David fin clipping if done correctly should not cause any significant difference in morts , ability etc. We have , like ML , used pelvic fin clips to id types/sources of fish. Some use a small hole puncher to do the same on the tail.

On another point - HSB morts. Fish can dye for a # of reasons including water quality (low alkalinity for HSB) , low DO , pathogens , natural/age , continued stress , lack of food , heat , cold, etc. HSB have been documented numerous time to withstand high summer temps in the range up to 90 F water temps . I don't know how hot its been in E. Texas but it has been in the 100 range here for 6 weeks and no reports of HSB problems. Same for prior years. Max surface water temp 86 F.

Hybrid striped bass population characteristics and community impacts in farm
ponds: understanding a supplemental predator in established systems

By
Jason Wesley Neal

In a study of a smaller impoundment, Ebert et al. (1987) suggested
that the low abundance of hybrids larger than 2.8 kg might be due to summer stress and
mortality. If these patterns hold for farm ponds, it would be unrealistic to expect a trophy
hybrid fishery, but a quality harvest-size hybrid fishery certainly appears feasible.
Reports from private landowners who have introduced hybrids into their ponds
suggest that hybrids are capable of attaining large size in small ponds. A 0.4 ha pond in
Dare County, North Carolina, has produced hybrids exceeding 3.5 kg,[ 7.7 lbs] and the owner of a 30 ha Wake County impoundment reported fish stocked as Phase II exceeding 500 mm [19.68 in] after only 2 yrs. This shows that at least some fish are surviving to larger sizes.

Surface temperatures in North Carolina can often reach 35°C, [95 F] and a thermal
refuge must be available with adequate dissolved oxygen levels. This was the case in our
ponds for all temperature-oxygen profiles recorded, although this refuge apparently
disappeared briefly, resulting in the fish kills. Because fish kills have not been as severe a
problem on these ponds in the past, it appears that the kills were artifacts of the unusual
weather of 1995. Each fish kill appeared to affect largemouth bass and hybrids equally,
and no mortality of hybrids was noted as conditions deteriorated. Therefore, it is likely
that hybrids can survive in North Carolina ponds that support largemouth bass and sunfish populations.


Many PB forum members have been successful with HSB in small ponds with some big fish even with high water temps. Anyone other than ML had a HSB only die off and if so what do you think was the cause ?



Last edited by ewest; 08/25/07 08:21 AM.