I have a newly rejuvenated 3 1/2 acre pond that I stocked with 4500 Copper nose bluegill and 40 lbs of fathead minnows and planed to stock with bass after minnows had a chance to spawn. I had hopes to manage for bass and CNBG but with 2 ponds above me feeding into my pond when a heavy rain event I now have bass and catfish already established. When feeding the brim a 2lb bass flashed thru them so the next day I rigged up a 2" long brim and caught the bass. Since then I have seen several more bass and a huge spawn of catfish with two catfish about 14" long guarding them haven't got a close enough look to tell if there Flat Head or Channel cats. I thought about throwing a net and catching the adults and as many of the minnows as possible but I'm now thinking its probably a lost cause and I may as well just let the pond develop naturally and just enjoy what ever it gives me. The CNBG are doing great the supplier gave me a bag of Triton that they loved and have not found a supplier close enough to avoid a huge shipping charge, Tried a bag of feed from the co-op and tractor supply but the nuggets were to large. Ordered a bag of optimal and they are feeding good on it but would still like to find something local. I transported the fish from the supplier myself and used a couple of 55 gal drums with aeration to make sure the drums were safe I bought a pound of gambusia minnows and left them in overnight they did great so decided they were safe to use. I still see quite a few of these around the pond but not a single one of the 40lbs of fatheads that I bought. They were doing great for awhile and then a little cold front and gone. Asked the supplier and he said they went deep but would be back, they did come back and was seeing the majority of them in the upper end of the pond. Now a month later and no sign of them don't know if they were all eaten or went over the spillway either way gone before having a chance to spawn. Should I buy another 40lbs now and if I do will they spawn?
Just reaching out to get any of your thoughts.