KSanford33 Posted February 17, 2023 Posted February 17, 2023 I got skunked twice this week. I was in my hometown and fished a small pond. The pond is long and narrow (you can cast across the pond if you wanted to, but it's about 1/4 mile long). It's only about a week or two after ice-out, so the water temperature is probably <40. There was already a decent amount of pond scum on the surface. I first started deep and slow with a ned rig and then a texas rig. Nothing. I tried flipping into the heaviest slop. Nothing. I tried a jerkbait bite. Nothing. The weather was 70* and bluebird skies. I know the majority of you and amazing anglers, so what would you have done in this situation? 1 Quote
a1712 Posted February 17, 2023 Posted February 17, 2023 Dude, I haven't caught a Bass since November 18th and it hasn't been for lack of trying. Brian. 6 Quote
Super User bowhunter63 Posted February 17, 2023 Super User Posted February 17, 2023 T rigged Rage craw. Always can pick up a few Quote
KSanford33 Posted February 17, 2023 Author Posted February 17, 2023 2 minutes ago, bowhunter63 said: T rigged Rage craw. Always can pick up a few That’s what my t-rig was. Still came up with nothing except pond scum. Quote
Super User Boomstick Posted February 17, 2023 Super User Posted February 17, 2023 If the jerkbait didn’t work, I would try either a small dropshot or ned rig. So it doesn't really sound like you're using the wrong presentations at least. Quote
Super User WRB Posted February 17, 2023 Super User Posted February 17, 2023 Never caught a bass in air temperature, always in the water. Tom 7 2 Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted February 17, 2023 Global Moderator Posted February 17, 2023 I'd have fished a Ned and jerkbait, like you said you did. The Ned would have been a 1/16oz head and color would have depended on the water clarity. In small water like that, I really like a small jerkbait like a 65 pointer to imitate the small baitfish the bass normally feed on. Was the water clear or dirty? I'm guessing it was more towards the clear side if there was slop growing already. 1 Quote
Super User bowhunter63 Posted February 17, 2023 Super User Posted February 17, 2023 Try a wacky worm? 2 Quote
Susky River Rat Posted February 17, 2023 Posted February 17, 2023 Some days they just don’t eat. It’s good to try to figure it out. Other times it really is that simple. 3 Quote
The Bassman Posted February 17, 2023 Posted February 17, 2023 Follow the wind. Windward is typically more productive than the lee side. Can be uncomfortable in cold weather but I've proven the importance of it many times. 2 Quote
Super User MickD Posted February 17, 2023 Super User Posted February 17, 2023 Since the water is likely so cold that the fish would be in "winter mode," I would try what my son uses when ice fishing for LMB, and that is a totally stationary small lure off the bottom about a foot or so. Which would lead me to a drop shot, cast it and leave it for long periods. When ice fishing we can see the fish on the depth finder slowly approach the lure, watch it for a while, then often eat it. We don't move the lure for a long time, then just barely twitch it, just BARELY. 1 Quote
Super User Solution Catt Posted February 17, 2023 Super User Solution Posted February 17, 2023 What Did I Do Wrong? Left the house! Despite what everyone says, somedays they just don't bite! 10 Quote
Riley-Maine Posted February 17, 2023 Posted February 17, 2023 At ice out, I have good luck with #7 Shad rap, jerkbait or Fat Ika Quote
Pat Brown Posted February 17, 2023 Posted February 17, 2023 Green Pumpkin 5 inch senko weightless usually gets a bite or two. Go super light on line and super slow and make sure you're positive there's fish where you cast it. 1/2 oz lipless burned a bit might get a bite. 1 Quote
ironbjorn Posted February 17, 2023 Posted February 17, 2023 You didn't do anything wrong. You're fishing almost freezing water. Just because it's nice to you (air temp) doesn't mean it's nice to them (water temp). Expect better results in a month. If you insist on fishing that water right now, jerkbaits, lipless crankbaits, and ned rigs until you start picking up a few. 3 Quote
Super User Deleted account Posted February 17, 2023 Super User Posted February 17, 2023 12 hours ago, KSanford33 said: What Did I Do Wrong? Fished in February in upper NY... 1 3 Quote
Dogface Posted February 17, 2023 Posted February 17, 2023 1 hour ago, Deleted account said: Fished in February in upper NY... I think your right. I fish a few small shallow ponds in NE PA. I stopped fishing them in winter because for some reason those small shallow ponds shut down in cold weather and were not productive. Since NE PA weather is similar to the OP's weather I'd suspect the same. BTW the ponds I'm talking about are private ponds with no pressure and plenty of bass all year except for the coldest months, November to March. I could never figure out why but just came to accept it. 1 Quote
Super User Deleted account Posted February 17, 2023 Super User Posted February 17, 2023 9 minutes ago, Dogface said: I think your right. I fish a few small shallow ponds in NE PA. I stopped fishing them in winter because for some reason those small shallow ponds shut down in cold weather and were not productive. Since NE PA weather is similar to the OP's weather I'd suspect the same. BTW the ponds I'm talking about are private ponds with no pressure and plenty of bass all year except for the coldest months, November to March. I could never figure out why but just came to accept it. Yes, on the other hand, just a tad south and closer to the ocean, there is a great chance of catching some early season brutes. We've had an unusually warm winter, and the last couple of weeks have been warm. When I lived in NYC, I could catch pretty much all winter in LI and Jersey, but anything north, like in the Catskills and north was not great for LMB. Smallies, pickerel, and yellow perch, yeah. You can catch them through the ice on live bait though. Quote
Dogface Posted February 17, 2023 Posted February 17, 2023 8 minutes ago, Deleted account said: Yes, on the other hand, just a tad south and closer to the ocean, there is a great chance of catching some early season brutes. I agree. The ponds I'm talking about are near my house in Sullivan County in NE PA. My other house is in SE PA. The water I fish in SE PA is a lot bigger than the water I fish up north but I catch bass all year down here if the water is open. I always pictured those NE PA bass burying themselves in the mud until spring.? Quote
Super User Deleted account Posted February 17, 2023 Super User Posted February 17, 2023 1 hour ago, Dogface said: My other house is in SE PA. The water I fish in SE PA is a lot bigger than the water I fish up north South east PA can be tough, you have to practice self defense near Philly, and sticking out your pinky near King of Prussia... The fishing near there into south Jersey has always been good, and now it's like snakehead central to boot... Quote
Dogface Posted February 17, 2023 Posted February 17, 2023 I live in Philly and worked in King of Prussia so I experienced the worst of both worlds. Please be gentle!!! ? I don't take game fish from any water except when in the bush up north but the snakehead gives me the opportunity to keep fish down here without getting anyone upset. And they taste great! Quote
Super User Darth-Baiter Posted February 17, 2023 Super User Posted February 17, 2023 i live in California and Jan and Feb sucks for bass fishing. i cant imagine how cold it is where you are. kudos for taking a swing at it. strong work. Quote
Super User Deleted account Posted February 17, 2023 Super User Posted February 17, 2023 48 minutes ago, Dogface said: I live in Philly and worked in King of Prussia so I experienced the worst of both worlds. Please be gentle!!! ? I don't take game fish from any water except when in the bush up north but the snakehead gives me the opportunity to keep fish down here without getting anyone upset. And they taste great! LOL, How do you pronounce skoolkilookikookoo river?... Quote
scbassin Posted February 17, 2023 Posted February 17, 2023 Catt always has the right answer!!! ? Quote
KSanford33 Posted February 17, 2023 Author Posted February 17, 2023 12 minutes ago, Deleted account said: LOL, How do you pronounce skoolkilookikookoo river?... I believe you'd have to ask Bob and Doug McKenzie on that one: Quote
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