We stock HBG together with RES, and male BG. To date, I haven't witnessed any crosses between the HBG and the RES. That's not saying it hasn't happened, only that we've never seen any. We control HBG recruitment with LMB....LOTS of LMB. And I never bothered with single sex fish. After four years I have yet to see any sign of LMB recruitment. I know there's some, but I seriously wonder if the combination of a pond with NO cover or vegetation, a population of "forage" that is 90-95% male, and coupled with an extremely heavy Bass population has resulted in a situation whereby the Bass have almost become self-limiting.....they appear to be eating their own offspring quite handily. I've spoken here before about the large numbers of our LMB that have taken to pelleted feed. Perhaps this will result in less predation of ALL species of YOY fish as time goes on?
We fished today for just over an hour. Out of 22 fish we had 15 HBG over a pound, with nearly half of those 15 over 1.25 lbs. We also caught 3 skinny LMB. (10-12") After four years with this scenario it appears to be working, but that's certainly not definitive proof.
We also have 100 HBG in a cage right now, growing out before releasing into the pond. It's an annual procedure for us, with the number of fish stocked yearly being the only variable.
While I will be the first to say HBG aren't right for every situation, they can really shine when used appropriately.
My youngest, with one from today. Simple worm and float fishing:
