Bill,
Are you aware of any studies which assess the "catchability" of LMB when provided access to pellet feed vs "catchability" without the presence of pellet feed. By catchability, I'm referring to the propensity of LMB to strike artificial lures/flies.
In my small world of ponds(3.5 acre, 1.5 acre, 1/2 acre, 1/4 acre), I have, like newbee above, experienced a significant decline in "catchability" of LMB when they are provided access to pellet feed.
At first, I attributed this to the stocking of Florida bass. However, upon transplanting native bass into the same environment, I'm now noticing the same thing occur. The bass simply won't go for artificials...it is much easier for them to eat pellet food and to catch bluegill when the
bluegill are eating the pellet food. A very disappointing development.
