They Must Know....

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

It was mentioned on this site not too long ago. I'm talking about ponds and other smaller bodies of water that eventually lose the bite. A friend of mine and I found three nice ponds about 3 to 4 acres each. We started Fishing them about 2 years ago and when we started it was one fish after another every other cast just about. We gave them time to cool off about 1 to 2 weeks at a time throughout the year. Often times longer than that. As time progressed on they just about quit biting altogether aside from a dink or two here and there. We tried everything throughout the year as well as switching out the lures, presentation, etc. I am beginning to wonder if the Bass have officially realized that they either have lock jaw and would rather starve to death or officially recognize they are being targeted. There has been some studies where Bass in small ponds have been presented with a lure that they took every cast just about over a course of time. However an hour real-life scenario these ponds seem to just diminish an action. I told my friend that my opinion is that the pressure is too much for them with us fishing and the occasional other angler here and there. The first week it was discovered it was almost like the bass bit everything we threw at them because they never saw those lures before Has anyone else experienced similar?

[MCS]

Yes, I have had and seen the same thing happen. I have also fished heavy pressured ponds and you will end up with smaller fish under 2 for 80-90% of the time, but then there is that time when everything adds up and you get the 4, 5 or 6 on the line. Example is we fish, me and my buddy that is, my publix pond we so do half of the southside. we get fish here and there, a good week. Then a bad week or two then every so often you will get a really nice fish. Most folks thinks it just holds dinks, they don't stick around and work all angles. My point is don't give up try to figure it out and you will be rewarded. 

[Brian Needham]

IMO if you are going to call a small pond heavily pressured... you also must realize you are not the only ones fishing it, and others my be keeping the fish.

 

I would doubt you and your buddy have created enough "pressure" to change how those bass eat, if it were only yall two fishing the said ponds.

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Usually just us two. Straggler may come from time to time.

[geo g]

Fish go through periods when they would hit a block of wood with a nail in it.  Then there are other times when they will not mess with a  shiners.  It's just all part of fishing.  Like all living creatures, if they are hungry enough they will eat something!  Try throwing a different bait that they haven't seen.  Down size, fish slower and let them have a good look.  Let it sit for several minutes, then a quick jerk and let it sit again.  It's like watching paint dry, but you will catch fish.  Patience is an important part of fishing.