IMO if you add bigger YP such as 8"-10", then just immediately release them from the transport container if the water temperatures of both containers are within 5F degrees. If your bass are not larger than 16" then you could also just immediately release 6"-8" YP. Habituating new fish is primarily done and most important for fingerling fish 2"-4" that are released into a adult fish community. If the receiving fishery has large bass of 16"-20" then habituation becomes more important. Ewest may have varying opinions about this.
IMO habituation means releasing new fish into areas with abundant dense finely divided structure that will provide refuge. A large weed bed area would be ideal place to release small fish.
It is my experience that whenever I release new small fish into most any water body they immediately swim into deep water regardless of the type of structure present. This is because these small fish were raised in hatchery ponds without predators other than their siblings. Small hatchery fish that grow up in a predator free pond and are accustomed to always use deep water as a secure place to be. Not true in a mixed fish community with adult predators. Thus many new fingerling fish released into a existing adult community quickly become fish food.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 01/26/18 10:22 PM.
