A New "Secret Pond"

[roadwarrior]

Isn't it odd to find just what you are looking for, right in front of your nose? I have lived in Germantown, a suburb of Memphis for eleven years. My daughter attended both middle-school and high school within minutes of our home. Unbenounced to me, just a few blocks off the beaten path, a fifteen acre pond was waiting to be "discovered" virtually, behind the middle-school.

The pond is actually about ten years old and has always been part of the city park system. Surprisingly, only a very few "neighbors" are aware of this particular body of water. I "found it" this weekend.

With recent heavy rainfall, most of our ponds are flooded and muddy, but the new pond is simply full and stained. As is typical in the area, there is very little vegetation and no noticable structure. So, fishing the pond without any guidance or focal point was to be expected.

On other posts I have suggested that people fish the entire shoreline, regardless of appearance until you can determine good and not so good areas to concentrate on. Although I would normally start with a 6" Senko or Fat Ika, the slope of the bank indicated deep water immediately off the shore. I decided to start with topwater early and when I came back later, a jig.

Without high expectations, I arrived at the pond around 6 o'clock Saturday Morning. The weapon of choice was a 3/8 oz Cavitron Buzzbait, black on black. I started on a section with a flat profile, thinking relatively shallow water might be the ticket early. I was wrong.

After forty-five minutes of nothing, I moved to the steep bank. Another fifteen minutes and a hour into the trip...nada. As I moved down the bank, footing became an issue. I was paying more attention to position than presentation. Although I was beginning to lose enthusiasm, I still had fresh water ahead. The bank is boringly uniform except for an occasional ridge runing into the water. I noticed what appeared to be an extended ridge just ahead.

Approaching this hump, I stopped about ten yards inside casting distance to place the buzzbait well beyond the ridge and establish good footing, and it's a good thing I did!

My cast was a bit errant, further out from the bank than I had planned. As I brought the Cavitron across the open water, big momma attacked! Buzzbaits aren't slapped, they're eaten. The fish created an incredible swirl, but I didn't make a move.

The equipment I use for buzzbaits, spinnerbaits and most jerkbaits is a St. Croix Avid AC66MF with a soft tip. The rod loads up quickly, but you don't set the hook until that happens. It seemed like an eternity as the fish headed down with the lure, but she didn't know it had a hook in it for several seconds. When I set that hook, she bolted for deep water.

No "big fish" story is complete without a picture and since I don't have one, I'll just call her a good'un.

8-)

[thetr20one]

Cool! We have very public places here people won't fish because they have to walk a ways. Their loss. You may have laid the first footprints around there in awhile huh. I betcha go back soon too!

[Pigsticker]

Did you catch the fish, sounds like you did but you didnt talk about landing it.

I fished a pond/small lake(with Matt Strykul) a lot like the pond you found. Little structure and no grass, so spent the time walking the banks throwing a stick-ups, its bad when they are movable and when you snag um you have to reel the cover in :. Did not think to throw a buzzbait that is a good idea

I love the finding a close by pond then nailing a good un'  out of it That is  GREAT story its cool how it was right under your nose the whole time.

[roadwarrior]

Yes, I landed the fish, but I had much better luck yesterday! I had a trip to make on Saturday and only fished for two hours. Yesterday, Mother's Day, I snuck in a couple more hours. Nine fish, five nice ones and four tournament bass (under 5 lbs). All of the other fish were caught on an Evolution jig and Baby Paca Craw, coated with a dab of MegaStrike.

8-)

[Masshole Mike]

awesome story kent! it's always nice to find a hidden honey hole, but it's even nicer to yank a monster out of one.

8-)

[Siebert Outdoors]

Sounds like a great spot RW.

Cough Cough.  Pics??

[roadwarrior]

Cough Cough. Pics??

I agree.

In this day and age, ya gotta have the pic! That's why I make no

claim to weight. If I get lucky and catch another, maybe I'll have

a pic to share.

:

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

The problem is that RW just isn't familiar with photoshop.  Send them to me Kent and I'll wipe out the backgrounds for you ;D

Might be time for a short canoe? (I would suggest a belly boat but I think snakes are probably an issue where you are)

[paul.]

awesome rw!!!  i know you've caught enough big bass to guess within ounces what one weighs.  your silence about the size/weight of the fish you are catchin' speaks volumes.  they must be some sho 'nuff good 'uns.  congrats on the new secret spot and the lunkers.  couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.  really cool story too buddy.

[rondef]

Good job Kent.

[Siebert Outdoors]

Cough Cough. Pics??

I agree.

In this day and age, ya gotta have the pic! That's why I make no

claim to weight. If I get lucky and catch another, maybe I'll have

a pic to share.

:

Oh I believe you.  I dont doubt it one bit.  I just like seeing pictures.   8-)

[roadwarrior]

I know...

I'll get some pictures next time. I'm pretty excited about the pond, it really has some potential. Now that I know what to expect, I'll be a little better prepared. The biggest surprise wasn't the fish themselves, but the bite on Sunday after a huge storm came through Saturday night. Fish are usually negatively affected right after large quantities of water come into a pond: cooler water, visibility, lack of dissolved oxygen, etc. To have a big day in terms of both quantity and size is unusual.

I'm really anxious to throw a Mattlures Baby Bass at these fish.

8-)

[Siebert Outdoors]

I know...

I'm really anxious to throw a Mattlures Baby Bass at these fish.

8-)

It sounds alot like a place I fish.  Just loaded with big fish and hard biting fish.  

[FD.]

RW  you need one of these so you don't have to walk the bank....

[roadwarrior]

Nice ride!

8-)