Full Pond of PIGS but no strikes... suggestions???

[Billy Bones]

I have access to a stocked pond with about 4' of visibility and it is about 12' deep at the center. In it are Cats, Bluegill, and Largemouth.

The pond is spring fed and was man-made so there is no cover. It's wide open on the bottom with a little grass and milfoil.

I can catch the juveniles all day long on small crankbaits, buzz baits, spinners, etc...

However, I can't get the Big Pigs to bite on anything.

I know they are in there because I got one to surface when he swallowed a 8" Bluegill I was reeling in... he spit it out when he saw me but he was every bit of 10 lbs...

I want him (or his big brother) on my hook!

Any ideas?

I have tried some jigging with little luck. Am considering live bait since I think the Pigs have taken to eating nothing but Bluegill.

What do you say fellas! In-person help is welcome if you want to fish in central VA!

Thanks,

[Fat-G]

Mattlures Baby Bass.

[Shane J]

I'd try a swim jig with a summer craw Rage Craw trailer.

[Grey Wolf]

Try fishing for them at night.

[BASSclary]

It may be that the bass are territorial and you'll have to trigger a reaction strike; what i would do is throw out a football jig ( Colors close to Bluegill ) and just hop it right in front of his nose. If he doesnt strike, try other lures but fish them AS SLOW AS POSSIBLE. And if THAT doesnt work, its definately a zombie fish

[Bass_Akwards]

First things first. What you saw was NOT a "He." "He" LMB don't get that big, only "She" LMB get that big.

Secondly, you mentioned that "You can't get the big pigs to bite on anything." Then in the very next sentence you say a giant bass swallowed a 8' bluegill you were reeling in.

How can you say you cant get the big pigs to bite, when you supposidly got a big pig to not only bite, but swallow a bluegill that was on your line? How do you even know the bluegill was 8'' long if you never got it to shore? Weird story bro.

Anyway, why not learn from your experiences? If you really did have a monster LMB crash a live bluegill, then fish live bluegills!!! If you're not allowed to fish live bait, then look on the internet for a beautiful 8'' bluegill swimbait :

[Billy Bones]

Easy... the bass spit the Bluegill out... the Bluegill stayed on the line. He was really good size, 8" minimum and 2 lbs. The bass that had him was a monster.

I say I can't get them to bite on anything because I was not fishing with BGs... It was pure chance.

Not a bad idea fishing live bait. I have considered that but it doesn't seem sporting or fun that way.

[Big-O]

I bet that fish will eat a Big Worm T or C rigged. Keep the weight light and try your best not to make alot of water disturbance with your casts. Small bodies of water are much easier to give your presence away than larger lakes. Another bait that will get bit is the Eeliminator C rigged, again light weight like 3/16 to 1/4 max. Tip the tail w/chartreuse if in daylight hrs.

With artificials, it's all about Presentation and Patience....Start of course wherever she tried to smoke the Gill and fish the entire area extremely slow and make sure to cover every inch of the water several times....then cover it again 

I would also choose early morning or late evening-early night to make my move.

Hope you get the chance to "Grab those Big Jaws"

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[WRB]

Mattlures Baby Bass.

+1; or 5" Matt's bluegill.

How big in acres is this pond?

WRB

[jkoch]

Easy... the bass spit the Bluegill out... the Bluegill stayed on the line. He was really good size, 8" minimum and 2 lbs.

I don't think an 8" bluegill is 2 lbs.

[roadwarrior]

Mattlures Baby Bass.

Perfect!

8-)

[brushhoggin]

I'm with Big-O. There is no doubt she would bite a worm. any worm, any length. i'd just throw a good ole baby brushog in watermelon w purple flake or junebug. cast, let it sink, hop it slowly back to you. 

[Missouribassman95]

Try a Storm Wildeye Swim Shad. Bluegill color.

[Fishbone]

Are you the Billy Bones of BBQ fame out of Mich????

[bigbill]

Try bluegill and sunfish colored lures in the early am.

I use a few different lures in the early mornings.  I use a deep 10' diving rebel BIG Claw crawfish,  a BPS Topnocker (topwater). I been using a norman thin "N" in bluegill too.

[VAfishin]

where in central VA are you? Richmond?

[Bass Junkie]

Just my opinion, but if he ate a 'Gill that you were pullin' across the top of the water, I'd try a floating Bluegill swimbait, such as a Tylures Kicker Sunfish. One of the best techniques for these style of baits is deadsticking them. Just toss them out by any likely cover and let 'em sit. Bass can't resist it. If nothing bites after a minute or two, give it a little twitch and start reelin' it back slooooowly, to make it wake. A lot of the time when a fish grabs this bait it leaves just a small swirl behind and your line will just start going out, like a bass taking a weight less plastic. Give 'em a second, then stick the hooks into 'em.