Billy,
Yes, that discussion with Bill C. on gizzards really brought out the pros and cons of stocking them.
I don't think I would depend on only one type of forage, e.g. gizzards. If you also have BG and in my case Tilapia, I think you improve the odds of success considerably.
I just don't know how far the natural forage can go to offset reduced pellet feeding on HSB in ponds. It seems, intuitivly, that it could reduce that need or even eliminate it, if you can super charge the forage. You don't see many artificial feeders on lakes with great populations of HSB and SB, but you do generally see very good populations of gizzard shad.
I believe forage can significantly reduce (or eliminate) the need for pellet feeding in ponds with LMB but just don't know about HSB. HSB may require more forage than a small pond can typically produce.
