Be careful buying fish in the Spring...often hatcheries are dumping their inferior runts approaching age 1. Genetics is vastly important. Unless 6-8" HSB and SMB are available in Spring, take a pass until the Fall when fish that size are available. Resist the temptation to save money on the Spring fire sales from hatcheries - initial stocking is no place to cut corners considering the vast time, effort, and fiscal resources dedicated to the pond development.

Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau

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