So I have decided to try and stock threadfin shad in our 14 acre lake this spring. This would be the first time to ever stock shad and the fish farm person I talked to today recommended stocking 1,000 per acre. I can't afford to stock this many. I only have about 1,200 dollars that I can afford to spend. Does anyone know if that is really how many I need to stock to have any success? The lake is about 25 feet deep, we fertilize regularly, and take out anything we catch under 15 inches. Also what are the chances of the threadfin shad living through the winter in central texas? Thanks in advance for any responses.

What kind of predator presence (species, size, relative weight/hunger) do you have? Other forage species present?

LMB, Crappie, channel catfish, bluegill. LMB relative weight last year was 85%-95%. About 25 channel catfish between the weights of 3-8 pounds. Not sure how many crappie, only catch a couple every year when fishing for bass. With good weather in the spring someone fishing would average about 3-5 fish per hour. Alot of bass in the 2-4 pound range. A few around 6 pounds. Started taking out alot of bass four years ago and bass size and relative weight has been improving ever since.

Their lethal terminal low temp is 42 F +-. It would be good to have your winter temps before you stock. It is not a certainty that stocking TShad into a pond with adult LMB will result in establishing a continuing TShad population. The further you go under the recommended # the lower the probability of success. I am not suggesting that 1000 per acre is the right amount. They are sold here in loads of 5-6,000. You also need a good plankton bloom.

I am considering the same question now but if I go that route I will only do so at 1.5 times the recommended rate (# of loads). Unless I am convinced it will succeed in establishing an ongoing population I will not use TShad but will spend the $ on adult and 3-5 in BG to be added pre-spawn ( March-April here).

That makes me wonder if it would do me and the bass more good to spend that money on adult BG. The pond has been really low for that last year and I feel like to bass have hit the BG population pretty hard. I thought putting shad in would take some pressure off the BG.

TR, we have sold over 30 clients every year for past 5 years. Got them established in I believe every case. This includes in many bass heavy environments with lower Wr than you have.
Prior to this success was low. Past 10-15 K in summer smaller size. Now stock only in spring with adult size 1.5-3 inches 4-5K. The larger size spawns quickly if stocked in the spring. Prety much all the folks have now started selling a "load". Only way we sell those fish. Load is good for 1 ac to 25 acre pond. IN fact I think it is more difficult to establish in tiny pond b/c not as much open water to hide and spawn prior to bass predating them all. So if he will let you by 5K and I think you will be fine. BTW our load is exactly your budget $1,100-1,200 delivered on location.

Ewest makes a godo point but we have not had thredfin dieoff since 2001 in norht GA and I think your climateis about the same. We had ice on the pond here for 4 days in a row 2 weeks ago and did not lose any. If fairly deep they seem to find some thermal refuge.

Are you missing 3-5 inch bluegill in your pond? Maybe CNBG stocking is a better solution. Also try to put the hammer down on bass prior to stokcing shad. Good luck.

We stocked what I guess you would call a full load about 10 years ago in my 20 ac. pond. Lusk said at the time it was about 4 to 5M and they were 1.5 to 3" I would say roughly. It is the best thing we ever did and helped all species tremendously. Have never had a "die off" that I am aware of. The only real problem I have now is the water turkeys, cleaning me out. Thank goodness the shad are prolific and reproduce multiple times per year. I would strongly recommend stocking tfin and feel sure you will be happy with the results......

TR one additional point to consider is that TShad have/use a different niche in the pond than do BG. As a result if you can establish TShad you will be using a greater part of your pond's ability than you would without them. That is a big plus to using TShad. Also from a nutritional aspect they are an excellent LMB food as they are high in lipids (fish oil).

Like Greg said , insist that they be pre-spawn adult TShad and stock them a little while before they spawn. That gives you a much better chance of being successful. Good Luck and report back what you decide and the results.

Thanks for the input....I feel better about stocking the threadfin shad after hearing what people with experience stocking TShad had to say. I will definitely let everyone know how it goes after they get stocked sometime in April. I will be getting pre-spawn adult shad I am just a little worried about what affect the low water level of the lake could have on the shad if the water level does not rise. What is normally a 14 acre lake is probably only about 10 acres now and 14 feet deep instead of 25ft.