Clear water pond

[Derek black]

so I recently found 2 huge ponds in a neighborhood the water is very clear , up into about 5 feet out you can see to the bottom , I even seen bass swimming , these fish are real scared , what's a good way to fish these ponds ??

[OCdockskipper]

My number one suggestion would be to not scare the bass.  Scared bass are more interested in getting away than biting.  If possible, fish in such a way to not be seen by the fish and to not startle them with casts.

 

Odds are, even if there isn't much fishing pressure, there is probably alot of human presence.  Avoid detection and the fish won't have a reason to be scared.

[Derek black]

Yes there is a lot of human presence , I seen a few but there we're uncatchable , , I also seen empty beds right up close , to the edges 

[BigBassCatcher]

Maybe try casting into the pond before you walk up to it. Cast from far away. 

[nascar2428]

 Stand 10 to 15 yards away from where you saw the fish. Cast a weightless senko into the area, set the hook.

[Derek black]

@nascar2428 that's a great idea . I seen some pigs getting caught out of there 

[bonzai22]

Swim jig in craw or bluegill 

[BCline]

In South Florida we fish gin clear water routinely.  As said above, stand well away from the bank on your first few casts into a new area.  Use weightless or T-Rigged Senkos with no more than 1/16 oz bullet weights and fish ridiculously slow.  Cast and watch for line movement.  Real in slack and make one bump and wait.  Repeat until you can see your lure.  Most of my casts take at least 3 minutes to retrieve.

 

Good Luck and I look forward to seeing pictures of some quality South Carolina Bass.

[Bankbeater]

Try and look for hydrilla, or milfoil, growing near the bank and stand near it.  It will hide you from any bass that are cruising close to the bank.  Wind driven waves will also help hide you. 

[Preytorien]

I fish some pretty clear spring-fed ponds up here in Indiana, and while I'm not certain that it is related to the clarity in much of any way, I've also noticed that the somewhat louder "click" of the thumb bar and engagement of the drive pinion on a casting reel can spook them, so I usually use a spinning reel and very quietly open and close the bail when I'm fishing. 

 

And as mentioned before, it can't be stressed enough to stay back off the bank while you're fishing it. Those guys can see your outline and get spooked before you ever make a cast. 

[tander]

Ned rig on light line.

[scaleface]

Use 50 lb test high visibility line , and march right up there and start casting big baits because bass are to stupid to be spooked . 

[Boomstick]

Dress in colors that match the surroundings of the pond and if possible, sit low on the bank instead of standing to not scare the fish.

 

I would start with a finesse tactic since the water is so clear. Sounds like a neg rig might be a good one, you can slowly hop it until the fish start to get interested

[the reel ess]

I had a gin clear pond near me that I used to walk to when I was maybe 13. I never figured it out. There were huge fish in it that would just turn and stare at me as long as I was there. It was open all around and I couldn't sneak up anywhere. I only ever got one to bite and didn't land it. Now I'd probably try live bait and be very still and dress in drab colors or fish-o-flage. I've read that fish have about a 10 minute memory unless they have a negative experience with something. Or go early or stay late for the benefit of low light. Make casts as long as you can to get your bait away from spooked fish. Make long casts parallel to the bank in each direction if you can. I'd probably try a Trick Worm, Finesse Worm, stick worm (Senko) and craw plastics in more natural colors. I second (or third) the Ned Rig suggestion. I don't do it, but a dropshot could be useful as well.

[soflabasser]

Try fishing at night.

[geo g]

Use Floro, make long casts, fish drop offs, weed lines, and if the suns out, thick weeds, docks, and lay downs.  If that doesnt work slow roll the bottom with plastics.  If you know bass are in there, you’ll eventually find them.

[WRB]

Pond bass know everything about their eccosystem and spook easily from shadows or shapes that put them in harms way, it's about serviving, not fear.

The simple fact is most of the prey source in near the shoreline and that's is where the bass spend most of their time, patrolling the perimeter.

The old rule "if you see the bass they see you" is true. Keep out of sight, wear clothing that blends into the background and move slowly. 

Empty beds means you missed the spawn or a severe cold front moved them off or someone has caught them. It could be the males haven't locked onto the beds and move off when they see you. 

Determine what the primary prey source is the bass are feeding on, crawdads, small fish, worms, frogs, mice, rats, birds etc. Use lures that mimic the prey or simple use soft plastics in colors that represent the prey. 

There isn't a need to use FC line unless you prefer it. Use line that doesn't degrade the lures action, if small light weight worms use 6 lb to 8 lb premium mono, Copoly or FC.

Larger heavier lures use line appropriate for the lure weight.

Stay back from the edge, keep your shadow off the water you plan to fish, keep a low profile like you are stocking a wary animal because you are.

Tom