Photo History of ¼ acre N.E.Texas Pond
Completed January 12, 2004 for ~12-24ft livestock “tank”.
No structure - steep banks – limited spawning area.
Limited shoreline cover.
1 GC and annual same sex 5# Tilapia stocking.
No aeration.
Supplemental high protein feed program.
First intended for forage pond evolving into a HSB/CNBG/RES pond.
1# Fat Head Minnows stocked Fall 2004
100 ~3 inch Red Ear Sunfish stocked Fall 2004
Red Ear Sunfish caught 07-03-07
100 4-6 inch Hybrid Stripers stocked 01-15-05
"Grown-out" Hybrid Sriper
4-6 inch Hybrid Striper stocker
November 2006 began adult Hybrid Striped Bass "stocking ladder"
First fishing results of "grow-out" program
Began high protein feeding program.
5# annual same sex tilapia.
3rd year made a big mistake and stocked 6 brood pair Arkansas strain CNBG.
~25+ 8-9 inch male CNBG from main pond have been transferred to little pond the past two years, and all female CNBG caught and/or trapped are removed from little pond.
Adult stocking rate of 25 HSB fall stockers and 25 spring stockers will be continued, and transfer ~25+, 2-3 # HSB to main pond to maintain annual “stocking ladder.
When Todd Overton of Overton Fisheries took the financial risk to “grow-out” adult size HSB stockers, it created an opportunity for Texas pond owners to stock small ponds with existing LMB population – for his efforts I am grateful.
I normally stock 25 adult HSB spring and fall annual “stocking ladder”, with WAG of 20% mortality and harvest or transfer best quality HSB to main pond.
Hybrid Striped Bass 09-05-08
(Photo enhancement by B.C. technique...
)
To date HSB, 1 female LMB, and 1 Blue Catfish have done a good job in controlling BG spawn, in addition removing all female BG by hook or trapping.
2008 fall stocking plan is 100 all male adult pure Florida CNBG and 50, 8-10 inch HSB.
I wouldn’t change a thing except ALL MALE pure Florida CNBG.