Pit Fishing

[Preytorien]

I've got the opportunity to fish a small pit a friend of mine is taking me to in March.

 

I've never fished a pit, so any advice is welcome.

 

The pit is of course pretty deep, with steep edges, however we won't be in a boat, this will be a bank fishing excursion.

 

What techniques and/or lure selections should I make? I have no idea the bottom composition. From other fishermen I hear that the water can be clear (5ft+ visibility), to stained (2-4ft visibility) on other days.

 

Any insight would be a great help, thanks

[geo g]

I might start with a top water plug, like a chug bug, rapala #11 stick bait, or frog. Then move to a plastic and work the column.

The clearer the water the longer the cast. If you can see them, they can see you. Make long casts parallel to the shore. Work that everticle wall. Look for water vegitation close to the drop off, and work that area hard. Use a zoom trick worm, fluke, or senko fished slow and let it drift through the water column. Be patient and work it slow.

[tbone1993]

I've got the opportunity to fish a small pit a friend of mine is taking me to in March.

 

I've never fished a pit, so any advice is welcome.

 

The pit is of course pretty deep, with steep edges, however we won't be in a boat, this will be a bank fishing excursion.

 

What techniques and/or lure selections should I make? I have no idea the bottom composition. From other fishermen I hear that the water can be clear (5ft+ visibility), to stained (2-4ft visibility) on other days.

 

Any insight would be a great help, thanks

dont throw anything you cant live without. Lost plenty of lures in strip mines due to sharp rocks

[Siebert Outdoors]

Looking at your state and time.  I'd throw a jerbait for a start.

[Jar11591]

The bottom will most likely be made of gravel or hard sand and depending on the age of the pit, little to no weed growth as well as very clear water. Maybe some larger rocks as well. In my experience natural colored soft plastics work best for pits and mines. Watermelon or brown wacky-rigged senkos or Texas or Carolina rigged creature type baits. Any crawfish imitation bait as well.

[Bluebasser86]

Looking at your state and time.  I'd throw a jerbait for a start.

Jerkbait and a swimbait are about the only baits I fish early in the year in pits. You can often catch lots of fish on a wacky rig but you'll go through tons of dinks to get one decent fish. If it gets real warm a buzzbait can be really good too. 

[lmbfisherman]

The bottom will most likely be made of gravel or hard sand and depending on the age of the pit, little to no weed growth as well as very clear water. Maybe some larger rocks as well. In my experience natural colored soft plastics work best for pits and mines. Watermelon or brown wacky-rigged senkos or Texas or Carolina rigged creature type baits. Any crawfish imitation bait as well.

This, when I go to my secret hideout to re-gain my confidence I go to this local pit.  Use the same as above but for some reason they love my drop shot natural colored worms the best though. 

[Salamander12]

What is a pit?

[Jar11591]

What is a pit?

A "pit" is referring to strip pit or strip mine. It's basically a pond that was created by a mining operation. They dig these huge deep holes in the ground until they hit ground water, and eventually the "pit" fills up and an ecosystem is created. Pits and mines are usually very deep (at least 30') and the water is usually crystal clear. And for whatever reason, the bass get HUGE.