I've never bought into the idea of soaking pellets in water. I figured when they hit the water they got hydrated.

However, today I noticed that small BG would just peck at the feed but not really get any of it. The larger ones had no problem. So, I hydrated some AMAX 500 in a baggie for about 3 or 4 minutes. When I dropped it out near the shoreline, the 1 to 2 inch BG and GSF actually picked it up into their mouths and swam away with it. Quite a difference in enthusiasm.

I'm convinced.

Dave, Bill Cody got me hydrating pellets a few yrs ago. It makes a big difference. I got about a dozen YP from Cecil and have em in a cage till I can get time to mark em. They will not surface feed but when I drop in the hydrated pellets (I have ta squeeze the pellets ta get em ta sink) they go crazy. Cecil spoiled them. Just hope when I turn em loose they will pick up surface feeding from the ones that do.

Totally sold on hydrating feed. To me, it's about getting the feed into the fish. Whatever enables me to do that more effectively, is the way I want to go. I think the fish prefer the mouth feel of softer feed.

Bob, How many do you have in that cage?

You eat the HSB yet?

I believe 12. I know I should get em loose in the pond and am going to try tomorrow.

I notice BG lazily pecking at the LMB pellets while floating but go crazy once it starts sinking.

"I've never bought into the idea of soaking pellets in water. I figured when they hit the water they got hydrated"
I forgot to mention, I usually hsve to squeeze the air out after they are hydrated, I take about 4 0r 5 pellets at a time and that makes for a nice chunk.