Didn't you recently have heavy rains? If so, I think it is encouraging that they are catchable so soon after your ponds got muddy.
Since you caught three of the same size, any chance you know the age of those fish from the pond's history?
Do you have a pond record for your SMB? If so, do you now have multiple SMB approaching the record? Sounds like things are going very well on your management routine.
Last annoying FishinRod question: Did any of your SMB have crayfish feelers sticking up out of their gullets? (This is the time of year when the spotted bass down in my neck of the woods are full of crayfish.)
