I stocked 25 HSB in October of 2015. Ten of them were in the 6-8" range. I haven't seen one since. I've caught everything else I've stocked, including some larger GSH that have hit small jigs. I've heard throwing chicken liver out without a weight and letting it sink might do the trick. I'm hoping this spring to actually catch one. I don't think I've had an otter visit the pond. I still have a lot of fish hitting the food when the feeder goes off.
I think I've had a HSB on the line a few times, because the hit and fight are ferocious. But both times I've failed to land the fish, or even get a glimpse. I may throw a GSH on under a bobber out to the middle of the pond, and see if that works.
I hope they are still there. Ha

9 yr old pond, 1 ac, 15' deep.
RES, YP, GS, FHM (no longer), HBG (going away), SMB, and HSB (only one seen in 5 yrs) Restocked HSB (2020) Have seen one of these.
I think that's about all I should put in my little pond.
Otter attack in 2023