In one of my previous posts I too was a little worried about the right size food for small LMB. What I was totally surprised about was how little time they stayed "small". I don't have any mouth gape data for 4-6" LMB but we did catch a few in the 6" range a few weeks back on the first sample. They hit on a 0 sized mepps spinner and had no trouble with getting the bait in their mouth. We did cut one of the hooks off and flattened the barbs on the remaining two so it was easier for us to get the hooks out. Overall the bait is very similar size to an adult FHM.

If I had a longer growing season, I would consider something like Optimal Bass (9mm) or Purina MVP which has mixed pellet sizes. I personally don't think I could get 40-50lbs of food out just for the LMB before we start to cool off.....Alabama very well could. Even if the LMB don't hit it the other fish in the pond will eat chunks of it as it starts to soften up.

1.5acre LMB, YP, BG, RES, GSH, Seasonal Tilapia
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