I did a search but did find any info. What are the guidelines for HSB stocking? I am planning on CNBG, RES and LMB in 1 ac pond. Was thinking abou HSB as a kicker fish is this a possibility or is it not big enough
Hi Justin, I love small ponds but they do present a problem with record Texas heat and drought conditions. CJ has pretty well covered the major issues about HSB but omitted the major issue of water quality in your area of the Piney Woods area – acidic water!
Talk to Todd Overton with Overton Fisheries, right up I45 in Buffalo Texas.
He has more knowledge of HSB than any fisheries biologist in this part of the country and will recommend testing your water – HSB require higher hardness and alkalinity than the other species you mentioned.
“I am planning on CNBG, RES and LMB in 1 ac pond.”My buddy Al (FIREisHOT) and I made a field trip yesterday checking our ponds in N.E. Texas and discussed this very subject. We drove about a couple of hundred miles and probably saw 100+ stock ponds, none of which appeared to be managed.
Cattle ranchers have ponds for cows and city guys have them for tax-exempt status and stock the popular BG, RES, LMB and CC, recommended by the local feed store off a Arkansas fish truck. They are forgotten about until they go dry from our Texas droughts or for the grandkids to catch some “brim” or catfish.
So, you will be asked to state your goals – some of us are avid fishermen and ponds are a means to an end, but my son has them for livestock, so they serve a dual purpose.
Some folks like to sit on the patio and say “aint that pretty”, so goals are important.
I don’t give advice but will share some 12 years small pond experience – I don’t comment about anything on the PB forum that I have not had personal experience.
OK, I love small ponds and have been successful managing them after spending a lot of money making lots of mistakes, stocking the conventional recommendation of CNBG, RES, LMB.
Knowing what I know now, I would avoid stocking LMB and CC like the plague unless one ONE or more SAME SEX LMB, which is high risk ID – I would never again stock CC.
If my pond, which it is not, I would go strictly with a CNBG and HSB in a 1 acre pond with ONE Camelot Florida LMB in the second year, followed by ONE Blue Catfish if needed in SECOND or THIRD year to control over population of CNBG.
BUT – therein lies a problem – you are in the East Texas Piney Woods with acidic water – HSB don’t like acidic water – again, talk to Todd Overton with Overton Fisheries - he will check your water and if acidic recommend liming your pond – he is THE expert on HSB in our part of the country.
HSB are my favorite sport fish for Texas farm ponds and gone from can’t do to can do with some 12 years experience – lots of HSB info in archives.
Next most important question you will be asked – how ‘bout your water supply?
You get more rain in your area than most of us in Texas but have had a severe drought that likely will get worse – do you have a well? That makes a lot of difference in the next question.
Aeration?
Dependent on predictable water supply – do you have a well or rainfall with large enough drainage area?
Check out surface aerator if aeration needed – it has worked well for me and would have saved me from losing a lot of expensive fish due to drought related biomass if I had known about it earlier – very likely few or any recommendations from forum members because I have found most PB vendors selling bottom diffuser systems.
Pardon my rambling, but I have achieved most if not all my objectives in managing small Texas farm ponds. Good luck on your program and pardon my ramblings.
George Glazener
