themselves....the bass simply wiped them out. Others on the forum have had better luck at getting them established and reproducing. I have very clear water which seems to be a factor in their vulnerability.

Let us know if they take hold or not. Good luck.

Meadowlark, He also stated that I should place hay in about 1 foot of water around the lake as this would give the shad a place to spawn and the fry a place to grow. You may have already done this but wanted to pass along.

Thanks, Jake

The only caveat is that threadfin shad die when water temps hit 42 degrees. If you stay warmer than that, you're fine. If not, re-think. The price is fair.

Big Jake, I Live in LaGrange Georgia and have been looking for a supplier for shad. Do you mind posting the contact info. Thanks.

Exceptional price. I sold 32 loads last year and pay much more than that. I just wish they could get them to metro ATL for that price.

One thing what size are they? If thumbnail size could be a problem getting them established. Meadowlark same with you. I used to sell the large loads but now sell 3,500-5,000 per load but they are all 2 inches or greater and ready to spanwn when stocked in APril.

Big Jake you will have year around survivial in you location. Even in ATL they make in most winters.

I am at work and dont have the info with me but will bring it and post on Friday. I failed to mention that he is doing some other work for me and the price of 525 is a package deal. He mentioned that he normaly gets 625 when just delivering shad but you can discuss that whith him when you call him.I have had pricing up to $1800 so based on that price is was not going to happen but I can handle 525.
Greg, I will let you no what size they are.I assumed that they were of descent size being that he said they would be spawning in about a month or so but that is a good question that I will ask. Do you agree with placing hay around the edges?

Jake

I think Greg is right on that "size matters" and wish I had known about the size before purchasing mine, which were generally smaller. They were just a tasty expensive snack.

Relative to the hay, seems to me that it might work but only for a short term. Wind will move it around and it will decay fairly rapidly. I don't think it would be advisable to replace the hay continuously because of the removal of oxygen with the decay.

Good point and I am calling him tonight about the size. The hay was only for this year to insure that I got a succesfull spawn. I will let you no about the size.

Jake

Bob , my pond is apprx. 2 acres max. depth 8'at deepest point. Is it time to stock threadfin shad in East Tx. I think i can get them from Tyler Fish Farm . Harvey

Harvey,
Last Valentine's Day we had six inches of snow, and the temps dropped into the mid-20's. I think you still run a risk of too cold temps. I would wait until late March, early April, at least. Plus, it would be wise to have a good bloom on the lake, so your shad will have food. That may push you back to mid-May. I would order the fish now, so you can be on Waldrop's books in case he sells out.

I called last night to find out the size of the shad and am dissapointed to say the least.They are small about 1/2 to 1 inch in size. These shad were going into a lake in Renolds Ga, as I have some property there and have been trying to increase the Relative weights of my bass. The supplier will not deliver over a 100 mile radius so he will not deliver to Lagrange as shad are hard to transport and he fears that he will loose them. I may also look else where as he now tells me that there may be some gizzards mixed in and I do not want them in the lake. If anyone knows of a contact in the Renolds Bainbridge area I would appreciate the lead.I guess you get what you pay for I new this price was to good to be true.

Jake

Sorry to hear that Jake. It is key though in my opinion to have threadfin fairly large, time it right about spawn time, and have a good bloom established. BTW I might be in Cairo in a week or so with fertilizer and buegill so let me know if you need that.
Thnaks

Bob,Thanks ,
I will call Waldrop and order the shad for mid May , hope he still has them that late . Harvey

Greg, I am looking for a supplier for shad in GA any ideas?

I know the GA guys can't stock Tilapia, but for those fortunate enough, is there any added benefit of stocking both ? (i.e. food chain) I'm just West of Dallas, and most likely the water temps in a 22ft. pond will dip below the minimum for any survival. This is my first Spring spawn for bass, and I want as much forage available. I will be adding small wipers (50) into my 3.5 acre pond, should I also add threadfin ?

bates 5938,
We sell them call if interested. 770-735-3523. I have two sources for LaGrange area.

Eastland, I would stock threadfins, if you can share a load with someone. The added benefit is great...especially in a pond where bass are not overcrowded. That's where you are now. By the way, three out of five winters you are likely to stay warm enough for shad to survive. I like those odds.