Bass Fishing Tips for Small Ponds
- Small ponds will usually start sprouting fresh vegetation in early spring. Before bass spawn during this time, they are usually very active and will attack a variety of live bait. Catching big bass from the shore with leeches, harnessed night crawlers, spinners and minnows is common. This highly active period slightly subsides when the water reaches 60 to 70 degrees F, when spawning starts. Fishing small pond bass during the spawn can be a bit tricky. But when the big males are guarding their beds in the shallows, they will sometimes strike anything that gets near them. Successful bed fishing is done by using top-water lures disguised as anything a bass might think is out to steal his eggs. Artificial frogs, mice, senkos, flukes and Hula Poppers thrown near or directly over spawning beds will eventually result in fish. Crank baits run along weed lines are also effective, as is casting over a bed and dragging a bright colored plastic or live worm through the spawning nest. Fishing pond beds takes patience, but it's often worth the wait.
- Most small ponds don't require a boat to hunt bass. Some of the best fishing can be done from shore as bass will often sit along weeded shorelines during the early morning, part of the midday and dusk. But the slightest bit of tromping can scare them away. The key to fishing the shoreline is to walk along it and cast to the front where you haven't stepped and concentrate on working bait along the shore about 6 feet from the edge. Floating lures and plastic worms are perfect for shoreline fishing.
- When ponds water gets warmer than about 78 to 80 degrees F, bass will usually head to pools and shaded areas. The key to pulling midday bass out of pools is to find deep pockets, preferably those surrounded by weed lines and lily pads. Crank baits, spinners, plastic worms and jigs worked slowly on the edges of pools usually produce deadly results. In extremely hot weather, live bait (leeches, feeder fish, night crawlers, frogs and crayfish) are best for fishing pools.
- Some small ponds are very rich in top-water vegetation. At times, these weeds cover parts of the pond like large mats of carpet. Small pond bass love to hide under them to escape the sun and feed on unsuspecting smaller fish. They often will attack frogs, bugs and virtually anything moving around on top of the mats. Live and artificial frogs, top-water jerk baits, plastic works, and fly lures are usually very effective bass baits for fishing mats. Mat fishing is also productive during midday in small ponds.
- Trolling with a small craft such as a canoe, dingy or paddle boat is a great way to fish a pond. Working shorelines while trolling slowly is most effective during daybreak, while concentrating on deeper pools and mats as the day progresses.