Eric,

Actually I'm not sure tarps or covering the bottom would help much with Chara from my experience as it's an algae and is not rooted. I've seen it grow right over the top of rock.

Krill and brine shrimp work but I've had pretty good luck with the Aquamax starter feed with bluegills and yellow perch. I don't see why it shouldn't work with the smallmouth.

If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.