Help getting kick started with plastics and jigs in ponds

[snake95]

Background:

Started bass fishing seriously about 12 months ago.  Most of my fishing is bank fishing shallow ponds in Georgia with stained water.

I typically have limited time and fish in short 1/2 hr to 2 hr trips with my young kids.  Our ponds have pretty limited cover (I think) but do have some drop-offs, a turbulent drainage discharge, and shoreline vegetation.  I just got a castable fishfinder and already learning more about the conditions.

The good: 

I've gotten pretty effective with crankbaits, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, and topwaters.  These have been good for covering water given the stained environment and time limitations.

The downside:

I'd like to get good with plastics of various types, but have a hard time breaking out of my own pattern of pattern casting cranks.  I've only ever caught a few fish on plastics: a couple on wacky-rigged dingers, and one fish on a texas-rigged trickworm.  I haven't honestly used them much, because I've stuck with what has worked.  I've read everything there is about rigging every type of plastic, and have accumulated a collection of plastics from craws to worms to creatures and flukes that would make most pros envious.  If only I knew what to do with them.

The question(s):

For these conditions - stained water, limited cover, limited time, what would you start with to build confidence?  Any and all?  One in particular? I know the season and temps come into play, but in general?  

 

 

 

 

[Paul Roberts]

Answers so often come down to personal preference. But since you mention stain and limited cover -these come to mind:

6" Worm -any. With limited cover I'd fish on a jig head, or Wacky.

4" or 5" stick worm -Senko or knock-off, fished Wacky. Could even fish under a float while you tend to the youngsters.

Creature bait -I like the YUM Sooie (old Hawg Caller), Ozmo, or Hula Grub. I like the Jewel Finesse jig head.

Since you are comfortable with cast-n-retrieve, how about a paddle-tail swimbait? Good in open or light cover. Hint: Boil the tails for 20sec. (but not in a pot you would eat from).

Let us know how things pan out.

[roadwarrior]

[Catt]

Weightless Texas Rigged anything

[junyer357]

What i do when i really want to learn something new is take it and only it. Leave the other gear at home.  If i take my regular gear i tend to give up n go back to what works too quickly and wont give new tactic a fair chance.  

[812stang]

White Zoom Flukes or paddle tails on a weightless Texas rig. Usually 3/0 or 4/0 hook. Seems odd, but I will sometimes use weedless hooks that are made for flipping and other things. 

[Wprich]

With the spawn being right around the corner I would try some lizards or craws either texas rigged or on a swinging head around some likely spawning areas.  If that won't build your confidence I don't know what will.  I was hesitant about plastics until last year, when a older guy on west point lake showed me how to fish soft plastics.  He even gave me a few lizards and rigs(hooks/weights) to use and I wore them out that day, that built my confidence in them that day.

[Fishin Ethan]

Same situation with me I fish ponds all lot but not have much time. Texas Rigging is a must for ponds and I find Texas Rig very effective and my go to stratgey. 

A HUGE mistake people make when they first try to learn Texas Rig they put on a 8-10 inch worm. Start out with a 6 INCH worm. I assure you this will bring bites. Setting up your Texas Rig is crucial. I go with a 1/8 OZ Water Gremlin Slip Sinker. You can find these at virtual any tackle store or a Walmart. Then for hooks a size 3-5 Offset Hook (company for me doesn't matter). Then attach your 6 inch worm. For Worm Choices, Pumpkin Seed, any Dark green color, Motor Oil, and other dark colors I use for worm choices. Texas Riging is worked slowly and when you go out know that your retrive is not like other hard baits. With 6 Inch Worms you will not catch 8lb bass, but you will catch numbers and as you become better at Texas Rig you can up your worm size. 

To work the Texas Rig, it takes a different tecquince than hard baits. After you cast let the worm sink to the bottom. After the worm hits the bottom lift your rod up and the worm will follow. After that lower your rod to have to worm sink back down. Depending on the day the speed of your retrive matters. This will build you confidence and eventually Texas Rig can be passed down to your kids once you have mastered the Texas Rig.

[A-Jay]

4 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

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The information offered above seems so simple ~ but that's the beauty of it. 

A quote from the infamous past BR member (and the man I credit for helping me find this site) Low Budget Hooker says it ALL.

"Fishing like this, with soft plastics in general, will build skills that will help you learn most other baits with ease.  This is a "slow" type of fishing.  The hardest, (mentally-patience-wise) yet one of the most productive.  Follow these instructions to a "T" and success will be eminent.  Get this tactic under your belt and you'll be surprised how ahead of the game you are when you move on to other types of baits and lures.

Most important:  Pay attention to every little detail.  You will be picking things up (retaining in memory) without even knowing it."

A-Jay

[Kbral87]

I was in a similar situation where I had never really leaned to fish soft plastics until late last year, I plan to do allot more fishing using them this year, solid starters for me were the zoom baby brush hogs, 7" Berkley powerbait worm and a ragecraw. I usually just go with a t rig but the rage rig works great with the rage craw. Good luck

[fishinfiend]

Senkos in watermelon work great for me

I also like zoom mag II or ol monster in watermelon or pumpkinseed

 

Jigs- choppers jig missouri craw color with rage craw trailer 

[burrows]

Texas rig a rage tail menace grub weightless have patience throw it out there pop and reel slack pop and repeat that should get you started. I used to only fish reaction baits but I realized fishing plastics was actually more effective, now I mainly throw plastics unless I'm searching...

[snake95]

Really appreciate all the input.  Glad to hear from others that were in a similar situation and starting out with plastics.  I know some guys started fishing with plastics as kids, but where I'm originally from the emphasis was on minnow baits, cranks, and spoons for walleye, pike, etc.

I really appreciate the suggestions about how to work a bait.  That might sound crazy, but having no basis for comparison, I always wonder if I'm moving a plastic bait the "right" way -- I know, lots of approaches can work, but its good to feel confident in a few basics.  Even well-made fishing videos often don't show detail about the action to impart (or not impart): they'll tell you about what bait to use and how to rig it, but then leave you wondering a bit about what the motion should look like to a bass.

Also good to hear the emphasis on trying something and sticking with it, and that plastics require patience.  I'm guilty of giving up after a half-hearted attempt and then going back to cranking away, when I know I'll get better with plastics if I focus and stick to it.  

I will make a effort to stick with one bait and rigging style at a time, and post the results.

 

 

[Ads7633]

I fish similar conditions. Try a fluke. You don't have to fish it as slow as some other plastics so it may be a good transition from hard baits to plastics. It is also one of the most effective. Try it Texas rigged weightless and fish it like a jerkbait. Green pumpkin, watermelon, and white are great starting colors. 

[mundell88]

I grew up fishing farm ponds and the only bait I ever used was a 7 inch ribbontail worm.  Texas rigged with a light bullet weight.  You want the bait to fall slow like a foot every 2-3 seconds.  Its too light to throw on a baitcaster and get that slow fall back then I was just fishing it with a zebco.  Now it's on spinning gear.  Just cast at obvious stuff like laydowns, shady spots with overhanging limbs and the outside edge of weed lines are the best.  Cast It and let it sink to the bottom then hop it a foot or two at a time back to the boat.  Caught a lot of fish for me.  

[Phil_NH]

On 2/25/2016 at 9:18 AM, Catt said:

Weightless Texas Rigged anything

This^ . Specifically, I would recommend Zoom trick worm Green Pumpkin/Chartreuse tip on a shaky head or just a regular offset round bend worm hook. Fish it slow, let it fall all the way  to the bottom and hang on.