As TJ said, give the SMB a chance... You can always LMB if the BG get out of control. More northern pond owners should consider stocking their fingerling bass the same time they stock their BG, particularly if they are going the SMB route. It will up the odds the SMB will keep the BG under control. By stocking the SMB when you stock the BG, you will not allow the BG to get a jump start on the SMB and this will give the SMB a better chance. If you feed the HSB, they should hammer your forage too hard and if you think an SMB on a top water bait is fine, try a HSB!
