When using HSB as predator and golden shiner as forage food it appears the ladder stocking of HSB is important because member's reports indicate the too few predators allow too many GSH to survive to the point that in small ponds the adult shiners can limit the recruitment of predators such as SMB, LMB and forage species such as BG, RES, YP and HBG. Note that I have seen about 12 HSB in a one acre pond eliminate minnow and golden shiner populations once the HSB grow to 18" long.
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=552981&page=1.However this phenomenon of too many forage species or predators hindering the survival of sport fish is a common occurrence. Example - too many bluegill will prevent recruitment of largemouth bass. High numbers of green sunfish will significantly reduce recruitment of other sport fish and minnow species.
Here are some Pros and Cons of using just HSB in a pond if that is your goals for your pond - maybe just a pond for swimming and some occassional angling fun and excitement.
I will start with a different type of pond stocking option that is now being used in NW Ohio. For a mainly swimming pond,,,, stock only hybrid striped bass (HSB). If you want them to become large toward trophy sizes feed them pellets and or provide lots of forage foods. Know their full diet preferences for the best results.
Mouth gape threead for HSB and some other predator type fish.
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=372481#Post372481A. HSB do not bother swimmers,
B. HSB do not reproduce to maybe cause over population problems,
C. They do not need to have any forage fish to grow to 5 lbs+ providing they receive an appropriate amount of pelleted food for healthy body growth, and not too many are crowded per acre. Seek good reliable experienced advice.
D. HSB could thrive with just redear sunfish (RES) as a forage fish. Learn all the Pros and Cons of RES.
E. HSB are good as dinner guests.
F.. When on the other end of a fish pole, HSB are very, very strong opponents. IMO inch per inch the hardest fighting freshwaer fish bar none.
G. HSB do not need lots of habitat. IMO they do not need any habitat except good water quality - aka Bob Lusk's "happy water". They are primarily an open water living fish.
I. HSB swim or hang out in groups that allows one to assess the numbers and sizes that are present.
J. HSB will live okay in warm water ponds as far south as Texas although they grow best with higher TDS (total dissolved solids).
K. HSB can be caught on both artificial baits although frequent angling can make them become harder to catch i.e. hook smart. No fish likes to be jerked by the jaw.
L. Best survival rate of stockers is the 6"-8" lengths. survival of stockers can be variable depending on how well they are handled before stocked.
M. Escessive feeding of pellets can cause more plant growth, reduced water clarity and lower water quality conditions.
N.. If you have too many harvest some and when you want more add some.
O.HSB Life span can be up to 15-20 years providing they are handed properly by the educated and forewarned anglers during mid- summer angling sessons.
P. Life span is shorter when grown in warmer more Southern ponds.
Q Since HSB do not reproduce ior have very limited reproduction in special water types it is much easier to change the direction of the fishery community.
R. HSB blend in well when a mixed fish community.
S. Once they are in the pond the fishery can later be changed with minimal problems compared to LMB; providing the new fish are appropriate sizes as food items or as for developing a panfish or different predator population. Removing HSB involves angling or waiting until the old ones die naurally.
T. HSB have a smaller mouth size than LMB or SMB so they are not as a good predator of large sizes of BG and wide bodied fishes
U. Being predatory HSB will eat any new small fish that are introduced from unwanted sources.
V. If one wants different size classes or groupings of the HSB new ones can be periodically added to the pond.
W Correct stocking density depends on one's GOALS. Seek several good stocking opinions from experienced well meaning pond owners for this topic.
X. Generally the more numbers per acre that you stock in the pond the fewer the chances they will grow to be trophy sizes.
Y. If you do not want to feed HSB pellets they will survive eating invertebrates and foods that will fit into their mouth opning size. Just eating natural pond grown foods the HSB will likely only grow to be 10" to maybe 14" depending in HSB density and amount of available foods.
Z. HSB are not the best predator to use with reproducing sunfish(BG) although I have seen them thrive in a pond with hybrid BG and and or yellow perch.
AA. They should grow well with golden shiners (GSH) as a forage fish.
BB. Here is another one for more information from PBoss Forum members about HSB from the Common Pond Q&A Archives for in-depth learning about HSB:
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=92629#Post92629
