I plan to put in 250 bass.
The fellow I paid to manage it wants to put in 1-1/2" fish.
How do you feel about the larger feed trained bass?
The pond is 30' deep
Use feed trained bass only if you set up several feeders to feed those bass. Otherwise stocking feed trained bass will get a slow growth start since they are trained to eat pellets and it could take a few weeks for them to figure out that the only food for them is live food. Fish eating stockers will start eating and growing the first day. After one and two reproductions about all the offspring will not eat pellets and they will feed primarily on live food. If you want pellet eating bass long term (6-20yrs) you have to periodically stock more pellet trained bass.
Buff, I would not consider stocking larger feed trained trained LMB and agree with Bill Cody�s comments.
There are several of us on this forum with lots of experience managing N.E.Texas ponds that are bursting with jealousy /envy for your once in a lifetime opportunity to create a world class trophy bass fishery that is bursting with forage fish.
If your pond manager is not aware of the new pure DNA tested pure Florida bass fingerlings available, that have been developed over 6/7 years for fast growth, catchability with recognizable characteristics, I believe I would have a talk.
Please do not take offense for �meddeling� in your stocking plan, but information provided is from from some of the best knowledgeable fishery folks on this forum.
I would talk to Todd Overton about your plan, or have your pond manger speak with him before taking any action.
He is one of the most highly respected fisheries biologist that raises some of the best fish in this part of the country � I do not buy fish from anyone that does not raise his own fish. It won�t cost you anything to make a phone call to Todd � or have pond manger give him a call.
Good luck on your program.
George
ps: Todd types faster than I do..
