Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose hybrid F1 bass

first post here, been reading posts for the past few days... thought id throw a question out there. I live in south central Nebraska, and am saving up to build a 5 acre or so pond. My main goal is to have a nice bass fishery. Seeing how im pretty new to the midwest im not too sure on how well bass grow here. (from AL originally) Can the F1 hybrid thrive/survive here? or would i be better off with the northern strain? I also plan to stock BG, FHM, and maybe a few CC? in time. I would like to see some double digit bass within the next 10 years. thanks for the input!

First off, welcome to the forum...

I don't believe F1 bass will do well in south central Nebraska. Just too far north for them. Northern strain bass would be a better option.

The other species you plan to stock are standard species. Just make sure you stock the right numbers at the right times to obtain your goals. If you are unsure about this, feel free to ask or do a search of the forum. There are several members on the forum from NE, some more active than others who can give you regional help.

Bass grow a lot slower in Nebraska than we do in the southern states. It has to do with the temperatures and growing seaon I believe but I am no expert from the state of the Nebraksa. I looked up the state record largemouth bass and it weighed 10 lbs and 11 oz. This fish was caught in 1965. The Kansas state record is 11.8 lbs and was caught in the southeast corner of the state. The Oklahoma State Record is 14 lbs 10 oz, I believe and was caught in the southeast part of the state. See the pattern? The farther south, the larger fish because of a prolonged growing season

F-1s would probably live in NE but not reach their full genetic potential. I would stick with northern strain LMB. F-1s are usually referred to as an integrated strain of LMB not as a hybrid. Some do call it a hybrid but I don't agree with that position. Just like a cross between a BG and a CNBG is not a hybrid. BTW welcome to PB.

thanks for the replies yall, im gonna agree with the growing season here. its tough for bass. i just didnt know a lot about the f1, i was hoping since it had some northern genes in it that it might do well and get to a nice size here. ill have to do some more homework while im in the planning stages.

You could use both northerns and F-1s. Just add a few female F-1s and mostly northerns.

thats an idea, its just hard to not see any bigger sized bass here like i would in AL. my dream would be to grow the next NE record LMB.

Well, your goal is the produce a nice bass fishery while your dream is to grow the next NE state record. The NE state record is 10 pounds, 11 ounces...

5 acres is in my opinion a reasonably sized pond to consider producing quality LMB fishing with numerous bass over 5 pounds. Ponds smaller than that just cannot produce enough biomass to support a decent fishery of larger bass in my opinion.

Build your food chain and get it well established first. Particularly the shiner and minnow species. Establish a varied food chain as well. FHM, GSH, BG, RES, crayfish and consider other less conventional species as well. Stock your bass at a lower rate than normal. I would say 50 per acre instead of the more commonly recommended 100 per acre. Then comes the hard work of meticulous records and removing lots and lots of baby bass to keep the ones left in your pond well fed. Not starving from too much competition with too many other bass and stunting.

When 25% of your bass are over the 15" mark, you can even consider stocking gizzard shad. However, research them thoroughly and understand their risks along with their benefits.

Imo the idea of double digit bass here is reasonable. Most people just assume the growing season is too short... but I believe its more to do with poor management.

Think your wright!