Big Bass in little pond?

[Djulin]

I occasionally fish in this community/private pond that's pretty small. About 1/2 an acre. Its clear with lots of gunk on the floor and grass on the edges and in clumps throughout the middle of the pond. And there are cattails in the corners. I usually catch about 10-20 small (1-1.5 lbs.) large mouths using 5-6" senko's, poppers, and lip-less cranks. My question is- Are there any big bass in there? They funny thing is, it's been about 10 years since I last fished in this lake. So I was thinking all of those smaller bass we used to catch as teenagers would be big by now. But they are not. Well at least the ones I'm catching aren't. And I really don't think many people fish in this lake. Any thoughts?

[Steven Ladner]

In small ponds around here where people usually catch a bunch of dinks, there aren't many, if any, bigger fish in the ponds. This is due to there being too many fish in the ponds and there growth is stunted so they are normally small fish all about the same size. There could be a couple of nice ones in there, but it sounds like the bass population is stunted.

[aarogb]

In small ponds around here where people usually catch a bunch of dinks, there aren't many, if any, bigger fish in the ponds. This is due to there being too many fish in the ponds and there growth is stunted so they are normally small fish all about the same size. There could be a couple of nice ones in there, but it sounds like the bass population is stunted.

x2.  When you catch some more small ones take them out.  You can take them to another pond or lake, or you can have a fish fry.

That should fix your stunted growth problem.

[Raul]

Yes there will be big fish and if the pond is old and has been stocked for a long time sometimes you get a surprise, there aren 't many big  fish in a little pond, the pond can only support a few large fish but those few large fish are usually pretty big.

[Jake.]

There's probably one or two good ones in there, but a 1/2 acre pond is pretty small. You should take a good amount of the small ones out as long as you are allowed to.

[jeosbo01]

The best pond I have ever fished was only about 3/4 acre...there has been on 6 pound SMB and 2 LMB's over 8 pounds caught there this year...but the owner is very careful with managing it and they feed it 10 pounds of minnows every other month Spring-Fall  

[roadwarrior]

The issue with little ponds is that they dry up occasionally.

If you don't know anything about them, they are probably

not worth fishing.

8-)

[sbfishySC]

I have a similar problem. I've found that it must be overpopulation of other fish and stunted growth on the largemouth. I'm pretty much keeping everything I catch now, trying to clear it out a little bit and see if it helps in a couple years. I really had no other solutions as to why I could only catch 1 lbers in the past 10 years. I'd have myself a nice supper with what you catch if I were you.

[Djulin]

Thanks guys. I was thinking that was the issue but was keeping my fingers crossed. It's funny though, there are 2 upper lakes about the same size, maybe a hair bigger that have monsters in them and I mean monsters. But they are both POSTED now. Oh well. I'll just make the wifey a nice dinner one day next week.

[Jig Thrower]

there are probably some big ones in there i have a friend who lives in the city limits that has 6 and 7 lbers...you mainly catch dinks but catch a little blue gill and tie it on i bet you find a big one if it is roaming.

[guitarkid]

Yes, I pulled a 20" and a 23" out of our neighborhood pond.

           -gk

[looking4structure]

my PB came from a 1acre pond. 6lbs 4oz.caught it on a 1/4oz terminator buzzbait

[Gangley]

The issue with little ponds is that they dry up occasionally.

If you don't know anything about them, they are probably

not worth fishing.

8-)

Thats generally true, but i have found two ponds out in the middle of the woods that I knew nothing about after living in the area for 5 years.  Both ponds have produced great fishing, with my personal best coming out of a pond that was maybe 75-100 foot wide and 4 foot deep.  Never hurts to check out new bodies of water.

[fishinfewl]

I wish I had a small pond to fish for any size bass.   :'(

[jeosbo01]

The issue with little ponds is that they dry up occasionally.

If you don't know anything about them, they are probably

not worth fishing.

The buddies pond I mentioned above drops to 35' in the middle and is fed by 2 springs. Granted it is an unusual pond, but not all small ones will dry up.

You are right that they are probably  not worth fishing if you know nothing about them...but why not spend a couple days finding out for sure.

[jiggerpole]

This is not exactly a pond but a small lake senario. 1. The Lake is 45 acres. 2. The bass caught were considered stunted. 3. 9,000 Plus bass were caught and removed. (Killed). Not a good ideal to put fish into another lake or pond because you could create problems. 4. The average weight of the bass were 8 to 10 ounces. 5. Threadfin shad were introduce at less than the recomended rate but were full grown and ready to spawn when stocked. Aprox; 10,000. ( The spawn worked great) 6. One year later the average weight of bass increased to 20 to 24 ounces. (Fat as footballs) The spotted bass under 2lb. are still being killed and all largemouths are released for the moment. Fertilization plan is in effect and fish habitats are being sunk all the time. (Management Works) Here is a pic of what a healthy bass should look like.

[nUgZ]

Oh how I wish all bass looked like that!!

[Steven Ladner]

This is not exactly a pond but a small lake senario. 1. The Lake is 45 acres. 2. The bass caught were considered stunted. 3. 9,000 Plus bass were caught and removed. (Killed). Not a good ideal to put fish into another lake or pond because you could create problems. 4. The average weight of the bass were 8 to 10 ounces. 5. Threadfin shad were introduce at less than the recomended rate but were full grown and ready to spawn when stocked. Aprox; 10,000. ( The spawn worked great) 6. One year later the average weight of bass increased to 20 to 24 ounces. (Fat as footballs) The spotted bass under 2lb. are still being killed and all largemouths are released for the moment. Fertilization plan is in effect and fish habitats are being sunk all the time. (Management Works) Here is a pic of what a healthy bass should look like.

That IS a healthy bass. Looks like a football.

[drmnbig]

A bass with a belly like that and you are gonna have some monsters here in a few years!!!

[Red Bear]

there are probably some big ones in there i have a friend who lives in the city limits that has 6 and 7 lbers...you mainly catch dinks but catch a little blue gill and tie it on i bet you find a big one if it is roaming.

this is what i would try, the bluegill jerking your line to free itself will draw the bass in. if there are bass big enough they will slam the bluegill

[69tr6r]

Tried a new to me little pond last night for the first time. This place looks like it would be great for bass. The water level was raised about 3 feet in the last few years, so there are trees submerged around the entire perimeter, as well as dead wood and laydowns everywhere. Well I fished this place for 45 minutes without a bite and thought it might be empty. Then, wham! Caught my biggest LMB of the year, probably around 4lbs (remember this is CT!). This fish was fat too! I didn't have another bite all night. Now I'm starting to wonder if that fish is the only one in there, and if it might have been transplanted by someone.

[haveme1]

This came from ......

This !!

[wvbucketmouth]

My PB (8 LB) weighed on a digi, was caught in a pond probably smaller than a half acre. The pond was completely covered in moss, and we were not even going to try it, but im glad we did. I threw a Mann's Hard Nose Lizard and just dragged it across the moss. Second throw, WHAM!!! Scared the heck out of me ;D

Thank goodness my crazy buddy was with me, he went in the pond after it, as there was no way I could get it in with all that moss.

We released her, and I was a happy camper!