FRIZ, are SMB of high personal prioty? Don't get me wrong, they're near the top of my personal favorite fish for sport but don't seem well suited for the primary goal of food production.
HSB are very mild, similar in taste and texture to tilapia. They are a common commercial food fish. Meijer's sells them whole around here in the fresh seafood area.
Here's one my daughter caught a couple of years after stocking. Hand fed once per day fairly consistently Spring to fall. If growing fish for food, ease of management, and sport and if channel catfish are out of the question, then I can't think of a better species choice than HSB. It would take quite a few BG or RES to yield equal pounds of meat as one HSB.
Since swimming is a priority, I would guess that clear water would be desired. Fertilizing will likely increase growing capactiy but will turn the water green and reduce visability. Feeding will also increase fertility indirectly but less so if fed at reasonable rates.
