Fishing Ponds

[Jammers]

Its day 3 on a 5 day streak of sunny 80 degree weather. When fishing ponds what do you guys think I should look for. I plan on going out around 5 today and fishing till about 8. Id say the ponds around 700ft long 250ft wide with decent lillypad cover on one side. Whats the first thing y'all look for in ponds such as the one described. I haven't had any luck with anything besides soft plastics. The bass I've caught are around 1-2lbs. Any tips to find the bruisers.

[Sam]

Warm water.

Any wood in the water.

Any pads in the water.

Any grass in the water.

Which way the wind is blowing.

Where the dam is located.

What is the pattern?

Nothing wrong with plastics, especially when they hit the warmer shallow water to sun themselves or eat.

Water clarity for bait colors.

What depth are they holding.

Are they starting to move up into the shallows to nest.

What did your bring for a snack.

How far can you cast to find the big ladies.

Any drop offs or other deep structure to hold them.

Tried crankbaits.

Tried spinnerbaits.

Tried Chatterbaits.

Thrown a jig and pig.

Could be too cold for topwater.

Just keep throwing everything you bring with you to find out what they want.

Post pics of your catches.

All the best for a successful venture.

[jeremyryanwebb]

Those types of ponds usually don't have much cover for the fish.  And the fish are easily spooked because they sense so much in that small of a body of water.  I would say if there are any trees overhanging the water at all to start by throwing some kind of creature or senko under those overhangs.  Ive found bass in these kind of lakes bass hang out underneath these trees waiting for something to fall into the water.  Or try a weedless frog on those pads whenever you find lowlight situations.

[bigbill]

Ok first you need to know the bottom layout. How deep? Where the holes are? Where the fish are hiding at what time of day. A hummingbird portable cast out fish finder will tell you this.

At 5pm? Till 8pm? Ok your in the range of my strike zone. When I was fishing the evenings from 5pm till dark. The bite and activity will light up between shallow running cranks and topwater poppers and mister twister top props as the light conditions change to darker shades of gray. The action should pick up as the bugs appear on top of the water. Before this happens I'd throw a spinnerbaits or inline spinner parallel to the Lilly pads just about 6' from them not in them yet. Make a very soft cast so you don't spook anything. I try to cast past the area I want to fish and quietly bring my lures through the area. Fishing parallel to the vegetation or shore can make draw them out and make them commit to a strike. I do the same with the topwater poppers. Now with the mister twister top prop since its weedless you can throw it closer to the pads like right on the edge and I like to make three short pops or rips then pause.

Or just stop it and a long pause. This lure will almost stand straight up in the water letting the 4" split double tail grub trailer dance on its own teasing the bass to grab it. I vary my presentations with it too even a very slow steady reel just enough for the prop to turn works too. Don't forget the trailer hook it comes with. I like the smaller spinnerbaits like the 1/8, 3/16, & 1/4ounce sizes in the smaller bodies of water. Mainly because these places the fish are more aware to sound. Cast very softly. I like to also cast a smaller rapala too and present it like an erratic baitfish. Make it go in all directions. Don't forget a scent. Bill

[Weld's Largemouth]

Its day 3 on a 5 day streak of sunny 80 degree weather. When fishing ponds what do you guys think I should look for. I plan on going out around 5 today and fishing till about 8. Id say the ponds around 700ft long 250ft wide with decent lillypad cover on one side. Whats the first thing y'all look for in ponds such as the one described. I haven't had any luck with anything besides soft plastics. The bass I've caught are around 1-2lbs. Any tips to find the bruisers.

80 degree weather?!? go anywhere man!

[bigbill]

Wear darker clothes, if you can see the fish can see you. Brighter clothes alarm the fish your there.