Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose Super Jumbo HSB

Todd delivered our super jumbo HSB stockers Tuesday Nov 8th, and as you guys reported they are impressive.

I want to re-emphasize our appreciation to Overton Fisheries for providing an excellent product, previously not available in our area.

Thanks Todd….!

George Glazener
N.E. Texas ¼ acre and 2 acre ponds

ps: Thanks to Bruce Condello, see his post below for HSB stocking pictures.

George, I tried to look but it is password protected.

Dave

GEORGE ASKED ME TO POST THESE IMAGES!!

Thanks Bruce...I know George wanted to show everyone those fish. Looks like our "bell curve" consists of 10" fish at the top end and 6" fish at the bottom end. Most fish average 7"-8". This cold weather should make 1000s of small tilapia stupid enough to end up HSB forage.

One question for Bruce...do you harvest your HSB with seine during cold weather....or with rod/reel? We've been told...and experienced first hand about losses due to fungal diseases resulting from handling in cool water. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Smaller quantities, (up to 200 individuals) are much more efficient to collect with rod and reel. We use a single #10 hook with the barb firmly pinched down. The best bait seems to be a bit of the "Gulp" product because it stays on the hook a little better than a chunk of 'crawler. My Dad and I collect 100 last month in one hour this way. It's also by far the most enjoyable way to do it.

For large quantities and if we want to get all fish out of the growout pond we will run our seine. We pulled 1200 with one pass this fall. My ponds are lined so the fish didn't have to sit in a bunch of loose silt. Although the fish didn't show any major physiological stresses, there was the loss of about .5 inch of the tail on almost every fish. I think the ends of the caudal rays are so delicate that they fray and are subsequently lost until they have a chance to grow back.

The only fungal problems we've had were when fish were transported in water temps under 50 degrees F. or so. Seems like the best temp for extended trips was in the high 50's and maybe even into the low 60's.

Thanks Bruce,

We've seen the same tail-problem after HSB harvest. I wish our ponds were lined...maybe if I win the lottery.

We use lots of salt and calcium chloride to help prevent fungus and handling stress, but did see some fungus during one bout of cold weather and couldn't stop it so had to release those fish back into the pond to recover.

Todd

Anybody see this with bluegills too? I've heard about it and a few weeks ago I harvested about five when Bill Cody was here via hook and line. About a week our two later I had five floaters with fungus all over them. Water was pretty cold.

Mike Robinson of Keystone Fish Farm in Illinois says bluegills are "Goldylocks fish" that is, they have problems if you handle them in too cold or too warm of water.

I do think with my high densites and/or the fact that these were RAS fish intially that could be a factor. Although apparently growing well and they appear to be healthy no matter how careful I am any time of year I always lose a few.

Thoughts?