Best Bass Pond Turned Bad, Clear Water

[BassKing17]

Hey guys, 

 

 

A few years ago some friends and I fished a pond that is located behind an Industrial plant. We went because a friend of mine fished it a week earlier and caught a 11.2lb bass on a live crawfish)

The pond was about 20 acres in size, it had an island in the middle and was shallow around the banks besides in a few areas.

The water was extremly clear, you could probably see 10+ feet.

It was mid september when we fished it right around mid day. The Temperatures were in the upper 90's.

We started fishing and immediatly were catching bass from the banks left and right. Not 1 fish that we caught was under 4lbs I couldnt believe my eyes.

In 20 minutes I had caught at least 6 fish and they all were huge. I was throwing a Zoom finesse 6" watermelon seed worm texas rigged. My friends were throwing spinner baits and were still catching numbers and size. The bottom on the pond had healthy thick moss and plenty of structure everywhere.

I was literally watching fish ambush my bait from structure as i was retreiving.

Well, after about my 8th fish I hooked onto a PIG and just at that time my friend had turned on his video camera and taped me catching a 9.5lb HOG!

I got it to the bank and just started screaming with joy. I had never caught one that big at the time. I was going to take it home and get it mounted, I didnt bring a stringer so I took some of my fishin line and tied it to a stick on the bank.

 

Short stroy long THAT WAS THE BEST POND IVE EVER FISHED!

So, now that its been a couple years I started thinking about going back. Well I found out that a good friend of mine got a job at that plant a few months ago. He told me that we could go fish that pond WITH PERMISSION! I had never been so excited!

Last friday we went out there, it was the first time I had been there in about 2 1/2 years. Here is how it went:

 

First off the water temp was around 60-63F

The water clarity was crazy clear. Visibilty was 15+ feet. I tied on a chatter bait (white) just because.

First cast I caught a 3lber in shallow water, He hit it as soon as it hit the water.

Other than that first fish i caught a couple more.

The problem was I was watching fish in 2 feet of crystal clear water just watch my bait go by.

The fish were in groups on 3 or 4 every four feet down the bank just watching my bait swim right by their face. 

The fish I did catch were down the bank or in a bit deeper water ( fish I couldnt see)

I mean some of the fish that were right in front of me were 5-7lb fish, it was making me really frustrated.

After i walked around the entire pond I decided to throw on a natural color jig. I still couldnt catch the fish that were really shallow but i did catch a few out in 10ft of water.

I will say I was extremly disapointed because I was expecting an awesome day like last time.

 

Were these fish spawning and not wanting to eat?

I know it was always because they could see me ( I would sneek up and cast before they could see me)

They may have seen the line? I was throwing 15lb invisibraid but these fish are not under heavy pressure. I think my friends boss goes out there and fishes everynow and then on his lunch break.

 

Oh i will say my friend that went with me was throwing a shallow diving REBEL square lip crankbait Crawfish color and he caught a few more fish than me but nothing big like we would catch a couple years ago... Im just dumbfounded.

 

 

Im goin to go back this weekend weather permitting...

 

 

any adice?

[BassKing17]

** I know it wasnt because they could see me**

[OkeechobeeAngler]

Some times no matter what you try, fish just don't wanna eat. As far as them seeing you, if you can see them, they can see you. They can also feel the vibrations from people tramping around on or near the bank. 

[fstr385]

In really clear water I use flouro, use bait colors that blend in with everything really well unless its getting burnt, and clothes that blend in with the landscaping. If theyre spawning, try a watermelon or pumpkin t rigged lizard across the nest. ticks em right off, even if they aren't hungry, they don't like predators in the bed.

[popsboat1]

throw on a white floating worn and see if the will hit it.If not try to get a suspending minnow i like the s15 (if you can find them).and at last if those wont work try to throw a popp r something that gets a reaction strike.maybe you can get a swim bait that looks wounded and they cant resist those but some days your hot somedays your not lol good luck

 

[Bair]

Lighter line, a slower presentation, and good attitude will fix all those problems.

[joetomlee]

Sounds like the fish just weren't in the mood to feed, so definitely take fstr's advice and try to get a reaction strike.

 

If that's not working, try a drop shot or jerk bait, those are especially easy to fish when you are able to see the bass in the waters.

[joetomlee]

Also want to mention that although your second time wasn't as productive as your first - you didn't get skunked. So maybe your attitude towards that area is a bit off. You should be pleased that you were so productive those two times. I've also fished waters that were extremely low pressure and held big bass within. Although they are a blast there does come a point where I begin to think "It's almost too easy", and it really does lessen the whole experience and joy of actually catching fish.

[moguy1973]

The one that was tied up went back and told the others what happened...LOL

[basser89]

The best advice I can give you is read the articles on the site. I think you could gain a better understanding by starting with the Seasonal Fishing Articles. 

 

To me, it sounds like you're comparing apples to oranges. Conditions/success that you had 2 1/2 years ago in September are not the same conditions/success you had last week. Upper 90's vs 60-63, bass are going to react differently (and yes, the 60-63 temps do fall into the range for largemouths to spawn). I don't know all the factors so I can't say for sure they were actually spawning while you were there.  

[BassKing17]

Thanks for all the advice and concerns, I will take them all into consideration.

 

One more question, what type of line should I use in Extremely clear water? Fluro? Mono? Braid? Braid with leader?

[OkeechobeeAngler]

 Fluro

[bman310]

It sounds like u were on an epic fishing trip back then and now the pond is back to normal or close to it.

 

-b

[Gavin]

Long cast with a walking bait...work it fast to draw a reaction strike...or small stuff on light line..Google Ned Kehde Finesse Fishing...

.

[aceman387]

I fish strip pits that you can see the bottom at 20 feet,I use 10# moss green power pro braided line with a 6# floro leader and have no problem catching bass,even on sunny calm days.