The lunkers will not bite

[JRJR]

Fish a 17 acre pond that has bluegill and largemouth (22 feet deep).  Auto fish feeders keep the bluegill fed.  There are a lot of lunkers in this pond but very rare to get a strike.  Have never seen the bass chasing the bluegill, but seems it has to be a natural food source.  Have tried all types of bluegill lures, swim baits, jigs and it is very hard to get them to strike artificial lures.  Any suggestions ?

[AggieBassin10]

Don't focus so much on imitating bluegill. Other baits will work so feel free to experiment. I would also make sure that you are keying in on cover and structure

[WRB]

Your bass should be somewhere in the spawn cycle, do you see the big bass around beds? 

Tom

[NittyGrittyBoy]

How often do you fish it?

[Sam]

OK, lets give this some thought.

 

What is the water temperature?

 

As Tom states above, the bass could be in the spawn cycle.

 

The spawn cycle is a continuous adventure that can last over a month. All bass do not spawn during the same three or four days. And there can be a late spawn, too, like in August.  I have seen that in Virginia rivers.

 

So if the big ladies have finished fattening up for their time in the spawn or have completed their task and have lit a cigarette and are laid back to recuperate you will not get a bite.

 

In fact, they will just hover in one place and watch your bait go by. I know. Happened to me on Lake Chesdin a few times. Big, beautiful ladies just enjoying the sunshine along a bulkhead and under a dock. We hit them on their heads and they were not interested in anything we offered. 

 

So be patient. The time will arrive later this summer when you will nail them unless you blow it by making lots of noise or having your shadow over the water or letting them see you.

 

And the bass will go out deep. If you can't throw to the deep area you need to hit the pond at sunrise or at sunset when the bass are on the move and are feeding.

 

Now, regarding the bluegills. They spawn after the bass so look for their beds and run a spinnerbait or a crankbait through the bluegill beds or spawning areas. Bluegills are the bass' natural enemy. Like LSU is Bama's natural enemy. Use a crawfish or bluegill colored bait or a big trick worm or a lizard. Bass hate lizards and will hit them at every chance.

 

Please go to the Introductions and introduce yourself and if possible, nail down in Bama land where you live and do you go to Dreamland? We can give you better input if we know where you live and of course, fish.

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

 

 

 

[JRJR]

None are currently on bed.  Have fished this pond for two years, 2 - 3 times per month.  Only ever caught one good one (2 weeks ago on a swim jig with craw trailer) .  Catch 1 pounders on trick worm or small crawfish crank bait. Can see some on sonar and they are hovering in 8' to 15' of water about 2 - 3 ft. off bottom. Pond was surveyed last year and 40 big ones stunned, caught, measured, and released.  And that was only the shallow area.

 

Tried the bluegill beds, but never with a lizard.  Will give that a go.  Live and fish in Birmingham.  Thanks.

[bigbill]

Try it early in the morning like 4am. Walk up slowly, make no noise. Be very stealthy. Skip fan cast the area. Don’t put multiple casts next to each other.

[soflabasser]

Find out what the lunker bass want in that lake and give them a offer they can't refuse. 

[TOXIC]

If we could figure out what the lunkers always wanted, we'd all be on the Elite Series livin the dream!!  Keep at it and good luck!!  ?

[Darren.]

It'll be tough to get the big un's. They're big for 

a good reason  

 

Throw a buzzbait early, and late. See if that'll 

get their attention.

[BassB8Caster]

Frog

[the reel ess]

There are probably minnows there. Every time I ever cut open a bass's stomach from a pond it had minnows in the belly. I did catch one that had a bass sticking out its throat. Anyway, I'd probably take my chances with minnow or shad imitators and soft plastics. Craws and plastic worms work everywhere I've ever been. 

 

Some big bass just won't bite imitations. It's no accident when a fish reaches trophy size.