Pond Boss Forums Thread Like Summary - HSB were a surpise this past weekend...

We have stocked a few HSB in the pond over the years, but very rarely catch them. I just assumed many of them had died off. So Saturday I throw out some fish feed to see if the usual blue gill and catfish feeding frenzy would happen. Zilch! I figured dead of winter and temps in the forties it was no surprise. I return to the cabin and about 30 mins later getting close to sunset, from the picture window I start seeing some significant swirls on the surface. I thought maybe otters? So I walk out and start casting a mirror stick bait from the dock. Boom! Nice HSB, then a few minutes later another, and a few mins later another. Think I caught 5 or 6 HSB within 25 mins. Nice finish to a day...where did this come from? (Thanks George)

HSB feed at lower temps (metabolism stays active) than LMB. They do well on fish food but can get morbidly obese on carbs contained in fish food. They are one of only a couple of predator fish that metabolize carbs. This is not normally an issue with supplemental feeding.
A 5 yr old HSB

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Those are some nice HSB footballs!

I was going to say that if the fish have not had any big meals for a few months, then they are probably striking because they are pretty hungry. However, it doesn't look like your HSB have been missing many meals.

Wow nice!

Credit given where credit deserved.

I enjoy all of the kid/fish pictures where the fish measures a significant portion of the kid's height and weight!