Rangersedge, congratulations on locating this size and quality of HSB,
As Bruce says “This time of year isn't ideal. Any jostling of the fish, when ending up in cold water could result in fungus growth, and maybe eventual death.
HANDLE THE FISH ABSOLUTELY AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE!!!.”
What is your current air and water temps?
I had a bad experience a few years ago transporting and stocking HSB in January and February, and this was in Texas.
HSB developed bad fungus and had extremely high mortality due to fungus.
If you do choose to transport follow the above advice – clove oil does work to minimize stress.
Maybe Todd Overton of Overton Fisheries will chime in – he does this sort of thing for a living. He has transport tanks available for customers hauling their own fish and maybe your provider has the same, and could treat the transport water for you?
There is a ton of HSB info in the archives but sadly can’t be recovered with new server changeover, but there is a lot of experience to share, so fire away with the questions.
Personally, I would not take the risk at this time of year unless there is absolutely no other alternative.
Good luck,
george1 – previously george
http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=11139&fpart=5
