Texas Winter Bass (Small Ponds)

[soggyturf]

There are a few small ponds by me where I catch fish out of year of pretty much all year round except winter (Texas winter).  What should I be throwing in small ponds other than texas rig, underspins, or tiny jerkbaits?  It seems that once the water temps hit 40/50s these ponds start to lock up.  

[greentrout]

I fish my small 1+1/2 acres neighborhood pond with Yum Dingers 4 and 5 inches on 12# test catching LMB.  Work 'em slow. Nothing to brag about but I'm catching them. 

 

Good Fishing

[soggyturf]

Are you doing a texas rig or some other configuration? 

[LrgmouthShad]

@soggyturf I will also second a senko-style bait. I prefer the original Yamamoto Senko. I fish them weightless Texas-style. Let it sink to the bottom on slack line and then retrieve by slowly sweeping your rod tip upwards. Let it sink again and do not reel the slack until it is on the bottom again. Continue for desired distance or all the way back to you. 
 

This method is effective for me down to the absolute coldest water temperatures in small ponds. I will sometimes pause for 20 seconds or more while it is on the bottom.

[Pat Brown]

I will say a weightless fluke works best for me using the technique described above in the winter!  But basically  exact same principle - light line, weightless plastics, work it slow and gentle in areas where they're likely to hold until it starts to warm.

 

Another way to catch fish when it's incredibly cold is to just grind and speed up.  Lipless crankbaits and spinnerbaits can be deadly on small ponds and are a little more fun to fish when it's cold.  I usually like some stain/mud or some clouds/wind for these techniques but I'll still throw them when it's calm and sunny.

[txchaser]

Dead sticking a ned. You don't have much water to cover, and you probably know where it's deepest. Take a thermos of coffee and drink some coffee in between moving it. 

[OmegaDPW]

I'm also in the camp of a Senko style stickbait. I rig mine weedless with a 3/0 EWG and no weight. Light line (one rod is 6lb mono and the other is 10). The 6lb set-up can cast a long way since the baits are so heavy. 

 

 I've also used a a small #4 hook, wacky rigged with a finesse worm. That catches more than bass, though, if the bluegill are large enough and hungry. 

 

My ponds are full of stumps and weeds, though. If it was a bit cleaner, I'd throw Beetle Spins extremely slow. Those are my favorite lures for just "catching fish" but I'm tired of losing them where I'm fishing right now. Good luck in finding out what works!

[Bankbeater]

Jig and craw is what I like to fish with.  I will be using a 1/8 or 1/4 ounce depending on the depth and wind.