ewest - very interesting subject.
I share common experiences of other respondents that have observed their stockers being decimated by predator fish, and therefore have pursued the objective of acquiring adult stockers, as opposed to holding pens and conditioning techniques.
Holding pens and conditioning techniques in small ponds are not practical for myself, and perhaps others as well.
It would be interesting to see a �quick and dirty� economic analysis of cost of �growing out� stockers vs. the holding pen/conditioning approach.
Bruce Condello and Todd Overton have discussed in the past, percentage predation loss vs. size of fish stocked.
I am well aware of increasing cost of high percentage fish food, but can only speculate on the amount of feed and intensive management and labor costs of growing out adult stocker fish on a commercial basis.
My first stocking of 3-5 HSB stockers in 2001 was an expensive learning experience.
I was advised by the fish re-seller that the HSB were an open water fish and too fast for LMB to catch them, and not to worry about predation�.. :rolleyes:
I likely had less that 15% survival after observing a LMB feeding frenzy in the middle of the pond.
I suspect the cost per fish of the recent 8-10 HSB stockers were less than the cost of the 2001 stockers�
The only fish farms that are �growing out� adult stockers that I am aware of are Bruce Condello and Todd Overton. Perhaps they might chime in on the economics involved without divulging their trade secrets?
http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=000199 01-06-05 Bruce Condello:
"I�d estimate risk of predation from largemouth as follows:
5 inch wiper--80% over one year in presence of LMB
6 inch wiper--65% over one year in presence of LMB
7 inch wiper--45% over one year in presence of LMB
8 inch wiper--15% over one year in presence of LMB
9 inch wiper--negligible mortality.
No scientific data to back this up. Just knowledge about existing ponds in which I've seen fish such as this stocked in ponds around here."
01-06-05 Todd Overton wrote:
"Here are my thoughts. We raise HSB on our farm, and have a good idea of survival rates respective to LMB predation. Here's what size HSB would guarantee good survival rates with respective bass population:
3"-5" HSB with 4"-6" or smaller LMB population
5"-7" HSB with 12" or smaller LMB population
6"-8" HSB with 15" or smaller LMB population"
Pardon the long post � now back to Turkey Day�.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving � we have much to be thankful for.
George Glazener
