Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations HSB Update

Wanted to give update on my HSB pond. Renovated 2 acre pond stocked with CNBG; FHM then 250 HSB form Overton (5" to 7"). Forage added in June / July 2004. HSB added in November 2004. Two protien feeders used. June 2005 added 10# Tilapia. Fished for first time 10/26/05 using a spinner bait--caught-1@ 14" long 1# 9oz & 1@ 12" long-1# 3oz. About 15 min. of fishing--both were released--Looking forward to spring.

Just a great sidenote took my 3 1/2 year grandaughter perch fishing in the brood pond. What excitement; and what fun--this is what having a pond is all about.

Nice Job, I'm jealous ! Those RW's sound very high, does anyone here have a RW chart for HSB ? I sure need one

It seems you hold a key, you may be proving the experts right again...were those 5-7" Nov. 2004 HSB class of 2004 ? That seems like a pretty accelerated growth rate. Maybe Todd can comment ?

I have a relative weight chart for HSB. If interested email me at [email protected]

Tentmaker,

That's exactly what I have experienced and reported also on the HSB. Mine consistently double in size in one year, i.e. 7 inch fish are 14 inches, 5 inch fish are 10 inches. So far, Tentmaker, mine have then doubled in weight after that first year, i.e. a 1 pound HSB will be 2 pounds after the second year, then 4 pounds after the third year. I'm in the third year and have many 4 pound HSB. My question is can that trend possibly continue? That would mean 8 pound HSB next year and I doubt that will happen....but impossible to catch Florida strain LMB are but a distant memory.

I also agree with you on the grandkids fishing...it puts things in a whole diffferent perspective. Thanks for your update.

p.s. I'd like to have that RW chart, Clint. Thank you very much for it.

We stocked 2" fish late June and now have some 10" HSB. Nothing surprises me anymore. Aquamax 400 and baby tilapia, and no HSB less than 6" in the mix.

We have the relavite weight data for HSB, but pond boss won't let me post excel data. Maybe I can get you guys a chart of some sort to go by, just rough relative weight data by ozs and inches.

FYI, "Clint W" is an employee at Overton Fisheries and an A&M grad in wildlife and fisheries science. He provided me with the relative weight data for HSB.

How did your lmb do...Tentmaker?

Thanks to all for posting

Todd

Todd,

The Flordia bass did just fine except tried to jump out when lid opened--just like you said. Lost a few F1's-- think we should have used cleaner water. The F1 cooler was the first one filled and I think we should have ran the pump a little more to clean up the system. Thanks for all your help.

Tentmaker

Tentmaker :

Glad you HSB worked so well . Well done. I hope you took pics. of your offspring ( grandaughter not the fish). I bet those CNBG are a good looking bunch by now . What are your plans for the F-1s ? I bet whatever they are, they work well just like the HSB project. ewest

Here is a good pic of some 7"-10" HSB pulled from the growout pond just yesterday. Lots of you are getting fish from this batch.

Hey Todd,
Good Job.....!
Can't hardly wait for delivery - I've waited a long time for this quality of large HSB stockers.

Based on my experience in stocking smaller HSB that turned out to be expensive fish food for LMB, I highly recommend this size of HSB stockers for mature ponds.

George Glazener

Those are some great looking YOY's, Todd!

Tentmaker, I thought this was interesting
From Ohio DNR website
Hybrid striped bass � strong, underutilized population. Stocking began in 1992, continues annually. Some fish now 26" and 14 pounds. Double stocking (19,500) of fingerlings in 2003. Try chicken livers fished on the bottom. OUTLOOK - EXCELLENT.
Wish we had your growing season up here. My fishing partner fished this lake two years ago and came home after three hours with his entire truck bed floor nearly covered with HSB, some up to 10 lbs. a picture hung in the local bait shop until deer season. These fish seem to have a lot of potential. My 1/2 acre pond now has 24 bass up to 12" along with 200 BG 25 HBG and 15 channels. Feeding. Thinking of adding 25 HSB. Any thoughts? Would 3"-5" survive or should I pay the extra $1.50 ea. for the 6-8"?

Go with the bigger HSB. 3"-5" fingerlings would mostly end up inside 12" LMB, I'm afraid.

Ryan,

Pay the extra...well worth it.