How to best utilize a new spot?

[Bazoo]

I have been blessed to find a great fishing spot and be granted access to fish.

 

It all started last fall on the church hayride when I spotted a nice lake. I was told then the owner doesn't let anyone fish. Well, fast-forward to now, I ended up asking a friend about this lake and she said "maybe, it won't hurt to ask."

 

So Sunday after service I was talking about it to the preacher and I asked him to say a prayer over me, which he did, asking for God's favor. The lake is behind a big hill and just barely visible from the road, very close to the church I attend.

 

I stopped on my way home and asked the owner, and I was granted permission to fish; Praise God! By all accounts, there are very few outsiders that have permission. His son stopped while I was getting ready to walk to the water and questioned me. He was surprised I got permission. Someone else stopped and asked my wife (who waited in the van) and she was surprised as well. Another friend that knows of them was surprised.

 

That Sunday afternoon, in about an hour I had 5 strikes and 3 lands, all smaller with the largest being 1.5 pounds.

 

I went back Wednesday, on my way to bible study, with only 45 minutes to fish. I landed 7 and had 2 other strikes, one shook it, one didn't hook up.

 

So far, they are hitting crankbaits, and then a senko and a fluke, with unsuccessful strikes on a popper and plopper. I'd say they are in the middle of the spawn (according to the research I've done on my area) and the small cove I was fishing is probably prime bedding. Some of the strikes were outside of the mouth, some in, and the senko and fluke were in obvously.

 

Here's the question, other than enjoying a spot with little/no pressure, how can I best utilize it to further my bass fishing skills? Sure, cranking in bass every 5 minutes is fun, but it doesn't help me build my skills to then be applied to more wary bass (at least I don't think it does).

 

 

[Mobasser]

I would try a plastic worm or lizard for sure. Fish them slowly on or near bottom.If the water is pretty clear, downsize to a 4" bait. Good luck.

[VolFan]

I’d work on techniques that you are not familiar with - jig and trailer for example. It really opens your eyes when what you feel is a bite.

[MediumMouthBass]

Most people think spring is the best time of year for catching bass, whether quantity or quality, and it sure is, but i like to think of spring as the best time of the year for learning about bass and lures.

 

On days the bites good use lures you wouldnt normally throw, pay attention to every thing you, the rod, the bait, the weather, etc did.... Get some confidence in those new techniques that will help you catch bass on them the rest of the year.

 

For me on the days the bites almost non existent i either work on praticing casting, whether it be for getting as far distance as possible or just lowering the brakes and training the thumb to keep the line from backlashing, or put a tungsten weight on a texas rig/heavier football jig and drag the bottom to learn where the rocks, wood, and weeds are in that body of water.

If Tuesday produces no bass atleast on Wednesday youll know where the structure and cover is and that will definitely help you for the rest of the year.

 

Id suggest throwing a variety of lures you already have a bunch of but dont use much, but things like a lipless crankbait, Chatterbait, jerkbait, spinnerbait/buzzbait, texas rigged craw/creature bait, football jig, swim jig, smaller swimbaits like Keitechs on a jig, or larger boot/paddle tail 5-6" swimbaits, curly/ribbon tail worm, even a tube on a jig or texas rig would be something to try....

If they arent hitting a popper or plopper maybe try a toad if you still want to do something with topwater.

If you want to go finesse a drop shot, ned rig, shakey head, tube jig yet again im mentioning, floating finesse worm might be something worth trying.

 

But dont over work one spot with one lure too much, last year i caught so many bass on a red lipless crank in one area, the same lake now the bass wont even bite one in that area. But ive gotten some bass this week at the other spots of the same lake i didnt fish much last year.... Guess some bass are smarter than we originally thought.

[Jar11591]

Lots of willing biters is a good time to work on a technique you aren’t confident in. Build some confidence on easy fish and it will translate. 

[FishTax]

Learn a new technique, and work on bite detection and hook setting with various lures. 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

I'd try and target the biggest fish in the pond, I'd go out there with a big magdraft or glidebait and see what lives in there.

 

If the owner doesn't fish it or let others fish it much, it might be overrun with a stunted Bass population, and if that's the case I'd listen to the advice above.  

 

If it's truly a honey hole though, I'd be looking for that special fish in it.  

[Bazoo]

I appreciate all the advice. Some of which I'd already thought of some I had not.

 

I got more intel today. I talked to the owners wife, she informed me of some of the other people that fish, mostly their immediate kids/grandkids. It doesn't sound like much.

 

I also walked around it some. There is some canoes next to a small dock, that look like they haven't seen the water in a couple of years.

 

I saw someone else fishing the dam area, and mosied on over. He's the neighbor. He said his family (mostly kids) fish it. He fishes it all the time he said. He was fishing with worms on the bottom for "whatever i can get". He said he'd caught some, what he described as 4-5 pound bass out of there... which were good eating, he also relayed. He doesn't do much with artificial lures he said.

 

He also said there was some springs in it and pointed to the spot. Said it doesn't get low when other places do in summer. That was well worth the conversation right there.

 

He said, it was 40-50 feet deep at the dam. I can't see it being that deep, but maybe.  It is right about 2 acres.

 

I got a good look at the dam end, and caught some more bass and a few bluegill at the previous spot which is in the middle on a cove, and over at the dam end.

 

The bluegill aren't colored quite right and hit bass lures. The neighbor said it was hybrid bluegill. I caught several on a popper and one on a crankbait, a normal sized crankbait! Them are some aggressive bluegill right there.

 

There is a moderate amount of stringy, long brown moss stuff that collets on your crankbaits, at least along the banks I fished. Water is not clear, but not muddy.

 

I got a few fish on a fluke which is new to me. They refused the chartreuse spinnerbait, though all my crankbait bites have been on a that color (I ain't tried another color yet).

 

I did get some pics, but I haven't gotten them to where I can share yet.

[Catt]

Sounds to me like your on the right track.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Honestly uneducated fish will get caught on just about anything, but some baits are a little more efficient at times as well as producing better fish on average.

Work on gaining confidence in new baits and or baits that produce big fish.  

[Mike L]

Seems like you’re well on your way. 
 

Experiment a little with some things you don’t normally use. 
Expanding your options and choices is one of the best ways to “expand your fishing skills”
 

 

 

Mike

[casts_by_fly]

Lots of good advice and you're catching fish so there's that.  My only advice would be to fish it, but not wear out your welcome.  A great farm pond is a wonderful thing.  Growing up my dad had a dozen or so ponds around that he'd gotten permission to over the years.  Some good, some great.  two different ones produced bass over 9 lb which is pretty big for western PA.  One of them it would be no problem to catch 50 bass in a light saturday morning, all 10-15", maybe one here or there bigger.  It was pretty awesome.  Moving to NJ, (1) I don't have the same network and (2) the ponds that are here that I've been able to fish are pretty crap.  I miss having a great pond to pop into when you have a couple hours and don't want to get the boat out.  So make really nice with the owners and cultivate that relationship.

 

And if you need some help figuring it out, I'm sure I can swing a work trip to KY.

[Bazoo]

Thanks for all the advice. Next time I go near good internet I'll upload some pictures. (I use my phone's hotspot most of the time.)

 

Not wearing out my welcome is something that I am concerned about. I also think that they are genuinely nice folks and won't mind. The fact that I sometimes take my young'un doesn't hurt.

 

Yesterday I got explicit permission to walk all the way around it. I asked to make sure they owned the whole thing, which they do.

[Fishlegs]

Congrats on getting permission to fish there. I have a spot that is similar to yours. I've been told that I'm the only non-family member that fishes there. I like to test new techniques/lures so that I can get a feel for how they work when I go there. When I first started fishing this spot I tried to fish it very slowly to learn what's under the water. It helped me to find the best spots to concentrate on.

 

Hopefully the next suggestions will seem like common sense to you, but it's not for everyone. I would recommend not doing anything to lose the privilege of fishing there. Never leave trash behind, clean up any you find, offer to help around the property if you are able, and offer the owner a token of appreciation to let them know you are grateful to be allowed to fish there. I've given my person a gift card, helped clear brush off the property, and I always take time to speak to the grandkids if they come around (which has taken my entire fishing session a time or two 😇). One time I hooked a fish, and let the kid reel it in. I got more pleasure from the kid's reaction than I would have from reeling in the fish myself. Also, you will want to see how the owner feels about keeping fish. Some want you to keep them, and some don't. I usually catch and release there, but one time I kept some catfish to eat so I sent them a plate. Courtesy, respect, & kindness go a long way.

[roadwarrior]

6 minutes ago, Fishlegs said:

Congrats on getting permission to fish...Courtesy, respect, & kindness go a long way.

 

[Bazoo]

Absolutely @Fishlegs. Thank you for the suggestions. I am grateful, and I think they can tell. I also am very polite most of the time.

 

When we had our first conversation the only thing asked of me was to not to leave any trash/make a mess. Their property is nicely kept, so I assume that not making a mess would include stuff like, not leaving logs/sticks/rocks in the are that gets mowed.

 

Along with not leaving trash, I volunteered that I would:

• pick up any trash I find (I've removed minor trash all 3 times)

• not bring anyone other than my family without permission

• not be there half the night (I did say that if I happened to be there in the evening the latest I might fish would be 30 minutes past dark)

• that I was primarily catch and release

 

He said all that was fine. I also asked if there were any specific things he'd like for me to do or not do, which there wasn't any at that time.

 

Funny you mention bringing a token of appreciation, I did just that the last time I was there, when I met the Mrs. I took a wooden bowl I'd made that I thought might match their decor, judging by the outside of their home and general style. She seemed to like it pretty well.

[WRB]

The bass are basically virgins so nearly anything should work.

C & R single hook lures are your best choice like Chatterbaits, swim jigs and weedless soft plastics T-rigged or C-rigged. Suggest using light wire circle hooks with weightless Senko.

The Bluegill maybe Red Ear sunfish, look it up.

Tom 

[Bazoo]

Here are some pics.

 

 

Crazy sunfish. Anyone know if they are hybrid bluegill or what?

 

 

 

I think this is the best one I've caught.

[MN Fisher]

3 hours ago, Bazoo said:

Crazy sunfish. Anyone know if they are hybrid bluegill or what?

Other than the mouth looks too small - I'd say it was a Green Sunfish....

[Bazoo]

I've been fishing the new spot here and there. Trying new things, or things I haven't tried in a long time. Some working and some not.

 

One day I tried a bunch of stuff and nothing worked, then switched back to a squarebill and got a few without issue. Kinda makes me wonder if squarebills are the stuff like everyone says they are.

 

Today, I got one on a lizard pulled across the surface. That was a first for that technique for me. I just started doing that.

 

I also fish live worms there some, see what's going on. There are bluegill along with those sunfish. Not caught any cats, but I seen a huge carp trolling the surface.

 

I was able to connect with the H&H spinner that I've never had luck with before.

 

[Bazoo]

I've been trying a little bit of everything, some working some not, at least not the day I tried it.

 

I did get a little bit better fish.

 

 

 

I weighed him and the scale said 1 lb 5 oz, sure felt closer to 2 lb and had the body for it but, the scale is on. Thank you @Jig Man for the spinnerbait I used!

 

I haven't fished the whole lake yet, but getting this little bit nicer one got me very excited, and thinking that maybe the big ones just don't hang out in the areas I've fished so far.

[Swamp Girl]

On 5/2/2024 at 10:23 PM, Bazoo said:

He said, it was 40-50 feet deep at the dam. I can't see it being that deep, but maybe.  It is right about 2 acres.

 

Agree with you. If would have to have a bottom like a ski slope to be that deep. The slope of the shoreline tends to indicate the slope of the bottom and the shorelines aren't steep. 

 

On 5/3/2024 at 2:48 PM, Fishlegs said:

Never leave trash behind, clean up any you find, offer to help around the property if you are able, and offer the owner a token of appreciation to let them know you are grateful to be allowed to fish there. I've given my person a gift card, helped clear brush off the property, and I always take time to speak to the grandkids if they come around (which has taken my entire fishing session a time or two 😇).

 

Giving the wife a bowl was a good idea. Find other ways to express your continuing gratitude. I fish one pond that has TWO big signs that say "Absolutely no pond access!" Pretty intimidating, right? And I drive past both those signs to fish it, but not before stopping, chatting, and leaving cashews or just-baked cookies. At another pond, I offer to help open their camp, also come with cookies, and take their grandson fishing with me. I put him in the bow, which is the best seat, and put him on bass. I even bring elk jerky for their dog. 

 

As far as catching the biggest bass, I used a lizard yesterday evening for the first time. I caught 24 bass with it before quitting it because the bass were smaller than many I've caught at that pond. I switched to a Rapala Crush City with a bigger profile and immediately caught bigger bass. Then I switched to a popper and caught even bigger ones. So, as others suggested, experiment. Different lures catch different sized fish. 

[Bazoo]

I got a couple larger ones there. This one weighed 2lb5oz.

 

 

This one weighed 2lb9oz, and came on a Pocket Frog on the corner where myself and others that do fish it will always fish.

 

I'm still experimenting at this lake, fishing it at least 2 times a week, Wednesday and Sunday, before/after church.

 

So far... I have had very little success with a spinnerbait, which I find somewhat odd. I have caught 1 I think. I've also not had any success with a jig there.. but that's coming.

 

I've had a few on the Carolina rig which I'm learning, and loving!

 

[JackstrawIII]

I think you answered your own question. Make yourself try different lures/techniques each time. There are LOTS of different ways to catch a bass, start experimenting. 

[Bazoo]

Today I had success with a split shot rig using a yum minnow, first success with both of those.

 

Plus had one on a Roostertail, which I've never really used. This was my first bass, last year I caught a crappie on one.

 

And I had my first fish on a jig, a swim jig. Interesting the way the bite felt. Pictures will be forthcoming.