Backdoc, F-1s definitely thrive in our area - I have stocked them in several ponds and they get huge. Under the right conditions they can grow to ten pounds in three years.

For forage, I stock coppernose bluegill as the base, and feed them supplementally so they spawn more and grow faster to ideal forage sizes. Then I stock golden shiners and, depending on pond size, threadfin shad. A five-acre pond is big enough for threadfin, and they make a big difference if you don't mind the fact that when we have rough winters like we have had lately you'll probably have to re-stock them the following spring. Tilapia are also good to stock for extra forage but of course they have to be re-stocked every year since they're tropical and kick the bucket when the water temps get into the forties.

I would not recommend stocking crappie into a pond you want to manage for big bass as they compete with the bass for food. There is a way to manage smaller ponds now specifically for crappie, but if you're after big bass, I would skip them.