I'm very interested in how the HSB perform without artificial feeding. I've been afraid to "turn off" the feeders in the HSB pond because HSB are primarily an open water fish. Tilapia and to some extent BG are basically shoreline fish...not really that complementary to HSB. On the other hand, I believe that Tilapia and BG are very complementary to LMB and can completely replace artificial feeding.
If you had threadfin shad also in your HSB pond, then I would say your chances with the HSB without feeding would be increased considerably.
Todd has agreed to try to establish threadfins in my HSB pond this spring. If we can get them established, then I will join you in a completely natural forage based system in all ponds.
I've tried twice before to get them established(threadfins) and also have gizzard shad, but neither have been able to survive the foracious predation of the HSB. Todd believes that if we try his larger threadfins that are spawning ready, they will establish. I hope so.
