re: F1 Bass? Anyone with knowledge of said fish?

Among fisheries biologists, I believe the jury is still out whether the F1s retain the characteristics of their parent sub-species, large maximum size and high catchability, over multiple generations of inbreeding. But I don’t believe there is any significant downside if you desire to stock them. But I wouldn’t over think this for a personal 1-acre recreational pond, the Northerns and Florida’s are also good fish and would provide you good recreational pleasure down the road.

quote:

---

Why the lime? Just curious

---

Lime, specifically agricultural limestone, shouldn’t be, or doesn’t need to be, added unless a water analysis (specifically the total alkalinity and pH), and subsequent pond soil analysis, indicates that it is required. For fish ponds, minimum water alkalinity is 20 ppm as calcium carbonate, desirable level ranges 50 to 250 ppm. Desirable range for pH is 6.5 to 9.

Very few fish ponds in southern Louisiana require ag lime because the sedimentary soils already have high level of alkaline earth carbonates and soil pH and water alkalinity tend to be somewhat high. Lime is often required in “piney wood” regions of the state where soils are acidic and water alkalinity and water pH is often low.

In a nutshell, pond fertility and fish productivity is higher in ponds that have a total alkalinity and pH in the desirable range.