please help me choose next lure choices with this bass fishing scenario

[Tom Rust]

This situation is pretty common for me-I'm fishing a small pond or am stuck with a limited stretch on a bigger lake, (assume for discussion purposes theres a tournament boat on every good point or stretch of shorline) so in both cases i have to re-fish it 3-5 times. the pond takes about 30 minutes for one thorough "fish-around", and has largemouth up to 4 pounds in it. First pass i would use a baby brush hog. catch a few, but i know from experience i have to change baits when going atound the second time. So, i switch to a ned, get, 3 more bites and two are the better fish. third time around i use a roboworm rigged neko-style. and get two more bites; I've got time for one more pass today, so whatbait  would YOU choose next? in fact, assume I'm going around two more times, so please give me your 4th and 5th bait selections. note: its late morning and i missed the early top-water bite. pond bottom is sandy/clean, no moss down there cause he keeps grass carp for that reason.  Reservoir similar habitat. You're the expert, so fire away, please! in fact, you can list all 5 of your choices and explain your reasoning. thanks!!

[Pat Brown]

I would try a finesse jig and a shaky head because it sounds like they're on the bottom and that should get you a bigger bite. I would go compact and shad-ish for the finesse jig and I would go green pumpkin or watermelon for the shaky head with maybe a little puff of chartreuse on the tail.  Thin straight tail 6" worm. I would start with the lightest weight that efficiently gets to the bottom and if they don't like that I would try your heaviest weight to see if they react on the fall.

 

 

[MIbassyaker]

I always try to choose lures that can cover the bases with depth (top, middle, bottom) and presentation style (vertical vs. horizontal).  You might start with something you can fish faster and more horizontally to pick up more active fish-- maybe a paddle-tailed swimbait or a spinnerbait.  When you get bit, make note of the location,  and on the next pass, make some extra casts to those areas with something you can fish more vertically and slowly for warier or less-active fish.  Then for the next passes, perhaps vary the size or profile.   

[ElGuapo928]

In that situation my first thought would be a Westy Worm…..always seems to pick up fish when nothing else will.

 

Second thought would be a fluke/slug-o.

[roadwarrior]

 

[casts_by_fly]

I'd start with something else on the pond.  For me, I always approach with a moving bait of some type.  Type depends on the water and the day, but it could be a frog, a small topwater, a spinnerbait, lipless, or equivalent.  Make a round catching the easy ones and note where the fish are hanging out that day.  Fish the super shallows on the first round as once you've walked past them they usually clear out.  Then I'd slow it down to a swim jig, fluke, or similar moving bait that's less aggressive.  By now you'll know if the fish are chasing, up in the column, on the bottom, etc.  From there I'd go into a texas rig or other bottom plastic rig (depending on grass, rock, depth, etc).  Make a round but move quicker where the fish weren't with the moving baits and spend more time where they were.  You could try 'active' plastics like a rage and less active ones like a straight worm.  By this point you should have a pretty good feel for what's happening that day.  If you want to go to a really finesse presentation like a ned or dropshot then have at it.  

[Kirtley Howe]

With a clean sandy bottom, I would try using a crankbait that digs into the bottom. For some reason that seems to be a forgotten technique by many anglers. It often produces for me, even fishing behind someone else.

[RRocket]

I would throw a poop bait.

 

They flat out get bit even in pressured areas.

[Tom Rust]

not sure what youre referring to as a poop bait?

 

[ElGuapo928]

52 minutes ago, Tom Rust said:

not sure what youre referring to as a poop bait?

 

Deps Cover Scat is a good example.

I personally prefer the Yamamoto Yamatanuki:

 

 

 

[RRocket]

46 minutes ago, ElGuapo928 said:

Deps Cover Scat is a good example.

 

I personally prefer the Yamamoto Yamatanuki:

 

 

1 minute ago, RRocket said:

48 minutes ago, ElGuapo928 said:

Deps Cover Scat is a good example.

 

I personally prefer the Yamamoto Yamatanuki:

 

 

Expand  

I'm the opposite! 

 

I prefer the Deps over the Yamatanuki.

 

But both get bit! 

[ElGuapo928]

18 minutes ago, RRocket said:

I'm the opposite! 

 

I prefer the Deps over the Yamatanuki.

 

But both get bit! 

They do get bit! For some reason though I get more short strikes on the Deps - horrible hookup percentage.

[RRocket]

59 minutes ago, ElGuapo928 said:

They do get bit! For some reason though I get more short strikes on the Deps - horrible hookup percentage.

I fish on UL, so no problem with hookups. I feel everything. I only use the 2.5" Cover Scat however. I seem to get far more bites and fish on the Deps.

 

I do note with the Yamatanuki, the bait seems to be further in their mouth..like they totally inhale it! 

 

I have a batch of the new Geecrack Imo Kemushi 60 coming in tomorrow. Very excited to try these! 

I also have some Imo Kemushi Slim 3.8 coming in...which I think will be great for dragging over weeds.

[Tom Rust]

ok   now i un derstand  almost afraid to ask this, but theyre advertised "scented"  what does the scent smell like??? 

[Hammer 4]

32 minutes ago, Tom Rust said:

ok   now i un derstand  almost afraid to ask this, but theyre advertised "scented"  what does the scent smell like??? 

In  alot of cases. Garlic.

[ElGuapo928]

Only scent I notice is straight up plastisol…..I dose them up with “bass feast” Smelly Jelly.

 

Although I am wondering if adding the Berkley Gulp corn kernels might be a worthy addition?

[RRocket]

6 hours ago, Tom Rust said:

ok   now i un derstand  almost afraid to ask this, but theyre advertised "scented"  what does the scent smell like??? 

Many of the Japanese baits have a shellfish-y component/scent to them as is the case for the Cover Scat.

 

 

 

 

[king fisher]

Try a #3 Mepps or other brand of inline spinner.  You may be surprised at how well such an old simple lure can work in a small pond for both size and numbers.

[Captain Phil]

6 minutes ago, king fisher said:

Try a #3 Mepps or other brand of inline spinner.  You may be surprised at how well such an old simple lure can work in a small pond for both size and numbers.

 

[Darth-Baiter]

you dont mention the technique you are presenting the Brush hog on..TExas rig?

 

since the bottom is clean and you seem to come out unscathed with respect to snags..like on the Ned.

 

I would keep it simple.  rig something like an OSP Milar minnow up on a garden-variety ball head.  lights out!

[Catt]

Finesse Jig, Swimming worm, Rage Bug, Ultravibe Speed Craw 

[Darth-Baiter]

Finesse jig would get better fish in my opinion.  nice!!

[Catt]

5 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

Finesse jig would get better fish in my opinion.  nice!!

 

Put the Speed Craw on the jig ?

[Darth-Baiter]

yup Catt.

 

for the OP.  a visual of my suggestion.

 

 

[Tom Rust]

11 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

you dont mention the technique you are presenting the Brush hog on..TExas rig?

 

since the bottom is clean and you seem to come out unscathed with respect to snags..like on the Ned.

 

I would keep it simple.  rig something like an OSP Milar minnow up on a garden-variety ball head.  lights out!

Yes, baby brush hog I fish T RIG