Fish Not Biting

[B-Gee]

I live in southeast Florida and fish from the bank of a shallow pond about 3 or 4 times a week at dawn for an hour or two. Usually, the fish are active at that time and I’m able to catch some. Lately there has been heavy rain almost every afternoon. The water level is high, the water is not clear, and I can’t catch a fish no matter what I try—not even with a Senko on the bottom. I’m about to quit fishing for a while until the weather changes. I wonder if anybody has any other suggestions?

[Ski]

Can you reach the deeper parts of the pond? Try  a Carolina rig.

[BigAngus752]

That's tough to answer, us not knowing exactly what your weather pattern has been.  Did the rain drop the water temps?  If it just muddied the water then loud, flappy, and/or bright colors would be the go-to.  For example, a vibrating jig in white/chartruese or solid black.  Throw stuff they can feel and see.  If the water temps have gone down then see what @Ski said and try to get to the deepest part of the pond with something slow. 

[ironbjorn]

If it's like every pond I've ever fished a Carolina rig is frustration waiting to happen 

[GreenPig]

I'd try a Spinnerbait tight to cover for high dirty water. 

[PotatoLake]

6 minutes ago, GreenPig said:

I'd try a Spinnerbait tight to cover for high dirty water. 

I agree with this idea as well. If your pond is grassy, you could try a bladed jig too.

[Sphynx]

If the water level is rising, focus on fishy spots newly submerged, muddy water in Florida tells me Junebug colors, and as long as the temperature is still high enough for bass to be aggressive, you'll be wanting something like a Rage Bug, Vile Craw, Bandito Bug etc that is very aggressive and makes a lot of commotion, 1/4oz Texas Rig is where I'd start.

[Dogface]

When I fish ponds in similar circumstances, heavy rain, high water, not clear, I concentrate on the newly flooded vegetation near or on shore.  

[Cbump]

I’m not a pond guy but high dirty water is shallow fishing time for me. Usually a t-rig creature bait. 

[B-Gee]

Thanks for your help. Cbump and Sphynx recommended creature baits. I have some of these, Rage Bugs, Rage Craws and Zoom Lizards. Maybe I'll give them a try in close to shore. 

[MacJig]

My absolute favorite lure regardless of conditions is the green pumpkin Pit Boss. The 4-in. Just cast it out and hop it along the bottom. If bass in Florida are anything like bass in New York, you will get a hit, especially if the water temperature is still high!

[soflabasser]

Try fishing a spinnerbait.

[Ski]

21 hours ago, ironbjorn said:

If it's like every pond I've ever fished a Carolina rig is frustration waiting to happen

Please explain.

 

[ironbjorn]

1 hour ago, Ski said:

Please explain.

 

Can't drag that weight on a muck/slime/mud/dead veggies bottom.

[flyfisher]

Like has been mentioned, high water means new flooded areas.  Somewhat hard to do from the bank though as you have to be extra cautious on spooking them.  My preferred bait is a fluke rigged weightless and weedless but i don't think it matters as much as it does getting it to them.  One of the best days I had on a lake that is notoriously finicky was in conditions like you have, high muddy water.  I was chucking my fluke as far up into the shallows as I could and I was amazed at the size and quantity of fish up so shallow.