Just a little over a year pond owner here in Ohio. My bluegill were feeding like crazy a couple of weeks ago and things just pretty much stopped. Right now there are a ton of fry swimming around and when I throw out fry food the pond looks like it is raining. When I throw out the Optimal pellets, nothing. So I guess my question is will the bluegill prefer "live food" over the pellets? Or is something else going on?

Maybe the bluegill have gone into full spawn mode.

My adult BG are always off feed for a while when they spawn. Only the juveniles show up.

Spawning has a huge effect on everything including feeding.
It is now spawning time for BG in most places.

Got it, thanks for quick replies everyone.

In years 2-3-4, etc, I don't think you will see it this way. It's important to leave your first stocker BG alone because those bull males will dominate spawning activity. I think in the next couple of years, you will see feeding activity during the spawn as well from younger generations.