This is just observation stuff, so others chime in.
Rod, the pie plate CNBG are the more mature ones. I've never see 4-6" CNBG here that are round, but I have seen bigger ones that aren't either. Here at least, the 7-9" CNBG are rarely eaten or targeted by the LMB, and I do think it's partly because of the height of the fish is growing along with the length. We specifically pulled CNBG that we felt were safe, and had a much lower chance of being eaten. Historically, the LMB we pull out during electroshocking are 15" and below, and 4-6" CNBG seems to be their sweet spot. I'm guessing the 15" LMB are 2-3 years old.
I'm not sure it would result in a better fishery, but I do think it will be an easier one to manage. If the initial LMB numbers are limited, and feeder observation lets you know how many large CNBG are coming to feed, and have those numbers changed, then I think the benefit of tons of runts will outweigh fewer LMB.
