Nature still amazes after many years : trained sunfish, bass and 5 turtles?

[Spoonminnow]

I've had a pond in my backyard for 10 years and learned a lot from the fish regarding lures I test. But this year I figured I'd throw bits of bread into the water and see what happens. (Ignore this if I've posted something similar.)
Observations:
1. 2 dozen sunfish leave wakes coming to me sitting on the dock and are parallel to each other waiting for bread.
2. One turtle started coming early on an now five turtles come near - even just below me to feed on the bread. One small turtle is very aggressive to the others, chases and bites other turtles.
3. Only one pumpkinseed is always there and is the most aggressive species, going after others that get to close.
4. A turtle with a bit of bread hanging from its mouth will have it swiped by sunfish.
5. One largemouth bass started coming around to see what all the surface commotion was all about and now three bass come near. One started going after the bread and is now aggressive towards the sunfish at times.

There is no way I can test my lures in the pond without hooking trusting fish that are like my pets.

[DockShootinJack]

That is a dilemma

[DockShootinJack]

Perhaps you can cut the hook from the lures to be tested

[funfishers]

That is a beautiful spot and yes the critters do become like pets, friends even.
Gods bounty is for us all to enjoy and even consume but it is a tough call.

Alan

[Spoonminnow]

Perhaps you can cut the hook from the lures to be tested

Thought about doing that but I wouldn't want to traumatize them. LOL

[skiptomylu]

Well it would still be a great way to watch that part of nature, but maybe something better than bread? Have seen people hand feed fish where they come get it out of their hand.

I watch birds mostly in my yard and I guess that would be similar huh, lol?

Skip

[Spoonminnow]

"but maybe something better than bread?"

Wouldn't want to spoil them. As is my two dogs and I have to protect them from heron and an egret. Fish are easy prey for fish eating birds.

[stormcloud]

I would protect and feed them until they got fat a sassy, then I would catch and eat them.

[BobC]

Beautiful pond and setting, Spoon. Nice to sit with a gentle breeze to keep away the skeeters and enjoy an evening.
Bob

[Spoonminnow]

Beautiful pond and setting, Spoon. Nice to sit with a gentle breeze to keep away the skeeters and enjoy an evening.
Bob

You got that right except for the skeeters - the fish don't allow them to breed, popping any that land on the surface. Go fish!