The bass are moving constantly

[TriStateBassin106]

So recently at my pond I fish I've noticed the bass are scattered and pretty much not staying in one specific spot and it's making the fishing tough, is this part of the fall transition? what should I do in this situation? Cover water quickly or try to locate the bass with slower baits? Reminder that this is a public park pond with a fountain in the middle and little cover. Max depth is 5ft except for a small channel on the other side which is 8ft. 

[plawren53202]

I think this is just part of the summer to fall transition. The same thing is happening in my subdivision pond. I've had ok luck just covering a lot of water with a squarebill, and the ones I catch seem to be roamers and not located on any discernible cover or structure.

 

Also I boat fished Kinkaid Lake in IL yesterday and it was the same story. One would be up chasing bluegills in inches of water. Then one would be busting shad on the surface in 50 feet of water. I had a blowup on a frog in water so shallow I'm surprised the fish's dorsal fin wasn't sticking out of the water, and I had a bite on a flutter spoon in 30 feet of water. We only caught one here or there because it was basically impossible to figure out any kind of a pattern.

[scaleface]

How big a pond is this ? Its not deep enough to have different  layers .

[Team9nine]

Normal behavior for the ponds I fish. I see cruisers and wolf packs running the bank and weedlines all the time. Some areas are consistently better for quality fish, and warming spring temps and winter cold will congregate the fish at times, but I believe every inch of a pond can hold a bass at some point throughout much of the day/seasons...at least I can't point to any of the ponds I fish and say, "I've never caught a bass over there." I'd focus more on presentation right now.

[TriStateBassin106]

2 hours ago, scaleface said:

How big a pond is this ? Its not deep enough to have different  layers .

This was during the spring few years ago. More bushes grew on that right side now though which makes accessing it a bit hard. Didn't catch my first bass outta there until early may. 

2 hours ago, Team9nine said:

Normal behavior for the ponds I fish. I see cruisers and wolf packs running the bank and weedlines all the time. Some areas are consistently better for quality fish, and warming spring temps and winter cold will congregate the fish at times, but I believe every inch of a pond can hold a bass at some point throughout much of the day/seasons...at least I can't point to any of the ponds I fish and say, "I've never caught a bass over there." I'd focus more on presentation right now.

What would you recommend throwing in there right now? 

[Team9nine]

7 minutes ago, TriStateBassin106 said:

 

What would you recommend throwing in there right now? 

Not being there, it can be hard to say exactly. In my ponds here the past month or so, micro jig-pig has been really productive. Finesse worms and TRDs have also been strong producers. Small swimbaits worked well early, and I expect them to start showing again as the water starts cooling this fall. Cover and water clarity will usually point you in a general direction. 

[Koz]

Can you cast to the fountain? I'd throw a beetle spin there and around the inlet and outlet structures. You'll find a channel develop flowing to and from the inlets and outlets. Bass sometime hunker down in those lower spots are use them as cruising pathways to feed along shore.

 

I've also had luck throwing bottom baits under fountains. Just watch for the rope!

[TriStateBassin106]

8 minutes ago, Koz said:

Can you cast to the fountain? I'd throw a beetle spin there and around the inlet and outlet structures. You'll find a channel develop flowing to and from the inlets and outlets. Bass sometime hunker down in those lower spots are use them as cruising pathways to feed along shore.

 

I've also had luck throwing bottom baits under fountains. Just watch for the rope!

Do they hang out directly under the fountain? Or do they hang out where the fountain water splashes? 

[Koz]

5 hours ago, TriStateBassin106 said:

Do they hang out directly under the fountain? Or do they hang out where the fountain water splashes? 

In the areas I fish I've caught a lot of bass and crappie under and around the fountain. Usually this is when there is little wind and it's hot outside. My best guess is that in lagoons without a lot of cover the floating fountain base and even the disturbed water provide some cover and shade. The fountain would also oxygenate the water more in that area.

[scaleface]

Thats a little pond . There is no place for the bass to go . They are stuck in there . If thats where you been catching all those fish you have been taken pictures of , they are probably getting lure shy .Try changing lures to something they  havent seen . 

[TriStateBassin106]

don't the seasons still affect them though? 

10 minutes ago, scaleface said:

Thats a little pond . There is no place for the bass to go . They are stuck in there . If thats where you been catching all those fish you have been taken pictures of , they are probably getting lure shy .Try changing lures to something they  havent seen . 

what lures would you recommend for that pond if the fish are lure shy? do the bass still follow that seasonal fall pattern?

[Boomstick]

This does sound like the fall transition. Throw a search bait like a spinnerbait (willow blades so you can reel it faster) or a crankbait, and see if you get bit. If you do keep fishing that spot, and if you don't it's time to move on. The bass are chasing the baitfish, so you need to be as well.