Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Threadfin Shad

What kind of pond will support Threadfin Shad ? I know they are suspect to cold weather, but that's not really what I'm asking. I would like some input as to the open water they prefer. Almost all ponds have a bowl shape either in the middle, or near a dam....what size and depth is needed to support the Threadfin ? My pond is still catching water, is it too early to put them in a 1 acre bowl shaped pond 13 feet deep ? Or should I wait for more rainfall and depth ? Also, are Threadfins the #1 choice for wipers ?

Eastland,

Good questions...I'd also like to see answers. In my 3 acre, 3 year old, 20 feet deep pond, I have tried two consecutive years stocking 10,000 threadfins. This last winter was mild in East Texas but it looks like I still don't have any survivors. I'm trying Tilipia this year as a forage for the Hybrid SB knowing that they will die in the winter, but hoping that they provide a better forgae source in addition to the BG. I think its time for me to up on Threadfins.

Eastland,
I think a big issue as to survival has to do with how many predators you have in the lake at the time that you stock the shad. I have tried twice in my lake and had no success in establishing a population. If you have not stocked bass in your pond yet and have a good algae bloom, I would think that you would be good to go. In my lake, we are over-crowded with bass and I think that the bass ate the shad before they could spawn and establish themselves. I think that you just have to try as everyone's stituation is a little different.

Bill

We have stocked about 50 ponds in the last three years with threadfin. Here is what I think is key. Stock in the spring right at the time when spawning occurs. Stock large size adult shad at least 2.5 inches. Stock enough to survive intial predation (good question I know) we stock 3,500-5,00o per lake less than 25 acres. They only have to make it 2 weeks before they lay eggs and offspring begin. Have pond fertile when stocking them. Knock on wood in the past I had trouble with establishment. Im 100% in the last three years with several very bass crowded situations. Good luck!

greg, how have ya been? i know we have talked about shad in the past, and i saw this post and thought i would clarify something...6.5 acre pond, 2.5 years old, goal is to have as large of bass as possible. read the books etc. but, in northern arkansas, threadfin or golden shiners; and is my pond still too young to introduce the shad. and what are your thoughts on tilapia up here oh great wise one!! by the way, we never were able to get you back up to a 5 star rating!!!! c'mon people, give this man some stars!! (see posts from last year for the story!) mark (ilovefishingmark)

I've done all I can for him!
He's got 30 votes! 4 stars ain't bad for 30 votes!
But you're right Mark he deserves 5!

ric, i agree. also ric, looked at your profile, and i think you are the only one that i've seen that put something in the iqc id or whatever slot. noticed you like computers. so maybe you can inform us exactly what the heck the spot means?!!

Yes, I agree, Greg's star count doesn't do him justice. I don't know the story but I remember over a year ago he had three stars. I saw that and thought "That's crazy, this man deserves 5 stars!" so that's what I gave him. Bumped his star count up to 4 at that time. So what was the deal, did somebody have it out for you, Greg?

I transported about 5000 threadfins to my lake three years ago. The lake is near Paris, Tx. When we put them in, my bass went crazy. We could track the shad's progress through the lake by watching where the bass were hitting the top. One catfish became so gorged on shad that he floated to the top upside down.

Anyway, they are still there, from the one instance. I had to use a cast net to insure that I still had them.