Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Fish Farmers

On a return trip from San Antonio yesterday, our route home was through Buffalo, Texas, home of Todd and Cathy Overton of Overton Fisheries, a PB forum supporter and PB advertiser.

We had arranged a previous appointment. I called in-route and asked if his business was open for visitors and was told that it would be as soon as he could unlock the gate.

Todd is a Texas A&M fishery biologist and Cathy an entomologist - we were introduced to a very technical and labor-intensive operation.

What an interesting and informative couple of hours well spent with very gracious hosts….! We were provided a guided tour of their hatchery and fish farm, with more than thirty ponds of all shapes, descriptions and uses.

Being neophytes in the pond experience, we never had the opportunity of being exposed to what happens before the fishman arrives, or how the fish get there in the first place.

Todd has a large spring fed pond that he uses to supply fresh water to all his ponds, a ¾ acre pond for growing out fish, currently being prepared for HSB, seine ponds for pure Florida strain LMB, pellet trained and F1 LMB, Copper Nose BG, RE sunfish, shad, Tilapia, Catfish, fathead minnows and freshwater shrimp, and I probably forgot something

He is currently running airlines for aerators to all ponds.

They have a lab with “hatching jars” and associated equipment

This was one of the most interesting and informative experiences to date in our limited pond experience.

Thanks Todd and Cathy for your hospitality.

George Glazener

George,

Nice report.

Did you see any larger HSB being raised for us for this fall? I understood that Todd was planning to feed a bunch out for customers for this fall.

ML, I have learned, as you have, that the 3-5, 4-6 stockers available from the hatcheries in late winter are “stunted” held-over fish, having lost almost a years growth.

Overton is presently preparing a 3/4 acre pond for introducing several thousand 2 inch stockers for fall grow-out.

They should be 6-8 inches or more by fall with an aggressive feeding program, and should fill a niche market that both you and I have not been able to locate in the past.
With the increasing popularity of HSB I believe he will be successful.

George Glazener

George,

I'm just delighted to hear that....I'll be the first in line to buy those this fall...assuming I can beat you to the line.

It looks like 8 inches is the key...and Bruce has kind of confirmed that in his writings.

Did your grow outs achieve that length?

Mine are not going to achieve that before summer temps and lack of rain overcome them...in fact I'm expecting a die off any day now. I hope to be able to get them out first.

Ysterday a Texoma fishing guide friend of mine met me at the pond mid morning to help me "cast-net" grown-out HSB for transfer to main pond.

The 4-6 inchers stocked in late January ran between 8-9 inches.

By the way, the 7ft (14ft dia) net is not difficult to throw after a lesson from a pro.

So far the 200 stockers in "grow-out" pond, moved to main pond, are down to about $50 bucks apiece by now....

meadowlark will you please explain to me what you mean by the 8-9 inch fish being the key. I bought some hybrids from todd in november and was not aware of any problems with the six inch size fish.

James,

I was referring to predation on the HSB by the LMB. In my experience, and documented by Bruce and supported by George, 8 inch or larger HSB have a very good chance of not being eaten by your LMB. Below that size, the chances of survival fall off considerably.

In another post, which I can't find, Bruce listed the actual probabilities of survival as a function of size. Maybe he can re-post or someone can call up the reference. His numbers have proven to be right on target in my experience.

As George has reported, Todd Overton has recognized the need/market for the larger HSB (because of my b*tching and George's too probably) and is growing them out for sale to customers this fall...I plan to be in that line and in fact already have a deposit on them.

This supply is critical to being able to have a viable "put and take" HSB fishery in ponds that already have LMB present. I'm convinced that for me the HSB "put and take" is the way to go, far better than the LMB that stunt, overpopulate, refuse lures, and just generally take up space. With a supply now of 8 inch HSB, that type of fishery will become a reality at Meadowlark pond.

I may have to get in line behind you at the overton hatchery this fall. Thanks

I forgot to ask you what you thought the maximum fish per acre would be for stocking. I realize that there are many factors involved.

The recommended stocking rate is 50 to 100 per acre, but I think that number depends on feeding (can carry the higher number per acre if feeding), number of LMB present(they are also stocked at that same rate), and available forage.

What I do, not that it is for everyone or even anyone for that matter, is stock about 30 to 50 HSB each spring and fall in my 3.5 acre pond. That way I have a steady stream of HSB in various sizes in the pipeline. We are now catching and eating HSB that are on their second year of growth....a great size to catch and eat. Some of those fish will continue to grow and not be caught so that in another year or so, I expect to be catching 5 pound HSB, and in three years, maybe two if lucky, intend to break the state record HSB flyfishing in private waters.

Todd is truely a spoiled man...those who have visited his place know what I'm talking about