Unfortunately in my pond I may have a RES, HSB, and GOLDFISH pond. I have FHM but my limited number of put and take perch have taken them out (started with 100 perch in 1/3 acre pond). So I'm left with controlling perch population with angling or predation, removing eggs if possible, lots of GSH and fry as a forage option, and by next spring a scenario where there will be nearly unlimited number of goldfish. RES are in low numbers and no spawn yet after stocking 1.5" size. Next year when I decide on my apex predator I'll have to keep in mind that they need to like GSH and goldfish too
I'd love to see folks do a GSH, FHM, RES (or low output sunfish like pumpkinseed) and use HSB as the apex predator either in a southern or northern pond.
I do have a month or two in the fall when the spring stocked tilapia have lots of babies which will fill in a little niche for additional forage but by November they disappear.
Your southern pond probably has a little different spin on things.
If you could hand feed your RES the OPTIMAL brand fish food, then the snail shortage may be solved.
