Pond fishing during the dog days.

[TriStateBassin106]

What are some tips for fishing ponds during the dog days. At my 2acre park pond it seems like I can only get a bite right now by fishing ultra finesse or small texas rigs. They won't bite any moving baits. What do you pond guys throw now during this time? The fishing at my pond has been tough lately because the fountain broke and the park people are in the process of replacing it. Does this also effect the bite? 

[Quitlimpin]

Small ponds are super tough this time of year in my experience. I downsize everything for small ponds regardless of season. 3” senkos, small flukes, baby ikas, and tiny traps are just about all I throw year round, but this time of year I’m fishing sloooooow. Grass is always key in small water, especially if isolated. Points and overhang shade can also be money. I’m basically just looking for anything ‘different’ and picking it apart with multiple casts from every possible angle.

[Hammer 4]

You might try an underspin such as the Owner flashy swimmer with a 2.8 kietech swimbait, or a baby fluke, ect.

[Mobasser]

Many of the bass in your pond could be feeding at night. Night fishing works on ponds in the hottest weather. If your allowed to fish this pond at night, give it a try. You can use the same baits that you throw during the daytime.

[Jigfishn10]

The fountain broke? This pond doesn’t sound very deep. Does it have any vegetation? I would think the fountain provides oxygen so there maybe a few things going on there?

 

* Fish the shadiest spot with the most cover if there is any.

* Go smaller and slower. 

* Fish deeper

[the reel ess]

In summer fish have to eat because their metabolism is as high as it gets. But they don't have to eat at noon. Ever catch one with a gut that's almost concaved? Go at night or early and late in the day for the low light periods. I throw all the same stuff I would in a larger body of water. 

[TriStateBassin106]

29 minutes ago, Jigfishn10 said:

The fountain broke? This pond doesn’t sound very deep. Does it have any vegetation? I would think the fountain provides oxygen so there maybe a few things going on there?

 

* Fish the shadiest spot with the most cover if there is any.

* Go smaller and slower. 

* Fish deeper

Max is 7 feet deep and yes the fountain wires got chewed by some animals. This pond hasn't had its fountain since june, they don't know if they want to add a bigger fountain or a second one. There's little to no vegetation because it's treated to kill that stuff off. We were expecting a fish kill the minute it happened but surprisingly the bass still bite and there's plenty of bluegill everywhere. 

Edited August 6, 2021 by TriStateBassin106

[Jigfishn10]

1 minute ago, TriStateBassin106 said:

Max is 7 feet deep and yes the fountain wires got chewed by some animals. This pond hasn't had its fountain since june, they don't know if they want to add a bigger fountain or a second one. 

Hopefully they get it done soon!

[TriStateBassin106]

Just now, Jigfishn10 said:

Hopefully they get it done soon!

Yes it needs to be replaced, the fishing used to be good around the spot the fountain was located but now they're scattered all around the pond. 

[Jigfishn10]

6 minutes ago, TriStateBassin106 said:

Yes it needs to be replaced, the fishing used to be good around the spot the fountain was located but now they're scattered all around the pond. 

Probably your answer right there. Sounds like it’s oxygen depleted. Find the vegetation and you’ll probably have some fish stacked up I would think. 

[TriStateBassin106]

17 minutes ago, Jigfishn10 said:

Probably your answer right there. Sounds like it’s oxygen depleted. Find the vegetation and you’ll probably have some fish stacked up I would think. 

Yeah the pond is a fish bowl. Yesterday I caught one on a baby texas rig out deep 

[UNC1078]

I would try drop shotting the deep parts, with a small bait - e.g., KVD Dreamshot, 4" roboworm, jackall crosstail shad, etc.

[Jigfishn10]

37 minutes ago, TriStateBassin106 said:

Yeah the pond is a fish bowl. Yesterday I caught one on a baby texas rig out deep 

Perfect! Probably has some grass on the bottom and in deeper cooler water.

 

Way to go!

[David 7]

When it’s super slow and you begin to lose confidence turn to the senko. If that doesn’t work then turn to night crawlers. You will catch something with night crawlers. 

[MGF]

I have a 1 or 2 acre public pond that I fish quite a bit. Last week I was there on a hot sunny morning about 10 am and caught 7 bass in a little more than an hour. It gets some pretty thick weeds at times but they kind of come and go.

 

That day I was using a wacky rigged dinger and the fish were hitting out away from the bank and mostly near the bottom.

 

I've caught bass on a lot of things in that pond...wacky rigged worms, weightless flukes, floating worms, Texas rigged ribbon tailed worms, unweighted Texas rigged worms and jigs. I guess that's all I've thrown but if I threw something else I'd probably catch fish on it.  A torpedo used to be one of my favorites but I haven't thrown one lately..

 

I like to keep things kind of quiet in these little ponds...but I don't know that you have to.

[Eric 26]

I just posted some photos in “latest catch pics” thread. It’s a retention pond not sure of the size but for sure under 2 acres.  The bass are small but feisty and the bluegill grow relatively big. My most productive lure there is a roadrunner bare head 1/16-1/8 ounce tipped with a Berkeley gulp alive minnow in 3” size on a 1/8 ounce head either green or orange. When the fish have attacked the 3” enough to not hold onto the roadrunner head I  cut the head off and use the body until it’s too short for the 1/8 ounce head and then use the body (re-dipped in gulp sauce) on a 1/16-1/32 ounce head on my light or ultralight rods. This is my go to if I’m struggling to get a bite.

[lynxcat]

I’ve been using Fogy’s and Swim jigs along grass lines in my local pond. I also caught a few on Rage Craws really close to the grass. I struck out on multiple prior trips which is very rare in my pond fishing. I haven’t gotten into fishing drop shots yet...I know I’ll need them in the winter and I don’t enjoy fishing them (so save until I can’t catch them on other things). 
 

I like the Jackhammer and Fogy because they upsize the fish I’m able to entice. I’ve caught a few on 10inch worms. I may try an Arky jig if I have the patience to go for a bigger bite. 

[TriStateBassin106]

On 8/6/2021 at 10:13 PM, Eric 26 said:

I just posted some photos in “latest catch pics” thread. It’s a retention pond not sure of the size but for sure under 2 acres.  The bass are small but feisty and the bluegill grow relatively big. My most productive lure there is a roadrunner bare head 1/16-1/8 ounce tipped with a Berkeley gulp alive minnow in 3” size on a 1/8 ounce head either green or orange. When the fish have attacked the 3” enough to not hold onto the roadrunner head I  cut the head off and use the body until it’s too short for the 1/8 ounce head and then use the body (re-dipped in gulp sauce) on a 1/16-1/32 ounce head on my light or ultralight rods. This is my go to if I’m struggling to get a bite.

Yeah I'm probably gonna downsize like some other guys recommended in here. It's pretty tough though without that fountain. I think the middle and deep strategy will probably do well, I heard that those smaller grubs do pretty well right about now.