Newbie Here :) Help me out?

[Bassboy15]

Hi, i'm file mob

This is the pond in my backyard...I'm not having much luck right now...wat would u suggest and wat times? I'm in kansas just incase you needed to know that?...

[georgiabassfisherman]

well there is no structure from the looks of it and to me just looking at it i wouldnt fish it.

[captaininsaneo]

Well if you know bass are in there, for sure, use a 7" TX rigged plastic worm.   I would suggest motor oil or red shad.  One of these colors will work in almost any situation if you just slowly hop it along the bottom.  I am in agreement though, there doesnt seem to be any structure at all, it really just looks like a decorative pond more than anything.

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

New subdivision ponds are not promising. You are going to have to find out if the pond was stocked and when. There is no point fishing if there aren't any fish or any fish big enough to bite a bait. Also, try to find out what the average depth is and if any structure was created when the pond was built. If this is just a holding pond for run-off, I'm afraid you may be out-of-luck.

Now, for a gereral start. At the top of the page you will see "Fishing Aticles." Inside this topic category is a section called "Beginning Anglers." It will take some time, but read them all and take a few notes. Everything you need to know to get started is there. Then come back with questions and the members will gladly help you find some answers.

Good luck!

[Rebbasser]

Welcome to the forum!

Looks like the water is muddy and not a lot of structure, so...

I would cast parallel to the bank using a bait that will either put out a lot of vibration/noise or move a lot of water.  I'd start with three baits:  A lipless crankbait like a Rat-L-Trap, a spinnerbait with a big, single Colorado blade, and a soft stickbait like a Tiki Stick or Yum Dinger.  Work them parallel to the bank since that is probably what they are relating to.

[eastkybass]

Welcome to the forum.  

I would drag something along the bottom in a C-rig or a jig and pig to feel the bottom and see if they left any structure down there.  

[bigdog]

Welcome.. Anything I would throw at the fish I would presant it real slow. I'm from MO. so maybe the water hasn't warmed enough to make them aggressave yet...Are lakes here in ST.louis are still cold.

[skillet]

 With that many folks living around it, someone has bound to have tried it. I would have (more than once ;D). Depending on what type of gear you have (something lighter) you might try a smaller in-line spinner like Mepps 3 pulled along bank. If there are any fish in it (with no cover or apparent structure) early morning or late evening might be best. WELCOME to the forums...

                                              As Ever,

                                               Skillet

[the ohh face]

If you can find out if the developer installed any rockpiles or other types of fish structure during construction that could be a big help as to finding fish or if there are any in there.  One of my most productive ponds is about that size and looks just as featureless at first glance but was used as a quarry during construction and has several giant rockpiles scattered beneath the surface.  

[Bassboy15]

I did catch a 13 inch laremouth on it today so..I now know there are decent size fish in there. Saw some MONSTERS floping around while fishing also!

[Bassassasin12]

those monsters could be grass carp put in there to keep the pond free of nasty grass and stuff. There are some huge carp in the pond I fish too. Well now that you know there are bass in there you should keep on trying and figure out where the fish like to hang out in the pond. Judging from the pictures, they could be anywhere in that pond.

[TravisLovett]

The Large fishing your seeing is probably Grass Carp as mentioned in the previous post.  I am going to second the shore line.  The few predators that are lurking will be along the shoreline watching the bank.  The parallel casts sound like the ticket to me.  Also though I would try the Rebel Hop-R.  Its a topwater grasshopper lure, should be just the thing for your situation.  I would seriously doubt that this pond has any structure at all, most holding ponds in subdivisions are just wholes in the dirt .

[Catt]

From the looks of your picture you have already figured it out; just keep doing what you were doing.

It just might be hawgs and not carp  

[Sam]

Think about adding some structure to the pond if you can do it without getting into trouble.

Some cinder blocks; tree limbs; Christmas trees after Christmas (make them Spruce if possible); and anything you can sink that the bass will use as cover.

Make a map of the pond and mark where you sunk the structure.

I lost a lure on the Christmas tree I put in the pond by my house this afternoon but at least I know it is still there.

I went out this afternoon just to see if the fish were moving and their condition.  I caught 6 big and plump redbreast; one very healthy bream; 5 bass and they all had good color; and one Crappie that had been caught before by the condition of his mouth.

And try a Rooster Tail.  All fish hit Rooster Tails for some unknown reason.  I use all sizes and usually in off white. And they are cheap, too.  Be sure to put a swivel on your line about 10 inches from the lure to avoid line twist.

And keep posting those pics.

[Gotta Love It]

Ponds like that are great LMB producers.  I have nailed huge bass from apartment complex lakes and people are amazed fish that big are in those type lakes!  There are 2 man made retention ponds in my development that have produced a few double digit bass and a couple 9 pounders (these ponds are only 7 years old).  

And I disagree with the statement that lakes without structure will not hold big bass!   Most of the lakes here in Florida are large bowls with very little structure and they still produce!  Add some structure like Sam said and you will definitely increase you odds of catching more fish!  

On a side note,  when I did fish small lakes like that, the homeowners had pvc pipe run into the lake for their sprinkler systems and this was the only structure on the lake...  I would key in on the PVC and catch 2 or 3 from each pipe...  Have fun!  

[JeepFish]

Looks like you took that picture on one of those 30mph wind days we had recently ;D Where in Kansas are you located? I live in South East Kansas. I'd fish towards those concrete culverts if I were you. I too would try to sneek some structure in there. Then when other people are fishing you can walk up to the area where you know the fish will be and start reeling them in. Everyone will be amazed, haha.

[jomatty]

if the wind isnt howling try a weightless senko.  thats my number one pond lure

[Bassboy15]

central kanssas

[fish5work2]

you may want to check just how deep this pond is and whether or not it's canal-fed. if it's deep enough and canal-fed it has potential to be a harbor for some decent sized bass. i agree though, cover the bottom with a texas rigged worm-- just work it slowly and "feel out" the bottom

[BD]

Be VERY careful about adding anything to someone elses property!

[JeepFish]

What are some good lures to use when the wind IS howling?

[Bassboy15]

Ha...tru dat

[jomatty]

spinnerbaits are the first thing that comes to mind but something like a lipless crankbait can also be effective.  wiith those baits you will not need to feel everything to catch a fish and also the wind can stir things up and get the fish active.

matt