I guess I am just spoiled when it come to bringing fish to the pond or having them delivered but I don't care much for a fish stocker that would tell me to bring 55 gals drums for fish transfer. I know through experience I can save 3 or 400 bucks if I go get my fish some 3.5 hr drive away from me, but to transport them back to the pond in 55 gal drums, I would be concerned they would make the trip. I have kept fish in my boat livewell for trailering to weigh in and have seen the fish be in bad shape when I arrived and that was with aeration. Course they fish were larger but there was a lot fewer fish to keep alive for an hr or two. Todd Overton (a reputable fish supplier here in Texas) bags and boxes up the fish and they are very healthy after the 3.5 hr drive. I have done it with sizes up to 10" hsb with no problems. But if you have to use the drums I would look into some type of aeration for travel.
