Help Me Fish This Pond

[CalebWVU]

I just recently relocated from West Virginia to southeast Louisiana, and the fishing down here is somewhat different than I'm used to. There's one pond here that I've been having some success with, but I'm not sure the best way to fish it. I attached two pictures.

 

Normally there isn't water on the shore-side of the brush, I just took this after a big storm. The water level typically starts at the brush. Anyway, I've fished here 3-4 times now and I've made 90% of my catches from casting out right at the edge of the brush. That's only maybe 4 feet from where I stand on the bank. I'm pretty sure the bass are holding tight to the weedline, in only maybe 1 foot of water. My question is what is the best way to fish this situation? I know typically you want to fish parallel to structure/weedlines and such, but I can't do that due to being limited to the banks. I've made all my catches on a trick worm weightless by casting 3-5 feet out to the weeds and walking 10-15 feet down the shore and recasting if I don't have any bites within a few casts. Is there a more effective way to fish this area, such as using a different bait or casting method?

 

Thanks for the help guys.

 

 

 

[CPBassFishing]

Looks like a great place for a frog, buzzbait, or spook. Cast along the weed edges and work the bait. The buzzbat will cover water the best.

[LARGEMOUTH ANGLER]

if you moved to the south (Louisiana) get heavier gear and heavy baits like frogs, jigs, buzzbait ect. along with 50 to 65 pound braid. a 15 pounder is lurking in those waters.. welcome to the deep south where 10 pounders are common.

[HLNichols]

Looks like a great place for a frog, buzzbait, or spook. Cast along the weed edges and work the bait. The buzzbat will cover water the best.

Agreed. Take something that makes noise and water vibrations (buzz bait, popper, something that rattles, etc.) and move it along the vegetation. If its a hot day, kinda jig it in slow bursts, otherwise, I'd fish it like a spinnerbait. Or at least that's my $0.02. Then again, I usually do end up hung in the weeds... 

[MCS]

X2 on the buzzbait/pop-r

I would also work a fluke along the bank

Senk or rattlesnake weightless always works too

[Preytorien]

Looks like a great place. You're on the right track though. I agree with the previous comments, using topwaters will probably be the key. This time of year on similar bodies of water I've had a lot of luck with a buzzbait, especially the three-bladed model so you can plane it quickly and run it slower than a 2-blade model.

 

Just don't take Bailey, she's likely to outfish you

[deep]

Can you get a pair of waders and have a better casting angle maybe?

[B@ssCrzy]

I would be using a Stanley Ribbit with the two hook frog hooks.  I like the weighted ones so you can cast a little further.  Cast it parallel to the weeds and just buzz it in.  if you don't get anything after 2-3 casts move on.  You can cover a lot of water this way and find a lot of fish.  Simple and easy to use, pretty weedless, and flat out catches fish.  My favorite top water bait.  I would also be using a MH rod and braid if you can.  With the long casts you will miss a lot more fish if you are using mono due to the stretch. 

[Grizzn N Bassin]

Yeah x2 will Stanley.ribbit frogs.. they will tell you fish can not resist.

[Hyrule Bass]

I would be using a Stanley Ribbit with the two hook frog hooks.  I like the weighted ones so you can cast a little further.  Cast it parallel to the weeds and just buzz it in.  if you don't get anything after 2-3 casts move on.  You can cover a lot of water this way and find a lot of fish.  Simple and easy to use, pretty weedless, and flat out catches fish.  My favorite top water bait.  I would also be using a MH rod and braid if you can.  With the long casts you will miss a lot more fish if you are using mono due to the stretch. 

the hook will probably already be set before you get the amount of pressure needed to stretch the mono, stretch is not as big as a deal as you might think

[B@ssCrzy]

the hook will probably already be set before you get the amount of pressure needed to stretch the mono, stretch is not as big as a deal as you might think

 

I have to disagree.  When I first started using Ribbits and making longs casts I used mono and lost way too many fish due to the lack of being able to get a good hookset.  Especially when you are trying to set that hook through the hard top of the fishes mouth.  Maybe it is just different preferences, but I won't go back to using mono.  That's just my opinion though.

[Hyrule Bass]

I have to disagree.  When I first started using Ribbits and making longs casts I used mono and lost way too many fish due to the lack of being able to get a good hookset.  Especially when you are trying to set that hook through the hard top of the fishes mouth.  Maybe it is just different preferences, but I won't go back to using mono.  That's just my opinion though.

on the flip side, ive never had a problem using frogs and mono. i just feel that the rod will bend and flex more before i can set a hook hard enough to actually stretch the mono.

[Grizzn N Bassin]

I fish rabbit frogs a lot I reel set into.the fish or I slam em.. not a problem like as using a hollow bodied frog with with mono

[rabidsquirrel]

I agree with most on here, but if I were you, I'd get a heavy swim-bait rig (Curado 300/301 or older 200/201DHSV on a 7'9" heavy rod with fast tip) and I'd throw Skinny Dipper type baits on 40-60lb braid. You'll be able to cast them a mile with the right rig... Use 6 aught swim bait hooks. The owner hooks are good because of the bait lock/keeper design... 

 

You throw that setup, and you'll be yanking them out in no time. with the heavy braid, you don't have to worry about heaving baits into the vegetation - in fact, I recommend it. My baits usually get nailed coming off of heavy mats or out of scrub brush. 

[CalebWVU]

Thanks for the replies so far guys. I've tried using a frog and a buzzbait, but for some reason I don't get strikes on either. I think it may have to do with my casting angle. I know that it's better to work baits parallel to the edges of the weeds. However, fishing from shore doesn't give me that option. If I try to cast near the weeds and retrieve it parallel my lure comes inshore towards me within a seconds of beginning the retrieve. I can't get the right casting angle.

 

I'm more than willing to try different baits/colors, but I don't want to spend more on equipment right now. I have a MH rod and 200 series baitcaster with 65lb braid so I think I should be okay.

 

Waders is a really good suggestion, but it is somewhat of a neighborhood pond and I'm not sure what kind of reaction that would garner. Some of the locals already seem a bit miffed I'm fishing there to begin with. Are there any other suggestions on ways to fish these weeds when you can't line up perpendicular to them in order to retrieve parallel?

[Bangin' Bucketmouths]

Grab a jig, make a long cast at roughly a 30 degree angle to the water side if you're facing parrallel to the shore. Work it in really slow, spending about two minutes on each cast. If you don't understand what I'm saying, visualize yourself with your arm perpendicular to your body and it should be parrallel to the shore. The make a cast 30 degrees to whichever side the water is on.

I've caught several large fish in my ponds using this method, including my personal best 12.8 pounder.