Hybrid BG may explain low reproduction rates...
pure BG:
hybrid BG:
Depending on how the cross was made, male BG x female GSF or vice versa males can outnumber females by more than 9 to 1... This leads to low reproduction. As you said your pond had no bass in it, which may be why hybrids were used, if in fact they were. See if you can hook a few and take some pictures if you are unsure. Or as the weather warms and you want to do a seine survey take photos and we'll try to identify what you have. Hybrids will back cross to parental species but this is not ideal. You may need to stock pure blooded BG. In a couple years they should out compete your hybrids which will eventually die off.
The bass slurping on the surface is interesting and may indicate feed trained fish. It has now been a year since they were fed, but they may pick up on it if you begin a new feeding program. I am not the guy to talk about feeding though. Theo and others have far more knowledge in that area.
As far as the CC go, you didn't mention how large they were at stocking but as long as they were 6" plus I doubt they were eaten unless you have an otter issue. Once you start feeding you should see them. .75 acres isn't that vast an area for them to hide in...
Once we learn a little more about your fish population, we can start to figure out how to help your bass out more.
