These are not pellet fed fish.. 5-8" GSH are a big part of the large smb diet in my pond, as are bigger craws and frogs. I have caught several SMB now that have either YP tails or bullfrog tadpoles sticking out.
About a month ago as I was watching a garter snake cross over some sago pondweed, it disappeared in an explosion just as it cleared the pond weed.
I very rarely see a smb bigger than maybe 1.5lbs consuming pellets.
I quit feeding the Optimal bass because of feeder problems a few months ago. I have thrown some the last week and even the big BG are spitting them back out.. That was a mistake I should have corrected very quickly.