Spring Pond Bass Fishing

As is the case for most fishing, spring is the best time for catching bass in ponds. The bass will be coming into the shallowest parts of the water to nest, and will be very hungry. Look for sparse vegetation, and work the edges of those submerged cover areas. Water depths of 1-5 feet are going to best for fishing. Because ponds are generally shallower than lakes, the water will warm up faster than lakes, thus the spring pattern may start several prior to the pattern on the lakes.

Summer Pattern

Especially in southern states, the summer (and early fall) pattern will be challenging. This case is further compounded by very shallow ponds, as the water will be extremely warm, and the bass will not have any deep, cooler water for refuge. Thus they will become lethargic, and very difficult to catch. Remember, bass get sluggish when the water temperature exceeds 80 degrees. If the pond is deep enough to provide cooler water, the bass will hang out along weed lines in medium depth waters, and will be looking to feed.

Fall Pond Bass Fishing

Towards the end of the fall, when the temperatures start to cool off, the bass will begin to locate in deeper water, around the sheers and sharp slopes of the pond. You may still be able to catch them, it will just take a little more patience, slower retrieves, and deeper running lures.

Winter Pattern

During the winter, pond bass will very likely be located near fish attractors, and / or the deepest part of the pond. They will still try to find cover in submerged grass, etc. but will be sluggish and difficult to catch. Use your deep worms or other lures, work them very slowly, and look for slight taps on the line. Give the fish a chance to take the bait, before trying to set the hook.

Again, ponds can yield some incredible bass results. Especially when bass are allowed to populate for a number of years, and not fished out early. I hope this article was helpful, and I would like to ask you to leave any comments or quuestions you have in the comment box below. Thanks, and to your bass fishing success!

Ponds and Tanks

Whether natural or man made, when you have a small, shallow body of water full of natural habitat, cover, and bass…you are sure to be “shooting fish in a barrel”. I love tank fishing. I remember a contact we had growing up who had a bass tank that was full of ridiculously sized bass! It was awesome catching 3 lbs + bass on small spinner baits in this bass loaded tank. What a rush!

Man Made Lakes

Also known as reservoirs, these lakes are typically created to control flooding. These lakes may also provide a reliable source of water to communities and farmers. Again, lakes with plenty of submerged trees, rocks, etc. will yield greater chances for catching bass. Warmer, shallower lakes tend to be better as well.

Natural Lakes

Just like man made lakes, look for natural lakes that are fairly shallow, have plenty of weeds, rocks and cover, and set sail. Warmer water is better, but don’t be afraid to try cooler lakes that still have good bass habitat. You won’t regret it.

Streams, Rivers & Estuaries

These locations can also be a great place to catch bass. Look for slow moving water that has all the same submerged cover for bass, and you will be looking at a great opportunity. You’ll also be able to find good bass populations in the brackish waters of estuaries, where the mouth of a river meets the ocean. Bass can survive and even thrive in this mixed salt water and fresh water type environment.

Now exactly where to find fish within a body of water? Well I will address that in my next bass fishing article. Just stay tuned and continue checking this blog for more information.

The bottom line for bass fishing waters is shallow, warm, slow moving bodies of water with lots and lots of cover for bass to hide in. It is often difficult to fish these types of waters, because of always having to deal with getting your bait stuck in weeds, rocks or tree branches; but to catch fish, you have to go where they are! That’s why a lot of bass fisherman use worms or other weedless lure setups to ensure the best odds of catching fish, while NOT getting tangled in the habitat.

Stay tuned for more…