Bass 1ft off the shore?

[LazyBASS1301600404]

So at my pressured City park lake there is this Bass that just sits close to the sidewalk edge,  why is this?  It is in the same spot everytime I go there.  Easily spooked but will always come back when nobody is around.  How would I try to land this guy?  Easily a 3lber.

I often see crawdads tucked in the cracks at the sidewalk edge,  so maybe hes waiting for a free meal?

[TrippyJai]

When I fish a pond without much structure or weed, I notice the bass usually hanging right on the edge of the shoreline. I'm not sure why it's there, but if the fish is spooky, stand further back and try a finesse worm or senko wacky rigged.

[Missouribassman95]

A pond I fish has alot of bass 1 or 2 feet off the shore, I've always thought it was because they were feeding on little minnows, and bluegills.

[Grey Wolf]

A common practise with bass and carp. Looking for a meal.

[Bass Fisher55]

I noticed that too for some ponds and inland lakes, I think it's because minnows and bluegill hang out near the shoreline.

[hmongkidBee]

So at my pressured City park lake there is this Bass that just sits close to the sidewalk edge, why is this? It is in the same spot everytime I go there. Easily spooked but will always come back when nobody is around. How would I try to land this guy? Easily a 3lber.

I often see crawdads tucked in the cracks at the sidewalk edge, so maybe hes waiting for a free meal?

wacky rig a 4" green pumpkin w/ black flake senko.  Try to stay about 4 or 5 feet away from the bass so he doesn't get spooked.  Cast the senko about 5 or 6 feet ahead of the bass(try to create as little noise as possible).  Let the senko sink and then keep twitching it, dont' stop until the worm gets back to you.  I've tried this at a few pressured lakes when I can see the bass and he can see me, and man does this technique produce.

[Sam]

"Know Your Enemy!"

This is an old Army saying.

For us, it is "Know Your Bass."

Largemouth bass like to have something to sit next to as they believe they are safer. The item can be a stick sitting straight up in a river or lake.

Bass like structure they can "hide" in, or believe they are hiding from their predators and a place where they feel they can ambush prey.

This is why that bass always comes back to the same spot.  It happens in ponds, rivers and lakes.

If you are fishing a lake and find a bass on a stump, you will find another one on the stump within an hour.

This is why some guys have their favorite "honey holes" which are places to fish where they know there is structure that attracts and holds bass.

I would think that the bass in the pond is an old lady who knows about people and will swim away when she sees a person.

You need to be at least 20 to 25 feet from where she is sitting and throw your Senko, etc. to her. She will either hit it, ignore it, or swim away.

This is because she has become accustomed to people and baits which mean, to her, bad news.

You all need to read and study your enemy. The more you know about their habits and patterns the more successful you will be.

Just words to the wise. 

[NorcalBassin]

Sam's on the money and HM's technique should work... just get quite a bit further away before you cast, especially if the water is pretty clear. If you see her, she sees you.

[5bass]

Toss your chosen bait (from a good distance) up onto the sidewalk and just drag it slowly into the water near the bass. Wait 3 seconds, then set the hook.

I'd probably throw a small finesse worm on a light shaky head first.

[Taylor Fishin 4 life]

I think its because the pond doesnt get much oxygen so they hangt shallower.

[BASSclary]

That bass is just teasing you  ;D

[slonezp]

The bass are where the food is at.

[LazyBASS1301600404]

So at my pressured City park lake there is this Bass that just sits close to the sidewalk edge, why is this? It is in the same spot everytime I go there. Easily spooked but will always come back when nobody is around. How would I try to land this guy? Easily a 3lber.

I often see crawdads tucked in the cracks at the sidewalk edge, so maybe hes waiting for a free meal?

wacky rig a 4" green pumpkin w/ black flake senko. Try to stay about 4 or 5 feet away from the bass so he doesn't get spooked. Cast the senko about 5 or 6 feet ahead of the bass(try to create as little noise as possible). Let the senko sink and then keep twitching it, dont' stop until the worm gets back to you. I've tried this at a few pressured lakes when I can see the bass and he can see me, and man does this technique produce.

Yeah I was thinking stand about 5-10ft from the bass and cast parallel to the sidewalk pass the Bass and drop it in and work its way to the Bass.  Pretty tough though cause alot of human traffic walking by at times.

There are a ton of Minnows early in the morning close to the sidewalk feeding on little nats,  pretty cool thing to watch as they jump out of the water to grab the bugs.

[LazyBASS1301600404]

also if she is keying on minnows/gills she probably won't be interested in a worm type plastic?

[Taylor Fishin 4 life]

Lol just use one of those cheeto or cornflake fly imatations, should work  ;D

[SirSnookalot]

Roostertail

[WVcrank]

If I were you i would just leave the bass alone, Be happy fishing for the ones you can't see, knowing that there are bass that big in the pond you are fishing is satisfaction enough.

[NewAngler]

Here's what you do. Forget what everyone has said and listen to me. As I know best.

Paint your face black.

Wear black clothes.

Pack a spear.

Be stealthy.

As you near the bohemoth, get close to the ground and get within eye shot of said beast. Once visible, stand and let out a war cry while waving the spear in the air. Dive into the shallow pond, head first of course, and swoop the bass into your arms. Take picture and release. Next, Google,"Jared Allen spears elk," and try your hand at being truly baddass.

[BASSclary]

Here's what you do. Forget what everyone has said and listen to me. As I know best.

Paint your face black.

Wear black clothes.

Pack a spear.

Be stealthy.

As you near the bohemoth, get close to the ground and get within eye nuts of said beast. Once visible, stand and let out a war cry while waving the spear in the air. Dive into the shallow pond, head first of course, and swoop the bass into your arms. Take picture and release. Next, Google,"Jared Allen spears elk," and try your hand at being truly baddass.

i LOL'd  ;D

[LazyBASS1301600404]

Here's what you do. Forget what everyone has said and listen to me. As I know best.

Paint your face black.

Wear black clothes.

Pack a spear.

Be stealthy.

As you near the bohemoth, get close to the ground and get within eye nuts of said beast. Once visible, stand and let out a war cry while waving the spear in the air. Dive into the shallow pond, head first of course, and swoop the bass into your arms. Take picture and release. Next, Google,"Jared Allen spears elk," and try your hand at being truly baddass.

ROFL  ;D  Provide all the gear and I'd video doing that.

[farmpond1]

Perhaps your bass is a dope fiend.  bait your hook with some crystal meth (shouldn't be too difficult to find) and hold on tight!

[aarogb]

also if she is keying on minnows/gills she probably won't be interested in a worm type plastic?

Not true.  More than likely you will be able to catch that fish on a worm even if they are heavily feeding on little minnows.

[Mr Mojo]

throw a 1/4 ounce jig past her and slowly drag it throw green pumpkin with a net bait craw

[Quigz]

I fished a local reservoir this year for the first time and I found that casting crankbaits straight out and retrieving them back resulted in zero fish all day.  Casting them parallel with the shoreline resulted in fish all day long - go figure.

JQ

[flipinstick88]

Sounds like my little city lake I fish fairly often. I catch all my fish in that pond in 6'' to 3' of water not 5 feet from the bank of the chunk rock dam.  The fish are up there feeding on craws and small gills. Most of the fish are 12" to 16" but I did catch one that went 21".

I always make long cast parallel to the bank, best baits have been small jigs and senkos.