FRPeeps, welcome.
Great project and congrats. I am at the same stage as you, my 5 acre pond filled in August last year, but do to many reasons it did not get stocked fall 08. I also agree with the idea that the predators should have the most forage possible, however im not that patient. I plan to simulate the year of forage reproduction by July of 09 (this year haha I forgot its new years). Here is how I plan to do it (just an idea).
I plan to stock CNBG at or above 1000/acre. (5acre X 1000/a = 5000+ fish)
At least 1000 of these will be 3-5in. big enough to get a spawn before the bass come in.
I plan to stock heavy on FHM, and golden shiners.
RES will also be stocked.
March/April some Tshad
Maybe even Tilapia.
Finally I plan to stock 2in bass in june/july at 50/a or less.
This will create a high forage fish to bass ratio, in less time. Also increasing my carrying capacity much quicker.
This is probably not as good as a full year of forage reproduction, but it is quicker. There are pros and cons to every stocking plan, but I plan to do something similar to this, it is just my take on it.
There are many more things to think about such as aeration system as George mentioned.
Bottom line have fun! its great to have a pond.
