All you guys Responding are on track because feeding minnows is what it takes to bring in numbers of Bait fish. smaller fish also feed on Plankton in the water. I am no Biologist but I think the deeper the Structure the Less the amount of Plankton. Shad feed on Plankton and will rise close to the surface to feed. I have used those Cattle cubes Fishing For Catfish and it will bring in the Cats by the Hundred their stomach packed full and still feeding. those big sacks will keep the Cats from eating it up The cats will just eat the Minnows .. The Alfalfa Bales would be Better