Here's the latest and greatest with our little project and what we've decided.....
We ended up stocking approximatley 800-900 BG/RES mix with 2K FHM. Went to the local co-op and bought some fingerling fish food for the BG...we're feeding them a couple of times a day already. Would like to use Aquamax 400, but we bought what was readily available.
Based on my personal messages with George and my conversation with Todd Overton, we will stock approximately 75 6-8" HSB in April or May if Overton has some in that size available. We will then stock approximately 30-50 each year thereafter depending on how many we harvest or lose. Since this will be a put and take pond, we will be able to dictate how big we want to allow the HSB to grow and how many we would like to harvest each year. We will feed the HSB Aquamax 600. At some point we may consider threadfin shad as an additional forage for the HSB.
Both George and Todd recommended that we leave out the cover in the pond for a couple of reasons. Both said it will help the HSB control the BG population and allow us to potentially grow some big BG. I thought it was funny that Todd said, "Yeah, leave out the cover because the HSB will run you all over the pond". I'm looking forward to that experience!
Special thanks to George for all the personal messages. Your advice and thoughts have been greatly appreciated!!!
