Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Pond Update, and new question,

The advantage of HBG is that spawn very little. The problem with BG in a Texas pond is that they spawn enough to get out of control. The only thing that can keep them under control is largemouth bass. But then nothing keeps bass from over spawning. The normal Texas pond under a couple of acres is loaded with runt bass that are hook shy. We call it bass heavy and they eat all of the bluegills that will fit in their mouths.


That's why I like the idea of HBG and HSB with a feeder. Both of them love pellets and grow well. Your chances of a crash is almost nil if they stocked in the correct numbers and ratio. You will never have runt fish. You and the kids will love catching the BG's and the HSB's.

The whole concept is an in balance pond.

I think I'll give it a go. Been bouncing back and forth between the hbg and the CNBG. So what numbers would you start with, 500 hbg and 20 HSB? Or could I do more?

Really want a full pond of fish for the kids to catch every other day or so

I think that number is OK; maybe a little heavy on the HBG. Maybe do 300 HBG and 100 Res with the 20 or maybe 25 HSB.

Thanks, can always add more hbg down the road. Now would you just stock the HBG for now and then add HSB later or can I add them all at the same time. I dont want the HSB to wipe out the HBG before they get going. I guess I can always get larger HBG to start off with. maybe 300 4-6" HBG and 25 6-8" HSB.

Yeah, wait a couple of months before adding the stripers. Give the BG's a lot of food. BTW, RES don't eat fish feed. Stock 3 or 4 pounds of fathead minnows with the sunfish.

Be careufly you don't give the HBG too big a head start though. You don't want them spawning with no predators with a mouth large enough to effectively feed on the young they produce...

I wonder what pure HBG offspring look like. I expect they would look like groceries.

Scooby snacks with gills.