I'm up close to Dallas and I have never seen any die since I started putting them in my pond about 7 years ago. Now I know it will happen some day but it's no problem to re-stock. In answer to your question...I don't take a temp. reading until about the end of Feb. each year. and at that time it is usually anywhere from 52-57. The reason I start taking them then is because I have learned that from 57-59 the bass bite pretty darn good. My opinion is that down South where you are, you will probably never loose your original stocking of TF. I stocked the first three years, then I had a shock survey conducted and I was overwhemed with how many TF were in my pond. EVERYWHERE. The year that I started stocking them, I also started fertilizing and increased my harvest under 16". In two years my average size bass jumped from 3/4lb to 2.12 lbs. I use to catch an occassional 5lb.+ bass and for the last four year I don't remember ever fishing and not cathing a 5lb+ bass. Two years ago, I introduced gizzard shad....I can't wait to see what's out there this year. My 4 1/2 yr. old son caught an 8 1/2lb. bass in December off the pier. There is a picture of him with the fish on this website under pictures(3). He landed him all by himself.
Also there is a picture of my son and daughter with a 3lb crappie. The crappie do good too on the TF. Anyway, I'm a big fan of TF Shad and a big fan of POND BOSS. Let me know if you have anymore questions.
