OK, I'm ready to pull the trigger on a pond, here are the details, please let me know what you think.

Use: Fishing

Location: SE Alabama near FL border.

Size: I'm not sure yet, 1/4 to 1/2 acre?

Geology: I have a slight valley with about 10+ acres drainage. Where I live it's not quite steep enough to build up a dam. So, I'll need to dig out my pond so I don't flood the neighbors property. I also have a slow spring where I want the pond dug. It's dry now (middle of a BAD drought) but I have about an acre around it where the grass/weeds are growing very well so I'm guessing it's still wet underneath.

So, I'm looking at 1/4-1/2 acre dug out of wet ground. Last fall a guy came out (recommended by the County Extension agent) and told me about $5-7,000, he'd have to shoot it first to narrow it down. My guess is I won't have a dam, just a lower spot where the water already goes for overflow. How will no dam affect the price? Anyone have an idea of what it should cost? Any recomendations who to hire?

I'm thinking I want decent BG and big LMB fishing. So, after reading around here (VERY ibformative site BTW) that I'd be best off with FEMALE only LMB (can they be sexed reliably?) and some BG as food. The BG should be fruitful and provide good "kiddy" fishing and the LMB should grow BIG with all that food. I'll have to restock every few years due to mortality and "eating". Does this sound like a plan? What do female only LMB and BGs cost?

Oh, and since it's pretty much a spring fed pond I'm guessing I'll need aeration? The pond guy suggested I go 6' deep. Is that OK?

Thank you all!