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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9
Fingerling
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OP
Fingerling
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9 |
Ok Guys;
I have gotten a paper from a hatchery I am planning on buying my fish from. In there pampflet it states that over the long haul its much better to stock all fingerlings at the recomended rate and to avoid adding larger fish from other ponds. At this point my pond is nearly 1/2 full and looking good. Its about 7 feet deep in the deepest area and the wide area that will average 5 feet is just starting to fill. the entire area is 1.4 acre.
I have yet to add a single fish. I am planning to add GS and FH as soon as today. Is it too early to put in some BG?
Here is my problem with stocking all fingerlings. My father will be turning 83 in a few days and my father in law turned 71 today. I would love to see them cast a line here with the possability of catching a fish or 2. If I stock all fingerlings it will be 2 years or so till catching size fish will be present. I am also a cancer survivor and well you never know when the other shoe will drop.
So am I being stupid in wanting to go get a bunch of fish that are catchable and also adding a ton of BG fry and minnows for them to munch on? I would also feed them bass chow.
So if I do this am I throwing the balance off so far as for future of the pond for the long haul when my grandkids are fishing without me. Or do I put em in and use this time to teach the little kids to snell knots and cast a line now.
Thanks for any advice. This form has been very helpful and I apperciate it very much.
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,615 Likes: 5
Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,615 Likes: 5 |
Well I may get yelled out for this, and it sort of defies conventional wisdom, but given your situation Sd, if it were me I would stock fish large enough to catch.
JHAP ~~~~~~~~~~ "My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." ...Hedley Lamarr (that's Hedley not Hedy)
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,615 Likes: 5
Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,615 Likes: 5 |
Other ponds have stocked the entire food chain at once and done just fine. There are advantages to stocking forage base first and then fingerlings but given what your goal is, to ensure some fishing time with Dad, I say go for it. I just lost my Dad and I can tell you spend as much time as you can with him, you and him will both be better for it.
But that's just one pond monkey's opinion.
Oh and a belated welcome to Pond Boss, we're glad you found us.
JHAP ~~~~~~~~~~ "My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." ...Hedley Lamarr (that's Hedley not Hedy)
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 66
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 66 |
Given situation not a problem that you can not fix later. Norm where you at? Don't just stock larger predator fish (i.e. bass)but larger bluegill as well. Get fathead minnows in right away so they have more of a chance of establishment.
Greg Grimes (borrowed computer)
Last edited by mmorgan; 08/04/08 09:52 AM.
You can't judge a fish by looking at the pond--Bo Diddley
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,794
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,794 |
Here is my problem with stocking all fingerlings. My father will be turning 83 in a few days and my father in law turned 71 today. I would love to see them cast a line here with the possability of catching a fish or 2. If I stock all fingerlings it will be 2 years or so till catching size fish will be present. I am also a cancer survivor and well you never know when the other shoe will drop. sdstohler, understanding your personal goals, I would determine desired predator and forage disires and go the adult stocker route. Consider aereation and feeding options when determining your predator/forage needs. Good luck - been there, done that...
N.E. Texas 2 acre and 1/4 acre ponds Original george #173 (22 June 2002)
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9
Fingerling
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OP
Fingerling
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9 |
Thanks so much. Thats what I was thinking.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,507 Likes: 269
Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,507 Likes: 269 |
Its about the goals. You can create an entire pond population at one time if you can find the fish.
See exactly what is available from the hatchery including types , numbers and sizes and cost. You may have to try several hatcheries to get you there. It can be done with some effort. If you can get 2 sizes of BG and advanced size LMB or other predator fish plus the GShiners and FH it will work. You could then get some adult BG from another source (ponds etc)and add them. If you can get 3 sizes of BG (2in , 4-5in and adults 7+ in) then you can add some adult predator fish.
For your pond now .7 acres going to 1.4 acres assuming it will fill in due course by winter here are some numbers.
30 lbs of FH 25 lbs GShiners 400 2 in BG 200 4-5 in BG 50+ adult BG 40 4 in LMB 20 10-12 in (adult) LMB
Plus pellets to feed and a feeder (assuming you are not hand feedeing).
Anyone else have a guess.
Last edited by ewest; 08/04/08 01:12 PM.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,982 Likes: 280
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,982 Likes: 280 |
After adding FHM & GSH he could go the HSB-only pond route. With lots of pellet feeding any size HSB he puts in could be maintained. Great fishing from the get go.
The HSB won't last forever (without restocking), and later virtually any type of reproducing stocking scheme could be implemented.
"Live like you'll die tomorrow, but manage your grass like you'll live forever." -S. M. Stirling
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 120
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 120 |
well i did some searching and found this. Schult's Fish Hatchery Address 1756 Hamlin Hwy Lake Ariel PA Number (570)-226-7494 email. schultzfish@yahoo.com
Type count cost per total cost
fathead 50lb $7.50 $375
Bluegill 3-4" 400 $.90 $360
5-6" 200 $1.40 $280
LMB 6-8" 40 $3.50 $140
8-10" 20 $4.50 $90
total $1245
AquaPro® Low-Profile Automatic Fish Feeders ADF75 $399.99
Feed $10-40 a bag x2 60
Grand Total $1704.99
RESULTS PRICELESS
if you really wanted some golden shiners
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,058 Likes: 278
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,058 Likes: 278 |
Sounds like a real bargain to me.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,854 Likes: 1
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,854 Likes: 1 |
...AquaPro® Low-Profile Automatic Fish Feeders ADF75 $399.99... I wouldn't pull the trigger on that one just yet.
Holding a redear sunfish is like running with scissors.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,973
Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,973 |
Good one Bruce. Yep three more calls this week on broken down adf75D, will it never end?
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 544
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 544 |
Which brings up the question, what is the best automatic feeder for the money?? Maybe I should start another post for that one and get opinions. I would hope it doesn't end like a Ford vs. Chevy thing, we all know how those end.....
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,973
Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,973 |
JoeG we just had a good thread on the feeder subject I posted some prices and opinions, ewest can you find it for him, should come up in search.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,507 Likes: 269
Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,507 Likes: 269 |
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 544
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 544 |
Ten-Four good buddies, thanks for the link.
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 544
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 544 |
SD did you stock your pond yet?? Just curious what you had gone with for numbers/species etc. and where you got your fish from. Hope you had good luck.
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