So i have a deerlease in west texas and there are a couple ponds that hold water yearly about 12 foot deep each. I'm debating as to stock bass in them or catfish? Which do you think would be better? And how would you first start to do this?

How big are they? Anything less than an acre is really too small for bass. They badly overpopulate in small stock tanks.

To start, I would first talk to the landowner. Since you say it is a lease, I'm assuming that's not you.

Next, I would check the water quality; notably the visibility, ph and alkilinity. Assure that they are in the appropriate ranges for fish to survive and thrive.

The next step is stocking of forage. That sends us back to the size of the tank and fish selection based on that size.

Actually, until you complete the above steps, there is only one thing left that you can do. Take a good look at your check book. Done responsibly and correctly, it can get expensive very quickly.

Deerlease ponds sometimes are really great fishing spots because other than seasonal deer camp, they usually get very little fishing pressure....but that can be a two-edged sword. If you choose bass, after the first three years, you will need to harvest the smaller ones to prevent overpopulating...that means more visits than a once-a-year deercamp....but if you can manage it, some real potential for great fishing.