Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations HSB feeding besides pellets

2acr pond , looking to stock 25-30 8-10in HSB and pellet feed 4-5 times a week. Given that the pond is pretty much empty from my observation is there anything I should stock to supplement feeding? The kicker is there could be some large lmb hence the larger HSB stockers. Would adding 50 adult bg do anything to help feed through spawning?

If your sole goal is to feed the HSB a supplement other than the pellets, I would stock golden shiners over BG, even if there are some bigger LMB. The LMB will hammer your GSH as well, but unless you stock some really tiny BG, HSB in the 8"-10" range are gonna have a hard time preying on them... FHM would be another option for 8"-10" BG, but would be way to easy a snack for you already present LMB, so I would stick with the GSH.

I still plan to pellet feed, but know I will miss some weeks at times and thought it'd be a good idea to have some other type of forage in the pond. Would they do ok w/o pellets for weeks at a time finding other insects/ etc in the pond? I'm trying to get a better idea on what's currently in the pond as it used to have stunted lmb and you could catch one on every cast but that was years ago.

How many lbs of GSH if I'm just looking to supplement feeding 25-30 hybrids, I assume the GSH should spawn pretty well if the hsb are being fed pellets on a regular basis.

thanks

The big factor is how much pressure the LMB will put on the GSH. I would try to get a better idea as to the population structure of the LMB in your pond. Besides LMB, what other species are present?

No other species are present, I caught a 12 inch bass today, but saw no activity in the shallow, no bluegills, small baitfish, etc... The pond is surrounded by rocks but not much other structure besides some concrete blocks in some shallows.

What are you eventual goals for the pond?

catch HSB is about the only goal I have, would like to get them big enough to catch by late Summer/early Fall. Looking to buy the 8-10 inch in the next couple of weeks. Would pellet feed 4-5 times a week but would miss weeks at times. Wouldn't mind some LMB and some BG as well for variety but primarily not looking to fish all that often and when I do will probably just use a stubby steve or some type of pellet bait and try to catch a couple hybrids.

My plan right now is to stock the hybrids in a couple weeks and in the mean time get a better idea of what is in the pond. Possibly stock some adult BG in small numbers as well and/or some shiners as you recomend

BTW...I could stock some 5-7 inch HSB now , do you think they would be prey for LMB at that size?

If your sole goal is to catch decent HSB, I wouldn't even both stocking the BG. I'd catch and keep every LMB you catch and stock 10-15 pounds of GSH.

Would a battery powered solar charged directional feeder be an option?

If you had stunted LMB you are likely still in that situation. Larger HSB should survive LMB predation. The HSB will need forage/food. A feeder would be good. You need more info on what is there now to make a sound choice. Adult BG and adult GShiners should be good.

I would spend the money on a feeder. Most reliable way to get the HSB up to a nice size by fall.

Which one you got?

The very expensive but not so reliable one......

Teenage daughter