Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Raising Forage and Bait Dead baitfish.. Float or sink? Help,I'm desperate

Stocked 20# of 5-6" golden shiners over a month ago in a 1/8 acre pond. Pond is new. Never stocked before. Also added 3# of fatheads.

Initial die off of 5-7% (guessing). Looked like I might have a fungus problem.

Since the first week or so, I've only seen a dozen or so floaters.

But I NEVER see the shiners. I feed cottonseed meal and small catfish pellets daily. The FHM take it readily.

Put out a couple of large minnow traps baited with bread. Mouth opening would allow GS. Not a one.

I can't seine because of the brush I put in pond.

I guess the question is: Is there a chance that these fish died and DID NOT float to the top?? There should be 800-1000 shiners in this pond.

Thanks!

Shiners should readily take small worms on small hooks if present - that would give you another method of checking.

Theo, Thanks..
I plan to try that tomorrow.

But still, wouldn't it be unusual to lose 800+ large shiners and never see them ,or a lot of them, floating on the surface?

Shiners will sink and float.

Just today I pulled two shiners out of a tank. One was on the top and one was on the bottom.

that small a pond i might consider getting one of those aquaview cameras.....another method to "see" whats there.

Michauxii, I use trout pellets or cat food in my bait trap to catch some golden shiners in my pond.

When I want to catch shiners for bait in my pond, I throw out some feed and then fish with a small bead-head fly on a bobber.

You've got to set the hook quick 'cause they'll spit it out fast.

Update,
I did as Theo suggested.
2# test line,no.10 cricket hook and a tiny piece of worm.
Caught several pretty quick.

So..... All is not lost.
I'll post some periodic growth reports on these fish.

Thanks!