Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose Not to be gushy...

...but then again it's uncommon I have an opportunity to recognize great experiences/business transactions and I wanted to take the time to thank Rex for driving to NE TWICE this month to stock Hybrid [Magnolia] Crappie and last Friday my SMB.

The Mags were healthy, consistently sized, and far exceeded the qty of my order. My compliments to Malone's stock and Rex's ability to arrive with fish in killer shape following a very circuitous and time consuming route prior to arrival. Zero morts to report four weeks later.

The SMB experience was also more than I had hoped:

- Pricing for feed trained fish was about 75% less than market value dictates [according to my research]
- Qty of fish delivered again far exceeded order qty
- I paid for fish in the 4-6" range, yet 90% were pushing 6" with several that were over 8" simply because I asked if he could swing the largest fish possible.
- Likewise, these were spunky, healthy fish, immediately exhibited avoidance and were literally jumping from the truck to the tank to the pond
- Zero morts to report at +4 days.

I got what I asked for, and much more than I paid for. Jeesh!


I also would like to shout out to Greg Grimes for tipping us off to the great SMB hatchery [Fountain Bluff?]...thank you Greg.

I've stocked three times previously with reputible hatcheries and had plenty of morts, high % of dinks, and paid top dollar. I think it's important to shed a light on resources the forum can trust - guys like Shawn, Rex, Bruce, Todd, Bob and Greg. Nice knowing my ponds are in good hands...

Rex is a good man, he's all about the customer.

Good deal TJ... Where are the pictures of the SMB release though???

Correction - from Rex:

"The SMB came from Fountain Bluff Fish Farm in Gorham, IL and the HBC came from JM Malone in Lonoke, AR."

Well, I didn't document the release too well, I was running around trying orchestrate many simultaneous activities...apologies.

Here's a shot of Bruce and Rex messing around with the CSBG Bruce and I got to reluctantly bite earlier that morning:



My only good shot of a SMB prior to stocking because they were all doing their best to jump from the buckets into the pond prior to acclimation. If it's any indication of things to come I'm predicting many years of explosive topwater action to come!

They sure are pretty fish... I hope they enjoy eating lots of baby CSBG.

TJ, thanks for this report.
It is refreshing in this day of age to deal with folks with high character and integrity.

We are fortunate to have folks like Rex, Shawn, Bruce, Greg and Todd that we know and can depend on.
good job guys!

Reporting on a good business helps everyone. It helps both the business owner, that, IMHO, ought to be rewarded for running a business with customer service as a priority, and it helps a potential customer make an informed decision.

Oh and as an also and besides we should not forget that our fearless leader Bob Lusk owns Texoma Hatchery and also supplies fish. When searching for fish I'd put a call into him as well.

Agreed, guys. I have to remain shrewd as a small businessman, but even on the lookout I sometimes get "taken" as I routinely run into unethical or undisciplined [or worse] vendors. It leaves me always on guard, skeptical, and assuming the worst. When you run into folks who are trustworthy and understand the importance of earning your business, well, it's worth alerting your brethren and also recognizing those sources as dependable and having integrity.

One of the many benifits of this Forum is the friends you make here. Those friends include many service providers like those mentioned above who care about your sastification.

+1

Rex is getting known for that! When Rex delivered the RES to FCM67693 he gave him some extra as well.

I don't know how Rex does it. In my limited experience hauling fish there's always lots of preplanning and back up plans, special jack, tools, etc. and the hauling itself is nerve racking to me. I'm always a nervous wreck until I get the fish into the pond.

A lot of things can happen, pumps can fail, oxygen lines can break, vehicles can break down...

I once had a gate valve leak because it had some fine stones in the bottom of it. I had a 13 hour drive ahead of me! Do you think I could find a hose clamp big enough to clamp on a plastic container on the way back? All the hardware stores and home improvement stores from northern Wisconsin to Indiana only carried hose clamps to 4 inches when needed one for a 6 inch pipe! Thank God for a plumber that didn't blow me off because I wasn't a plumber!

Awww Cecil, ya mean that you couldn't put two or more hose clamps together?

There's a half dozen 110'a in the car. Hope it's enuf!

We should be fine Scot. I took the gate valve apart since them and it didn't leak the last time I used it. However I have a back up which is a piece of PVC with a cap in case it does leak.