My golf course pond theory

[AStallings]

This is the best explanation I've heard that makes sense. Everyone keeps talking about fishing pressure. In my case at least, there is definitely more to it than that. We fish 3-4 different ponds on a regular basis, and we're basically the only ones that ever fish on any of them, so pressure isn't a factor.

We hit up the golf course during the day on Monday (the course is closed every Monday, so no golfers). Seeing the pond in full daylight (vs @ night), and through polarized lenses I could see that although there's no above water structure, there actually is "underwater structure". Lots of ledges and steep drop offs. These were all the spots we've been catching fish at night too.

Caught this 2.5 pounder on 2nd cast with a rage tail shad. Called it a day after about 20 min since it was >95 degrees and humid

Daytime pics of the pond

[AStallings]

Interesting thread!

I must ask though: where do you folks live that you're able to stroll out onto a golf course and start fishing? I've never tried it but I know for sure I'd either get tossed by management or chased away by some golf club wielding madmen ;D

One of my friends that usually goes with us lives on the course we fish at, but it's never made a difference anyway. Night time under a full moon is the best time to hit up the golf courses. When's the last time you saw someone on a golf course at 11pm ? We've been thinking about trying some night fishing at some other golf course ponds in the area. Google earth is a great way to scope out new fishing spots, find best way in/out, where to park etc.

[AStallings]

Next tournament they have out here I will set up my folding chair on the 12th greenside bunker with my rod holder buried in the sand. I'll sit there and run a shiner all day and have a cooler of beer by my feet.

"Excuse me sir, do you my removing your ball from my cooler?"

Imagine what that would look like from the Par 3 tee box??

lol, I was thinking the same thing last golf tourny I was at. The Heritage Classic in HIlton Head, we were sitting on a hole with a little pond, Anthony Kim hit his ball in the water and we noticed there was a gator hanging out on the other side of the pond . Guess that's one way to keep the fisherman away

[LCpointerKILLA]

I have witnessed packs of 4-5 larger sized bass actually cruising around close to shore searching and hunting for bait.

This is pretty common in waters I've fished in both NY and CO.

Since there is no cover the bait fish move more, which forces the bass to hunt rather than ambush.

There has to be some way for prey fish to escape predation, otherwise there wouldn't be any left -and you'd have small, skinny bass. This is not uncommon in small ponds with little cover.  I'm wondering if these ponds have a shallow shelf rimming them, as the primary cover, making the shoreline, as I think you describe, the key location for hunting bass, but shallow enough to exclude the bass.

Another thought is that you have golden shiners in there, and some are able to grow to mature size somewhere (shelf?). These can be too large to be eaten by most bass in the pond, and are able to crank out young shiners over the course of the year. I believe GS's can spawn more than once a year in the south.

Just some thoughts.

That sounds good

[Paul Roberts]

Structure/Cover has several "functions":

Structure/cover creates a diversity of environmental elements that create/support a diversity of life forms that are the food chain. You need a lot of links to grow mature bass.

Cover is a place for those links to escape predation.

Bass know, and learn, how to exploit that cover when feeding. Anglers do too.

While bass can be caught other places, they are most vulnerable at those locations.

Pressure can and probably will rear it's ugly head, but under proper conditions and with good presentation skills, you can work around this. Those same areas will still be where the bass are most vulnerable. Another one, if the water is shallow enough, or clear enough, is the surface film -and it's everywhere. A topwater worked appropriately can usually draw some fish. If away from the usual "hunting locations" it may just take some patience.

[Tokyo Tony]

To add to your theory...

I think another reason why golf course pond fishing is so easy is that the bass are conditioned to people walking around the pond, with no negative cues. They become used to people being around, so they aren't aware that a person can be dangerous to them when that person is armed with fishing gear instead of golf clubs

[fishizzle]

good point TT

[hoosierfisherman]

Now I'm gonna have to fish the golf course down the street....

[LCpointerKILLA]

To add to your theory...

I think another reason why golf course pond fishing is so easy is that the bass are conditioned to people walking around the pond, with no negative cues. They become used to people being around, so they aren't aware that a person can be dangerous to them when that person is armed with fishing gear instead of golf clubs

that is very true