Lusk contends that big LMB slow feeding levels when in water that is near the reported lethal range.
This is true of all LMB. Even smaller ones.
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https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306456519302943Lethal temperatures really are only a few degrees warmer than optimal. I can see where water quality affects lethal temperature (lowering it within the range of temperature I mention above). Also, I don't think the water quality in growout ponds is sufficient for LMB at 95F. I would expect high mortality. Experiments in RAS where quality is maintained do not replicate what is going on production ponds. I only mentioned that because of how those LMB reduced metabolic demand in response to that temp. 86F can be lethal under certain conditions but doesn't appear to be lethal when water quality is good.
I respect that you are drawing on experience that supports your thoughts on this matter. Fish bite is slower in warm water, growth slows or becomes negative in warm water. The part I would challenge is that they are consuming less necessarily because they are stressed by temperature (only in cases where the temperature lies within limits that good growth is documented.)
If big fish miss the warmest weeks for growth, they just missed them and can't make their potential weight increment. It's like Lusk says, every day fish doesn't eat enough to grow is a day it didn't grow. The context I remember dealt with formulated feed but it also applies to forage. If they are stressed due to environmental conditions, then it is unavoidable ... I do get that. But to be certain, I think one should first confirm that forage is plentiful enough to support growth at those temperatures.
