Originally Posted By: TGW1
Thanks George for telling us about some of your history and where you have been and where you are. In the early 80's I fished lake Texhoma with a friend who guided there. He used to call me to go bass fishing the lake as he would be tired of trolling for strippers and he liked to bass fish with me. We had gone to the same high school and we built a fishing friendship. He never charged me for fishing. As you know the striper fishing back then was pretty hot. Oklahoma had just put in a striper hatchery. I mention this because I guess this is why I am interested in stocking HSB. Boy!! do they fight smile
Is it true the HB will only reach to the 3 to 4 lb range here in N. Texas? What has been the life span in your fishery? Will the addition of well water to the pond help in cooling the waters, improving the fishery? And since you fly fish, do you loose the fish after the battle or have you found a way to bring them back from near death? So many questions George. And yes I have spoke with Todd about stocking the HSB next fall. And Thanks again George for updates on your experience. smile


Is it true the HB will only reach to the 3 to 4 lb range here in N. Texas?
Not true � couple of N. Texas PBers have caught HSB up to ~10 lbs...the only one I have seen in our pond was laying belly up from a disastrous fish kill in 2011 record heat/drought. Made me sick at my stomach..
Larger pond/lakes have best odds of achieving 10+lb HSB � your 5 acre pond with good water quality should produce trophy size HSB.

Will the addition of well water to the pond help in cooling the waters, improving the fishery?
Absolutely � a well will insure constant pool level avoiding extensive periods of drought.
Be sure of your water quality. If you are in Piney Woods you may have acidic soil � HSB thrive in hard alkaline water � check with Overton � may need lime unless your well water compensates.

What has been the life span in your fishery?[/b
The longest period of HSB growth in our ponds has been about 4 years between fish kill.
James Holt has lots of experience with HSB � hopefully he will see and respond to your post.

[b]And since you fly fish, do you loose the fish after the battle or have you found a way to bring them back from near death?
HSB will fight to their death unless landed quickly, resuscitated and released. That�s the main reason I don�t fish ultralite fly tackle unless I am harvesting for table fare.
When I want to take photos, I put them in a O2 live well to resuscitate � I have a high survival rate with HSB but I do not target them when water temps exceed 80 degree F.



Hope this helps,
George


N.E. Texas 2 acre and 1/4 acre ponds
Original george #173 (22 June 2002)