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Jan 10th, 2023
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Joined: Apr 2012
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OP
Joined: Apr 2012
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If I stock a bag of fish that I want to survive, is it best to release them shallow near cover, a little deeper near cover, or in open water? All the same spot, or vary it around the pond. I know this is a simple minded question, so I apologize.
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2,241 Likes: 546
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2,241 Likes: 546 |
Is the pond in question full of predators?
Most fish will do best if released in or near proper cover. Species also plays a part.
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Joined: Jan 2019
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Joined: Jan 2019
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I'd release them near cover, but if you're that concerned about the release location survivability, it likely won't matter because they will get eaten in the near future..
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,051 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,051 Likes: 277 |
No perfect answer. The predators also hang around structure. You will always lose some. When stocked, they go looking around to acquaint themselves to their new world. Some are always going to be eaten.
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
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Joined: Apr 2012
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OP
Joined: Apr 2012
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Yeah, outside of killing or removing all the predators, I don't see a way to ensure a high success rate. Hopefully some will survive though, all bass and bluegill fry aren't eaten.
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent  Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,512 Likes: 831 |
If I stock a bag of fish that I want to survive, is it best to release them shallow near cover, a little deeper near cover, or in open water? All the same spot, or vary it around the pond. I know this is a simple minded question, so I apologize. What species and size of fish?
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 100 Likes: 6
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OP
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 100 Likes: 6 |
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Joined: Nov 2007
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Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,357 Likes: 603 |
Yep. If you are paying for F1 bass, you definitely want to get your survival rate as high as possible! Stupid answer from me: Maybe throw in a big supply of fathead minnows a few days before you introduce the bass?My thinking is that your existing predators will be gorged on the 2" FHM and then allow your 2" F1 bass to acclimate and find cover before they become forage. No idea if that is valid, maybe an expert will chime in.
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1 member likes this:
shooterlurespond |
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Joined: Apr 2012
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OP
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 100 Likes: 6 |
Not a bad idea. I wonder if crawfish might work? Give them something to eat, and maybe distract them from minnows.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,051 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,051 Likes: 277 |
Lusk said years ago: of all the eggs ever laid, only a very small minority of them will get large enough to spawn. Why? They get eaten.
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
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 100 Likes: 6
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OP
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 100 Likes: 6 |
Understood, bit it's a bit of a defeatist attitude. If I don't mind spending a little dough, and I can raise the survival rate from 2% to 15%, it's a win.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,051 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,051 Likes: 277 |
I remember watching a couple of 2 inch bass that were next to each other.All at once, one of thems tail was sticking out of the other ones mouth.
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
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,097 Likes: 18
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,097 Likes: 18 |
Around here i can buy golden shiners for $20 per pound at the bait shop. Get a nice frabill cooler with aerator and dump them in together...you'll only suffer 1/2 the loss.
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1 member likes this:
shooterlurespond |
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952 Likes: 184
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952 Likes: 184 |
One year I dumped in 50 pounds of golden shiners at one time and it was a feeding frenzy as they went around the pond…. Don’t know how many survived
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Joined: Apr 2012
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OP
Joined: Apr 2012
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I'll look up the study. What was the exact method of habituation?
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Joined: Mar 2005
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Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,490 Likes: 265 |
Blocking nets work and thick cover will also work (but not as well).
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