Specific Situation Question

[scfox11]

While fishing thursday in a pond, I caught a bunch of 0-2lb bass in about 11'fow up towards the bank using c-rig worm and weightless worm.  By the dam in about 20'fow (about the deepest part of the pond) I marked a large school (approx 20, relative for a pond) of bass in 20-15'fow.  I caught one (3lbs) on a c-rig and had another chase the worm up and turn away at the boat when I reeled my rig in.  Other than that, no takes.  I tried jigs, t-rig worm, crank baits, jerk baits, and drop shotting.  The two fish I saw from the school were decent fish, and the markings on the sonar showed that most were probably large fish as well.  Is there any advice on getting more of them next time.  I am assuming that they were willing to eat since one ate and another was chasing my worm.  Is there anything I should try differently, lures or tactics wise?  Any input is appreciated, thanks.

[geo g]

When they are schooled up like that I always throw a rattle trap, zoom fluke, or a shallow crankbait.  Try to match the hatch color wise.  I usually always have a zoom fluke in watermelon red on the deck ready to go, just in case action breaks out.

[fishballer06]

Sometimes, the rest of the school can shut down once you catch one fish. I've seen it happen before (especially with walleye, but with bass too). It's also possible that the whole school wasn't feeding at the time, and the fish that you encountered were the only active ones. 

[scfox11]

Thanks, I have to go back and find the big one.  Somebody caught a 10lber a couple months ago, so I know they were there and I believe one was hanging around in that deep part.

[BrianinMD]

To me if you go that reaction you were close, would have tried a different color and/or a bait which had a little more action to it. You got their attention but not enough to bite, a slight change may have been all that was necessary.

[kikstand454]

^ this.

Other ideas: shaky head, flutter spoon.

[F14A-B]

Are you positive that school wasn't on a rapid move?

[Jon G]

^ this.

Other ideas: shaky head, flutter spoon.

x2 on the spoon

[scfox11]

I will have to try the flutter spoon next time.  Yea the school was staying put pretty good.  I moved back to another area a caught some smaller fish, then moved back to the dam and the school was still there.  I figure they were content down there.  I don't know how long the fish keep or change their color in reference to their surroundings, but an obvious observation, the shallow fish were real dark and the deep one I caught was very light.  Does anybody know a time frame on color change?  That could help explain how long the current deep fish were in the deep water.

[basshole8190]

Suspended fish? Or on the bottom? A hollow belly swimbait or spoon fished over suspending fish can be lethal. If on the bottom a larger presentation worked slowly thru the area may be more appealing to lethargic inactive fish.

[ol salty]

Dropshot dropshot