I can only give you my novice opinions. There are very qualified people here to give you definate answers when the time comes.
The minnows will not reproduce until springtime. So some say there is no reason to do it now and wait. My thought is that if they are in there, they will get used to your pond and spawn at the first chance they get. If you wait, you might get busy in the spring and not get them in and miss a whole spawn. Get some areas ready for them to spawn.
You mention LMB and SMB. Read up on that. You most likely should decide on one or the other. Check this link out for good reading.
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=103428#Post103428 That leads to more questions. What kind of a fishery do you strive for? Balanced, or trophy sized fish of a particular kind. Will you have aeration? Will you feed? Does the pond have cover or structure in it? Does the pond have plant life? All these things will play a bearing on how to stock or what you might still need to do. Lots to learn....have fun with the journey, it's an exciting time for you.
