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Joined: Oct 2013
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I have fed the AM400 and really like a small amount mixed in with the larger feed to feed the sub 3" BG. A bag will last me all season because the tiny pellets go a long ways.

It is hard for me to get it though. Much easier to order the largest size Optimal starter and get it delivered to my door.

Around large fish farming areas it is probably easy to get any of the Purena feeds. Out in the hinterlands, not so much so.


John

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My feed store was not familiar with the Purina feeds, but they were able to get MVP in about a week. Now they keep an inventory just for me. $42 per bag. Always good conversation when I stop into the Livingston Feed Store which is a plus.

Any good Purina feed store can get anything in their next regular shipment.

I'm not sure the price is worth it, especially for CNBG. However there is at least some evidence that the feed to body mass conversion ratio for one of the fish meal based brands is below 2:1 which may give a lower $/lb than the cheaper plant based feeds.

I've invested $$$$$ in my ranch - pond - house, so skimping on feed seems like a false economy.

Last edited by Vortex 4; 01/25/19 12:32 PM.

4 acre pond 32 ft deep within East Texas (Livingston) timber ranch. Filled (to the top of an almost finished dam) by Hurricane Harvey 9/17. Stocked with FHM, CNBG, RES 10/17. Added 35lbs RSC 3/18. 400 N LMB fingerlings 6/18
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Thanks for the link snrub. I guess there is a aquamax 400 AND a aquamax 4000. The 4000 is a 3/16" floating pellet but the specs from the link you posted indicate more suitable for plant eating fish like catfish and tilapia. Not sure why the farm supply chain store web page only offers the gamefish chow (cheap), the 4000, and the largemouth options only.

I'm happy with optimal and their rapid single bag delivery to the door service. I need to figure out how to get different sizes Optimal without ordering several bags. Or I have to do a little crushing or regrinding on my own at home.

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You can order a single bag of anything from Optimal. Sometimes they have specials. Check their web site regularly.

In the Purena Aquamax I now feed the MVP which is a variable size product. Basically it has 500 and 600 sizes and smaller ones not quite as small as AM400. It is a good all around size to feed multiple size fish. I used to feed a mix of AM500 and AM600 with a little 400 mixed in during the year when there were very small BG near the shore line. When I went to MVP I will mix a little 400 or the largest size of Optimal Starter.

I only feed around 3# per acre so subsequently my fish are always hungry and will clean up any type of feed I throw out. If I run out of my regular feed I will feed some 32% feed in a pinch and the fish eat it just fine also.


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snrub, what do you see as the difference between the AM400 and AM4000?

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Has anyone tried the Skretting brand ? I was wondering how it compared to the Optimal ?

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My local fish farm had zeigler Bros food. When I went there I got 10# for free with my purchase. I got some trout and they love it but I was having some problems getting the bluegill to eat it. They kept spitting it out until it softened after floating awhile.

Well today I got a bag of optimal bluegill and it was an amazing difference. They all loved it. Even the trout went wild for it. Even tiny bluegill couldn't resist trying to get it. It is just more attractive and they keep it down.

I only throw by hand and just put out around a cup each night. This bag should last most of the summer.

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Originally Posted By: Twar

Well today I got a bag of optimal bluegill and it was an amazing difference. They all loved it. Even the trout went wild for it. Even tiny bluegill couldn't resist trying to get it. It is just more attractive and they keep it down.


I have the same experience. Even giant 1 inch hand thrown Optimal pellets will get pecked at by the YOY CNBG in the weeds, especially as it softens. All gone by next day.


7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160




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How much is normal to feed each time? I stocked 300 HBG and 80 RES...and have Optimal Junior.
I intend to setup feeder but have not yet done so so i will hand feed to start.

1 cup, 5 cups, just toss it out and wait and see??

Also, do you throw our feed in one spot, or multiple? I'd imagine many ( on the other end??) would miss dinner if isolated to one spot. too bad they dont come to a dinner bell.

thanks

Last edited by jpws; 06/25/19 11:07 AM.

.20 acre pond-that leaks/4-5' deep. Stocked 6/22/19 with 300 BG(supposed to be HBG, removed 100+/- so far), 100 RES, 3carp. On 8/20 added 300 HBG, + 21 5"HSB. 8/21 added 5 8" SMB, one 10" LMB , one 14" CC
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toss and wait and see is a good approach. You probably will see 80% immediately gone and the rest slowly over the next 30 min will be cleaned up.

I too see amazing response to optimal and I only hand toss it when I have time.

A trick that is working well for me (and would be a very smart marketing trick if anyone from Optimal is reading this..) I bought the standard optimal and the next size smaller (the JR.) and mixed them 50:50. This gives a variety of sizes that more fish can work at at the same time. The larger fish take the bigger ones and the minnows can work over the smaller ones and get them in their mouth more quickly.

I know Purina has had success with a feed that has multiple sizes, Optimal could easily have a feed with 2 sizes mixed, or even 3 sizes mixed using some of their starter pellets.

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