*The Journey Of A New Pond* (Updating Frequently)

[JellyMan]

What do ya think? Big ones too???

This is my journey. I recently moved and was supprised when a large pond was a small walk away. I will be updating every time I go out! Watch as the seasons change and sizes change. A blog if you will, of each fishing trip with tackle, gear, and fish caught on them. Pics of all the goings on from my 3 or 4 fishing sessions a week.

I think this could add some amazing first hand knowledge of going about learning a new body of water and learning the do's and dont's first hand. I'm sure this could help out alot of people.

Thought you'd like to come fishing with me

Day 1,

Finally got around to fishing the new pond by my place and pulled some numbers. The thing is LOADED with small bass. Caught like 7 bass in 45 min. Problem is, is they were all under 1lb. Kinda a bummer but fun none the less. I am just hoping there are some big ones in there too. It scares me to think that 1blers is all I am going to catch out here.

Top water bite was on fire. So was slow rolling plastic hogs and lizards.

Anyways, anyone experience similar conditions? Small bass pond? Or do you think I need to just keep fishing it and hope for the big ones...

Here is the Pond...

[Under the Radar]

Son you're a better man than I if you can gauge a lake in just 45 minutes of fishing.

The spawn is pretty much over now here in CF. 3 months ago you would have had a better view of the pond imo.

Hang in there and give it some time. I'd bet there is bigger than 6 or 7 in there depending on the forage base. I fish a few 2 acre public ponds that I've caught 4's 5's & 6's out of and they don't look as good as what you've got there.

Tight Lines

Nick

[Big-O]

I'd bet BIG on Big Fish 

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[Hammer 4]

I would Think there are much bigger fish in there than you think..   And I agree, 45 mins is Nothing, you need to spend some time, and learn the place..

[bassman31783]

I agree with the other guys, give it some time.  I would be really surprised if there are only dinks in that pond. 

[JellyMan]

Fished it again today. 9 bass all under 1lb.  :'(

What else is odd is that the bite dies down to zero right before dark. I am no bass behavioral expert but I am think they do this cuz the bigger fish come out of all those deep grass beds to feed at night?

I have no problem fishing at night.

We will just have to see. Time will tell.

[bwell]

What are you using to catch these bass??

Try a big t-rigged brush hog and see if that will get some fatties to bite.

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

The bigger question is: how healthy looking were the small bass? Little skinny bony cigars or were they plump and round? That will tell you something. Also, when and if you get a bigger fish, if they turn out to be paper thin with big heads then you know you got a forage problem and its a very common problem in small impoundments in Florida. Its always warm and the fish never stop eating.

Still I'd say give it some time.Throw some bigger baits.Just play around with it and enjoy the fact that it is right outside the door. If all else fails see if your allowed to harvest any of them.

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

Throw you a 10 inch worm,a lightly weighted rage lobster, or like BWELL said a full size brush hog if you go at night. A black buzzbait or hula popper never hurts either. 8-)

[JellyMan]

All I throw are big hogs, anaconda's, and tried the space monkey last night. They loved it.

All the bass I catch look like healthy little guys. Nice color and normal girth.

I think there may be something going on in here. I saw a HUGE fish of unknown species with fins out of water moving in what looked like slow circles. There are LOADS of bass in there, I just cant seem to get a bite or locate anything over 1 lb. Even on my big baits.

I will post some pics of what these little guys look like maybe tonight. I think I am going to go a bit earlier and see how the day bite is. 

[hookset on 3]

Jelly, how old is this pond? that makes a big diff.

Are you seeing any bait fish in that clear water?

hookset on 3

[bassman31783]

Man I would go out there at night & throw a big black buzzbait.  That ought to get the big girls attention.

[Sam]

If you are catching lots of dinks the pond may be over run with bass and they can't grow.

Keep trying. Mom is out there somewhere. 

[JellyMan]

If you are catching lots of dinks the pond may be over run with bass and they can't grow.

Keep trying. Mom is out there somewhere.

Good input. I'm trying to piece this all together.

Another odd thing tonight when I went to fish it, the bite stopped completley. I got ZERO bites.

I did see something quite large in the water tho. Couldnt see from the shore but it is possible it was a big grass carp. IDK. Cant see it. It was acting like a veg head tho. circles and constant movement.

[Sam]

Hummm......nothing at night?

Did you throw a black Zoom trick worm on a shaky head presentation?

What about a white Cavitron buzzbait? If that doesn't produce strikes what about a black Cavitron?

Nothing on a noisy crankbait?

They probably went deep into holes you do not know exist nor can you reach without a boat.

How about going out before sunrise and trying again before you head to work or school?  Try topwaters as they will come up and start to feed in shallow water.

That is a beautiful pond and you should be catching them. 

[phoneman]

If you are catching lots of dinks the pond may be over run with bass and they can't grow.

x2

[phoneman]

I wish i had a nice pond in my backyard.

However, lake st claire aint too shabby...

[Skinnyh2ofishin]

At least you have a place close to home to go catch some fish and try new lures out.  I still enjoy hitting the small ponds and canals within walking distance, even when the average catch is smaller than the bigger lakes.  I've pulled some big bass out of those canals even though there were a thousand 1lber's in between. 

Like many of the smaller drainage-oriented ponds around CF, you probably have a forage issue, as already mentioned.  There may be tons of bass but an undersized average.  That said, the bigger, smarter, more successful bass will feed on whatever they can get their mouths around, even if that means the mainstay of their diet is smaller bass.  As long as you enjoy fishing out there you always have the opportunity of fooling those bigger bass. 

You may have to work harder to fool the bigger fish (fish more thoroughly, bulkier baits, etc.) but it's Florida, there are big bass everywhere.

[JellyMan]

Well, found out sumore styff this evening. There are BIG Grass Carp in here, and saw Tilapia bedding as well. There is deffinatley alot of fish population in here. Not sure is that is good for big bass or not.

Pics of my day.

Big ole dead grass carp. Turtles were tearing him up.

This is what the bass I catch look like. All dinks all the same size. They look healthy to me....

I did catch something a bit bigger tonight. Right before dark on a buzzbait. No pics be he was about 1 1/2 or 2 lbs.

Still trying to dial things in...

[Big-O]

This time of year, Night fishing is an excellent way to find out about size opportunities in a lake like you're describing.

And buzz baits over the grass is the fastest way to get'r'dun. If the grass is too thick in some areas, throw Buzz type Toads or Rage Shad to give you the same splash and noise yet no prop fouling.

If there are deeper pockets with grass surrounding, fish the edges with T rigged Soft plastics and rattling jig'n'craw. 6/0 - 1/4 oz Weighted hook with that Annie will drag'em out too.

I would love to fish that lake with you....It looks terrific and if it has held good water for several years, I think you're gonna whack a giant there

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[Paul Roberts]

Well, found out sumore styff this evening. There are BIG Grass Carp in here, and saw Tilapia bedding as well. There is deffinatley alot of fish population in here. Not sure is that is good for big bass or not.

Pics of my day.

Big ole dead grass carp. Turtles were tearing him up.

This is what the bass I catch look like. All dinks all the same size. They look healthy to me....

I did catch something a bit bigger tonight. Right before dark on a buzzbait. No pics be he was about 1 1/2 or 2 lbs.

Still trying to dial things in...

Love this idea, of following a pond for a time with an angler. Fun idea.

That bass is "healthy" bc it's young. It's growth you want and that fish, if it's typical, appears stunted. They should be thinned -unless there's a population of big bass that'll eat them. Give a swimbait, or night fishing, a go -just to see. A buddy and I did that once in a pond full of stunts -night fishing with SBs. We caught two 4's, a 5, a 6, and a 7. Either way, consider thinning -even if you have to feed the turtles.

Here are pics from a pond the year before and three years after a massive winterkill:

I caught over a hundred of these 9"-10" stunts.

These survivors were 13"-16" and fat, three years later (this is the north -you're growth rates would likely be greater).

[NewAngler]

To me that fish looks at decent health. The mouth is pretty big from the size, but hard to tell from one picture. Thinning out the small bass doesn't sound like a bad idea, maybe you could donate the fish to a local homeless shelter or something.

Want to know what I would do? Go at night (as mentioned) and throw a BIG bait, MS Slammer, or other wakebait/ top water swimbait. A bigger fish will come. During the day, I would get a 6-7" (or bigger!) baby bass swimbait and chuck it out there. Jsj snack size would be a great choice. It's about 2 oz, and can be thrown on most flipping gear.

This is a great idea, man. Hope you find the bigass momma.

[RockvilleMDAngler]

Judging by the size of the head that bass appears to be pretty stunted.  Harvesting the dinks might be the best option but it's no fun killing all the little fish.  I guarantee you that there are some big fish in that pond but harvesting some of the smaller ones would allow for the general population to thrive.

That appears to be a carp but judging from the amount of grass in that pond I doubt it is a grass carp, it's probably some other type of carp.  With that thick grass I would throw a rage shad on braided line for a big momma.

[TxHawgChaser1]

I still believe in the bigger baits/bigger fish theory as a lot of others on here do....

I've had this problem and what worked for me was a 10" powerworm and a topwater Zara Spook...  I'd also be interested to see if you'd catch any bigger ones on a wacky rigged senko???

[JellyMan]

Went out today. Hot day. 90. Light breeze.

Caught 2 little guys and something big.

I was using a floating crank bait to try to search out some bass. Felt the strike, set the hook and I was stoked. The thing felt like 6 or 7 lbs. Pulled it up to the shore and to my suprise it was 7 lbs!!!

7lbs of pure yellow bellied slider.  : I thought I had a champ. Dam turtles.

Noticed more massive grass carp.

Still nothing over 2 lbs.

Getting a bit disapointed. I will continue to try.

:-/