Good questions. As usual here on the PB Forum for an answer - It all depends.
IMO there is a steep learning curve for you if you want to truly and consistently grow trophy BG.
1. Firstly, are you aware of the website bigbluegill.com
This will also be a good informational source to help you achieve your goals.
1. Yes, I am aware of the site, but have not spent that much time there.
2. Read through the Common Pond Q&A topic in the Archives of growing big bluegill. Learn what factors it takes to get BG to the trophy size class. Focus on getting started to use proven BG stock that has the genetic ability to quickly grow to large sizes. Research well your BG supplier and his available stock. Trophy BG usually have genetic trophy parents.
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=189988#Post1899882. I have been a lurker here for a very long time, so I have read lots about the subject, but do have a question. What is the best way to research the genetics of fish, simply looking at the brood fish?3. IMO you are possibly too far north to use coppernose bluegill (CNBG). But learn about them and do homework to see if they will survive winters in your area of TN.
3. I have gotten conflicting advice on this. I have a source for CNBG and am thinking about giving them a try. I am located near Memphis if anyone would like to comment.4. Feeding the fish pellets and not aerating is a slippery slope where you can easily get too many pounds of fish in the pond (too much carrying capacity), with too much organic decay with a dying plankton bloom, plus a mid summer pond turnover that in some combination will cause a hefty fish kill of trophy size fish. Be aware of this and manage closely with knowledge to minimize it.
4. I have researched this and am aware of the risks. Aeration in the future is a possibility.
5. There are a few options to achieve your goal of big BG in 0.5ac. Basically the management plan is to keep BG numbers low reducing competition so the remaining BG have plenty of food both pellets and natural items to grow to trophy sizes. If you feed pellets be sure to use high protein pellets (40% minimum) that are proven to grow healthy big bluegill. Explore the new specially designed BG food called Optimal.
http://optimalfishfood.com/free-sample/5.
I have read the entire post on this and was considering feeding it. Thanks for the link.
6. Before I add more advice please refine your goals.
Do you want to regularly harvest BG to eat?
No, regular harvest is not the main goal.Do you live at the pond where you can daily monitor & manage the fishery?
Yes, it is 100 yards from my back door.Would you consider using single sex male BG to maximize the number of large trophy size BG in the pond?
Yes, I would consider a male only pond.How much effort are you willing to put into growing trophy BG?. Efforts such as manual regular harvest of excess BG (non-angling) & bass, weed control manual & chemical, fish density monitoring (seining, trapping, data/record keeping), willing to regularly do supplemental stocking?
As much as needed. I look forward to it actually. Thanks again! 
