Small Ponds And Lake Problems

[andrew_rigsby]

Good afternoon,

Im Drew, I live in South Carolina, think I have introduced myself before but anyways. I fish alot of small ponds and lakes in the Greenville area, usually neighborhood places that are often extremely over fished. They are very close and convienent, but the fishing is sometime a let down. I usually pull one or two in on a natural colored shallow crankbait, but I wanna expand what I can catch fish on. Ive tried jigs and spinners and deep divers and never get any hits. Wondering if maybe I am doing something wrong. Any advice?

[NCbassmaster4Life]

Good afternoon,

Im Drew, I live in South Carolina, think I have introduced myself before but anyways. I fish alot of small ponds and lakes in the Greenville area, usually neighborhood places that are often extremely over fished. They are very close and convienent, but the fishing is sometime a let down. I usually pull one or two in on a natural colored shallow crankbait, but I wanna expand what I can catch fish on. Ive tried jigs and spinners and deep divers and never get any hits. Wondering if maybe I am doing something wrong. Any advice?

You answerd most of your question. Learn to fish different patterns and techniques, and how bass use seasonal pattern.

[paul.]

the bad news is that overfished waters will never produce an overabundance of bass. the good news is that the continual harvest of bass in these types of waters is sometimes conducive to the production of a few BIG fish that somehow manage to avoid getting caught. all the lure choices you mentioned are good ones. i'd add topwater, soft plastics, and swimbaits to the list. if you don't mind using live bait that would be a good choice too. and while lure choice is important, when and where you fish is more important.

[andrew_rigsby]

ya I forgot to mention topwater, I actually caught a 5 pounder on top waters last week. but ya I think I do just need to work on identifying the hot spots and find the big mamas.

[MCS]

Have you tried soft plastics? a texas rigged ribbon tail or finesse like a shakey worm work it nice an slow try colors that match bait fish or watermelon or pumpkin.... maybe some Flukes....Top water has been good for me latley as well, Rebel Pop Rs, Zoom Frogs and Buzzbaits.....Also another big thing I learned is how fish can easily see you. So I have backed off my approach, don't get up on the shoreline stand back a little and work an area when you first appraoch, I try to stay back as far possible.