put your thinkin caps on 2024

Ima Bass Ninja reply :

Hello everyone, i could use a little help with a pond i fish on a regular basis. I caught a really nice size LM (see my fishing trips /2010 gonna be a good year), but since then i haven't caught a thing, not even a nibble. I have attached some pics to give as much detail as possible. Some of the things you can't tell by the pics is, depth( about 12' at the deepest part which is the middle of the pond),water temp( about 45-50 degrees right now), and natural forage( bluegill, crappie, i have caught many of these out of this pond, frogs and other critters but no shad or other baitfish). Please take a look and see if you notice anything that could help. I have thrown everything at these fish, worms, topwaters, spinnerbaits, etc. The pics are as follows, submerged grass found in the pond about 2-4' deep which makes crankbaits and bottom lures very hard to use ,fallen tree by where the big boy was caught, sunken dock by creek entrance, water clarity about 2 feet with white spinnerbait, and water exit. Thanks so much for any advice you have :)

Fishing Rhino reply :

That "grass" looks more like filamentous algae. Hard to tell from the picture.

I know your screen name is jerk bait junkie, but if you want to fish where that "grass" is, I suggest swimming a drop shot rig, using a cylindrical drop shot weight.

Tie on an owner weedless wacky hook 1/0 or number 1. Leave a tag end of up to four feet.

You can try just about anything on the hook. Here's what I suggest. Yamamoto flappin hog and Yamamoto 3 3/4" crawdad, a Strike King four inch, coppertreuse finesse worm, or a four inch Zoom lizard. Watermelon red happens to be the color I use more than any other.

Put the dropshot sinker about two feet from the bait. Make a long cast and retrieve with pauses and twitches, allowing the sinker to stay in contact with the bottom.

You may feel the sinker fetching up in the grass, but that's fine. Just keep jiggling your rod, and it will slide along, maybe picking up some of the gunk in the process.

If your bait is snagging grass, increase the distance between the bait and the sinker. That's why the long tag end.

I find that my best results come when the bait occasionally snags the vegetation. If you are regularly bringing back the greens on your bait, move the sinker further away.

If you're never, or very rarely snagging the grass with the bait, decrease the distance in six inch increments.

Keep in mind, that in shallower water you are likely to need a greater distance between bait and sinker because the line will be more nearly horizontal. In deep water, the line will be at a steeper angle.

Sometimes, less is more, when it comes to the action the fish want.

Paul Roberts reply :

Looks like home to me.

That grass is filamentous algae. It is tough to keep a clean lure. Some areas will probably have more than others. Just get used to fishing around and JUST above it.

The main issue I see at this time is water temp, so you'll have to keep the forward speed on your retrieves in check. Bass won't likely chase far -think a foot or two. So keep forward speed slow, with pauses so they can catch up. Suspending jerks, CO-bladed single blade SBs, Chatterbaits, jigs, or T-rigged creatures, are all good bets. Also, a wacky-rigged stickworm suspended under a float is a good option.

Because of the algae you'll want a grass jig with a cone shaped head. I like the Nichol's Mango. Dead-sticking after a pop and fall can be deadly, but the amount of algae will affect this. Don't worry about a little bit of it on your jig, and when you pop the jig up off bottom do it crisply and much of the gunk should snap off. Then dead stick it again. Too much gunk? Swim the jig, but do it slowly. Try the Nichol's Mango in 1/8oz.

Same with SBs: I'd use lighter SBs (1/4 or 3/8) and either slow-roll or Yo-Yo (rise and fall with dead time). These are less 'gunk-free' than a good grass jig though. Sloan Aggravator is a really good one. Chatters (1/4oz) slow-roll well too, and coldwater bass like them.

Smaller suspended jerks can probably be fished over the top of the gunk too. Use a buoyant line and hold the rod tip up in front of you as you work it. This'll keep it working higher in the water column. Do not use fluorocarbon line as it sinks; use mono or braid -these float.

It's small water it looks like, and they really could be anywhere. Most certainly though, the big females will be clustered together somewhere. Find 'em. Enjoy your search.

Paul Roberts reply :

Tom's DS suggestion is a good one too.

Tin reply :

I jig fisherman's dream if you ask me.

Crestliner2008 reply :

And if all these fine suggestions do not help you, try a simple 4" Senko, wacky rigged and suspended under a bobber.

Luke at Gouldsboro reply :

I personally would try a jig with a lizard or grub trailer. cast it and let it hit bottom, then use vertical rod movements to raise the jig, and crash it back to the bottom. If they aren't biting, I'd try to trigger a reaction bite, not a hunger bite.

Fishing Rhino reply :

The kicker in this is the filamentous algae. I don't know of any bottom dredging lure/bait that can slide through it without grabbing it.

There is one other possibility that I have used with some success, because it stays above the mats of algae.

That is the Strike King Perfect fluke type of baits. I suspect that other fluke type baits would work as well.

The slow sink rate works well, as would the four inch senko suggestion for the same reason.

When you twitch a fluke or sluggo for that matter, they dart toward the surface when rigged straight.

I sometimes rig 'em so the back is humped up a bit. When jerked, it will dart toward the surface, but when given slack after the initial jerk, it will dive toward the bottom.

You'll have to fool around, adjusting the hump 'til you get the action you want.

But, hump or not, they can be fished effectively above the junk. And, it will fit your jerk bait screen name.

Filamentous algae is nasty stuff. In my favorite pond there are times that gases build up, trapped beneath it, and the stuff floats to the surface. In other places, bubbles of gas get trapped and come to the surface. Looks like small cypress knees.

Ima Bass Ninja reply :

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Looks like home to me.
That grass is filamentous algae. It is tough to keep a clean lure. Some areas will probably have more than others. Just get used to fishing around and JUST above it.

The main issue I see at this time is water temp, so you'll have to keep the forward speed on your retrieves in check. Bass won't likely chase far -think a foot or two. So keep forward speed slow, with pauses so they can catch up. Suspending jerks, CO-bladed single blade SBs, Chatterbaits, jigs, or T-rigged creatures, are all good bets.

Awesome!! thanks for the confirmation on the algae. Knowing is half the battle and thanks for the ideas i will definitely try them on the next outing

Thanks everyone for the replies i will give them all a shot until i catch the big one ;D ;D ;D

Ima Bass Ninja reply :

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That "grass" looks more like filamentous algae.
I know your screen name is jerk bait junkie, but if you want to fish where that "grass" is, I suggest swimming a drop shot rig, using a cylindrical drop shot weight.

Tie on an owner weedless wacky hook 1/0 or number 1. Leave a tag end of up to four feet.

Thank you fro the advise and the heads up on the algae, i really just didn't know what else to call it other than "pain in my a** grass". I haven't done much drop shot so its a good excuse to visit the tackle store and pick up some new stuff ;D

Paul Roberts reply :

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Looks like home to me.
That grass is filamentous algae. It is tough to keep a clean lure. Some areas will probably have more than others. Just get used to fishing around and JUST above it.

The main issue I see at this time is water temp, so you'll have to keep the forward speed on your retrieves in check. Bass won't likely chase far -think a foot or two. So keep forward speed slow, with pauses so they can catch up. Suspending jerks, CO-bladed single blade SBs, Chatterbaits, jigs, or T-rigged creatures, are all good bets.

Awesome!! thanks for the confirmation on the algae. Knowing is half the battle and thanks for the ideas i will definitely try them on the next outing

Thanks everyone for the replies i will give them all a shot until i catch the big one ;D ;D ;D

I should add that a smaller lighter jerkbait, that doesn't work too deep, will be the ticket. Despite your handle this also might give you a reason to hit the tackle shop.

BTW: My favorite in vegetation is the X-Rap. It is amazingly weedless due to the recessed bill and streamlined head. A sharp jerk is all that it needs to rip free -unless the weeds are heavily draped with algae of course. Try it in the 8cm size with 8# mono on a spinning rig. Keep your rod tip up and you should be able to fish it in the top 3feet of water. With FC and a low rod tip you can get it down to 5feet. And don't forget those pauses -those are what let those cold water fish know that it's worth trying to catch.

Catt reply :

Flipping & Pitching a Wacky Worm

senile1 reply :

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Looks like home to me.
That grass is filamentous algae. It is tough to keep a clean lure. Some areas will probably have more than others. Just get used to fishing around and JUST above it.

The main issue I see at this time is water temp, so you'll have to keep the forward speed on your retrieves in check. Bass won't likely chase far -think a foot or two. So keep forward speed slow, with pauses so they can catch up. Suspending jerks, CO-bladed single blade SBs, Chatterbaits, jigs, or T-rigged creatures, are all good bets.

Awesome!! thanks for the confirmation on the algae. Knowing is half the battle and thanks for the ideas i will definitely try them on the next outing

Thanks everyone for the replies i will give them all a shot until i catch the big one ;D ;D ;D

I should add that a smaller lighter jerkbait, that doesn't work too deep, will be the ticket. Despite your handle this also might give you a reason to hit the tackle shop.

BTW: My favorite in vegetation is the X-Rap. It is amazingly weedless due to the recessed bill and streamlined head. A sharp jerk is all that it needs to rip free -unless the weeds are heavily draped with algae of course. Try it in the 8cm size with 8# mono on a spinning rig. Keep your rod tip up and you should be able to fish it in the top 3feet of water. With FC and a low rod tip you can get it down to 5feet. And don't forget those pauses -those are what let those cold water fish know that it's worth trying to catch.

I would add that the Rapala Original Floater is perfect for jerkbaiting in the first three feet of water.

Tin stated:

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i jig fisherman's dream if you ask me.

I love jigs in this stuff as well. You will be cleaning your jig a lot but it will catch fish if you don't mind dealing with removing the junk. You can also swim a jig above the junk.

Paul Roberts reply :

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I would add that the Rapala Original Floater is perfect for jerkbaiting in the first three feet of water.

I agree, but IME, they work better as water gets approaches the mid 50s, or if (in cold water <55) you know there's fish within ~2 feet of the surface.

If the fish are holding in 5 or more feet below the surface, and likely they are in cold water, getting a plug down 3-5 feet and then hanging (for various amounts of time) is the ticket.

I like the floating Rap A LOT, when fish are a little more willing to move. It (#11) is the first topwater I start with of the year -fishing it just like a jerkbait with sufficient pauses, but it floats so it does it's pauses on top. It works best with surface temps approaching 55F. You can jerk it 2 feet down too, but only with constant forward motion. Pull it down, and then shake the rod tip and the thing will dance and flash. They look great that way and I've always wanted to weight some to get them to suspend, but just haven't gotten around to it.

senile1 reply :

SuspenDots and strips are a great way to go with the floater to get it down just above the grass.

Paul Roberts reply :

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SuspenDots and strips are a great way to go with the floater to get it down just above the grass.

I have 'em! They're even in the box! I just seem to never get it done. Old dog thing I think.

I've also spent quite a bit of time drilling and weighting other plugs. I seem to be reluctant to drill into a Rap. I seem to have some kind of reverence for them that I do not have with plastic baits. Maybe something sentimental there too it seems. Old dog stuff I guess. ;D

Funny I've spent inordinate amounts of time and money trying to get just that very look, with a plastic bait -Husky's, Rogues, Daiwa's, Matzuo, Bagley's, Storm, ...and any nice looking knock off I'll put under the knife. But an Original Floating Rapala?? I..I..can't do it. What would Laurie Rapala think of me? Would he rollover in his grave, or be ashamed of me for my timidity? It's rough being an old dog.

senile1 reply :

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SuspenDots and strips are a great way to go with the floater to get it down just above the grass.

I have 'em! They're even in the box! I just seem to never get it done. Old dog thing I think.

I've also spent quite a bit of time drilling and weighting other plugs. I seem to be reluctant to drill into a Rap. I seem to have some kind of reverence for them that I do not have with plastic baits. Maybe something sentimental there too it seems. Old dog stuff I guess. ;D

Funny I've spent inordinate amounts of time and money trying to get just that very look, with a plastic bait -Husky's, Rogues, Daiwa's, Matzuo, Bagley's, Storm, ...and any nice looking knock off I'll put under the knife. But an Original Floating Rapala?? I..I..can't do it. What would Laurie Rapala think of me? Would he rollover in his grave, or be ashamed of me for my timidity? It's rough being an old dog.

;D I worry about ruining the action with the weights so I don't add much and I definitely work to keep it balanced. However, I'm a fan of the Husky Jerks and the Rogues as well. The action of the original floater is classic.

Paul Roberts reply :

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SuspenDots and strips are a great way to go with the floater to get it down just above the grass.

I have 'em! They're even in the box! I just seem to never get it done. Old dog thing I think.

I've also spent quite a bit of time drilling and weighting other plugs. I seem to be reluctant to drill into a Rap. I seem to have some kind of reverence for them that I do not have with plastic baits. Maybe something sentimental there too it seems. Old dog stuff I guess. ;D

Funny I've spent inordinate amounts of time and money trying to get just that very look, with a plastic bait -Husky's, Rogues, Daiwa's, Matzuo, Bagley's, Storm, ...and any nice looking knock off I'll put under the knife. But an Original Floating Rapala?? I..I..can't do it. What would Laurie Rapala think of me? Would he rollover in his grave, or be ashamed of me for my timidity? It's rough being an old dog.

;D I worry about ruining the action with the weights so I don't add much and I definitely work to keep it balanced. However, I'm a fan of the Husky Jerks and the Rogues as well. The action of the original floater is classic.

Yeah, being balsa they are super responsive. Where you tie it (if you tie direct) affects action greatly. If you want more wobble and flash, push the knot to the bottom of the eye -it'll almost wobble in place this way. Want less, push it up. When I first break em out for the year, or when water is flat calm and you have to be subtle, I bend the eye down a bit and it gives that wide wobble. With a little tug, the plug makes a single half roll -deadly! The #9 jointed does this well too.

When the water warms further (~60) I abandon the twitch and pause thing altogether and start waking a #13. I remove the front treble to get the head up a bit, then bend the line tie down. Lands quietly and works really well. I added a #11 jointed this year to try as a waking bait. Oooooo....I can't wait.

Revo_Carrot Stix reply :

I've fished similar bodies of water. Drop shot rig is effective, but you'll be cleaning off your hook, line and weight every other cast - plus (assuming your on the bank) you'll be fishing it at an angle with a whole lot of junk between you and the cast location - which isn't ideal for light tackle.

The best advice i can offer is texas-rigging a 5" stick bait weightless. I love the Strike King Zeros for this. You can catch 25 bass off the same worm - very durable and a great shimmy. I use 8-10# flourocarbon with 3/0 EWG with a lot of success. Throw a nice soft cast to open grass pockets, around the tree or dock and let it fall to the bottom - they'll hit it on the fall. If they don't hit the fall, jerk it a few times and let it sink and repeat. Good luck!

JacobK reply :

jig & pig the dock, that clump of grass, that tree THOROUGHLY.

also try throwing a senko or floating worm in those same areas.

you can also use a spinner bait if you can reel fast enough to keep it from getting burred in the grass. a buzzbait would be nice too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Cq-LT_bkl4

Wild Bill [NY] reply :

Either Texas-rigged weightless Senko-style baits, or T-rigged weightless Super Flukes is what came to my mind immeadiately when I was reading your post.

I'd use a 4/0 EWG-style hook in either one of them.

Ima Bass Ninja reply :

Thanks everyone some great advice here which is one reason this sight is so great!!! ;D Do you think it would be better to cut some of the limbs of the tree that are not touching the water to make it easier to flip and pitch to? Or do those limbs provide some kind of shelter or shade for the fish? I do have a little pond boat i can fish out of but rarely get to do to time restraints so most of my fishing is from the bank. But on a good note i had a friend lose a brand new husky jerk and sebile swimbait on the dock out of reach by land so when i do get the boat out i can get 2 new lures ;D ;D ;D JK i would give them back Thanks again!! get the info comin

midnighthrasher reply :

I would go topwater at night. A super spook jr or even better a black jointed jitterbug. Nexti would probably go with a 7 inch t-riged powerworm in black or in green pupking chatreuse tail. Vary your weight to get in through the weeds.

Paul Roberts reply :

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Thanks everyone some great advice here which is one reason this sight is so great!!! ;D Do you think it would be better to cut some of the limbs of the tree that are not touching the water to make it easier to flip and pitch to? Or do those limbs provide some kind of shelter or shade for the fish? I do have a little pond boat i can fish out of but rarely get to do to time restraints so most of my fishing is from the bank. But on a good note i had a friend lose a brand new husky jerk and sebile swimbait on the dock out of reach by land so when i do get the boat out i can get 2 new lures ;D ;D ;D JK i would give them back Thanks again!! get the info comin

Prune away! The bass are more interested in the trunk, rather than the branches.

tritz18 reply :

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I jig fisherman's dream if you ask me.

AMEN!

NasTMcfingas reply :

I would have to agree with throwing a jig, then if that doesn't produce then I would go with a thinner profile bait such as a sweet beaver with an 1/8th oz weight hitting any and all cover.

Tpayneful reply :

My previous business location had a water retention pond out back that had the same algea problem. I fished that pond before work, during lunch and afterwork twelve months out of the year for three years. At first I couldn't catch anything in because of the algea. Eventually I learned techniques for catching them year round. I ended up catching so many of the fish repeatedly that I would give them names. They also learned my techniques and made it more difficult to continually catch them.

Winter time:

Chatterbait

Let it fall to the bottom. Dead stick it for 30 seconds then rip the lure off the bottom. Let it fall back to the bottom. You will get hit on the fall. Ripping it will keep most of the weeds off.

Husky jerk will catch them but you will peal algea off if you have alot of it close to shore.

Weightless Senko. Let it fall to the bottom, count to 30 and then lift it up to the surface. Let it fall to the bottom and repeat. Wacky rig is preferable but go to Texas style if it is catching too much algea.

Spring and Fall:

Weightless Senko.

Texas Rigged worm. Coat the worm in anise oil based scent to help it slide through the algea better.

Swim Senko, Texas Rigged with a 3/16 oz bullet weight. Cast and reel it back. Pause occaionally.

Summer:

The algea on this pond would form large floating mats. That is when I started using Zoom Horny Toads! The topwater bite is fantastic.

Unfortunately the lease expired and the owner wanted that section of the building back so we had to move our production facilities. We have our own bigger building but no retention pond >

Paul Roberts reply :

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My previous business location had a water retention pond out back that had the same algea problem. I fished that pond before work, during lunch and afterwork twelve months out of the year for three years. At first I couldn't catch anything in because of the algea. Eventually I learned techniques for catching them year round. I ended up catching so many of the fish repeatedly that I would give them names. They also learned my techniques and made it more difficult to continually catch them.
Winter time:

Chatterbait

Let it fall to the bottom. Dead stick it for 30 seconds then rip the lure off the bottom. Let it fall back to the bottom. You will get hit on the fall. Ripping it will keep most of the weeds off.

Husky jerk will catch them but you will peal algea off if you have alot of it close to shore.

Weightless Senko. Let it fall to the bottom, count to 30 and then lift it up to the surface. Let it fall to the bottom and repeat. Wacky rig is preferable but go to Texas style if it is catching too much algea.

Spring and Fall:

Weightless Senko.

Texas Rigged worm. Coat the worm in anise oil based scent to help it slide through the algea better.

Swim Senko, Texas Rigged with a 3/16 oz bullet weight. Cast and reel it back. Pause occaionally.

Summer:

The algea on this pond would form large floating mats. That is when I started using Zoom Horny Toads! The topwater bite is fantastic.

Unfortunately the lease expired and the owner wanted that section of the building back so we had to move our production facilities. We have our own bigger building but no retention pond >

Nice post. Thanks.

CAdeltaLipRipper reply :

Try draggin a weightless senko along with a few hops or use a Carolina Rig with a floating lizard.

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put your thinkin caps on 2024

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