Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations threadfin shad growth rate

I was thinking about adding some more mature TFS but am noticing (in the evening) many schools of TFS that have spawned recently. My question is, what kind of growth rate (size) do you think I can expect before January or so? Thats when the water turkeys usually arrive and they really knock a hole in our TFS population. I run them off when I can but they have free reign most of the day from January to about March, then we won't see them again till the following January. When we initially stocked TFS 12 years ago they were 3 to 4" and really helped our fish growth.

It will be hard to find mature TShad at this time to stock unless you catch them yourself. Hatcheries try to stock them in spring (March) so they can spawn in April/May at about 2.5 to 3 inches. Those fish will spawn until fall and the yoy will grow to about 3 in+- by March. TShad can get to about 8in but most to about 4-6in. Life span is short at 3+- years so all growth and spawning happens quick.

At those sizes the WT should not be a major problem on the TShad as they will be after bigger fish (LMB , CC , BG ) unless you have lots of WT. One WT is to many.

Ewest......thanks for the reply. I will wait till spring to make my decision but by the schools I am seeing now I think I will be ok. One thing we need to do is start thinning the pond fish population. I used to be a big "catch and release" freak but now I am asking people to keep what they catch, especially in the 12" and under class of LMB. I noticed you are from Mississippi. What part? My wife's family is from Greenville.

Sorry I missed this when I was out of town. Live in Jackson. Know some people from Greenville.