Residential (Neighborhood) Lakes Bass Fishing

[florida_bass_assassin]

I do all my bass fishing in the multiple lakes in the neighborhoods around mine, and although i do pretty well occasionally, i cannot get a consistent bite in any of these lakes. Just wondering what works well for all those other small lake bass fisherman in terms of lures, structure, and techniques.

[Sam]

Each day is different and your quest is to find the bait, color and presentation the bass want for that particular day.

 

There is no "easy way" or a "pill" to use to catch those little green monsters.

 

Senkos and YUM Dingers usually work in ponds but what size and color? Fish them Texas or Wacky or on a Carolina Rig?

 

Throw close to the shore or out in the open or use the "fan method" and start on your left and throw back to your right with each cast moving five to ten feet and go back again.

 

Shaky head rigs can be productive as are Texas rigged plastics.

 

As for moving baits, anything goes. You have to try 'em all to see what the bass want and be ready to change when the bass stop hitting that one bait and presentation.

 

Always have needle nose pliers with you.

 

Walk at least 50-feet from the bank when moving around.

 

Try not to have your shadow in the water.

 

Have your bait enter the water quietly.

 

Fish slow.

 

Have fun.

 

Don't fall in the pond.

[AK-Jax86]

I fish the same thing and I try to focus on any type of underwater structure if there is any, most residential lakes are man made so there won't be any logs or trees etc. I also try to find some vegetation to concentrate around. If you find little pockets in the vegetation try throwing soft plastics in there or a top water lure running across it. I generally like to throw senkos and trick worms, for me the bigger the better. My go to soft plastics are 6 to 7" senkos and my favorite Yum Mightee Worm 10.5" all in dark colors. Crankbaits, buzz baits, spinners, and jigs are in constant rotation when I am fishing neighborhood lakes. Each lure is specific to the waters that I am fishing. Main thing is to find out what they are biting on, easie said then done, and keep reeling em in

[florida_bass_assassin]

Thanks guys, and yea i'm definitely trying the fan method tomorrow, that's the third time I've heard that today.

[SirSnookalot]

In my neighborhood ponds this year we have had a lack of vegetation and the fishing has suffered, the fish are here as these ponds are landlocked.  I approach it 2 ways, one way is do I want to catch fish, then I use a senko or jig and trailer.  If it's fun I'm looking for then I fish nothing but a top water popper, which I've been doing for that last couple of weeks.  I catch less fish but I enjoy it more, however I did use a senko 1 time and caught a lot of fish.

[The Commodore]

Fish slow.  With occasional pauses of around 10 seconds.

 

I fish ponds with all sorts of baits but lately I have been having luck with jigs (especially swim jigs) and drop shot rigs.  Also a t-rigged or c-rigged curly tail worm works well too.  Make sure to  use trailers with the jigs.  Not essential but I believe it helps.

 

Look for storm water pipes leading into the ponds as most of them are designed to be retention ponds and not just for show.  The pipes offer shade for the bass in the summer like right now.  Another scenario I have been catching on is there are usually bass near egrets or herons patrolling the shallows for food. I think the bass pick up on the birds being there for food, or it could be the other way around.  I could be wrong.

 

Do not be afraid to try different baits or techniques from what I have suggested, I have just found success in these techniques.

 

Oh and did I mention fish slow?  

[florida_bass_assassin]

In my neighborhood ponds this year we have had a lack of vegetation and the fishing has suffered, the fish are here as these ponds are landlocked.  I approach it 2 ways, one way is do I want to catch fish, then I use a senko or jig and trailer.  If it's fun I'm looking for then I fish nothing but a top water popper, which I've been doing for that last couple of weeks.  I catch less fish but I enjoy it more, however I did use a senko 1 time and caught a lot of fish.

Thanks, what kind of trailer would you recommend?

 

 

 

Fish slow.  With occasional pauses of around 10 seconds.

 

I fish ponds with all sorts of baits but lately I have been having luck with jigs (especially swim jigs) and drop shot rigs.  Also a t-rigged or c-rigged curly tail worm works well too.  Make sure to  use trailers with the jigs.  Not essential but I believe it helps.

 

Look for storm water pipes leading into the ponds as most of them are designed to be retention ponds and not just for show.  The pipes offer shade for the bass in the summer like right now.  Another scenario I have been catching on is there are usually bass near egrets or herons patrolling the shallows for food. I think the bass pick up on the birds being there for food, or it could be the other way around.  I could be wrong.

 

Do not be afraid to try different baits or techniques from what I have suggested, I have just found success in these techniques.

 

Oh and did I mention fish slow?  

I dont have much experience with a swim jig, only footballs. What method of fishing on them have you had success with?

[The Commodore]

I let the fish decide that.  

 

Sometimes I get a bite on a constant retrieve with little snaps of the rod tip to give the swim jig action.  Other times I swim it up and then let it fall to the bottom and fish it more like a conventional jig.  

 

The trailers I use are either a boot tail swimmer or curly tail swimmer.  Sometimes I will put a fluke on it if I have neither of the previous two.

 

I like to use 1/4 and 3/8 oz.

 

Swim jigs are very versatile.  Experiment with what the bass want in terms of speed.  I like swim jigs because if the bass are active you can fish it like a swimbait, if they are not particularly active then you can fish the same jig with the same trailer like a conventional jig.   

[Bankbeater]

I have some small lakes like that near my house.  One lake will be hot and you won't get a bite in the other.  When you realize you're at the wrong lake it is time to leave.

[Thatbasstardbrent]

I fish the same, ponds and such. I find that finesse and soft plastics work very well. Summer time i use frogs also which produce some big bass.