Brandon - The article that Brian referrred to was probably my article in Mar April 2009 Pond Boss mag. I discussed the myths of temperature requirements of SMB. If you don't subscribe to PBoss mag, you should begin your subscription with the Mar-Apr issue. All total there will be 4 or 5 articles about growing SMB in ponds.
From my studies it is not so much warm temperatures that hinder SMB it is the competitiveness of LMB. IMO Put SMB in a pond without LMB and they will to well even in TX. Give smallies proper spawning habitat (May-June Poss mag) with some good food items, no LMB and you will get at least occassional spawns even in TX. In smaller ponds it is LMB or other larger predators that hinder SMB more than anything else.
As Aaron mentions if you put SMB into your planned pond with the spring water and rocky structure, I think you will be well pleased with the results. For forage I would try FHM, golden shiners, crayfish, and probably since you are in TX, maybe some threadfin shad. Part 4 of my article series in PB mag will deal with best forage items and management of SMB. If the SMB do not do well enough for you you can always add LMB 5-10 yrs later. They will then take over the pond and be the dominant predator.
If you use SMB keep us informed how they do in TX. Aaron seems to have no problem with them in the heat of Arizona.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 04/27/09 09:47 PM.
