small pond help

[fishinTexas]

I have recently been blessed w/ the oportunity to fish some private ponds. I have only fished them three times, and caught about 20 fish. They are consistently some of the biggest fish I have caught (keep in mind I've only been fishing for two years). My questions are in relation to these small ponds, the biggest is about two acres. The deepest is about 60ft.

Is there a time during the winter when it will be to cold to fish? I'm in the panhandle of Texas, and don't know if smaller ponders get to cold to fish.

The second time I fished there (late October) I was catching a lot off of a whie H&H spinner. I went back yesterday no luck w/ the white H&H, but switched to a black and chartruse H&H much better results (7 fish).

Is there certain colors that are better than others? How do I judge water color and selection? Has anyone ever used a color collector?

And lastly how do I know when spawn will occur in these ponds?

Thanks in advance

[Keepin_It_Reel]

I found that in the winter there is always fish that will bite. I live in indiana and i have fished in 20 degree weather and caught bass. During winter time the only lure that i would ever use is a jig and pig worked so slow that you could fall a sleep when you are fishin. Water color is easy to judge is it clear,muddy,ect. How far can you see down in the water if at all? Depening on how clear or muddy the water is you will be able to see the fish on there beds. In ponds i found that spawnin fish are sometimes harder to catch if you are not carefull because there is a very high chance they will see you and not take your lures. Try to find out what color the water is and the we will try to give you some more help

[Will]

It sounds like some fairly dirty water, so use the darker colors such as black, purple, and chartreuse colors. You can catch fish all year long, you will just need to slow down your presentation.

[Chris]

Is there a time during the winter when it will be to cold to fish? I'm in the panhandle of Texas, and don't know if smaller ponders get to cold to fish.

Unless the pond freezes I would say no.

Is there certain colors that are better than others? How do I judge water color and selection? Has anyone ever used a color collector?

I classify water clarity like this Clear is tap water Stained is like tea and dirty is like cocoa. ( I am like way simplifying this) But from clear to stained water fish are feeding mainly by sight and some by sound. Are there certain colors better than others Yes green, blue, red, purple, white, black, yellow.

red, purple, yellow, green, blue, white, black- clear

yellow, green, blue, white, black- stained

green, blue, white, black- muddy

And lastly how do I know when spawn will occur in these ponds?

When the water temp reaches 55 degrees they start to think about spawning watch the weather for days and nights to be around that temp for an extended period of time that should effect the water temp(if you don't have a water temp gage)

[BassinSoldier]

 Hey, it's never too cold to fish unless it's iced over.  I used to live in Florida when I was younger and fished farm ponds almost exclusively.  Use T-rigged or weightless soft plastics in the shallower water and go slllllooooooooooow with them in the cold weather.  As far as the spawn follow the weather advice previously stated.  Once you spot a fish give it a while and come back to it later, cuz it probably saw you.  When you come back, cast PAST the bed from a ways off.  I used to love catching the spawners in FL.  Try a super fluke or super fluke jr. any time of year.  I got hooked on those for small water, can't beat 'em!  Good luck!

[Lightninrod]

The biggest lake I fish in is a 104 acre public one but 80% of the time I'm in a 5-20 acre piece of water.  You should be able to catch Bass year-round following the advice above.

Bedding Bass can be very tough to catch in fact, in 30 years of Bassin', I can't remember catching the first one :-/.  If you should luck out and catch one, please release it especially if it's a female.

Dan