Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations HSB question

I have a pond in PA which we added HSB about a week and a half ago. I put out two small feed rings and have hand fed 3 times. I haven’t seen any HSB take the feed yet. Is this typical of newly stocked hybrids? This species is new to me so I don’t have a clue. The fish were all about 6-7” long. Our water temps are still quite low for this time of the year so wondering if it could be temp related? I was looking forward to the feeding frenzy but so far it’s just me staring At soggy floating pellets maybe it’s my wrist action on the toss? 😂😂

I'd say it's temp related. I seen mine start as temps approached 58-60.
Do you know what the grower was feeding them? You may have to obtain some of the same feed. They have a very keen sense of smell and a similar smell can deliver a learned response.

My HSB are rare to hit the surface. I have HBG and HSB in my little pond. The HBG do most of the surface feeding. My water is usually pretty muddy which may have something to do with the low amount of "frenzy" feeding as the HBG don't go crazy either. The HSB have been in the pond for over 2 years and must be feeding as the feed sinks as they are growing well. For about 2 weeks last late summer they fed like freight trains at the surface and then just turned off. This spring, on occasion, I think I see a HSB hit the surface. They have a different type of splash and sound followed by a larger swirl compared to the HBG. When the breeze blows the feed to the far end the HSB tend to surface feed more frequently...maybe they know I'm there and are more cautious even though I have tried feeding from the shore to avoid the dock noises and it does not seem to make much difference. Not only are they ilusive when if comes to feeding...they can be difficult to catch too...very skittish at my pond. But, when you do get them to feed or bite a hook, it's very worth it.