HSB UPDATE
Our original ¼ acre forage pond that converted to a HSB “grow out” pond, was stocked with fathead minnows last fall, and have reproduced prolifically.
150, 4-6 inch HSB, stocked in February have not been actively feeding on high protein pellets, resulting in concern over survivability, but now the reason is obvious, they have an appetite for fatheads and are now actively surface feeding on minnows in addition to pellets.
By sheer accident, it now appears a valid approach to stock forage fish prior to stocking predator fish in a “grow out” pond, as well as conventional stocking.
We are anxious to try to catch some in the weeks ahead to monitor growth.
The plan is to transfer 8-10 inch HSB to main pond before hot summer if possible, since we have no fresh water or aeration available.
Past painful lessons learned, smaller HSB are expensive LMB food…!
It will be interesting to see if any survive for fall transfer to main pond.
To be continued…………..
George Glazener
N.E. Texas 2 acre and ¼ acre ponds
