For the bluegill and catfish, my fish feeding season coincides nearly perfectly with daylight savings time. It is the highlight of my day to get home from work so I can visit and feed the various critters that make our place a home.
I'd use a feeder if I was an absentee owner -- but I'd still want to feed them when visiting.
For me, there is no better way of determining health and size of what is in my pond.
Also, with each passing year, more and more of my bass seem to join in the evening feeding ritual. I would estimate that about 1/3 of my bass between 8-15 inches came up to feed on pellets last season.
