Patience...feeding or not, you shouldn't introduce predators into a virgin pond until after 9-12 months from your original stocking of forage. Most can't wait, seldom do...but phenominal growth rates are there for the taking. STOP, set up a forage buffet...not a small one, but one that has several years of meals on the table. As I built my pond and introduced fish, it was relatively easy to build & monitor my base...I enjoyed fishing with worms to check the forage size. As others here have stated, your food chain should be so well established (before stocking predators) that you can walk around the pond at night with a flashlight and readily see fish close by.
If I were you, I would get golden shiners, threadfin shad, coppernose bluegill, and readear sunfish in there to start. Do NOT put anything in that will eat them. 2 acres is a lot of water, fill it up with food, and when you introduce predators down the line, the predators will grow twice as fast, maybe 3x 4x as more.
The following Spring (2008), stock tilapia, and every predator fish you desire ! Like i said, most won't have the patience...but if you listen & learn from the knowledge around here, you'll have an excellent chance of raising elite fish. Plus, you only get ONE chance to do it right !
