For my SMB the moment I introduced live forage forget about pellets.
They were hitting pellets, then I introduced minnows, and when I drop pellets (there are catfish and LMB in same rear pond) the smallies ignore them and wait for minnows or worms. One smallie gave in after 4 days and started hitting pellets until next round of live forage, and then it was "starve" for days again. Another smallie just won't take anything but live.
So if they are on pellets you might find it hard to keep them on it if they find live forage in your pond.
