These replies raise some interesting questions, Mark. Are you adding aeration? Do you plan to feed pellets? How many of each species do you plan to stock? How many BC and/or HSB do you plan to remove over the next 3-5 years? Are you adding spawning structure for the GSH and FH?
It seems that if the BC feed similarly to HSB that a plan could be developed based on a successful pond with HSB as the top predator with no LMB present. One thing I've observed with BC is that their mouth is not as large as CC relative to overall size.
Here's a 36lb bluecat. Notice how small it's mouth is, roughly 4" wide.
When comparing a BC to a CC in a 3/4 acre pond: Will the BC's smaller mouth and feeding preferences make it less effective a predator as it reaches larger sizes? Will the water quality pay more of a role with growth? Will food preference for live fish decrease the BC's growth potential in your pond?
The predators you plan to stock should take well to pellets. I wonder how well the BC and HSB will grow on Purina's new Largemouth pellets once they're large enough to eat them?
