Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Corrective stocking Adding redear sunfish

At least one of the records listed from the secondary site referenced above, is not accurate - here's the current record, straight from the state DNR:

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10371_10402-227125--,00.html

That is one giant pumpkinseed! Interesting that the record for RES in Michigan was also broke this year...

I think I'm goin with RES, anyone ever heard of opels fish hatchery it's like mile from my house in worden il. Thanks for all the input guys. Anymore suggestions are welcome

Thanks, Walt. That is one big PKS!! I don't have worlds of experience with them, but it sure seems that anything over 8 inches is a true trophy around here.

O.K. after reading this thread you have all convinced me I should stock both!

Not sure you would like the results James. RES would be a better option in your location. Several studies indicated lees than good results for PS when they were in ponds with RES and either BG or GSF.

My state of Indiana does not have a record category for pumpkinseeds. We also don't differentiate between a hybrid bluegill and a regular bluegill for the state record. I know the biologist that witnessed the 3 lb. 8 oz. state record for Indiana and he said it was definitely a hybrid.

AP I agree with you on the pumpkinseed photo in NC most probably a PS/BG hybrid. Looks obvious to me too.

PS are not native to FL and I am not sure they would do well in FL even without RES being in the pond...

ok what about tarpon? I went fishing in a guys one acre pond last week that had tilapia and tarpon. I hooked a thirty five pound tarpon on fourteen pound test using a floating rapala bass lure. quite a fish story I know. He told me tarpon could live in fresh or salt water. Has anyone tried stocking tarpon?

I would imagine the only place tarpon would do well in a pond would be where the pond was far enough south to stay above the tarpon's lethal temp limit. I am not sure what it is, but I am betting it is well into the 50's if not above 60 degrees. Not many ponds other than southern FL and far southern TX will stay above 60 year round. A larger pond may have a better chance of doing it. How many tarpon did this guy have in his 1 acre pond? It wouldn't take many tarpon to quickly go above the carrying capacity of a 1 acre pond. Even tilapia in an enclosed body of water like a 1 acre pond would have a hard time keeping up with the predation of tarpon I would think? There are a number of "saltwater" fish who can adapt fine to freshwater. Red drum and needlefish come to mind... They may not be able to spawn but that may be a good thing. If you had a pond in the 5 acre range in southern FL, tarpon/blue tilapia/striped mullet would be an intersting combo to try...

Sorry to get off topic this will be my last post here. I know that I am in a climate that would not support tarpon but we have some readers that are far enough south that the tilapia in their ponds survive the winter. I don't know how many tarpon were in the one acre pond but I hooked one and saw two others in an hour. It was exciting enough that someone in the south may want to explore the possibility.

I don't know where you could source the tarpon? I guess wild caught fish and then transfer them to the pond. It would have to be a fairly small fish. If the location the tarpon is caught isn't freshwater, but brackish or ocean then special care will have to be given to adjust the fish to its new freshwater home...