We hve this small pond a few iles from where i live, they call it sunset lake, for the last several, 10-15 +/- or so, there are some very large smallies that refuse to be caught, weather by worm, lure or flie they are just to dang stuborn and wont bite , what have others had luck with for catching these finiky eaters? Many people have tried and all have failled. Well there has to be a first sometime ? right?.
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"Aim for the kill zone and hit what aim for"
--unsure of original author--
Depends on the pond and what their food source is as well as water clarity. Whatever they eat narurally try to immitate it. I've always had succes on ponds with either little grubs on a jighead or small surface lures. Being in a pond, I would downsize the size of the bait. Also, try to stay as far away from the edge of the pond as possible. Doesn't take too much to spook them along the edge.
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Jimmy S: 1/8/09 " I can hardly wait for baseball season to start. I love my Yankees! "
---okay let me describe this place, for one there is a floating bridge that crosses this pond, the bass will swiim right up to the edge while people are standing next to it fishing. generally there is as many as six or seven or as little or few as two or three. last summer while standing there with my wife and kids a school (5-6) of them came up to bridge side, it was longer then my fishing net! (net is 28" long) - They didnt seem to care that was a couple of us litterally dropping worms, lures of all sorts all over them, They just kinda turned up there noses and nonchalantly swam off. Now if thats just enough to discourage ya![&o]
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"Aim for the kill zone and hit what aim for"
--unsure of original author--
I dont know if you tried this,but try fishing this pond sunup and sundown.Throw in some different 2inch lures like;a jointed rebel,or Rapala,and some pin minnows[start with the natural looking lures first].Try different retrieves like;slow, fast,with some twitching motion involved.These fish have to eat something out of that pond to survive.How about some small poppers at dusk?If your DEC allows fishing bass during the spawn,go for it then,thats when they are really frisky[I would recommend catch and release,that could be a touchy subject during the spawn].Is there a good crayfish population in this pond?Try some Storm or Berkley crawfish baits[with some scent].
There are so many different methods to try,but if your determined,you`ll get it.But I have alot of success with these methods just going to a pond on the blind.Thats why they call it fishing and not catching.Good luck and keep us posted,you could help US out,if we run into this situation.
Maybe try some finesse techniques for those bass since they seem so skittish. Weather is also a major input on the feeding behavior of bass. But try to identify their main food source(s), then get a lure or bait and do your best to try and imitate their natural prey. If the water is very clear, this will probably be tougher to do, depending on the amount of pressure that is put on them.
In the rivers around here, the smallies love crawfish and crankbaits that imitate them.
If you could give us some more info on the pond, such as food sources, clarity, depth, etc. we might be able to help ya out some more. Keep us posted and above all, have fun!!
Get some good non visible lowest test line you can too. Sounds like they are very skittish. Doesnt' take much to turn off fish like that especially a smallmouth.
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Jimmy S: 1/8/09 " I can hardly wait for baseball season to start. I love my Yankees! "
well water clarity isnt the greatest on most days- on the edges from sure, 8-12', then the water gets cloudy. I' not exactly how deep the pond is , some say anywhere from 40'-60', and on occasion they'll be a few that will say its 100' or more. There is trout, bass,(small and large mouth) pickeral and bullpout that live in here. There is crawfish of ALL sizes, but as far as bugs, I dont know. They (trout) will take anything fro worms, crawlers, powerbait--either nugs or paste, to eggs. But the bass on the other hand, i've never had the luck to catch one yet. I want to say thanks for the tips and suggestions, ALL are greatly apperciated!!--Later on (next month)when season opens hopefully ice will clear out so i can try out these new ideas/tatics. WOW cant wait .
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"Aim for the kill zone and hit what aim for"
--unsure of original author--
what seems to be best for small mouth?
, what have others had luck with for catching these finiky eaters? Many people have tried and all have failled. Well there has to be a first sometime ? right?.
