Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose Worried about my spring stocking

Hi there, first post, good forum.
I have a concern with my recent stocking of my new pond. This is only the second year for it being full of water. I first stocked with FHM, and some BG, then a few CC, that was last summer 09(everything going great!). This spring I stocked some YP, LMB, RBT, HSB. Everything but the HSB were fingerlings. The HSB were 5"-6" when I put everything in. I'm worried the HSB ate my fingerlings. BUT, when I purchased these fish from the hatchery, they assured me that the HSB were raised on pellets, and would not bother the littler guys. I doubted the guy then, and I still do now. I have ravenous feeding HSB, and of course CC and BG, but not much sign of my others. Did I screw up with my questionable advice?
Thanks,

Redbank,

Three questions:

1.) Are you feeding pellets?



2.) Is it possible since your hsb are so aggressive that is why they are showing up so predominantly in the your catch?

3.) Are you targeting fingerlings size fish, or are your lures targeting larger fish?

Hello Redbank and welcome to Pond Boss. I'm certainly no expert but I can't image HSB not eating smaller fish.

How much vegetation is in the pond? Do the fingerlings have a place to escape to?

Hang on for expert feedback.

Jeff,

I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night. Doesn't that count?

How many HSB , LMB , RT and YP did you put in ?

Yes feeding pellets, I'm not really fishing for anything yet, just taking my 3 year old once in awhile. But, just a little while ago I was mowing around the pond, I saw a couple of my LMB and was suprised to see how much they grew. That is the first I saw any of them.
There is some good hiding spots of vegetation.
I put in a modest 30 HSB, 50 LMB, 50 YP, and 25 RBT. The pond is just shy of 1 acre, ~16' at deepest spot.

Based on those facts I would just wait and watch. The HSB will eat what they can get. The easiest thing for them to get is pellets ,next comes bugs etc , then FH fry and FH , then small BG/fry and the predator fish (LMB , YP and RT).
Based on those facts I would just wait and watch. The HSB will eat what they can get. The easiest thing for them to get is pellets ,next comes bugs etc , then FH fry and FH , then small BG/fry and the predator fish (LMB , YP and RT).

Well it's sure never helped me.

Sorry Cecil, no offense intended, I should have said some more expert feedback.

It's Friday, what can I say, what few braincells I have left are working on overtime, in fact my forehead feels a little hot, I thinking I'm redlining my brain tachometer.

If you are feeding pellets, the HSB most likely are feeding predominantly on pellets. How big were the other "fingerlings" when first stocked with your HSB? AS Ewest said, I would just be patient and give it some time. It sounds like your stocking numbers and plan were pretty good...

redbank welcome to the forum, your HSB probably were raised at a Holiday Inn and know a free lunch when they see it.

Not to make light of your situation but not much you can do but feed heavy and wait to see who survives, also adding more structure can help the small guys stay alive.

Trout I have stocked that were raised on pellets will mostly shun pellets cause there is so much forage in the pond, so I wouldn't take it as gospel that HSB won't bother your fingerlings.

Good luck and let us know how things are going.

No apology needed Jeff. I just figured you posted before my post came up and I thought I would have some fun with it. I'm no expert on HSB anyway as I've never had them.

Thanks for all the feedback. We will wait and see.