I didn't realize that the cost of feeding was so low. I couldn't imagine not doing it now.
I don't want even the most remote possibility that green sunfish could ever be in my pond. So, hybrid bluegill are out for me. Plus, they aren't going to be good forage for the smallies. I don't see any use for them for me. They would just be something else to take up space and have to feed in the pond.
I have considered hybrid stripers as a form of threadfin shad control in a southern pond, but like the hybrid bluegill, I don't want them in my northern pond.
The walleye, I like catching when I go to Ontario on fishing trips, but not enough to want them in my pond. I would like having the smallies as the top predator with no competition from other species.
If I go with yellow perch I wouldn't add the pumpkinseeds at all. So, there won't be any worry about that. Its going to be a one or the other type thing. I will pick whichever one my research leads me to believe is the better option and that is where we will go with it.
I read an article someplace that said that a smallmouth bass pond could do well with just smallies and shiners in it. Does that even come close to resembling truth? I didn't believe that it could be possible, but with the high reproduction capabilities and the top end size of the golden shiner, could it be?
Thanks for telling me about the cost of feeding. I feel silly for having thought it would be more expensive than that.
Ronald
