What are you tossing in a pond "too small to hold fish?"

[Capriceragtop]

There's a small pond right by work. For years, I've driven by, never giving it a second thought. Well, I guess no one else considers it either, because when I stopped by, the fish were HUNGRY. I've never failed to snag at least one fish, be it a bream, bluegill, pumpkinseed, or large mouth. Panther Martins are killers. Caught a bass on a Texas-rigged Zoom Ultra Vibe.

 

I doubt there are any large fish, but I did have about a 2.5lber get free from me today.

 

The pond is maybe 35' long, 20' at the widest. Trees all around. Basically have to cast overhead from one spot, or try to flip.

 

if there are big bass, I'm assuming they're under the grass at one end. It's something like water lettuce or some other grass.

 

Punching rig the way to go? I've never tried that, and I'd prefer to not get hung up. Any suggestions?

 

Tight lines, folks!

[JbroBass]

Texas rigged worm for me. 

[Basser2021]

I would go texas rigged craw or throw a smaller frog in that grass you are mentioning.

[flyfisher]

i'd hit it at dawn or dusk with some walk the dog topwaters as the come out from hiding looking to feed.  

[Catt]

2 hours ago, Capriceragtop said:

Caught a bass on a Texas-rigged Zoom Ultra Vibe.

 

And you're wanting to change why?

 

[NoShoes]

TR finesse worm 

[Capriceragtop]

38 minutes ago, Basser2021 said:

I would go texas rigged craw or throw a smaller frog in that grass you are mentioning.

Perfect! I've got just the frog for it, too.

 

29 minutes ago, flyfisher said:

i'd hit it at dawn or dusk with some walk the dog topwaters as the come out from hiding looking to feed.  

They've been hitting super spooks lately. May have to ease way back on the cast, though.

 

23 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

And you're wanting to change why?

 

Every time I've tried to punch, it costs me tackle. I'll still keep an ultra vibe tied on, but  was hoping for other suggestions that may draw out anything hiding in there.

[Catt]

8 minutes ago, Capriceragtop said:

Perfect! I've got just the frog for it, too.

 

They've been hitting super spooks lately. May have to ease way back on the cast, though.

 

Every time I've tried to punch, it costs me tackle. I'll still keep an ultra vibe tied on, but  was hoping for other suggestions that may draw out anything hiding in there.

 

Ultravibe Speed Worm or Ultravibe Speed Craw is extremely deadly when reeled on are near the surface. 3/0 offset round bend hook (or hook of your choice), 1/8 tungsten bullet weight unpegged. Cast at every piece of visible cover. 

 

Ask @Mike L ?

[Bassin Bruce]

A ned rig will give you a good idea of the fish population in that small pond. 

[Capriceragtop]

Thought I'd update and upload pics. Here's a pic of the pond, as well as what wanted my Super Spook Jr.

[ironbjorn]

Everything? I'd throw everything that isn't a stupid gimmick honestly. Fresh fish will bite it all. 

[LrgmouthShad]

17 hours ago, Catt said:

3/0 offset round bend hook

By the way, think I had an old thread where I asked for suggestions on what hook to use with the uv speed worm since I was having issues with the worm rolling on the retrieve. Well, since switching to that size hook, the rolling is controlled much better. Actually looks much more realistic to me coming through the water.

 

Use the 3/0 RB, OP

[MAN]

Bet the biggest thing sitting in the there is a cat.  Chunk out some chicken liver. 

[casts_by_fly]

A pond that size I would have some 1/16 oz jig heads with a mix of twister tails and small swim baits plus a 3” fluke trig weightless.  

[txchaser]

Magnum fluke fished slow-ish, if you are hunting the big ones. And easy to toss up on the weeds and get everyone's attention. 

 

 

 

[Darth-Baiter]

No doubt. Some topwater bait

[dodgeguy]

Texas rigged weightless senko

[Fallser]

Nice looking pond.   A question.  Is that open grassy/weedy area solid ground?   Speaking of stupid gimmicks I wouldn't mind hitting it with my fly rod or an ultra-light spinning rig.  Ultra-light top water, small spooks, jitterbugs, tiny torpedoes and poppers.  Mepps style in-line spinners with a size 3 blade.  Marabou jigs, bucktails, 3 inch senko, 1/20 oz ned rig.  Fly rod, foam poppers, sliders and spiders.  Sub-surface, streamers, marabou and bucktail jigs,  a lightly weighted crayfish pattern or a "ned" fly.

[WRB]

22 hours ago, Capriceragtop said:

Thought I'd update and upload pics. Here's a pic of the pond, as well as what wanted my Super Spook Jr.

That a lot bigger then 35’ - 20’, maybe 35 yards x 20 yards!

Tom

 

[Drew03cmc]

I'd be using topwater exclusively. I had a similar experience last weekend, small pond, pressured, never seen a fish over 12", went and pulled a 5lb fish out on a little walking bait. They're in there. 

[Sphynx]

If I had no idea what was in it? In line spinner, it'll catch nearly anything 

[soflabasser]

You will be surprised how big bass can get in a small pond. I have caught bass over 7 pounds in ponds less than 1 acre, this happens often in many ponds in Florida. Have caught big bass in little canals as well that people drive by all the time. That is why you should never underestimate any body of water in Florida, since any decent body of freshwater in Florida has potential to have big bass.

12 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

No doubt. Some topwater bait

When it comes to bass fishing nothing beats catching a big bass on a topwater lure.

[Bluebasser86]

On 6/3/2022 at 2:24 PM, Capriceragtop said:

Thought I'd update and upload pics. Here's a pic of the pond, as well as what wanted my Super Spook Jr.

My PB swimbait fish came from a pond about that size, maybe 6' deep in the deepest portion. It was 6lbs even on a 7" Slammer. Never underestimate those tiny ponds because those fish grow while everyone ignores them for bigger lakes. 

[Bankbeater]

I'd try a 4" straight worm on a split shot rig.