We’ve stocked HSB twice. First time in 2015. Never saw a fish. I’m convinced we had 100% mortality. We tried again a year and a half ago. 20 fish, if I remember right. We’ve caught one, and it had grown quite a bit. I think the first stocking all died because the fish seller had added well water to the tanks at a previous stop. We lost a lot of YP too. Now I’m wondering if the PH in my pond isn’t out of wack, and just not good for HSB. However, our SMB are doing well and are in the 19-20” range.

9 yr old pond, 1 ac, 15' deep.
RES, YP, GS, FHM (no longer), HBG (going away), SMB, and HSB (only one seen in 5 yrs) Restocked HSB (2020) Have seen one of these.
I think that's about all I should put in my little pond.
Otter attack in 2023