Best pond bass suggestion

[Jay11421]

I’m in Central Florida (zone 9b). I have a rectangular shaped pond of 100ft X 250ft size. With various depth but mostly about 11ft on the dry season and 14ft on the rainy season.

Its mostly clean, there are some water weed and few trees on the corner. the water is somewhat dark composition.

I caught few variety sunfish, catfish, golden shiners and spotted what i thought was tilapia. never caught a Bass so far.

I was wondering if this pond large enough to stock some Bass. I have absolutely no experience. I’m seeking some suggestion on what type of bass might be best suitable for pond like this if at all.

I would prefer something that is fast grow and good to eat.

 

On Florida fresh water fish pamphlet these are the Bass I see.

• White Bass
• Hybrid Bass
• Striped Bass
• Spotted Bass
• Largemouth Bass
• Shoal Bass
• Suwannee Bass
• Peacock Bas

[OCdockskipper]

16 minutes ago, Jay11421 said:

...I would prefer something that is fast grow and good to eat...

Largemouth are probably the most adaptable bass when it comes to ponds, but if your criteria involves eating the fish, you may want to consider crappie or catfish (or both).  They are still sporting fish, but generally thought of as better table fare than LMB.

[Dwight Hottle]

Largemouth bass are what you want. I would not put crappie in if your trying to get a health bass population established. The two species in a small pond are competing predators. If you want to stock crappies for eating skip the bass. 

[Jay11421]

Thanks for quick response!!

Well I don't have to have Bass. and 100X250ft is probably not big enough pond for large Bass anyway. So I can choose Crappie instead.

Any idea how fast Black Crappie grows compare to Largemouth Bass in first two years?

 

[OCdockskipper]

For where you live, with plenty to eat (you could add a feeder initially), black crappie will be 8-11 inches in the first two years while LMB will be slightly longer (9-12 inches), but about the same weight.  They are a fun fish on light gear, good eating and will devour everything in sight they can get their mouths around.

 

Adding Channel catfish will eventually result in a couple "Queens of the pond" that will keep the crappie population in check if you don't remove enough yourself.  It is fun for kids or guests to be catching crappie & then unexpectedly hookup with a 15 lb catfish that spools them across the pond.