Pond Boss Forums Thread Like Summary - Optimal feed

I'm not affiliated with Optimal feed but I thought I would pass on that I have really liked it. We're feeding the Starter feed #3 in a new lake project and the Blue Gill Jr in existing ponds. They have turned on to the Bluegill Jr quickly despite its different appearance. Throws well out of our Texas Hunter feeders as well.

I hand feed one gallon of Optimal in a one+ acre pond every evening. When I feed them dry food, the gills (and bass of course) hit it hard and then the gills spit it out nearly 100% of the time. They keep cruising and do it again and again. (The bass, cats, perch, and Amur are total pigs and they just keep hitting the food repetitively)

The past 2-3 weeks I've hydrated the gallon of food and have noticed they still aggressively hit it and about 90% of the time they keep it in their mouths, and consume it, before hitting another pellet. After hydrating, I wait until the pellets swell up about 50% (before they get too mushy) just before I feed them.

The softer pellets are clearly being held on to longer (and permanently by the gills) than the hard pellets are.