Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations New bass genetics -- stocking question...

I'd like to add some new bass genetics to my pond. The pond is about 12 acres and was impounded almost 40 years ago. As far as I know, there has been no bass stocked since the intial stocking. When I bought the place 5 years ago, I stocked golden shiners and CBG. I've also stocked talapia and threadfin shad over the past few years, though I'm not sure any shad made it through this past winter...

Anyhow, I was thinking of adding some Tiger and some Florida strain this year. Maybe 250-500 of each in the 3-4" range.

1. Any reason I shouldn't add both types?
2. How many should I add per acre to an already healthy population of LMB to ensure that their "seed is spread"?
3. When you stock 3-4" bass, do you hold off on any culling activity for a year so you're not chucking the fish you just bought?

Things are coming along very well at the pond, but I would kinda like to "supercharge" the bass population -- thus the potential stocking of new bass genetics.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Since you're down in Texas, have you looked into trying to get any fingerlings from the "Share a Lunker" program?

Bob Waldrop of Tyler Fish Farm and Todd Overton of Overton Fisheries are the only providers of certified pure Florida LMB, as well as pure Florida CNBG, that I know of.
Overton grows them out to avoid predation by existing adult LMB.
I would seek their advise on size and stocking numbers.
Good Luck ...

If a guy wanted good genetics, i would think he would try to find a few 11-14 lb females and a couple big males to put in there and then turn some Barry White music on.

I have done exactly what you are inquiring about. Start with your goals. Are you after trophy LMB ? What is the current state of your population balance (LMB crowded) ? I assume that since it is 40 years old that was before Fla LMB were imported to TX and thus yours are northern LMB.

There is nothing wrong with your idea. It can be done. IMO your best bet is to check well in advance and arrange to buy some 10-12 inch LMB of the type you want to add. It can be done with 2-3 inch fish but survival is very low 1-5 % to one year. If your pond has a balanced LMB population I would suggest you take out 1.5 LMB in the 12 inch range for each LMB you add. Those would be in addition to what you normally take out to keep balance. Another option is to grow them out from 2 inch using a blocking net to 10 inches before release. They will have to be feed trained and then pellet fed. In the past we have attempted to have a population of 60% northern , 25% F-1 and 15% Fla. based on personal goals for the pond.

I will locate a couple threads here on the subject.

You can use both types. We fin clipped them for id then used a slot limit (no harvest of LMB in their size range for 3 years).