Pond Boss Magazine
https://www.pondboss.com/images/userfiles/image/20130301193901_6_150by50orangewhyshouldsubscribejpeg.jpg
Advertisment
Newest Members
Shotgun01, Dan H, Stipker, LunkerHunt23, Jeanjules
18,451 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums36
Topics40,899
Posts557,080
Members18,451
Most Online3,612
Jan 10th, 2023
Top Posters
esshup 28,414
ewest 21,474
Cecil Baird1 20,043
Bill Cody 15,110
Who's Online Now
14 members (jludwig, Donatello, catscratch, DrLuke, esshup, Requa, Shorthose, Blestfarmpond, JasonInOhio, H20fwler, Theo Gallus, Justin W, LeighAnn, Bob Lusk), 844 guests, and 210 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#543029 01/16/22 11:17 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 26
T
tim k Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member
T
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 26
I am wanting to add some Florida's to my pond - one and a half acres. I found some 1.5 to 3 lb that I can purchase - Camelot Bell in Texas has them at $100 a fish - plus $400 delivery - Sounds super expensive to me - is that the going rate?


Thanks Tim

tim k #543038 01/16/22 01:09 PM
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 184
P
Offline
P
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 184
Contact Overton fisheries in Buffalo Tx

tim k #543043 01/16/22 01:33 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 26
T
tim k Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member
T
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 26
Do know if they have the larger Floridas? My pond has some larger native bass so I cannot put in smaller ones. I checked around at a couple of other fisheries and seems not many of them have the larger Floridas

tim k #543044 01/16/22 01:45 PM
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 184
P
Offline
P
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 184
Tim I imagine the cost of feeding them is the reason. Put a lot of smaller ones in and surely some will survive

1 member likes this: anthropic
tim k #543105 01/17/22 12:06 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,346
Likes: 96
Editor, Pond Boss Magazine
Lunker
Online Content
Editor, Pond Boss Magazine
Lunker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,346
Likes: 96
That price is in line with today's marketplace in Texas. That delivery fee is too high, though.


Teach a man to grow fish...
He can teach to catch fish...
tim k #543107 01/17/22 12:20 PM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 584
F
Lunker
Offline
Lunker
F
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 584
Do you have a grow-out pond? (Or a place to build one?) Are the Camelot Bell's feed trained?

I do know how much work you are looking for, but you could buy small feed-trained Floridas and grow them to the right size for your big pond.

If they are not feed trained, then you could let the small pond fill with FHMs and then stock small Floridas. If they are not big enough to move after they eliminate the FHMs then you could manage the grow-out pond for appropriately sized bluegills.

Just thinking outside the box, but you could afford a lot more big Florida bass if you moved the feeding and growing portion to you. Of course, then YOU "pay" for the labor - unless you would enjoy such a project and it counted as recreation.

tim k #543129 01/17/22 10:29 PM
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2,213
Likes: 514
S
Offline
S
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2,213
Likes: 514
100$ for a 1.5lb fish sounds about right. 100$ for a 3lb Bass is dirt cheap.
Delivery fee sounds high but how far away are they?

tim k #543131 01/18/22 06:20 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 26
T
tim k Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member
T
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 26
Hour and a half away

tim k #543132 01/18/22 08:09 AM
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 288
Moderator
Offline
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 288
Originally Posted by tim k
I am wanting to add some Florida's to my pond - one and a half acres. I found some 1.5 to 3 lb that I can purchase - Camelot Bell in Texas has them at $100 a fish - plus $400 delivery - Sounds super expensive to me - is that the going rate?


Thanks Tim

I think both numbers are high, and yes, I have them. Pretty big gap between 1.5# and 3# when you're talking about LMB pricing. $100 for a 3#, I can see. Not for a 1.5# though. With correct forage for fingerlings(read that gape friendly), a pound and a half Camelot Bell is easy to hit in one summer, so the overhead is much lower. My Legacy LMB, which are Overton's CB strain, hit 2+#'s in 182 days. Forage cost for my hatchery pond was a tad expensive, but it got them in the big pond the same year I stocked them.

I will add that larger fish are hard to get right now, so they are more expensive then they used to be even a year or two ago. Between the mid 2021 Texas February freeze, pond owners refocusing on their ponds, limited availability, and increased overhead costs, fish prices have gone up. Fish are a commodity just like cattle, so when cost goes up, retail prices go up.

$400 for a 1 1/2 hour loaded trip is high, but bagging LMB that size seems iffy. Does Camelot Bell require transport as part of the purchase? If so, then that cost needs to be added to the actual fish purchase.


AL

tim k #543140 01/18/22 01:48 PM
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2,213
Likes: 514
S
Offline
S
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2,213
Likes: 514
75$ a pound is market value for feed trained Bass, In fact my breeder SMB of a known DNA cost me 95$/lb and they are selling out every year from that facility, 2 years in advance.
Yes the 400$ is too high for transport. I charge 1.50/loaded mile, most in my area charge 2$/loaded mile, so 400 for a 90 mile drive is extreme.
Growing 100-200 fish from forage in a pond is one thing, trying to grow 25,000-50,000 in a crowded facility requires loads of equipment/time/labor/knowhow and the space to make it happen and if you can't make a living doing it then that source goes away and those left raise the price.

2 members like this: FishinRod, RStringer
tim k #543144 01/18/22 04:23 PM
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 288
Moderator
Offline
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 288
I guess I stand corrected. Tim, go for it.


AL

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 26
T
tim k Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member
T
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 26
Originally Posted by FireIsHot
Originally Posted by tim k
I am wanting to add some Florida's to my pond - one and a half acres. I found some 1.5 to 3 lb that I can purchase - Camelot Bell in Texas has them at $100 a fish - plus $400 delivery - Sounds super expensive to me - is that the going rate?


Thanks Tim

I think both numbers are high, and yes, I have them. Pretty big gap between 1.5# and 3# when you're talking about LMB pricing. $100 for a 3#, I can see. Not for a 1.5# though. With correct forage for fingerlings(read that gape friendly), a pound and a half Camelot Bell is easy to hit in one summer, so the overhead is much lower. My Legacy LMB, which are Overton's CB strain, hit 2+#'s in 182 days. Forage cost for my hatchery pond was a tad expensive, but it got them in the big pond the same year I stocked them.

I will add that larger fish are hard to get right now, so they are more expensive then they used to be even a year or two ago. Between the mid 2021 Texas February freeze, pond owners refocusing on their ponds, limited availability, and increased overhead costs, fish prices have gone up. Fish are a commodity just like cattle, so when cost goes up, retail prices go up.

$400 for a 1 1/2 hour loaded trip is high, but bagging LMB that size seems iffy. Does Camelot Bell require transport as part of the purchase? If so, then that cost needs to be added to the actual fish purchase.


They told me that they do not deliver but could refer me to someone who will - the referral was to the owner's son who quoted the $400 - they will not guarantee the fish if I try to pick them up myself -
Originally Posted by FireIsHot
Originally Posted by tim k
I am wanting to add some Florida's to my pond - one and a half acres. I found some 1.5 to 3 lb that I can purchase - Camelot Bell in Texas has them at $100 a fish - plus $400 delivery - Sounds super expensive to me - is that the going rate?


Thanks Tim

I think both numbers are high, and yes, I have them. Pretty big gap between 1.5# and 3# when you're talking about LMB pricing. $100 for a 3#, I can see. Not for a 1.5# though. With correct forage for fingerlings(read that gape friendly), a pound and a half Camelot Bell is easy to hit in one summer, so the overhead is much lower. My Legacy LMB, which are Overton's CB strain, hit 2+#'s in 182 days. Forage cost for my hatchery pond was a tad expensive, but it got them in the big pond the same year I stocked them.

I will add that larger fish are hard to get right now, so they are more expensive then they used to be even a year or two ago. Between the mid 2021 Texas February freeze, pond owners refocusing on their ponds, limited availability, and increased overhead costs, fish prices have gone up. Fish are a commodity just like cattle, so when cost goes up, retail prices go up.

$400 for a 1 1/2 hour loaded trip is high, but bagging LMB that size seems iffy. Does Camelot Bell require transport as part of the purchase? If so, then that cost needs to be added to the actual fish purchase.


If you sell them I would like to talk with you - I do not need 3 pounders - I just want to introduce Floridas to my pond that will not be eaten by my native bass (of which I have some larger ones) - I am in Georgetown - thanks Tim

tim k #543146 01/18/22 07:40 PM
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 288
Moderator
Offline
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 288
Thanks, but I don't sell fish. It's a line I never want to cross. Those that do go out are to neighbors that need them. Last year, I took 150# to a neighbor that had a massive turnover several years ago on his 35 acre lake.

As far as my forage pond comment, it was brought up by another member, and having raised those lmb, I think they'd do well with feed or forage, that was my only point. I may just be wrong, most likely, but Bob and Snipe say the number's are right, so I'll go with them. Sticker shock.

Tim, I'm not sure you'll find them anywhere else right now. I'd just keep looking. If you do go with the larger adult fish, please take some pictures.


AL

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 26
T
tim k Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member
T
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 26
Originally Posted by FireIsHot
Thanks, but I don't sell fish. It's a line I never want to cross. Those that do go out are to neighbors that need them. Last year, I took 150# to a neighbor that had a massive turnover several years ago on his 35 acre lake.

As far as my forage pond comment, it was brought up by another member, and having raised those lmb, I think they'd do well with feed or forage, that was my only point. I may just be wrong, most likely, but Bob and Snipe say the number's are right, so I'll go with them. Sticker shock.

Tim, I'm not sure you'll find them anywhere else right now. I'd just keep looking. If you do go with the larger adult fish, please take some pictures.


Thank you for your input - I plan to go ahead and purchase some Floridas from these folks as I have searched everywhere for larger ones with zero results - will keep everyone updated

tim k #543189 01/19/22 09:31 PM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,474
Likes: 264
E
Moderator
Hall of Fame 2014
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Hall of Fame 2014
Lunker
E
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,474
Likes: 264
You can put small LMB in your pond. If done properly using 6-inch Fla fingerlings you can achieve 20-40% survival to year one spawning. There are threads on here about habituating stocker fish, specifically LMB into ponds with existing adult LMB. Several studies were done on this subject.
















ewest #543233 01/20/22 06:17 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 26
T
tim k Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member
T
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 26
Originally Posted by ewest
You can put small LMB in your pond. If done properly using 6-inch Fla fingerlings you can achieve 20-40% survival to year one spawning. There are threads on here about habituating stocker fish, specifically LMB into ponds with existing adult LMB. Several studies were done on this subject.


thanks for the input - so in an acre and a half pond with adult bass already in it if I buy the 6 inch Fla bass some will survive? How many would you suggest putting into my pond? My pond is not overcrowded with fish at all but there are some mature native bass - Would obviously be less expensive to buy he smaller ones and I am in no rush to have the Floridas be big overnight - I live here so it is a long term project

tim k #543244 01/21/22 08:41 AM
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,026
Likes: 274
D
Moderator
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Lunker
D
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,026
Likes: 274
Dang; what are bluegills going for this year?


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
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,414
Likes: 792
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Online Content
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,414
Likes: 792
Originally Posted by Dave Davidson1
Dang; what are bluegills going for this year?


What size?


www.hoosierpondpros.com


http://www.pondboss.com/subscribe.asp?c=4
3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).
tim k #543261 01/21/22 12:08 PM
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 288
Moderator
Offline
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 288
I avoided answering DD1's question to keep him from having a heart attack.

Dave, they've gone up a smidge.


AL

1 member likes this: esshup
tim k #543510 01/28/22 06:23 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 26
T
tim k Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member
T
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 26
well I have 15 Floridas being delivered tomorrow - 1.5 to 3 lbs. Will take some pics and let you guys know how it goes - big investment so we will see

tim k #543524 01/29/22 04:23 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 26
T
tim k Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member
T
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 26
Delivered my Florida's today - ordered 15 but they gave me 18 which was nice - they were between 1.5 to 3.0 pounds. Time will tell!

Anyone know how to rotate the pictures?

Attached Images
IMG_4272.jpg IMG_4276.jpg
Last edited by tim k; 01/29/22 04:23 PM.
tim k #543525 01/29/22 04:41 PM
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,861
Likes: 298
A
Offline
A
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,861
Likes: 298
Beautiful fish! My guess is that it is less stressful to transport & stock them now, when temps are cool.


7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160




Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 26
T
tim k Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member
T
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 26
yes Sir - the water they were transported in was very cool and the fish were as lively as you could get when they were taken out of the container and placed into my pond -

Here is a funny side note - a few hours after they were placed into my pond it is a nice day so I decide to go fish a little - using a worm and I hang onto a very nice fish and thinking "OK one of these new Floridas already bit" - I work the fish to the bank and pull him out - a 6 to 7 pound native bass on my hook - so I think I am good either way!


Link Copied to Clipboard
Today's Birthdays
Bob Lusk, GaryK, GrizzFan, PhotographerDave
Recent Posts
New 2 acre pond stocking plan
by Donatello - 03/28/24 11:35 AM
1 year after stocking question
by esshup - 03/28/24 11:01 AM
Paper-shell crayfish and Japanese snails
by esshup - 03/28/24 10:39 AM
Happy Birthday Bob Lusk!!
by Theo Gallus - 03/28/24 10:27 AM
Brooder Shiners and Fry, What to do??
by Freg - 03/28/24 09:42 AM
Relative weight charts in Excel ? Calculations?
by esshup - 03/28/24 08:36 AM
Dewatering bags seeded to form berms?
by Justin W - 03/28/24 08:19 AM
Reducing fish biomass
by FishinRod - 03/28/24 08:18 AM
Questions and Feedback on SMB
by Donatello - 03/27/24 03:10 PM
2024 North Texas Optimal BG food Group Buy
by Dave Davidson1 - 03/27/24 08:15 AM
Freeze Danger? - Electric Diaphragm Pump
by esshup - 03/26/24 09:47 PM
Newly Uploaded Images
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
by Tbar, December 10
Deer at Theo's 2023
Deer at Theo's 2023
by Theo Gallus, November 13
Minnow identification
Minnow identification
by Mike Troyer, October 6
Sharing the Food
Sharing the Food
by FishinRod, September 9
Nice BGxRES
Nice BGxRES
by Theo Gallus, July 28
Snake Identification
Snake Identification
by Rangersedge, July 12

� 2014 POND BOSS INC. all rights reserved USA and Worldwide

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5