So, i have a new pond, <2 yr. Can read more about that in the introduce yourself section.

I just got a call and my Texas Feeder will be here tomorrow. My pond is on rec land so i can't go but every other week about so i got the 175lb version with solar charger. I have a few bags of PUR AQUAMAX SPORTFISH 500 that will be here later today. Excited to start this project. I have a couple questions - I saw where Sarah Parvin in a vid was using tucker mills 36% fry food. Any thoughts on that? I can't get it here in MO but still curious. I was going to order some Optimal but the aqua is less expensive OTD. I am going to start with short 1-3 seconds in morning and evening until i can see that they're eating the food. The pond has good source of minnows that seem to be thriving so i really am just trying to speed up my growth and maybe hit some 1lb+ BG. Also thinking about getting some CNBG. I was told by AmerSportFish that they'll do fine in South Central MO.

Any thoughts on getting the fish to start eating, the Tucker food etc? Thanks

Toby, unless you're stocking or feeding catfish, I would avoid Tucker Milling fish food. Their fish food is for catfish, and has a lower protein level than the Purina food. Their food may be great, but not for the BG you're targeting.

Appreciate that. I was confused at the protein level but because i saw Sarah using, probably just sponsored the vid, i thought i'd ask.

Toby, check your private messages, I sent you one.

I was trying to be respectful by avoiding saying that. But, the mill is about a half an hour away from her pond, so...

Got ya, and i too mean do disrespect. Just trying to learn from others. Esshup provided some good info. Will report. Now i'm just excited to get out and set it up. Just waiting to find a buddy to go with, rather not one man it. I'll have to carry the unit a good 50 yds

If you have to one man it, you better get a 2 wheeled cart and strap it to the cart.

One thing. Make SURE that the spinner plate height is right for the size pellet that you’re using. I made that mistake whe I couldn’t get anything but large size pellets. They clogged it and the motor burned up. Expensive lesson learned.

Currently going to use Aqua500 and have some Optimal BG on the way. Is there an adjustment i need to make? I tried looking online and didnt find anything about that and the feeder and manual are at my shop.

For those sized pellets, you will be fine if the flat part of the spinner plate is 5/16" below the bottom of the feed hopper that opens onto the spin plate.

So feeder is set up and running for 3 days now. Was running just 1second 7am and 7 pm to see if they were eating. Went today and ran a test at 3pm and they were ready. When i say they though, i mean the trout. They went nuts. The LMB and BG participated, but just here and there, but not the frenzy like the trout. I am planning on culling most the trout out over time but my question is, should i be concerned they'll inhibit the BG and LMB from their potential by dominating the area and get them out sooner than later?

I also noticed the trout wouldn't bite any lures. Back in Jan/Feb they hit anything i threw. Today it was pellet only. Guessing that is just the way it'll be until water cools off again?

Last, I'm reaching out to hatcheries next week. I think i want to try some CNBG and also re-up some minnows while at it. Place is in Central South MO if anyone has a suggestion on that. Thanks

Good job on the feeder Toby!

I do not run any feeders, so consider this "non-expert" advice.

1.) If you think the trout are consuming 100% of the feed, try adding a hair more time on the clock. Once they are sated, the "extra" feed should be available to your LMB and BG! However, don't overfeed because wasted feed is painful on your wallet and adds unwanted extra nutrients to the pond for plant growth.

2.) Many of the people with feeders turn them off for a few days ahead of an expected fishing outing. Hopefully, a recently empty belly on your fat trout will encourage them to hit your lures.

If you want to catch the trout, go here and order some of the original color (brown "fish food") pellets. Stubby Steve's

I've found that the trout will slow down hitting lures as the water temp warms and will stop biting completely as the water temp approaches 70°F.

Use a light wire #10 hook, short shank like an egg hook. Hook the Stubby's through a corner of the pellet allowing enough room for the fish to get hooked - you won't pull the hook through the pellet when you set the hook that's why you need the room. Use a light line, no bobber, no weight, no swivel. You could put two or three pellets on the hook to get more weight to cast, I leave one pellet on the hook and slide one or two up the line so one is covering the knot and another is next to it up further on the line.

I have no problems catching the trout with that even during the time that they are eating the pellets that the feeder threw out.

How does everyone store feed? I certainly have mice in my shed. Trying to think of a way to keep them out of my feed. I just ordered 8 50# bags. Trying to make sure I don't waste them. Land is rec property, so only up on weekends.

I use my shipping container. Nothing gets in there.

Well, heat gets in. When I open it in the summer, I step back fast.

It also holds my 4 wheelers, tools, some spare lumber, etc.

Metal trash cans. They will chew through plastic ones. Put a ratchet strap through each handle on the can and through the handle on the lid, I've had 'coons take the lid off of the metal trash cans.

Put this "poison" around the feed cans if you can keep it out of the weather (i.e. keep it dry). It's not toxic to whatever eats the mice unlike true poisons. Mix equal parts dry biscuit mix and baking soda. Mice can't get rid of the gas that builds when the baking soda meets the moisture in their body. So, they die. A buddy mixed 25% plaster of paris with 75% corn starch and the mice had their intestines plugged by the plaster of paris and they died. You'd see a mouse skeleton with a squiggly white pile next to the spine after the maggots got done with it.