Jeff, I love fatheads for the initial stocking. The deal is that I don't dislike minnows but love bluegill for lots of reasons. I have heard of but have no experience with shiners being nest robbing egg eaters.

Also, when a bass grows, it can only make a poor living on minnows. It needs larger food that the bigger bluegills can and do provide. It's a matter of, to me, energy expended in pursuit of energy consumed.

Admittedly, I have opened up 4 lb. bass with minnows in their gut. However, they didn't mind hitting my lure. Of course, it could have been either agressive instincts or my world class, unmatched, championship, advanced, angling skills.

OK, all Baloney aside, I occasionally buy a pound of fatheads and put in older ponds. However, it is to feed the smaller fish. If I had 7 to 10 pound bass, I would buy gizzard shad.

It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.

Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.

Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP Grandpa