Just stocked in April, 1 acre.
While messing around with my kiddo (he wanted to try a cast net like me, so he was using my little 3' net), we caught a 3" LMB.
I'm not totally adverse to just stocking a few largemouth and then altering how we ladder stock the HSB in the future, but how concerned would you be that there was enough LMB that I didn't find that can spawn?
If they're in there anyway, I'd rather them be CBLMB and I would then get 20-40 fingerlings for the pond.
Not what I was hoping to find for sure considering we were trying to do a HSB pond there though.
Pond is newly dug and none of the drainage into pond is likely to have any fish.
We wanted to do a strictly HSB pond, though we realized we're a little south and do risk a die off (and thus potential overcrowded of the bluegill). So we are ready to turn it into a typical LMB/BG pond if the HSB were to ever have problems (just wasn't ready to do that while the HSB were still 4-6").
Taylor, you are likely aware of my early HSB adventures if you have researched the archives, or maybe I should call them mis-adventures.
You may recall that as a reformed striped bass addict, my goal early on some 12 years ago was to have Hybrid Striped Bass in our 2 acre pond even though I was discourged by many to forget about it – but I never give up on an idea that I believe feasible to achieve.
Below are hi-lights of 12 years HSB experience in N.E. Texas 2 acre farm pond.
2002 – stocked 100 fingerling HSB in 2 acre pond with excisting LMB and BG – biggest feeding frenzy ever saw that I assumed wiped out entire HSB stockers.
Found out later when I did catch a few adult HSB survivors. Knew at the time I had to find or figure out how to obtain HSB stockers large enough to escape predation. Located a young TAMU grad fisheries biologist by the name of Todd Overton that was in the process of acquiring a fish farm in Buffalo who told me he would try to locate large HSB.
2004 – My son dug a 1/4 acre stock tank and stocked it heavily with FHM and CNBG – the following spring my forage was established.
Todd had his fish farm in operation and he ordered 100 fingerling HSB from Keo in Arkansas which we stocked into my now forage/grow out pond.
Six months later this was what I had grown out:
1st grow-out HSB:
When Todd saw this fish he immediately recognized a business opportunity and has become one of largest, if not the largest HSB dealer in this part of the country. Texas Parks and Wildlife now recommends stocking HSB in Texas farm ponds.
I now “ladder stock” main pond annually with Overton’s 10-12 inch “Glazener Hybrids” – Todd named them – not me...
Little Pond HSB:
If I had the opportunity to start from scratch with brand new virgin ponds as several of PB’er are now doing, this is what I would do:
Establish good forage base with FHM, RES and Overton pure genetics CNBG and following year stock fingerling CBLMB.
Following year stock 50, 8-10 inch HSB and replenish by ladders stocking numbers.
Hybrid Striped Bass are my favorites and sport fish!
My preferred method would be to dig a rectangular, constant ~8 ft depth and stock heavily with HSB fry and depend entirely on feed.
Maintain good water quality by enstalling a 12 volt Kasco surface aerator and grow out my HSB the same way that fish farmers do.
12 volt Kasco surface aerator: 12 volt Kasco surface aerator:
I would rely strictly on Todd Overton’s advice on all stocking and pond size/depth parameters.
Transfer numbers of adult size HSB to main pond and utilize pond for some of the best fly fishing ever.
This is the approach I would love to do – good luck with your program.
George
