Tips for pressured ponds/small lakes

[JWall14]

I frequently fish three ponds each about an acre or less in size. Both of these ponds hold big Illinois bass (3+ pounds- I’ve seen them) but I have never been able to get many hits (1 to 2 fish per 2 hours). I believe this is because both ponds are very pressured. There is always someone else fishing there. One pond is a gravel and weed bottom about 10ft deep. The main forage is probably bluegill and minnows. The two others and 8ft deep and very weedy around the bank. The main forage is probably bluegills, frogs, and turtles(??) (do bass eat turtles because there are TONS at these two ponds). Does anyone have any tips or lures to try when I go next?

 

I have fished primarily soft plastics (senko, ribbontail, shaky head, Ned rig, lizard) and I feel like I consistently catch fish but feel like I could be catching more and bigger fish. Thanks!

[Bass Turd]

I would suggest finding a presentation that no one else is using. Fly fishing rod and reel? (This would make even catching bluegill fun on the right set up.) Ultra finesse fishing? Carolina rig the smallest most natural worm you can find and dead stick it. Float and fly? Just trying to think outside the box for you...

[Steve1357]

go small

 

smaller line, 4-6lb, 1/0, 2/0 wire worm hooks, smaller worms, rigged weightless....

 

And slow down. If you wonder if you're going slow enough, you're still going too fast.

 

When things aint happening, this usually works for me...

[deep]

Here's the solution to all your problems:

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bombshell-turtle-hybrid

[Preytorien]

Downsize

[soflabasser]

Fish at night with lures most people do not use in the area you are fishing in.

[NHBull]

Yup, late at night or pre-dawn.    I would also go for reaction bites 

 

Jerks, Poppers, WP, ect

[CrankFate]

Do something different. Fish at night. Use a real worm weightless.  Use completely different colors that are embarrassing and fake looking like hot pink. A lot of people look to match the hatch. I think better than that is to find out what these fish’s favorite food is and match that.

[JWall14]

Thanks guys! I’ll downsize, fish slow and early at dawn. I’m going to try the turtles too!! Those should be interesting.