OK I have been aprt of this forum and have studied fish managment foir YEARS naow. Have had several ponds my self over the past 10 years.

As everyone who know me by now. I am big into growing Large trophy size catfish. This has alway been my major discusion on here for the past 7 or 8 years.

Here what the issues is. I built a 9 acre lake about 7 years ago and about and I stocked approx ~ 250 Blue Cats and about 350 to 400 channles. Also stocked bream and year later tiger bass. This was done about 6 or 7 years ago. I have had feeders of various kinds on the pond off and on at various different times. When I first had the feeder out there about 6 years ago I had tons of both blue and channel catfish just tearing up the feed. they would nearly come out of the water to get the stuff. Quit a sight to see really. But it seem as over the years as the fish grow this activity has slowed to now it is almost completly stopped! It seems the blues quit the earliest first now the channels have quit.

Now I have had some issues with poachers and I have other fishing the pond. I have strees to people I let fish that the cats are catch and release ONLY! I have stressed this Highly now I know people break this rule some times but I know that did not get all the fish!

Here are my questions: Is it possible that over time that channels out grow the want to eat fish pellets? Do blues do the same?
Or Could it be that I have some really dis-honest folk out here stealing?

This has been the biggest dileama I have faced thus far...

Please I know an exprianced pond owner should not be asking these questions, but things are sort of desprate for me on this and sometimes a different perspective and advice can go along way!
Please help!