Mista bass Posted April 9, 2015 Posted April 9, 2015 I've been out the last 3 days to the same spot. It's a very large and clear pond. It's so clear I can see big largemouth stacked on the points before this ponds spawning flat. I've tried everything in my box and I just can't get bit. I don't get it. The only explanation I can think of is that I was warm last week and went back to below freezing starting about 3-4 days ago. There is still ice on most of the pond. Any tips on how to get them to bite? Quote
AllTerrainAngler Posted April 9, 2015 Posted April 9, 2015 Shakey head. Drop shot if the bottoms not too bad. Finesse jig.craw on a chompers jig head. It was 90 here today and we never have ice so I'm just throwing out what I know works in the cold. Quote
Mista bass Posted April 9, 2015 Author Posted April 9, 2015 I tried all of those you mentioned and many more. I just talked to someone who fished the same spot and got bit with a black/blue jig. I fished a jig and other soft plastics but all were in green pumpkin because that's usually the most productive color. I never fished this spot this early in the year. Maybe the cooler water has them wanting some brighter colors? Quote
fishangdood Posted April 9, 2015 Posted April 9, 2015 I tried all of those you mentioned and many more. I just talked to someone who fished the same spot and got bit with a black/blue jig. I fished a jig and other soft plastics but all were in green pumpkin because that's usually the most productive color. I never fished this spot this early in the year. Maybe the cooler water has them wanting some brighter colors? Did you ask whether or not he used a scented trailer? Still strange though with water that clear; black and blue wouldn't have been my go to color. Quote
Mista bass Posted April 9, 2015 Author Posted April 9, 2015 Did you ask whether or not he used a scented trailer? Still strange though with water that clear; black and blue wouldn't have been my go to color. I did not but the rage tails have coffee scent and the reins axe craw I was using has a garlic scent. I wouldn't think to use blue/black either that why I thought it was weird. Quote
AllTerrainAngler Posted April 9, 2015 Posted April 9, 2015 I use almost solely black and blue jig with a trailer. I use a spike it marker and give it a little scent and color change. Quote
Super User F14A-B Posted April 9, 2015 Super User Posted April 9, 2015 Patience.. If ice on top, then just keep visiting the pond.. It will take off, meanwhile try downsizing your jig, use a hair jig, continue to visit it, fish other locations. It will happen.. 1 Quote
Mista bass Posted April 9, 2015 Author Posted April 9, 2015 Patience.. If ice on top, then just keep visiting the pond.. It will take off, meanwhile try downsizing your jig, use a hair jig, continue to visit it, fish other locations. It will happen.. that's funny you say that. I was thinking I should throw a hair jig but I didn't bring my light pole and the medium and MH are just way to stiff for the hair jig. I'm gonna go back tomorrow real early and see what happens. Quote
ClackerBuzz Posted April 9, 2015 Posted April 9, 2015 experiment with every retrieve from fast to painfully slow. the other day i couldn't get bit unless I ripped a fluke hard and fast but with 10+ second pauses in between. it was a weird combo retrieve that i wouldn't have thought of unless i was being creative Quote
a1712 Posted April 9, 2015 Posted April 9, 2015 that's funny you say that. I was thinking I should throw a hair jig but I didn't bring my light pole and the medium and MH are just way to stiff for the hair jig. I'm gonna go back tomorrow real early and see what happens. I'd try later, let the water come up a few degree's. Float and Fly is a good idea though. Have ya tried ripping something by them? Brian. Quote
Fisher-O-men Posted April 9, 2015 Posted April 9, 2015 Since you know where the fish are, stay well back and cast past them. If you can see them they can see you. Wear clothing that will blend with your background. Hide behind things. Stealth is key! Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted April 9, 2015 Global Moderator Posted April 9, 2015 Suspending jerkbait, weighless trick worm, float and fly. Quote
Mista bass Posted April 9, 2015 Author Posted April 9, 2015 I'd try later, let the water come up a few degree's. Float and Fly is a good idea though. Have ya tried ripping something by them? Brian. What do you mean float and fly? I tried ripping squarebills, chatter baits, and spinners as well as slow rolling them on the bottom. Quote
Mista bass Posted April 9, 2015 Author Posted April 9, 2015 Since you know where the fish are, stay well back and cast past them. If you can see them they can see you. Wear clothing that will blend with your background. Hide behind things. Stealth is key! It's cold so I'm wearing my full real tree camo hunting suit. If the deer can't see me neither can the fish. 1 Quote
a1712 Posted April 9, 2015 Posted April 9, 2015 What do you mean float and fly? I tried ripping squarebills, chatter baits, and spinners as well as slow rolling them on the bottom. F&F= Bobber and a Hair Jig. We catch lots of Bass on 2" Tubes fishing for Crappie in 40 degree water. Brian. Quote
Super User Sam Posted April 9, 2015 Super User Posted April 9, 2015 From a Virginia fishing blog about a local lake. Seem to apply to your situation? What is the water temperature? "Largemouth bass fishing is in full spawn now the water temperature has climbed up to 61 degrees. The large female bass will be on the beds and holding tight. Spawning bass won't be feeding aggressively at this water temperature but they will be catchable. In addition, all bass don't spawn at the exact same time or water temperature. If you aren't a site fisherman, you should be able to find some larger females and male largemouth on the standard spring patterns. Female bass will really start to slow down on feeding so fishing is going to be slower for a few weeks until they move into active patterns again." Be patient. Throw a tube on light line on a spinning rig to try to spark a bite. When they get ready to feed you will have a good time. Quote
Super User Crestliner2008 Posted April 9, 2015 Super User Posted April 9, 2015 The ponds around here are finally starting to clear of ice. Perfect time for the 4" wacky rigged Senko. I fish this on a light action spinning rod using 6# test Fireline Crystal and a 3' fluorocarbon leader. I've taken some big largemouths using this rig over the years, especially just at ice out. Hopefully I'll be able to get out on the water this weekend. Of course, right now it's snowing. Quote
stkbassn Posted April 9, 2015 Posted April 9, 2015 I know this might sound crazy but, what I try if they aren't super spooky is casting beyond a visible fish and bumping it with the bait. Sometimes they will dart away but sometimes they'll turn and look at the bait and grab it out of anger I guess....if I can get one to look and it hangs around I will do this until it finally takes the bait in. I do this on beds all of the time to the females and it works for me. Have fun and catch a bunch. Quote
BrownBear Posted April 9, 2015 Posted April 9, 2015 Patience.. If ice on top, then just keep visiting the pond.. It will take off, meanwhile try downsizing your jig, use a hair jig, continue to visit it, fish other locations. It will happen.. What is this P..a..t..i..e..n..c..e you speak of? lol 1 Quote
Super User F14A-B Posted April 9, 2015 Super User Posted April 9, 2015 What is this P..a..t..i..e..n..c..e you speak of? lol Truly, lol, sometimes I need a dose myself! Quote
Fisher-O-men Posted April 9, 2015 Posted April 9, 2015 It's cold so I'm wearing my full real tree camo hunting suit. If the deer can't see me neither can the fish. That is great if your background is the trees, but what if it is the sky? I'm just saying that bass pay attention to what is outside the water. Quote
Mista bass Posted April 9, 2015 Author Posted April 9, 2015 Thanks for the suggestions guys. Just to clarify something, I'm not a new bass angler haha. tight lines everyone! -matt Quote
Ben Eipert Posted April 9, 2015 Posted April 9, 2015 Try a tube or crappie jig. Those smaller baits seem to work when nothing else will. Quote
Super User bigbill Posted April 9, 2015 Super User Posted April 9, 2015 I'm in ct too. I'm waiting for warmer temps. It's still 30 degrees here and some ice hasn't all melted yet. Clear water conditions, The cons, If you can see the fish they can see you. The pros, Smaller sized baits fished faster so they can't tell it's fake. Lizzards/salamanders eat the basses eggs, bass hate them, bass eat them. A bait having a rattle and using a scent is a plus. I put small rattles in my plastic works. A twitch of the rod tip makes it rattle. Anyhow trout season opens up here soon. Go trout fishing till it warms up. Warning, It's going to be a short summer, it's going to fly by, fish harder. Quote
Mista bass Posted April 9, 2015 Author Posted April 9, 2015 I'm in ct too. I'm waiting for warmer temps. It's still 30 degrees here and some ice hasn't all melted yet. Clear water conditions, The cons, If you can see the fish they can see you. The pros, Smaller sized baits fished faster so they can't tell it's fake. Lizzards/salamanders eat the basses eggs, bass hate them, bass eat them. A bait having a rattle and using a scent is a plus. I put small rattles in my plastic works. A twitch of the rod tip makes it rattle. Anyhow trout season opens up here soon. Go trout fishing till it warms up. Warning, It's going to be a short summer, it's going to fly by, fish harder. Why do you say it's going to be a short summer? Quote
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