For those that are following, esshup's recommendation is to reduce the TPWD recommended brood stocking rate by 1/2. So this should, on average, yield 50,000 very close to 2" fingerlings in 60 days. At this point, feed is required for them to continue growing. The goal of 50,000 3" fingerlings could be met in as little as 90 to 100 days. There will be variation of fry production and the final harvest could be as many as 90,000 smaller than 3" fingerling or possibly fewer than 50,000 3". The results would not be as consistent as enumerated fry, however, it doesn't bother me if a more than necessary number of smaller BG are produced.
So we have had a lot of discussion around matching the biologist's recommendation of 100,000 >3" BG to a tee. My question to the OP is:
"What did the biologist say you would get for this investment?"
Was it just to say this would "Get them growing again?"
A good question for him is this: "OK Mr. Biologist, if I do this, where will I be in a year and what difference will it make in the metrics? What will the RWs be then? Give me a reference to understand whether it was successful or just a waste of money."
If you get an answer about improvements in the metrics. Ask him this. "Will you guarantee it?"
Ever see a crawfish evade a predator? You'll see a biologist back right up. LOL.
This much I can say. If after stocking 300,000 1.75" BG there isn't enough surviving to feed LMB needing >3" BG, there is something else wrong.
