Here is my progress thus far. I have a little over an acre pond here in Hockley Texas. Construction was completed last summer. Around mid August I started filling the pond with well water. It took about 5 weeks to fill with all the rain we had. I have the Vertex plus 1 aeration system in place along with two large rock piles and 9 artificial reefs. October of last year I added the following fish.
800 CNGB 1”-3” 200 CNGB 3”-6” (different genetics then the above CNGB) 200 RES 3”-6” 20lbs FHM
Next week I will be adding LMB
125 LMB fingerlings 20lbs tilapia.
It has been a long process but well worth it. Here are a few pics of the progress.
I think my goals have changed throughout this process. Originally the pond started because I needed dirt for a pad site for my barn. Then it changed. I took a class at the local community collage to better educate my self on pond management. Oldest guy in the class! Old guys rule! I then contacted a few of the fisheries in my area to see what my options where. Fast forward to today and my bass are going in tomorrow. I think the main goal is to manage a pond much like you grow a garden or manage deer. I’m not trying to grow the largest bass in town but I plan on harvesting fish to keep my numbers in check. Plus I love to fish and I love to eat fish of all kinds so I’m hoping to have some fillets in the frig for years to come. My family enjoys the outdoors and my little nephews are nuts over the pond. They like to swim in it. Go figure.
Todd at Overtons fisheries has been a big help in planning for my pond. I went with a privateer not a state run fishery. For me it’s the service. I can pick up the phone and call Todd if I have a question or concerns. I’m hoping with this Camelot Bell Bass I get to log data for anyone else thinking about going the same route. I spoke with Todd this morning and I think we will adjust my LMB numbers a bit. I may just go with 50-60 LMB. He currently has a mix of lunkers and breeding stock. The lunkers are from one 13+lbs male. The breeding stock is a mix. It’s going to be a long process but I’m in it for the long haul.
Mr. Cody... I was looking at those too and they look like traffic cones that have been painted black to me! Then it looks like he has attached the long spike-like things to the cones... I'm interested to see if I am right or even close to being right!!
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