Bill,
The May/June issue of Pond Boss contains an article written by Kedric Nutt which does not agree at all with your assessment. The article stated that the “old opinions regarding gizzard shad were based on an expectation of severe competition for food between shad and sport species, primarily bluegill.” Recent research by Dr. DeVries concluded that “ gizzard shad do not compete with bluegill, bass, etc. to a measurable or significant degree.” Further, regarding the old claim that gizzard shad will take over a pond he stated that “it simply does not happen”.
I don't know Dr. DeVris nor Dr. Homer Swingle who were cited in the Pond Boss article and who both recommend the stocking of gizzard shad, but I do know Todd Overton of Overton Fisheries and do not consider him to be “an odd fellow” as your professor labels anyone recommending gizzard shad in a pond to be. He has never seen gizzard shad overtake a pond and in fact has a rearing pond with both gizzard shad and bluegill with no adverse affects to either one.
It certainly was not my intent to start a controversy with Bill Cody in asking the Forum for first hand gizzard shad experiences. I have recently stocked them based upon reading Pond Boss, other articles, and Todd's experience.
I just wondered if any others on this forum had also stocked them and what were their results. Thanks.
