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Joined: Jan 2009
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,606 Likes: 861 |
I just received a phone call from Optimal. They have just finished the first run of their bass food on the new mill. It's a 7mm pellet, which is a hair larger than 1/4" but a hair smaller than 5/16". They have not run the Hand Throw Bass Food yet, but soon.
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2 members like this:
DannyMac, FishinRod |
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 605 Likes: 13
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 605 Likes: 13 |
I wonder if that was designed still for Texas Hunter style feeders that won`t throw the the larger pellets.
Forced to work born to Fish
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,865 Likes: 298
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,865 Likes: 298 |
I wonder if that was designed still for Texas Hunter style feeders that won`t throw the the larger pellets. I'd love to use it in my TH feeders. Haven't in the past because they kept jamming.
7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2,254 Likes: 550
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2,254 Likes: 550 |
esshup has the key to throwing Bass pellets with the TH feeder, he got me straightened out and mine throws Jr, BG and Bass consistently together.
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 355 Likes: 37
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Joined: Oct 2016
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Esshup and or Snipe, I’ve never had a problem with my TH feeder throwing a mix of Optimal Jr and Bass. I’m curious what the fix is if I encounter a problem in the future with the larger pellets. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2,254 Likes: 550
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2,254 Likes: 550 |
There is a hex screw on spinner plate that you can loosen enough to move it down just a tad...like .030.. a 1/16" will provide about 7 times the feed you'd expect. I "think" it's either 1/8 0r 3/32nds allen wrench. you can also adjust or fine tune for smaller feeds if say, 3 seconds puts out too much but 2 sec is not enough, just remember very small movement of the spinner plate/cup makes a big difference.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,606 Likes: 861
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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OP
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,606 Likes: 861 |
Esshup and or Snipe, I’ve never had a problem with my TH feeder throwing a mix of Optimal Jr and Bass. I’m curious what the fix is if I encounter a problem in the future with the larger pellets. Any tips would be greatly appreciated! Snipe is correct. It's a PITA to measure because the spin plate has a curved up lip, but the distance between the flat part of the spin plate and the bottom of the hopper is supposed to be 3/8". Can't measure with a ruler because of the lip. I took a small piece of 3/8" thick flat stock, drilled and tapped a 1/4'-20 hole in it. Put some Red Loctite on a 1/2"-20 threaded rod, screwed it into the 3/8" flat piece but not so far that it stuck out the other side of it. Let it sit a day and that is what I use to get the basic setting on the spin plate. The hopper has to be empty of feed to adjust it. Put the flat part through the bottom of the hopper, let it sit flat on the spin plate and move it to the side just enough to get it to go under the hopper but not too far so it sits on the up-curved side of the spin plate. Loosen spin plate, move up until it contacts the bottom of the hopper, tighten the set screw on the motor shaft. Smaller feed, make it a wee bit smaller than the 3/8" gap. I made a piece on a 3D printer to replace one of the clear plastic pieces of their hopper, hopefully I can get it tested as soon as it warms up. I want to see if I can get them to throw the 3/8" Cargill feed. If it works, then I'll approach TH about selling that piece as an option. That same piece should work just fine with all the smaller feeds.
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,324 Likes: 306
Moderator
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Moderator
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,324 Likes: 306 |
I've been feeding 3/8" Cargill for years, and never really had an issue with the spinner causing the jams. The majority of the time it was at the bottom of the clear funnel just prior to the slinger. Having said that, I'm going back to 1/4" pellets because Cargill lost a major customer for the 3/8" pellets, and now they require a 2 ton minimum order to make a run. Skretting does have available 3/8" pellets, but it's a little rich for me at the volume I feed.
AL
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,486 Likes: 628
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,486 Likes: 628 |
Cargill lost a major customer for the 3/8" pellets, and now they require a 2 ton minimum order to make a run. The obvious solution is for you to build several more ponds! I am sure that the forum members would be more than happy to help you devise stocking plans that would get you up to feeding 2 tons every 60 days!
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,324 Likes: 306
Moderator
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Moderator
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,324 Likes: 306 |
I bet they would. I'm using up my stock right now, and trying to keep one pallet stocked, not two anymore. Eliminating 3/8" pellets will almost free up one pallet by itself.
AL
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,775 Likes: 303
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,775 Likes: 303 |
I've been feeding 3/8" Cargill for years, and never really had an issue with the spinner causing the jams. The majority of the time it was at the bottom of the clear funnel just prior to the slinger. Having said that, I'm going back to 1/4" pellets because Cargill lost a major customer for the 3/8" pellets, and now they require a 2 ton minimum order to make a run. Skretting does have available 3/8" pellets, but it's a little rich for me at the volume I feed. I can't figure out if this is on-topic, or more the rantings of a slighty off-kilter fellow. I mean, the thread is about Optimal Feed, and here Dreamboat Annie starts espousing about Cargill Feed.
Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:" "She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,324 Likes: 306
Moderator
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Moderator
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,324 Likes: 306 |
Scott brought up Cargill, not me. I just muddied the water a little.
AL
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,775 Likes: 303
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,775 Likes: 303 |
Scott brought up Cargill, not me. I just muddied the water a little. I see that....now.
Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:" "She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,486 Likes: 628
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,486 Likes: 628 |
Scott brought up Cargill, not me. I just muddied the water a little. I see that....now. You know who else muddies up the water ... darn bottom feeders. The only thing lower than that is someone that makes bad "dad" jokes in the Pond Boss threads - like that idiot FishinRod!
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,775 Likes: 303
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,775 Likes: 303 |
FireIsHot does kind of look like a bullhead...
Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:" "She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."
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1 member likes this:
FishinRod |
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,324 Likes: 306
Moderator
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Moderator
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,324 Likes: 306 |
Scott brought up Cargill, not me. I just muddied the water a little. I see that....now. Sunil does kind of look like a bonehead...
AL
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1 member likes this:
FishinRod |
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,775 Likes: 303
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,775 Likes: 303 |
Scott brought up Cargill, not me. I just muddied the water a little. I see that....now. Sunil does kind of look like a bonehead... Touche'....Freak.
Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:" "She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."
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1 member likes this:
Snipe |
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2,254 Likes: 550
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2,254 Likes: 550 |
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,606 Likes: 861
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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OP
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,606 Likes: 861 |
All I have to say is we are missing the
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,606 Likes: 861
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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OP
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,606 Likes: 861 |
Al, that very issue that you found is what I am hoping to address.
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 234 Likes: 17
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 234 Likes: 17 |
Well then, should I buy one bag of "bass" pellets (about three months' supply) or buy and hoard an extra bag? All I have now is "bluegill" and the big "bass throw" pellets. Ran out of a large bag of MVP about a month ago and now faced with re-stocking. I really like the Optimal "bass" pellets because they all float and they wedge into a small hook for bait...when the bluegill gets the pellet loose, he's hooked. Using (and conserving) the "bass throw" pellets for bait...cut a groove in the pellet, round it with a tiny rubber band, slip the hook under the band...catch the big bluegills of eleven or more inches, the occasional bass or hybrid striper, or one of two large channel cats (16 pounds)...the problem being, these fish get thrown back...well, you almost never land the cats on light tackle because they'll drag you into a fish attractor.
Dan McWhirter DannyMac
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 234 Likes: 17
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 234 Likes: 17 |
The "bass" pellets are not yet available online.
Dan McWhirter DannyMac
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,865 Likes: 298
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,865 Likes: 298 |
I love the 1 inch handthrown chunks, as do my LMB, HSB, and RBT (when I have them). So much fun to watch the blowups!
7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 234 Likes: 17
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 234 Likes: 17 |
The new "bass" pellets are "7 mm" (quote above). The old pellets were 9 mm. I'll have to get a smaller hook.
Dan McWhirter DannyMac
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,606 Likes: 861
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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OP
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,606 Likes: 861 |
Well then, should I buy one bag of "bass" pellets (about three months' supply) or buy and hoard an extra bag? All I have now is "bluegill" and the big "bass throw" pellets. Ran out of a large bag of MVP about a month ago and now faced with re-stocking. I really like the Optimal "bass" pellets because they all float and they wedge into a small hook for bait...when the bluegill gets the pellet loose, he's hooked. Using (and conserving) the "bass throw" pellets for bait...cut a groove in the pellet, round it with a tiny rubber band, slip the hook under the band...catch the big bluegills of eleven or more inches, the occasional bass or hybrid striper, or one of two large channel cats (16 pounds)...the problem being, these fish get thrown back...well, you almost never land the cats on light tackle because they'll drag you into a fish attractor. What you really need to do is purchase some Stubby Steve's Pellets. Get the original brown, and get them in the regular size and the "Chubby Stubby". They work phenomenal for catching fish. I use a #10 Owner Mosquito hook and hook a single regular pellet about 1/4 the way through the "corner" of a pellet so that the barb and the majority of the bend of the hook is open. If you need a wee bit more weight, run the hook through the center of one pellet, slide that up the hook so it has the eye of the hook in the center of the pellet then put another pellet on like I described earlier. I will fish them on either 2# or 4# test line, no bobber and no weight. Watch the line where it enters the water. When it twitches, set the hook - the pellets don't swim by themselves. When you use the "Chubby Stubby" pellets, upsize the hook to a wide bend #2 or an Octopus style size #2. https://www.stubbysteve.com/If you call them, tell Stacy that Scott from Hoosier Pond Pros said HI!
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Moderated by Bill Cody, Bruce Condello, catmandoo, Chris Steelman, Dave Davidson1, esshup, ewest, FireIsHot, Omaha, Sunil, teehjaeh57
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