New To This And Need Help With Lures!

[SD4x4]

Hey and thanks for looking! Ive got a couple of questions that i could use some answering too! Here's a little back round info. Ive fished before and and im not necessarily new to fishing but ive never caught a bass. Since we moved right next to a pond and am near a couple of lakes i went and found our tacklebox and rod and started fishing a bit more. Right now im using a zebco rod with a spinning reel. The last couple of weeks ive been out everyday after school Trying to catch some bass. Ive Tried everything in our tacklebox from spinners to spoons and crankbaits, and i still havn't caught anything other than small Northerns, and i usually only catch those with minnows or a small minnow spinner.

My first question is, how do i tell if theres bass in there? Im thinking that their isnt any bass there now.

My second is, what else can i try to see if i can get some bites? Ive been thinking about about getting some of those "dancing worms" or crawfish softbaits. Will that usually get some bites?

Is there anything else you think i could do to catch some bass? Thanks!

[Ebrahim Ali]

hi

Well done on your first few fish.to get going you should get a medium to medium heavy spinning rod and a 2500 to 3000 size spinning reel spooled with 10 or 12 pound test monofilament line.

Lure choice is seasonal and depends on the water clarity and type of structure and cover in the pond.a good all round bait ia a spinnerbait,try the double bladed ones.you could also try 1/4 to 1/2 oz jig and trailer combos.

Craw type baits and other creature baits do work well and are used best on a texas rig to target fish holding tight to cover.

Go through the fishing articles on this site,theres some valuable info there.

Good luck and i hope you come right.

[Ebrahim Ali]

and if you want to know if there are bass in there just stay very still on the bank next to a piece structure or cover...sooner or later a bass will show itself.but if you are catching bass in that pond then there is bass there

[Deadeye-1]

Have you tried fishing with a worm? Simple rig I used to use in ponds growing up for years is use a 2/0 or 3/0 worm hook tied on. Place a single Splitshot weight about 18 inches above the hook. Cast out and let it sit on the bottom. Leave your line so there is a "bow" in it. Watch the line for movement, you may not feel a bite. Let it set a few minutes then lower your rod, take up the slack, and raise your rod back up. This will pull the worm along the bottom for a few feet. Repete all the way back to you.

When you cast stand in one area and look at the water like it is a clock and you are the center point bewteen 9:00 and 3:00. 1st cast at 10:00, then 11:00, then 12:00, then 1:00, then 2:00. If you havn't caught a bass yet, move 25-30 yards down the edge of the pond and repete the process.

Worms come in many colors and manufactures. Usually a purple, black, or junebug color works in in most areas. Try this out and come back and tell us how you did.

[BassinNY]

Catt posted this and this is a phenomenal post:

#1: understand what structure is, how to truly identify it, interpret it, and then fish it effectively.

#2: understand what predominate prey species is in your lake and how that species relates to structure morning, noon, and night… with each passing season.

#3: understand that next after location is timing; just because you don't get bite does not mean the bass aren't there or you tied on the wrong lure.

#4: understand that to consistently catch bass is a process of elimination and duplication. Eliminate patterns and waters that are non-productive and duplicate patterns and waters that are productive.

You must master these four things before you go spending money on a ton of lures. I would suggest a Senko as a first lure as they catch fish anywhere after you do steps 1-4.

[SD4x4]

Thanks for the replys! Im heading out afterschool today so ill make sure to try the worm method that deadeye mentioned. I will also start working on catts method.

[BassinNY]

Here's some more reading for you:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/76292-demystifying-structure/page__fromsearch__1

[hatrix]

I am sure there is bass in there. They might not always be in a feeding mood and you have to do something make make them react and want to eat your lure. If you only knew how many fish pay no attention to your lure as it goes past it would blow your mind.

[aclark609]

Ask some locals. Look up your lake on the web. I don't know where you live, but it's almost guaranteed that any public lake or pond has bass in it. Good luck.

[SD4x4]

Well i talked to some guys that fish quite a bit and he said that there's wome white bass in it. he also pointed me out to anothr pond that he has caught a couple 4-5 pounders. oh and I'm located in easter n SD

[roadwarrior]

The Big Bass I caught during the Roadtrip was caught on a Fat Ika.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/13845-guaranteed-to-catch-bass/

[SD4x4]

Well i went out today with the worm set up and didn't catch a thing! I was using it for an hour and nothing. Not even a northern. I was using Berkley worms and by the way the smell! I also found out im using a Daiwa Longcast AG1300 with a jupiter rod. I switched to my minnow spinner and got two bites. Hmm im going to try a different pond tomorrow to see if the worm trick will work.

[Sam]

Go to Wal-Mart or a tackle store and purchase Nightcrawlers.

Using a 1/0 straight shank hook, put the Nightcrawler on it and throw it out.

If bass are in the pond they will hit the live bait.

If bream and bluegill are in the pond they will hit the live bait.

If catfish are in the pond they will hit the live bait.

You can also add a "bobber" so that the worm is off the bottom and you can see when something has taken the live worm.

Good luck.

[Michael DiNardo]

Get a 1/4 ounce black buzzbait reel it in steadily so it churns on top. Fish a black jitterbug with a slow retrieve at dusk. Keep using the worm rig as described, use 4"-6" worms, any type of purple, green pumpkin, watermelon. Read the articles on using a senko. If you do not catch a bass using these techniques switch ponds.

Mike

[SD4x4]

Ok, Well today went out with just a good 'ol worm and bobber with some luck. Hit a small catfish. Then i cast out and got a bit but wasnt able to set the hook, and lastly i was reeling it in medium paced and had a fish strike it like it was a top water bait. Thought that was pretty cool, but wasnt able to set the hook on that one either. Ill try it a couple more times with different techniques at different times, but this ponds looking bleak. Thanks for everyones advice and help!

[AvidAngler]

Ponds can actually be a little tricky if your following all the latest and greatest things. just remember bass wont bite any lure or crank that isn't a representation of its natural food source. so if you see a lot of little minnows and small type fish but no craws, you could try a fluke in a grey/white pattern, those ALWAYS work for me. just texas rig it, toss it out weightless, let it sit for about 5-6 seconds and jerk it once or twice and repeat. crawfish patterns/shad/bluegill will only work if those types of fish are in the pond. and if the pond is big enough for the bass to grow large enough to eat them. also keep in mind that the smaller the pond the smaller your bait/lure should be. your not gunna find 12lb bass in a tiny pond.