What Would You Guys Do Here? Looking For Suggestions

[Renesis07]

As mentioned in my intro thread, this is my first year really getting back into fishing in years.   This pond is very close to where I live and has almost been my 'trial and error' pond as I've been trying new baits, rigs, and overall just wiping the dust off the limited skills I once had.  Reason I'm asking for suggestions is because I KNOW there are big bass in here, fact.  I fish a lot as dusk/early evening and see these hogs jumping further out from the shore, yet all I ever hook are the small guys. 

 

Granted, being a shoreline fisherman, I've always gravitated towards parallel casting and working the shorelines with a texas rig.  I am having a lot of success in catching fish, however it's gotten to the point now where I'm at a plateau with this lake.  The one area I have had ZERO luck with is the deep water/middle of the lake, which is why I'm posting.

 

I cropped a map as well as descriptions of what I'm currently doing and what is successful for me NOW.  Keep in mind, this lake is a lot smaller than it looks in this map.  A good point of reference is the doc (circled in blue), it is probably 15-20 feet long, just to give you an idea.  Casting from that doc with a heavy bait I can get pretty close to the other side of the pond.  I have not confirmed how deep it is in the middle, but taking a guess from throwing baits in and letting them hit the bottom, I'd guess 4-6 feet, maybe a couple feet deeper in other parts. 

 

 

Red - Small waterfall where overflow comes in.  Have luck here when it's covered in shade and usually can pull out 1 or 2 small bass on a powerworm (red shad or motor oil)

 

Yellow - My normal spots to parallel cast, usually stand on rocks that are exposed out of the water (or work plastics over the rocks when they're submerged after rain).  These 3 spots have been gold on the shoreline for me.  However like I mentioned, these are the little guys, I want to pull a fish out bigger than a 1-2lbs

 

Green - My buzzbait territory.  Have had tremendous success at dusk with these spots.  Please note the left shoreline in green is very rocky and has a fairly steep drop off.

 

Blue - The dock.  I've casted from here into the deeper waters with no luck.  Also considered even trying different rigs like Carolina rigs or drop shotting from here (more or less just to get experience using these rigs, I've honestly never tried)

 

The lake has fairly cloudy water, you can see 1-2 feet down and that's about it, however it's not mud either, lots of rocks.  A little vegetation around the shorelines but it seems to be more rocks in the middle than anything.  However, I have no way of confirming this, I will say that I was able to cast rattletraps in the middle and bring it back in with no weeds on the hooks.  Aside from rattletraps, spinner baits, and plastics, I haven't tried too much else.

 

What do you guys think? 

 

 

[Ratherbfishing]

 

Aside from rattletraps, spinner baits, and plastics, I haven't tried too much else.

 

What do you guys think?

You're gonna hate this response: Try something else. : ) 

[Renesis07]

 

You're gonna hate this response: Try something else. : ) 

 

Haha!  I agree, what do you think I should start with?  Like I said, I usually work shorelines so I'm kind of clueless where to even start. 

[Ratherbfishing]

Try deep diving and/or suspending crankbaits in the deeper sections. If you have an countdowns or other sinking crankbaits, let them fall at different depths before working them in. Rattletraps in the early spring can be a killer. If, as you say, you can nearly cast to the opposite shore from the dock, you can pretty much cover most of the water and water column so mix it up. If the fish are pressured heavily go with the lightest line you can get away with and generally fish more slowly than usual. Every lake is different and the bass there will have their own moods and preferences depending upon the season, etc. so you just never know.

[Bankbeater]

Jig n craw.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

How about jig with ragetail craw Or you have a BPS near get a pack of Palm Trees w 4/0 ewg hooks  and try those. The Palm Trees work for me in 20fow the color I like watermelon w/chartreuse skirt. You can throw these far out in the middle hop/drag them back.

[Renesis07]

Thanks guys!  I was BS'n with my brother and he said to try the jig n craw setup too.  I plan to head to bass pro tomorrow and stock up on some more tackle.  This is what you guys are talking about right?  (Google image, not mine, just confirming I'm thinking the same thing)

 

[Renesis07]

Gave it a shot yesterday.  Granted it wasn't the best time to give it a try.  It was around 3PM with a 'real feel' of 105, so it was hot and the fish weren't biting on anything.  Was able to pull one out on a jig n craw by the waterfall. 

 

Not discouraged yet, I have a hunch fishing closer to dusk time will bring better results.  Thanks for all the help.

[Arv]

jig, swim jig and a squarebill would be my suggestions. Add weightless senko's (wacky and trig) in there too if thats not included in your plastic selection.