Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Feeding feeding time adjustment?

Hi Guys!
Two weeks ago today, I dropped in 200 one pound wipers in my 7 acre pond. Two days later I had my feeder set up with aquamax 600 (42%). I have not had a chance to view feeding time until Monday night. It seemed that some of the fish found the feed but took about 20 minutes before they finished up. The feeder was set on 4 seconds for the morning and evening feed times. Last night I refilled the feeder with a mix of Game fish chow (32%) and Aquamax 600. I did a test run for 4 seconds about 2 hours before the regular feed time. My concern is, it took about 5 minutes for the fish to find the food. when they found it, feeding went on sporadically for an hour. I set the times for 3 seconds rather than 4. I'm wondering if I'm putting too much chow in the water, or if it was not the correct feed time that threw them off........ or could it be new fish that have not been previously pellet trained finding the attractant in the game chow? Any thoughts???

I have done extensive feeding on my lake for some years. First it can take the fish awhile to locate the food - general rule of thumb is feed enough that they can eat within 15 minutes. I have found feeding 3-4 times per day but less feed is the most economical way. They do get use to specific feed times but I have found they adjust pretty quickly if that feed time is changed. They tend to hang out near the feeders all day anyway so the noise of the motor usually attracts them anyway. I would stay with the 3-4 second feeding and give them a week or two - if they still are not eating it all within 15 minutes then back off a little. Might consider trying feeding the four times per day and back off to 2 seconds per feeding. good luck

Great Tim, thanks for the insight. I will change the feed times tonight. Probably early morning, late morning, mid afternoon and evening for 2 second cycles. If they seem more responsive to this program, and are eating all the food quickly, should I bump up any particlar feed time? Appreciate the help.

Jason, if it is affordable, feed as much as they will eat in 15 minutes at each feeding. Of course this also depends on the actual population of your fish, but I feed up to 10 lbs per day per feeder on an 8 acre lake. The feeding times you picked are good - early morning, late afternoon, and then once or twice during middle of the day seems to work. I use the Purina game chow but I am sure Aquamax is also good. The feeding program makes a huge difference over time. -15

tim, how many feeders do you use on your 8 acre lake?

I have two Stren feeders - one at the end of a rock jetty and the other in the middle of the lake on a floating wooden dock.

I agree with Tim excpet that feeding 4 times will help bluegill more than hybrid stripers. The bluegill have small stomachs and feeding less 4 times is much better than 2 times. However wipers can eat a ton at a time so it may not be necessary, unless feeding bluegill along with them. As stated you will need to constantnly change it up according to the feeding. You will nedd to bump fed times (Stren feeders make this easy) as more fish find the source and put on weight. I also recommend once water temps get above 80 to fed two early morning feedings and one late evening not midday at that point. Good luck they should grow quick and provide some serious fun.

Thanks Greg, I was out last night with the fly rod, and could not believe the size of bluegill this year vs. last. Some real fatties, it will be nice if they can get trained on the chow fairly quickly..... cant wait to see them at the end of summer.
JN