I'm with Meadowlark on this one - big LMB that are not catchable due to being hook-shy because of "catch and release" and feeding on bluegills around feeders.
Frustrating to see them cruising around the feeders, but occasionaly land one with a big gill lodged in it's throat.
We are in the process of shifting from LMB operation to a "put and take" Hybrid Striper program with high protein feed and tilapia forage.
The biggest problem to date with this program is high predation of HSB stockers by LMB.
To solve this problem, we are currently raising fingerling HSB in a "grow-out" pond to tansfer to main pond when large enough to avoid predation.
I believe that we will see more large HSB stockers available from growers in the future, to avoid the LMB predation problem.
I am convinced that the populariity of HSB and tilapia will challenge LMB in many Texas ponds.
George Glazener
N.E. Texas 2 acre and 1/4 acre ponds
