Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Feeding Thinking about getting a feeder

So my dad has a just over 1.5 acre pond. It has cc, bg, lmb, and gc. Been watching some videos from pond boss about feeders. My question is what type of feeder should I get? The pond is about 90 miles away from where I live at. I think I found the feed that I want its Purina® Game Fish Chow. So my other questions are. How often to feed?, when to feed and when not to feed, and how much do i put out the first time to judge how much they are going to eat?

Game Fish Chow is well suited to catfish, though a bit low on protein for BG and LMB. If CC is your number one goal, a wise choice.

As for feeders, my experience has been that Texas Hunter is very reliable. Since you live 90 minutes away, this is a big consideration. Cheaper feeders are out there, but in your shoes I'd go TH.

Feeding should start small but always be at the same time & place. If your fish are like mine, it might take a few weeks for them to wise up. Once they do, though, feeding should be consistent.

In the heat of summer, you may wish to feed early and/or late, not the middle of the scorching day. Probably go with just one or two seconds feeding time at first until they get the idea. If they scarf the pellets down quickly, you can go up on feeding time. Just let the fish be your guide. Best not to have it spreading over BG beds, nor in very shallow/weedy water. Good luck!

Texas Hunter feeder all the way for me!!

I have a el-cheapo Moultrie bucket feeder that I use at my pond but I live about 200 feet from my pond. There's no way I'd use a cheap feeder in your situation. Mine clogs up fairly often but I'm right here to fix it. I'd echo Texas Hunter just for the reliability.

I had a Moultree 30gal tripod deer feeder I wasn't using, so I purchased a Moultree directional feeder motor and it has worked GREAT with Optimal Junior. I've experienced none of the clumping issues I've read here with Texas Hunters, even with my feeder facing west-southwest (direction of prevailing winds, especially during storms).

Based on that positive experience, last week I bought a 30gal Moultree directional feeder from Amazon Warehouse for about 55% normal price; the box had substantial water damage but the feeder itself was in great shape and even if I had to buy another directional motor I'd still be money ahead.

I'm a cheap bastage and my pond is 25 minutes from my house.

Paul I think TH feeders are the top of the line, I’ve had mine since 2013 and the only clumps are quarter size around where the legs are attached, not a big problem.

I don't think the feed clumping is generally a big problem in Texas Hunter feeders but in some situations the seams where the box is bolted together does not seal up good. On mine if it has been a really rainy spring I will have about a cup of molded feed along one seam. I should seal it up but it has not been much of a big deal as I just throw away the cup of feed when I refill the feeder. Does not do it every fill, just when it has been raining a lot.

Otherwise works good.

I do have a couple improvements I would like to see Texas Hunter do that has to do with the controller computer. First would be to have a 7 day timer instead of a 24 hour timer. That way a person could skip a day or two a week if they wanted to to meet certain feeding goals. The second thing would be to include either a manual switch or just a programming option of "off". Especially in the spring or fall when the water is cold at times I may only want to feed on sunny warm days. If there was an "off" setting it would be easy to turn the feeder off without going through all 9 feed programs and set the time on the ones I want.

Are you listening Texas hunter?

Whatever feeder you decide on, I would run it to empty every 3-4 bags. I use Sweeneys, but do the same with those. It'll help keep clumping to a minimum, and catch a leak before it creates a rust problem from the potential clumpy/moldy food. Sight windows, or the hopper seams, are usually the culprits.

Thank you everyone for your helpful feedback.