Hybrid black crappie (HBCP) and Smallmouth SMB comments for all PB Forum readers who are following this Swim Pond thread.
As noted by esshup HBCP are available on a very limited basis. I did not suggest their use for Jdog's swim pond due to their unusual rarity and difficulty of buying HBCP when one is in NE Indiana; plus I doubt that Jdog's current fish supplier even knows that HBCP exist. I do know they have never sold HBCP.
SMB use for the goals of Jdog's unique swim pond. As aptly noted by "esshup and ewest" - Yes smallmouth can with some watchful fishery management perform very well with perch(YP) and redears (RES). Literature says - SMB can even perform "better" when stocked just by themselves when compared to largemouth (LMB) stocked by themselves. However since SMB are so hard to locate and then to buy them WHEN they are BEST needed for a primarily swim pond, I doubt Jdog will go to the all the extra effort and extra expense needed to get smallmouth for his swim pond,,,,,, when the HSB will function well and are commonly available from his current fish supplier. HSB are a very good option for Jdog's goals of mainly a swim pond and for casual angling. Note that when desired,, HSB and SMB are compatible when they are stocked timely together.
Usually,,, all fish stocked into ponds and even the Largemouth and Bluegill combo when stocked into ponds also should have good management to get the good and the best fish qualities of ones goals. As we frequently talk about here, just stocking and forgetting any fish combination often results in just average fisheries and does not produce a high quality fishery for ones initial goals of Premium angling experiences .
Last edited by Bill Cody; 04/17/26 09:26 PM.
