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#392513 11/14/14 07:58 AM
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I'm new here and have enjoyed all I have read. But I have this question for the ones who know grin I just completed a 3.5 acre water shed in N.E. Texas just north of Marshall, and have been talking to Todd and Walt @ Overtons about a stocking program. my plans were to stock Fatheads and 1/2 of the bream now but at the last minute we have held off due to the cold front. So I am thinking the water temps will most likely not improve, so when would I stock the forage fish for my new Bass pond? Like most, I want fish ASAP grin


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Tracy
TGW1 #392515 11/14/14 08:11 AM
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I think you can still do the stocking this year.

The fish are not going to be in 'growth' mode over the winter, although you are in Texas.

However, once things warm up in Spring 2015, you'll be ahead of the game.

Plus, there's just so much joy in stocking fish. Why preclude yourself?


Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:"
"She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."

TGW1 #392519 11/14/14 08:34 AM
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I am ready for the game to start. But it was suggested I wait till after the cold snap. I wondered why? The water may not warm up after the cold snap, and most likely will get another cold front behind this one. But I may look stupid but I have learned how to listen to those in the Know !!! Thanks for your responce


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Tracy
TGW1 #392523 11/14/14 09:04 AM
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I don't know how cold it got for you, but certainly, Overton know's his business.

I'd at least have to put the fatheads in.


Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:"
"She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."

TGW1 #392526 11/14/14 09:15 AM
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Hi TGW1, Like sunil said,it should not be a real problem. BUT, our fish here in East Texas probably do not transport as well with below freezing temp just like they fish do not transport well in real hot East Texas summers, as you may know. If your pond ices over, then it is better for you to let Todd handle that possible issue in his ponds. Point being, don't know how much you are spending but it would be a shame to have a die off or fish kill, when a little warmer temps could prevent any problems.

From what I have read and understand from many of the PB'ers here transported fish have the shock/stress of being caught,then transport stress, and then the release into "New/Different water. It is not a chance for your money to wait until conditions are right, whereas if you stock, no matter how it is done Todd,like most, would want to make it right if the fish died, why take the chance.

As you know, if you are from East TX then this is a early, rare, hard freeze, for us. If it were me personally I would wait,IMHO. I do not want to speak for Todd other than say I DO and HAVE taken his advice for the simple fact that he knows.IMHO
Anyway, Welcome and please take pics when you can and post so we can see. Good luck and wish for Fat and Happy fish!


Last edited by mpc; 11/14/14 09:19 AM.

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TGW1 #392529 11/14/14 09:18 AM
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Yep, that's what I'm thinking smile


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Tracy
TGW1 #392532 11/14/14 09:43 AM
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TGW1
Welcome to the family

I'm a new pond owner also .1 year this November, if Todd says wait then I would wait. He prob wants the temp to stabilize after this unusually cold fall(for us in Texas) I'm only 20 miles from him. I'm Having issues with early stockage of bass before my forage base was established. ( I didn't put them in) so as a warning to you tell all your well meaning neighbors not to throw anything in there without you at least seeing it. This early stocking has decimated my forage fish before they got going good. So listen to what these guys say cause they been there and done that. Good luck.

Pat W

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As mentioned don't let any predators in until the forage species have spawned over a summer and you will be rewarded by bigger fish faster and a higher quality fishery long term. Waiting for forage fish to reproduce first results in accelerated growth later a very important feature if you are looking for trophy bass. Listen to the Overtons.

Last edited by Bill Cody; 11/14/14 11:16 AM.

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TGW1 #393167 11/23/14 10:49 AM
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First of all, I would like to say thanks for all of your comments, and look forward to more.:) Update, after the cold front had passed, the pond was stocked smile. With forage fish for the LMB and HSB that will come in 2015. Walt from Overtons came last Wed. He checked the water prior to stocking. PH was 9.0, ( I added about 3.5 tons of agg lime where the water well(50 gpm)runs into the pond). Alkalinities 1.5 and hardness 40ppm. He was surprised to see some water color (green), and I told Walt I had added small block of Dehydrated Alfalfa to the water a while back. He seamed surprised the Water clarity was (12 inches) because the pond is new and red clay is the base of the soil. After checking the water, we started with the stocking. Adding 3,500 (2 to 3")CNBG, 1,000 Redears (2-3") and 100 lbs of Fatheads. Along with 300 Threadfin shad in the 3" size. I hope the shad will make it through the winter, Walt thinks they will do just fine. There is some green stuff smile growing on and around the different structures in the pond, not sure if that is what they eat? Or the the fish food being dispensed by the Texas hunter fish feeder that Walt put together for me. We added 50 lbs of high protein fish food to the feeder. I lost about 12 shad in the process of stocking. We discussed adding a couple of towsacks of crawfish this spring when they are available. I may have buy a couple more bags for a crawfish boil at the same time. I sure like boiled crawfish:). And we also discussed stocking Golden shiners at some point. Walt said they seam to do well here around the Caddo lake area. Ok ,Guys, all of the above is open for discussion. Let me hear it. I'm like a new kid and want to gain all the knowledge I can from you pond guys and girls. Thanks for letting me talk here as you might see, I can be long wended some times:)


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Tracy
TGW1 #393181 11/23/14 05:05 PM
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TGW1,
Welcome to Pond Boss. I am a new pond owner as well. I stocked my forage fish back in August & September. I followed the same route as you, going with Overton's...you are in good hands, rest assured. I'm still supplemental feeding my CNBG, RES, & FHM. I was up at my place this past weekend working & hunting. When the feeder went off, the fish were still nailing it. I will continue to feed as long as they continue to eat. When they stop (if they stop), I will turn it off. This is a unique forum...all the questions about pond challenges seem to get resolved here.


...when in doubt...set the hook...
TGW1 #393183 11/23/14 06:22 PM
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Looks like you are off to a good start to me. Now it is hurry up and wait for them to grow.


John

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TGW1 #393184 11/23/14 06:35 PM
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Also a new pond owner. The waiting for them to grow is the toughest part!.....Anybody got a set of fish stretchers they're not using??!!


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I found that hand feeding really kept my interest level engaged. Even if a pondmeister has an automatic feeder, still can do some hand feeding. Interesting watching the fish feed and see behavior changes as they grow.

Last edited by snrub; 11/23/14 06:46 PM.

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TGW1 #393196 11/24/14 08:00 AM
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You guys are a step or 3 ahead of me.:). I am so happy about getting the pond stocked I have not even thought about them growing. Ha !! I am so new at this , when I went out to do a little hunting on Sunday afternoon, and went by to ck on the pond it was (OH Carp !), the pond had come up about 10" from the rains the day and night before and the feeder legs were in about 6" of water. And after several attempts to move it, I had to call for help and so my son came out and I know what he was thinking. Dumb arse, why did you set it up here?
I am kind of known in the family for tearing thing up or overdoing =. LOL
I live in Shreveport, but the land is across the line near Karnack and Caddo lake. Both my Kids were born in Texas (awhile back) and so I have always considered us to be misplaced Texans. And Thanks for letting me visit and such. Any of you guys know about keeping Golden shiners in your pond, and you think the might stay around?


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Tracy
TGW1 #393213 11/24/14 01:06 PM
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I would wait on the GShiners. What you have now will work. In the spring check for shad reproduction. That will be a key. If they do well then with the BG and RES and FH you would be ok. If I was going to add another species it would be tilapia.
















TGW1 #393818 12/03/14 10:30 AM
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Thanks for all the comments and recommendations. I am feeling a little like an expecting father.:) Not exactly (been there), but a little unsure of what is going on because I can't see in the water. I've been feeding 1 sec per late afternoon. Water temp was 52 at last check and visibility was at 12" but after a couple days rain it is now 4". I see little to no feeding at the feeder and never see any of the forage fish that were stocked. I have seen a couple of Blue Harran on the shore and a couple times a Kingfisher over the pond, and a couple of White cranes wading around and I know the are eating my fish. frown. Ok, so after I made a bow hunt on a warm day, and returning across the dam area, there was a strong fish smell the the air. An odor I usually associate with Bream Beds on Caddo Lake. I went on to the house and was resting up when the thought of dead fish floating. Oh Carp!! The next day I looked the shoreline over and saw no dead fish. So, What u think? I did see a little movement on the surface of the water that next day. I am already thinking of adding some more forage asap. And Talapia will be on the list as soon as the water warms up. The pond is 2/3rds full at this time. Why the strong fish odor? Should be no bedding would there? Or was it the shad? Apparently I have no patience and want to see a result of all the work I put into this.


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Tracy
TGW1 #393821 12/03/14 11:17 AM
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TGW

Is your feed a fish meal base? When the feed hits the water it gives off a fishy smell if
fish meal base.


Pat W

TGW1 #393824 12/03/14 11:33 AM
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Be patient.

One of the downfalls of late fall or winter stocking is that you really don't see anything until the spring, and that leaves you wondering.

Hang in there!!


Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:"
"She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."

TGW1 #393898 12/04/14 08:53 AM
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Thanks guys, and I'm feeding Cargills (I think) purchased from Overtons and it does have a fish smell. I just thought the strong fish smell across the whole dam area might have been a die off until I found no dead fish. Kinda of freaked, if you know what I mean. And I can't see what is going on down there. Thanks again smile


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Tracy
TGW1 #393900 12/04/14 09:12 AM
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The fishy smell is almost a good smell ( fresh). Chunk out some feed and get downwind and you will be able to tell for sure. It reminds me of speckled trout feeding in the surf in the Gulf Of Mexico!


Pat W

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your rite Pat. I like that smell when I'm out fishing. i know there are baitfish in the area smile


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Tracy
TGW1 #394716 12/12/14 01:54 PM
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TGW,

I just wanted to encourage you. I think the stocking you have done thus far is great.

I cannot say enough positive things about Walt and the Overton Crew. I had the "Pond Boss" himself do my initial setup and stocking. I started out on the perfect path due to seeking advice from Bob.

a year later, I needed a source for hybrids. I met Walt at that time,and since then I have had talapia, hybrids in the spring and trout in the fall. They are a top notch group and will help you with your pond goals.

Time will show you the advantage of superior genetics that you have in your pond!

TGW1 #394752 12/13/14 09:13 AM
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Thank you Dustin. I am just another one who wants a nice place to catch big bass and big HSB. haha I am thinking Todd @ Overtons is prob. thinking "OH Great" another email from Tracy. Like when, how and why Todd ?? HAha smile


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Tracy
TGW1 #394753 12/13/14 09:15 AM
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And Big Red Ears and Big CNBG HAHhahaha


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Tracy
TGW1 #394907 12/14/14 06:52 PM
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Hey, a boy can dream can't he?


It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.

Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.

Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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