Hey everyone! As we all know, this drought that is going on right now is not helping the water levels. I have a ranch in Gatesville (Central TX) with a few small stocked ponds. The water levels are getting dangerously low and I feel that the fish are really competing for food. I plan on stocking the ponds with tilapia once the water levels get back to normal (if it ever happens), but for now, does anyone have a recommendation for type/brand of fish feed?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Specifically, I am targeting the bass in the pond to feed. We do have some catfish, but I am more concerned with the bass. I've heard that it takes the bass much longer to adapt to eating the feed, but is there a fish food out there that is specifically good for bass? I do not want the Channel Cats to get much bigger in the pond, so is it worth putting in a fish feeder if the bass may not utilize the feed as much?

I have another thought. The more I read, if your bass are not trained to take pellets, they never will. Therefore, would it be smarter to purchase some feed for the bluegill (which will beafin' up the bluegill) and transfer it up the food chain? If that is the route I should take, what feed would you recommend?

Thanks!

There is a section specifically for stock tanks and ponds. I would try there. I am willing to bet more people in that section would be able to help you out.

purina makes food that the bluegill can eat because the food has different size food but if you want bass to eat the food it has to have i think at least 40% protien thats what the man that i bought mine from said

You'll want to get Purina Aquamax Grower 500 for your bluegill. All of the fish in my pond love it and it's the best quality feed you can buy. They also make Aquamax Largemouth. I've purchased a bag of that before, but it's really big chunks and my largemouth prefer the Grower 500 anyway. I've been feeding my fish since they were fingerlings, so I'm not sure how well larger bass will eat it??

Thank you all very much for the responses!

I have one question, though. I have decided that the purpose I will begin to feed will be to "beafin'" up the bluegill. Therefore, such nutrition will transfer over to the bass in the pond. Bass health is the number one priority for our pond (note: our pond is about only an acre when it's full). How many times a day should I have the feeder go off? Once or twice? Also, I've heard that it is not neccessary to feed the bluegill in the winter time. Why is that?

I'll be using the Aquamax Grower 500.

Thanks!