J Smith, if I was selling bass, I might say the same thing. But I would certainly be doing my customer a disservice.

Chris is 100% right. Stocking predators before the forage base has a chance to become established is a recipe for disaster.

So is stocking fish prior to having a fertile water environment. Your low alkilinity after liming could be an indicator that your pond needs more lime and then fertilizer. You can check your fertility by a simple test. Sink a white disk on a string (weighted of course) and see when it disappears. Assuming non muddy or turbid water, it should become invisible from 18" to 30". This is an indicator of a healthy planktonic base. Without that, your smaller fish will get pretty hungry.

BTW, Chris isn't selling fish and the hatchery is.

It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.

Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.

Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP Grandpa