To All My Memphis Pond Hoppers! 2024
BASS-N-TATERS reply :
Whats up guys! its been a while since ive heard any updates from anyone....has anyone been fishin any of our local hotspots you know (collierville city hall pond, chick-fila pond, johnson rd park ponds/etc) just want to know who has been hittin the banks..any new spots ...hope everyone has a good weekend
BASS-N-TATERS reply :
ok so no one has any updates or done any fishing...
roadwarrior reply :
I caught my biggest bass of 2011 at Collierville Civic Center in December on a GMAN Jig and Rage Tail Craw.
Last month I didn't have any luck with numbers, but caught a few 7-8# at Grove Park. Have not fished Neshoba
in awhile.
I will probably fish Collierville tomorrow morning.
-Kent
p.s. Check out "Picwick Is On Fire!" in the Fishing Reports section.
We had a big day yesterday.
00 mod reply :
Tried a little grove park this afternoon with not a single bite!
Jeff
BASS-N-TATERS reply :
what and where is grove park....and what and where is neshoba
roadwarrior reply :
Germantown public parks.
Neshoba is behind Chick-fil-A (Germantown Parkway/ Wolf River)
Grove is near Houston Middle School
There are three ponds on the north side of Humphries between
Germantown Parkway and Baptist Hospital.
BASS-N-TATERS reply :
o ive fished the grove! i dont know why i didnt think of it i fished there about 3 weeks ago! i actually got on the backside of the pond where the woods are..it was pretty thick over there
gr8outdoorz reply :
On 2/20/2012 at 8:48 PM, roadwarrior said:Germantown public parks.
Neshoba is behind Chick-fil-A (Germantown Parkway/ Wolf River)
Grove is near Houston Middle School
There are three ponds on the north side of Humphries between
Germantown Parkway and Baptist Hospital.
RW
I have been catching some decent sizes out in collierville. I been fishin the pond right next to the daycare on Shea Rd (next to firestation) just off of Houston Levee at 385. I'm gonna hit Glen Springs this weekend. Any word on how its been out there?
00 mod reply :
Have you caught anything at daycare pond? I was told it was drained and there are no more fish in it? Any truth?
Jeff
gr8outdoorz reply :
On 2/21/2012 at 10:25 PM, 00 mod said:Have you caught anything at daycare pond? I was told it was drained and there are no more fish in it? Any truth?
Jeff
Hey Jeff,
It hasn't been drained in the past 5 years i been fishing it. You will never catch a bunch of numbers there but i have been getting some good sizes. I caught a few in the 5-7 lb range last weekend out there. I got my receiver put on my new truck so im going to head to Glen Springs this weekend. Any reports?
Thanks,
Carlton
00 mod reply :
What are you catching them on at the day care park?
Jeff
gr8outdoorz reply :
On 2/22/2012 at 12:47 AM, 00 mod said:What are you catching them on at the day care park?
Jeff
The bigger ones I got on slow rolled spinnerbait (chart & white w/ chart grub trailer) & blk/blu jig craw trailer. The smaller ones on Manns baby 1 minus (tenn shad). The smaller ones stay up by the creek entrance (closest to day care). The big ones stay on opposite end of pond. If u stand in front of the farthest light pole from the daycare (next to street), they stay within 30 ft of that pole. I have caught all my big ones in that area.
00 mod reply :
Thanks, I will have to give it a try!
Jeff
gr8outdoorz reply :
On 2/22/2012 at 1:02 AM, 00 mod said:Thanks, I will have to give it a try!
Jeff
Here are some pics of last weekend out there.
00 mod reply :
Almost went out there today, but didn't get out of work in time. Maybe Thursday..wanna meet up?
Jeff
gr8outdoorz reply :
On 2/22/2012 at 10:20 AM, 00 mod said:Almost went out there today, but didn't get out of work in time. Maybe Thursday..wanna meet up?
Jeff
Wont get off work til after dark Thursday. I will be pond hopping sometime Saturday afternoon though. Shoot me a PM if you want to meet up then..
BASS-N-TATERS reply :
HEY FRIENDS ! LOVE HOW EVERYONE IS HEPLIN ONEANOTHER ON HERE! i think i am goin to hit up the daycar pond thursday after work. i get off at 330...should be there by 4....anyone interested
00 mod reply :
I might be there. Just looked and wind is supposed to be brutal, so plan on thrwoing something that moves!
Jeff
volchuck reply :
fished the grove about a week ago during a warm snap. The bite was great, they were crushing the shad, in fact caught one with a huge tail in its mouth 3-4lbs.. Slow rolling the spinner bait for me, another guy caught a big one swimming a jig. Tried a new rod out across Humphries a few nights after work, nothing there but I didnt spend more than 20 minutes each time...
BASS-N-TATERS reply :
how is the humphries pond? ive never fished it before... i dont think i will make it out to the daycare pond thursday...it does look windy..maybe sat sometime
BASS-N-TATERS reply :
hey fry where abouts on grove are you targeting...
volchuck reply :
I've caught them all the way around grove, never a lot of bites but some decent fish. There are some good fish off Humphreys, I fish mostly the first pond across from the heart clinic, mainly cause it closest to me and the first I tried. Good fish in there but the bank can be hard to walk, and wear snake boots in spring/summer scary snakes all over it! I haven't really tried it this season other than testing a reel out, so I can't say if its fishing good yet.
00 mod reply :
Headed out today to either grove or day care pond... swimbaits because of the wind!
Jeff
BASS-N-TATERS reply :
wish i could be there...good luck to ya! please let us know how you did....the wind has been insane all day! got home and my garbage can was at the neighbors!
got a question...
does any certain line perform better than others in winds like we have today
00 mod reply :
Well wind was bad, but not as bad as the snot grass(algae) at the daycare pond. That stuff is nasty. I wont be back!
Jeff
BASS-N-TATERS reply :
wow that bad huh
gr8outdoorz reply :
On 2/24/2012 at 7:59 AM, 00 mod said:Well wind was bad, but not as bad as the snot grass(algae) at the daycare pond. That stuff is nasty. I wont be back!
Jeff
Yea Jeff that stuff is NASTY!!! Normally the cold water kills most of it off but this warm winter has made it worse! So did ya catch anything?
00 mod reply :
Not a bite, but honestly I didn't give it much of a chance. I was out there MAYBE 20 mins. an the wind was bad and the snot was worse. I dont have much patience for having toclean my bait EVERY cast!
Jeff
PS> Bass are carnivores and dont eat salad!
gr8outdoorz reply :
On 2/24/2012 at 10:32 PM, 00 mod said:Not a bite, but honestly I didn't give it much of a chance. I was out there MAYBE 20 mins. an the wind was bad and the snot was worse. I dont have much patience for having toclean my bait EVERY cast!
Jeff
PS> Bass are carnivores and dont eat salad!
well I think im going to head out to collierville city hall tomorrow afternoon for a little while. If you or bass n taters want to join me come on out. I plan on getting there bout 2.
Come on out!,
Carlton
00 mod reply :
I will see what the wife has planned for this afternoon and might see you out there! I get off at 1 so 2 wouldn't be a problem depending on what plans we have! Maybe see you then!
Jeff
BASS-N-TATERS reply :
went out to the collierville city hall pond this morning.fished for about 3 1/2 hours .only caught 2 fish. about 1lb 1/2 each....i know yall seem to really love that pond..but i havent been so impressed so far...all though i havent fished it in the spring or summer. just today and 2 other days in which i wasnt out there but for about 20 min. any got any pics or stats on the fish yall have caught out there
00 mod reply :
I know of 2 10lb fish caught out there in the last 2 years. But I am like you, most fish out there are small. I will dig up a post where RW caught an absolute FAT fish one day!
Jeff
00 mod reply :
Here ya go....a couple slobs from there...
Jeff
BASS-N-TATERS reply :
wow thats some nice fish! kinda makes you excited about goin back out there!
00 mod reply :
Went to collierville this afternoon from around 2:30- 5:15 . Met Carlton(gr8outdoorz) and we had a good time chatting away without many bites. I caught 2 dink bass before I had to go. Hopefully gr8 caught the monster after I left.
Jeff
JoeP reply :
I'm heading out to Collierville in the morning. I will probably be fishing over at johnson park though. Haven't been back to the big lake in a while. Interested to see how its been holding water.
That daycare pond is off shea and houston levee? the road beside the fire station. I will have to try that one out.
Joe
gr8outdoorz reply :
No luck for me in collierville today. Didn't stay much longer after Jeff left. I problaby will be heading to Grove Park tomorrow if I cant find the right connector for my trailer lights in the morning 
Im sooooo ready to get the boat on the water!!
gr8outdoorz reply :
On 2/26/2012 at 7:56 AM, 00 mod said:Went to collierville this afternoon from around 2:30- 5:15 . Met Carlton(gr8outdoorz) and we had a good time chatting away without many bites. I caught 2 dink bass before I had to go. Hopefully gr8 caught the monster after I left.
Jeff
Stopped by Grove Park today withe the girlfriend. This was the only bite we had but it was worth it!
gr8outdoorz reply :
She looked so good I had to make her my avatar!
BASS-N-TATERS reply :
what did you catch her on.....great catch!
00 mod reply :
Nice catch! How long did you fish for and what did she bite?
Jeff
gr8outdoorz reply :
Fished bout 2 hours. I got her on one of the finesse worms Jeff turned me on to. I like the action of them so picked up a pack in Junebug. Thanks Jeff!! 
Man the action of those on a shakey head is AWESOME!!
roadwarrior reply :
Her name is Betty, 4 years old and has five sisters that live nearby.
Nice fish, but I hope you can catch her again when she grows up...
Her mother is HUGE! Her aunt is a MONSTER!
gr8outdoorz reply :
On 2/28/2012 at 1:15 AM, roadwarrior said:Her name is Betty, 4 years old and has five sisters that live nearby.
Nice fish, but I hope you can catch her again when she grows up...
Her mother is HUGE! Her aunt is a MONSTER!
Hahahahaha!! I figured you would know the whole family!!! I'm going to make it my duty to meet her mother and aunt!!! 
roadwarrior reply :
Some people keep their honey-holes secret, but I have introduced a lot of guys
to mine, be it ponds or places on the Tennessee River. Just remember to remind
anyone you introduce to "our pond" that the only reason we have such a tremendous
resource so close is because we take care of our fish. I probably haven't caught
every big fish in the pond, but I might have at one time or another. Other guys
have an opportunity to catch a trophy because we put every fish back!
BASS-N-TATERS reply :
amen rw! amen!
gr8outdoorz reply :
On 2/28/2012 at 1:53 AM, roadwarrior said:Some people keep their honey-holes secret, but I have introduced a lot of guys to mine, be it ponds or places on the Tennessee River. Just remember to remind anyone you introduce to "our pond" that the only reason we have such a tremendous resource so close is because we take care of our fish. I probably haven't caught every big fish in the pond, but I might have at one time or another. Other guys have an opportunity to catch a trophy because we put every fish back!
Well said RW! Betty was quickly returned safely back to her home as are all of the fish I catch. I always have and always will practice catch & release. I am like you in that I share my honey holes with others because the people I fish with MUST practice C&R and be good stewards of our natural resources. I really appreciate the information about the Germantown City Park ponds as it is always fun to fish new waters. You have my word that the people that fish with me will take very good care of what we fish!
Carlton
volchuck reply :
My avatar is from Grove as well, and she still swims with her cousins!!
rcwhitten22 reply :
I'm planning to fish Neshoba (chik fil a) pond one morning next week, any tips on best bait for that pond? Never fished it before and wanted to go prepared.
roadwarrior reply :
Planning to fish Collierville Saturday morning. If you are interested in joining me,
I will be at Perkins for breakfast around 5:30.
-Kent
roadwarrior reply :
Saturday morning I caught four bass: one dink, two "keepers" and one 5-6 lbs at Collierville.
00 mod reply :
Care to elaborate? Call or pm me!
Jeff
BASS-N-TATERS reply :
what did you catch it on rw
roadwarrior reply :
Keitech Swing Impact Fat
Fish38017 reply :
Is Grove the lake with a real small parking area on the northeast side, off the Dogwood Creek neighborhood street?
roadwarrior reply :
Yes
BASS-N-TATERS reply :
so i got to fish a private pond a friend got access to on saturday..and i used a new plastic i havent ever used ..and that was the zoom white ice trick worm..MAN O MAN! that was a awesome worm! great action!
addictedtothefly reply :
fished the day care pond today at dusk...no bites on a crawfish plastic or crankbait (spin setup)....no bites on a hopper dropper (fly setup)...but then right about dark, i tied on a big ole frog popper on the fly rod....no joke, first cast, that thing hit the water and got swallowed at the exact same time!!!! nice nice bass, took my drag out hard and went to the middle of the pond....and then it spit the hook! fished another 20 minutes with no action... but for first time there, it was a good 45 minutes of fishing, im gonna have to give that place a second shot!!!!!
00 mod reply :
Let us know how the day care pond works out for you. I have fished it 3 times with NO bites, so I was beginning to wonder. How is the moss out there? Last 2 times it was terrible!
Jeff
addictedtothefly reply :
no moss at all today...just the lily pads around the edges...the place intrigues me, there are definitely bass in there (i spooked at least 5-6 walking the bank), but they seem pretty skiddish, i guess it comes with the territory, 1 acre ponds.
Tim Cianciola reply :
which day care are yall talking about?
MemphisFF reply :
Hey Memphis guys, new guy here I've fished some of those lakes, esp the ones in Neshoba park with good sucess. The fish you see was caught there on a grape culprit worm, last year. Haven't hit that place up in a while. The snakes I hate.
MemphisFF reply :
On 3/21/2012 at 12:36 AM, Fish38017 said:Is Grove the lake with a real small parking area on the northeast side, off the Dogwood Creek neighborhood street?
Ive fished there before..
Tim Cianciola reply :
i might have to try the neshoba out never have
Tim Cianciola reply :
Probably going pond hoping in the morning. Gotta try out my new rage tails out
rcwhitten22 reply :
Anybody fished Herb Parson's lately? If so, what worked? Planning to go this weekend
Tim Cianciola reply :
Went 2weeks ago. I used crank baits and caught a few. Then a smaller crappie crank and caught 10 bream
rcwhitten22 reply :
Remember what color cranks Tim?
Tim Cianciola reply :
I know one was chartreuse and white. The other I believe was white and red
rcwhitten22 reply :
I saw where there is public fishing on the wolf river where it meets the Mississippi at the north end of Mud Island. Anyone fished there? If so, did you have any luck?
big_b@ss_man reply :
Headed out to Johnson tomorrow, will keep you guys updated. - Bass Man
Tim Cianciola reply :
im going somewere sat lol
Tim Cianciola reply :
have not tried johnson park yet.
big_b@ss_man reply :
@tim4vols hopefully the new pond in the back left is in the flght path of some migratory birds, and they dropped some fish eggs
Tim Cianciola reply :
man i couldnt catch a bass to save my life at grove park, neshoba or the day care lol had to swap poles and catch brim to feel better. saw good fish out there tho
roadwarrior reply :
Fish reported and weighed last week at the Grove: Wed 9.6 lbs, 7.6 on Friday, 5 and a few 3-4 on Saturday.
Sunday I fished with 00mod without much success.
BASS-N-TATERS reply :
what ya catching them on RW
Tim Cianciola reply :
i was there sat afternoon. couldnt get them to bite. tried alot of things. maybe its where i fished or how or what i used lol
roadwarrior reply :
Jigs with a Rage Lobster trailer and the Lobster naked on a Stick'r Rig.
Tim Cianciola reply :
next time ill try a bluegill swim jig with a rage chunk and a naked jig with a rage craw and stick with those 2 . maybe my luck will change
michaelsrex reply :
I also wanted to share a place a friend of mine from work told me about. I call in the #1 pond because it's shaped like #1 He is from Rossville and told me he helped sponsor a fishing tournament for children a few years back and they stocked this pond. It in the back of Hunting farms development but they only built a few homes. Once you get back there it's like having your own private small lake, it's pretty big. He has told me there are plenty of cat fish in it. I fished it yesterday though without a bite even though decent sized fish could be seen jumping out of the water apparently feeding. If anyone wants to add it to your list of places to go it's quite peaceful. It's just of 57 (Poplar ave) ave you go through Rossville, you drive to the back of the development and will see the fishing sign.
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=35.047368,+-89.539911&num=1&t=h&vpsrc=0&ie=UTF8&z=18&iwloc=A
00 mod reply :
Thanks for the info!
Jeff
Ryan Adams reply :
Hey you guys im new to the forum and had a few questions! I just bought a 6in huddelston swimbait and a few kanan swimbaits and was wondering which lake in the Germantown area would be best for me to try to catch a monster on one of these. I was thinking about maybe either Collierville city hall or Neshoba but yalls suggestions would be great! Thanks
gr8outdoorz reply :
On 10/8/2013 at 1:19 AM, Ryan Adams said:Hey you guys im new to the forum and had a few questions! I just bought a 6in huddelston swimbait and a few kanan swimbaits and was wondering which lake in the Germantown area would be best for me to try to catch a monster on one of these. I was thinking about maybe either Collierville city hall or Neshoba but yalls suggestions would be great! Thanks
Collierville CC. Fish from the bridge to the big culvert.
Good luck!
JDJ reply :
Hello All -- new member here! Thanks to Jeff for telling me about this site when we met at Grove a few days back.
I fished Collierville CC this morning, but there's water weeds along the entire bank to around 15-20 ft out. I resorted to throwing a frog on top, but no luck.
Where is the daycare pond I read about here? Anyone fished it lately?
Thanks!
00 mod reply :
Welcome aboard! Glad you found your way over here! The daycare pond is right off 385 and Houston Levee.
Jeff
JDJ reply :
Thanks Jeff. Assume it's OK to park in the daycare lot?
Let me know if you still want to meet up sometime and let me demo one of your Avids. I threw a friend's Premier this weekend and liked it.
Jamey
00 mod reply :
The road to the side of it is double wide, and hardly used. I always just park on the side of the road, but I have only been there a handful of times.
We can meet up anytime!
Jeff
Pater reply :
I'll have to give the daycare lake a try. We hit the CC lake last week but getting thru the grass turned out to be problematic. The #1 lake in Rossville is nice. We've tried a couple times in the evening but haven't found the right set up yet. Lots of shade jumping around but no bites.
JDJ reply :
Hey guys. What do ya'll think about making a running list of local fishing holes for us bank-beaters? I'm new to the forum, but the ponds I either know about or have read about here are (in no particular order)...
Neshoba Park
Grove Park
Shelby Farms Park
Day Care
West Clinic
Collierville Community Ctr.
Herb Parsons
#1 Pond
Humphres Blvd. ponds
Others???
Please be sure that any fishing spots listed are open to the public, or otherwise describe how to obtain permission to fish a private location.
It would be helpful also to post frequent updates on catches, baits, water conditions, etc.
Thanks!
Pater reply :
Add Johnson Park in Collierville.
JDJ reply :
I've only used the JP ponds near the entrance for swimming my Golden, but I know there's also a pond or two closer to the boardwalk and the very large pond down a paved path on left once you enter the park . Which of the lakes hold fish?
JDJ reply :
I fished Neshoba for an hour late this afternoon -- first time there. Caught two 2-pounders and missed another on a 1/2 oz football jig with a Rage Tail Claw trailer. Did all my fishing along the bank nearest the road near the culverts.
Anyone have any tips on fishing this pond?
FishWitWiz reply :
I fished Daycare Pond for about 3 hours this afternoon, struck out... 2nd time in a row. Anybody having any luck there?
JDJ reply :
I haven't fished it yet, so I'd like to get some feedback posts also.
Pater reply :
On 10/19/2013 at 4:32 AM, JDJ said:I've only used the JP ponds near the entrance for swimming my Golden, but I know there's also a pond or two closer to the boardwalk and the very large pond down a paved path on left once you enter the park . Which of the lakes hold fish?
I've only fished the two ponds to the right of the ball fields. Caught some 1-2lbers between the wooden bridge and the fountain last week. I've also had a little luck on either side of the paved bridge, right next to the soccer fields, but it's been quite awhile since I've fished that area. Never fished the large rectangular lake on the far west side of the park, closest to Wolf River Blvd.
Pater reply :
Just pulled JP up on google maps. Never realized there was a much larger pond behind the northwest corner of the park. Looks like the only access is by the paved trail JDJ was talking about. Anyone walked back and given it a try?
JoeP reply :
We have fished the big one a few times. Even before there was a trail back there. It is a good walk to get back there. I think they have a trail, or the start of one, around the top edge of the lake now. That will make it easier to navigate around instead of walking on the edge of the water like we used to do.Some decent fish in it. I haven't been since we got our boat though. I may have to go back there this fall/ winter again.
We have pulled 3, 4, and even a few 5lbers out of the park pond with the fountains. Our secret little honey hole if we get skunked elsewhere.
FishWitWiz reply :
Yes, there's a defined trail around the Johnson Park "big pond" now. Fairly steady amount of hiking and biking traffic is helping to keep the weeds knocked down. Easiest way to access it is to park by the ball fields and walk the perimeter to a cutout in the woods that leads to the pond. It is a bit of a hike either way, and a generally steep and weedy climb down from the trail to the water. I've seen a few bobbers stuck on the brush dam, but never anyone fishing the pond. There's a "no boats" sign which is a shame because it'd be a great place to fish with a small canoe or kayak.
BASS-N-TATERS reply :
daycare pond
00 mod reply :
Hey now! A nice one! How much did she weight and what did you catch her on? Sure was cold today for short sleeves???
Jeff
JoeP reply :
On 10/24/2013 at 12:17 PM, FishWitWiz said:Yes, there's a defined trail around the Johnson Park "big pond" now. Fairly steady amount of hiking and biking traffic is helping to keep the weeds knocked down. Easiest way to access it is to park by the ball fields and walk the perimeter to a cutout in the woods that leads to the pond. It is a bit of a hike either way, and a generally steep and weedy climb down from the trail to the water. I've seen a few bobbers stuck on the brush dam, but never anyone fishing the pond. There's a "no boats" sign which is a shame because it'd be a great place to fish with a small canoe or kayak.
I have been out there early in the morning a couple times and saw 2 guys in a little canoe fishing. They didn't care that I was there either. They toted that thing all the way along the trail. Wouldn't have been fun. Usually no one really fishing back there, which is nice, in my opinion. Just wonder if it is hooding water. They have had problems with it leaking.
JoeP reply :
Nice fish tater. I had pretty much given up on daycare. Used to catch 3 and 4lbers out there. Last few times I went, we either didn't catch anything or just some small ones. Will give it another shot this winter.
JDJ reply :
I threw a swim jig all over DC Pond a couple of weeks ago just before dark. Couldn't get any takes.
JDJ reply :
Btw - This photo of Tater has been around for a while. I don't think this is a recent catch, but speak up Tater if it is. We need some hope at DC!
grizzly1654 reply :
According to the picture in the latest bassmaster magazine there was a 12-3 caught from the Halle park pond!
FishWitWiz reply :
On 11/28/2013 at 12:57 PM, grizzly1654 said:According to the picture in the latest bassmaster magazine there was a 12-3 caught from the Halle park pond!
There's a member here who took a monster bass there and has posted pics of it. Halle park pond hasn't produced anything for me the few times I've been there. Unless you count the middle-aged married woman hitting on me hard. It was not Brandi Glanville, so don't get too excited.
FishWitWiz reply :
Memphis guys, where you at??? I know with a couple of the warm days we've had that some of you have hit some of the ponds.
I fished Daycare Pond on Saturday morning for about 2 hours and caught 3 decent fish. Finished my morning with a nice 18-inch 5 pounder. There were a bunch of guys who showed up right before I left and they were fishing for the frying pan, so I let them have the pond.
MemphisFF reply :
What's up wiz there's a lake behind lowes I thinking bout hitting up I fished a few times and caught some dinks but the snakes ran me out, thinking bout trying my new curado out today
BryanBrown reply :
Any tips for fishing Halle Park in Collierville? I've tried fishing there a couple times last summer, but floating/submerged weeds were a problem. I had to clean my lures off almost every cast.....
roadwarrior reply :
On 11/30/2013 at 6:29 AM, FishWitWiz said:There's a member here who took a monster bass there and has posted pics of it. Halle park pond hasn't produced anything for me the few times I've been there. Unless you count the middle-aged married woman hitting on me hard. It was not Brandi Glanville, so don't get too excited.
The story is real and the fish was released!
I'm probably going to fish Grove tomorrow morning. Say "Hey!" if any of you are there.
-Kent
Pater reply :
I hit Johnson Park for a little while yesterday afternoon. Didn't have any luck but was good to get out and test a few setups. We're heading to KY lake in a couple weeks and I'm looking forward to breaking the kayak out of storage. May have to give the Day care pond a try in a couple days.
Pater reply :
My son and I went to the day care pond Saturday afternoon between the basketball games. He caught two 1lb'rs on a small silver shad swimbait and I saw another guy come up as we were packing up and grab a small one with a chartreuse spinnerbait. Nice little pond. Will have to try it again this week.
volchuck reply :
I hit the chick-fila pond a couple times last week early with zero bites,
herb parsons I hit with the kiddos and the little I fished I got zero-ed again
grove park and day care at lunch a couple days and again zero,
then had a buddy who lives on walnut grove lake took me out on Friday for a slump busting 40-50 bass afternoon. Restored my faith in fishing and the rattle trap 
FishWitWiz reply :
On 3/24/2014 at 12:44 PM, Pater said:My son and I went to the day care pond Saturday afternoon between the basketball games. He caught two 1lb'rs on a small silver shad swimbait and I saw another guy come up as we were packing up and grab a small one with a chartreuse spinnerbait. Nice little pond. Will have to try it again this week.
I was there Saturday late afternoon and the little ones were hitting pretty hard, no big guys. The wind picked up a bit and I switched to a Johnson's Sprite to end the day, took a feisty 12-incher over by the Christmas tree.
I've noticed the last few times that there's an increasing amount of garbage being left around the pond. Next time I'm going to bring a few trash bags with me and clean the place up, hopefully it lasts a while.
Pater reply :
On 3/25/2014 at 11:33 AM, FishWitWiz said:I was there Saturday late afternoon and the little ones were hitting pretty hard, no big guys. The wind picked up a bit and I switched to a Johnson's Sprite to end the day, took a feisty 12-incher over by the Christmas tree.
I've noticed the last few times that there's an increasing amount of garbage being left around the pond. Next time I'm going to bring a few trash bags with me and clean the place up, hopefully it lasts a while.
Good idea on the trash bags. I'll have to put a couple in the truck. We stayed on the southeast corner for most of the time. The way the wind was blowing I figures that little runoff area was as good a plase as any to start. Is there any of cover to speak of around the rest of the pond? The only thing I say was a few areas of grass coming up 1-2' from the bank in a few places.
Elkaholic247 reply :
Hello everyone,
Im new to this site, as well as Memphis. Im a recent transplant from Colorado. I moved out here about the same time the weather started getting really cold so I have not had much of a chance to figure out the area. I just wanted to thank everyone for the wealth of information on this thread. Now that the weather has turned I plan to start hitting some of the ponds previously mentioned. I was a member of a similar website in Colorado and you could not pry people's bass ponds out of their dead hands. Needless to say good bass fishing in Colorado is hard to come by.
If anyone wants to show someone new to the area the ropes, or just needs a new fishing buddy please let me know. I am a catch & release angler and I always treat the places I fish with respect. My personal best bass is just over 5 lbs (a true monster in Colorado) but I hope to change that soon!
Looking forward to meeting some of you out there.
Colin
P.S
I have a 15 ft jon boat that I am currently working on registering, as well as access to one of the private lakes in town. If anyone has some spots they are reluctant to give up I am more than willing to make a trade. Don't worry, I can keep a secret.
Dhuskey reply :
Hey everyone, I just stumbled onto this topic through a google search. I'm not native to Memphis but I'm looking for fish, this board is a great resource and I appreciate all the insider info. Hope to see some of you beating the banks soon.
Doug
roadwarrior reply :
On 4/19/2014 at 2:45 AM, Elkaholic247 said:Hello everyone,
Im new to this site, as well as Memphis. Im a recent transplant from Colorado. I moved out here about the same time the weather started getting really cold so I have not had much of a chance to figure out the area. I just wanted to thank everyone for the wealth of information on this thread. Now that the weather has turned I plan to start hitting some of the ponds previously mentioned. I was a member of a similar website in Colorado and you could not pry people's bass ponds out of their dead hands. Needless to say good bass fishing in Colorado is hard to come by.
If anyone wants to show someone new to the area the ropes, or just needs a new fishing buddy please let me know. I am a catch & release angler and I always treat the places I fish with respect. My personal best bass is just over 5 lbs (a true monster in Colorado) but I hope to change that soon!
Looking forward to meeting some of you out there.
Colin
P.S
I have a 15 ft jon boat that I am currently working on registering, as well as access to one of the private lakes in town. If anyone has some spots they are reluctant to give up I am more than willing to make a trade. Don't worry, I can keep a secret.
Three of the ponds I fish are in the Germantown-Collierville park system.
Specificvally Grove, Neshoba and Collierville Civic Park. The bass are
currently spawning and the bite is slow. I caught one bass and a soft shelled
turtle yesterday at Neshoba, not a single bite today at Grove.
FishWitWiz reply :
On 4/27/2014 at 10:48 PM, roadwarrior said:Three of the ponds I fish are in the Germantown-Collierville park system.
Specificvally Grove, Neshoba and Collierville Civic Park. The bass are
currently spawning and the bite is slow. I caught one bass and a soft shelled
turtle yesterday at Neshoba, not a single bite today at Grove.
I'm with you, it's been depressingly slow lately at the Memphis ponds. I fished Daycare and Grove last week, then Daycare again this Saturday morning, and this morning... one fish.
gr8outdoorz reply :
A little report for the locals!
Hit Glen Springs Lake this Saturday for a few hours.
Caught 6 in 3 hours. All but one were between 2 & 4 lbs. Water temps were ranging from 70.1 to 72.6 degrees and about 3-4 ft visibility.
Saw a lot of big girls on beds and a few beds that looked recently empty. Swim jig counted for a couple but frogs got the most. I had a couple hit & miss the frog so when that happened I tossed a drop shot on the bed next and was able to coax them into the boat 
Have pics on my phone, but at work so will post them when I get home.
00 mod reply :
Nice! I have been waiting to hear a frog report from there. Now I MUST go!!!! LOL
Jeff
Brian Needham reply :
I smell a Jeffro and Needham show episode brewing........
JDJ reply :
So where is Glen Springs Lake?
I hit Neshoba a week or so ago for about an hour the morning after a big rain. Caught a 1.5 pounder and 2.5 pounder on a swim jig and trailer around the stormwater culverts on the Wolf River Pkwy side of the pond.
Brian Needham reply :
On 4/29/2014 at 10:29 AM, JDJ said:So where is Glen Springs Lake?
I hit Neshoba a week or so ago for about an hour the morning after a big rain. Caught a 1.5 pounder and 2.5 pounder on a swim jig and trailer around the stormwater culverts on the Wolf River Pkwy side of the pond.
north of Millington
Dhuskey reply :
I really need to get out and try these spots. I live in cordova so I'll probably head to Neshoba first. Great Info here.
#pat_walker_fishing reply :
I'm sure this is an old post but in Shelby forest the bass are on fire! I cought a 20lb bag out of poplar tree lake 2 weeks ago.... That's the first time in 20 years I found some bigger fish there. All post spawn.... They were all in about 6-12ft of water along side a channel swing. I was throwing a lucky craft flat CD12 in table rock shad and ball patrol football jigs. Also there is a pond behind crosspointe baptist church that is loaded.... I've been catching them on lipless cranks and tubes
CreazyBear reply :
Hopefully if doesn't rain I be going to Nashoba park behind chi k - file today at 6 am
roadwarrior reply :
I was there, but you weren't.
roadwarrior reply :
Caught four fish including a nice one at Grove this morning.
This was the first time fishing the new Rage Tail BUG!
#pat_walker_fishing reply :
I'm sure this is a silly quistion but am I allowed to fish any of the ponds along humphys blvd.? I live in Shelby forest and I beat these ponds to death and I'm looking for something new. I'm sure y'all have covered this somewhere in this post. And if so what should I expect? Is it more numbers or are there some size in there? Thanks guys..
Patrick
roadwarrior reply :
The ponds are public, so the answer is yes. However, be VERY careful they are heavily infested
with snakes and ticks. I have been told that there are some big fish caught, especially in the pond
directly across from the hospital. It's just not worth it to me, I don't fish them.
JDJ reply :
RW - nice going at the Grove! How did you rig the Rage Bug -- maybe t-rigged with an EWG or on a jig head? And how does the Bug differ from a standard Rage Craw?
roadwarrior reply :
https://www.google.com/search?q=rage+rig&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=pD1xU_yFKMmh8AHexoDABQ&sqi=2&ved=0CC0QsAQ&biw=1536&bih=884
The Bug is a Rage Tail version of the RI Sweet Beaver, but it has MUCH better action!
JDJ reply :
Thanks. How did you rig it - with a weighted hook as shown?
Hudson Anthony reply :
how is fishing at the Grove and the daycare pond?? Any luck at those spots, what are the fish biting out these days....haven't had much time to get out yet
MemphisFF reply :
Like RW said the snakes are heavy in there.. I try to fish em every once in a while but I get paronoid after awhile I try to fish it in winter because of the snakes...
roadwarrior reply :
I had some luck a few weeks ago at Grove which I posted on this thread a few pages back.
Last weekend I caught a few on The Bug.
Hudson Anthony reply :
That's sounds pretty good, I'm thinking about going to the Grove Friday afternoon if anyone wants to meet upOn 5/14/2014 at 9:16 PM, roadwarrior said:I had some luck a few weeks ago at Grove which I posted on this thread a few pages back.
Last weekend I caught a few on The Bug.
JDJ reply :
Anyone tried any of the Collierville Johnson Park ponds lately?
Pater reply :
Have not tried Johnson Park lately, but he daycare pond has not produced much in the last couple of weeks.
JDJ reply :
Fished Neshoba a few hours this morning. One other guy there also. Caught several between us in the under 2 lb size on green worms. No takers for a spinnerbait or lipless crankbait.
Any other updates from the local gang?
JDJ reply :
Quiet bunch! No one beating the banks lately?
roadwarrior reply :
I caught the biggest bass of the year for me today at 1:45.
As coincidence would have it I am writing a review on the Okuma TCS-C-691MH/ Helios Air.
I set the fish next to the rod & reel for the PERFECT promotional pic and my phone camera
would not work!
roadwarrior reply :
Three more today on a NorthStar Original Swim Jig (bluegill)/ Rage Tail Menace
JDJ reply :
So you're giving the Rage Bug a rest or did you lose your last one? 
FishWitWiz reply :
On 6/3/2014 at 6:44 AM, roadwarrior said:I caught the biggest bass of the year for me today at 1:45.
As coincidence would have it I am writing a review on the Okuma TCS-C-691MH/ Helios Air.
I set the fish next to the rod & reel for the PERFECT promotional pic and my phone camera
would not work!
Is this where we say "pics or it didn't happen?" Kidding aside, that stinks. Last year we hiked a peak and when we got to the top, the camera didn't work. Managed to get a crappy cell phone pic.
I have been hitting the Memphis ponds hard for the last 30 days and don't have much to show for it. Revisited your stickied thread and switched to the green senko last weekend which promptly produced a 3lb fish. You must have some other students... the ONLY color of 5" senko that is out of stock at BPS is the watermelon with black flakes.
901_angler reply :
Hello fellow hoppers, I'm new to the site but Memphis native. I have caught my some of my biggest fish because of this post and thank each and everyone of you for the info on local ponds. Caught this fellow at daycare pond few weeks ago.
FishWitWiz reply :
On 6/4/2014 at 9:45 PM, 901_angler said:Hello fellow hoppers, I'm new to the site but Memphis native. I have caught my some of my biggest fish because of this post and thank each and everyone of you for the info on local ponds. Caught this fellow at daycare pond few weeks ago.
Nice fish. What did you catch it with?
roadwarrior reply :
On 6/4/2014 at 5:27 AM, JDJ said:So you're giving the Rage Bug a rest or did you lose your last one?
The Bug has been VERY effective, but I just like to mix it up a bit.
JDJ reply :
RW - is the Bug best fished Rage Rigged in the local shallow water ponds?
901_angler reply :
Caught him on a watermelon red baby brush hog.
901_angler reply :
Here's a few from my secret honeyholes round town, all caught this year
901_angler reply :
.
roadwarrior reply :
On 6/5/2014 at 12:44 AM, JDJ said:RW - is the Bug best fished Rage Rigged in the local shallow water ponds?
Well, I have had good luck with The Bug Rage Rigged and T-rigged.
I have a prefernce for the Rage Rig in the local ponds just because
it avoids the gunk growing on the soft bottoms better.
JDJ reply :
Thanks. When t-rigged, weightless or bullet weight?
JoeP reply :
Glenn springs last Saturday.
Faustino reply :
Glean Springs Saturday.
One of of the four i caught in 3 hours.
Dhuskey reply :
Faustino those are great pictures but it doesn't look like you're "pond hopping". You're making me jealous!
FishWitWiz reply :
Back to the Memphis ponds... went from super active to slow again after the couple days of rain. Daycare and Grove were both very active, we pulled out a couple nice fish last week. The last 3 days have produced nothing at all. Just left Daycare - a guy pulled up and dumped some fish in the pond while I was there.
Gstewartutc reply :
Hey, guys just finished fishing nashoba, caught a good 2lber on a 1/2 oz chatterbait with lakefork magic shads all white and dipped tail chart. Then switched to a 1/2 oz Strike king heavy cover swimjig in bluegill, with a Yamamoto swimming senko trailer and tail dipped chart and caught a 4 lber.
Gstewartutc reply :
Oh btw saw a freaking beaver!! Freaked me out big time lol
Cole474 reply :
Hi guys. My name is cole and I'm new to bass fishing, but it has been love ( obsession) from the first bite. I was looking to do some fishing with some people who know what they are doing. If anybody is interested in fishing with me I would be grateful.
Dhuskey reply :
Cole i have no clue what im doing but i love to fish. Ive never fished once since moving from knoxville to memphis so if you ever want to beat the banks with another amatuer, let me know. That goes for anyone else as well. Email me jdouglas@taketheforty.com
Gstewartutc reply :
Anybody down to meet up and fish Tuesday?
Dhuskey reply :
G im off work Tuesday, got somewhere in mind? Email me at jdouglas@taketheforty.com
Gstewartutc reply :
Dhuskey and I did ok, caught a few! He had(what we believed) a real good sized bass snap his 10lb test line!
00 mod reply :
Good to hear. Where did ya'll go?
Jeff
Dhuskey reply :
Me and G hit Neshoba ( chik fil a) on Tuesday morning. I got all my bites on a black and blue spinnerbait. Tried a senko wacky rigged with no bites. The previous Sunday morning i hit Collierville civic center with Cole. There were schools of bass surfacing for shad but just barely out of casting range. We still managed to catch a couple. I appreciate Cole and G taking me out on my first two Memphis fishing trips. First of many.
Cole474 reply :
What part of neshoba is good to fish?
Dhuskey reply :
I'm going Sunday morning if anyone wants to join. I'll more than likely try Neshoba again (chik fil a pond) unless anyone wants to go somewhere else.
Cole474 reply :
Ill be there for sure
00 mod reply :
Yall get flooded out?
Jeff
Dhuskey reply :
Yeah Jeff this weather is ridiculous. I might try tomorrow if it lets up at all. Been pouring for about 18 hours now.
00 mod reply :
If you go anywhere, try and cast a t-rig onto the bank and drag it off. Seems to work well right after rain, as bass are feeding on things that have been washed into the ponds!
Jeff
Dhuskey reply :
Neshoba is completely under water. The running trail, park benches, all of it. The water is up several feet and is the color of chocolate milk. There's a considerable current towards the spillway behind chik fil a. Also i stepped on an ant hill, so yeah...awful day.
bassinNorthMS reply :
New here also but would definitely like to know about more ponds to hop around to. Some my friends and I are looking around and saw/fished many places but really haven't had any luck. We are also very inexperienced with bass fiahing since we have only been trying for a month or 2. Will definitely be paying attention to this thread
Dhuskey reply :
NorthMS, I've only tried 3 spots here. Collierville civic center, Neshoba park, and grove park. Neshoba is probably my favorite when the water condition is good. Right now it's still pretty awful from the flood. Hitting grove park early tomorrow.
bassinNorthMS reply :
I have only tried shea rd a few times with no luck at all. Ive been interested in the civic center, Neshoba, and the spot by the high school ever since I read people talking about them on here.
Cole474 reply :
NorthMS I've done pretty well following the advice on here. Pm me if u want to go fishing. I go just about every week
Dhuskey reply :
Cole and myself did ok at Grove Park on Sunday morning. We both had a nice one on a buzz bait.
bassinNorthMS reply :
Thats a nice fish Dhuskey! Bigger than what ive been catching haha.
Cole, ill definitely shoot you a PM and go fish with you guys! My buddy and I are mostly weekend fishers
Dhuskey reply :
It's bigger than what I've been catching too. Cole caught one about the same. Grove Park seems to have some bigger fish but maybe not as many bites overall. Just my experience so far.
bassinNorthMS reply :
Seems any bites are hard to find, or maybe im just not doing something right. All my bites have been on a T-rig with craws. Ive had 1 bite on a ribbon tail worm but they have all been under a pound
Cole474 reply :
Everything I caught lately is on dark buzzword or liplss crankbaits
Cole474 reply :
*buzzbait
bassinNorthMS reply :
I plan to go get some buzzbaits and cranks this weekend. Possibly a few more spinnerbaits as well. Anyone gonna be doing some fishing this weekend?
JDJ reply :
For the Rage Tail fans among us, the Memphis BPS now has the new Rage Bug in stock in a few colors (as of today).
Dhuskey reply :
Thanks JDJ, good to know. North MS, I get out every Sunday morning as long as weather isn't like it is right now (heavy thunderstorms).
bassinNorthMS reply :
I definitely hear you on that Dhuskey. Ill shoot you and cole a pm this weekend and see if yall want to meet up
Cole474 reply :
Im planning on grove park sunday morning for anybody who is interested
bassinNorthMS reply :
Cole, you can definitely count me in. Isn't grove the one near Houston high? I know where the school is but when I google mapped it I saw a couple bodys of water, just not sure which one it is
roadwarrior reply :
In the neighborhood just west and north of Houston Middle School.
bassinNorthMS reply :
Thanks roadworrior, ive never fished there before so im hoping luck with be in my side
Cole474 reply :
It's on dogwood creek drive. Bring some dark colored topwater bait
bassinNorthMS reply :
Cole, what time do you plan to get to the pond in the morning?
FishWitWiz reply :
Guys, just heard that Grove Park in Germantown is closed until further notice. They found something in the water and have called in a biologist. I know this information is vague, but I have a friend who lives in the neighborhood and that's all I got in the way of info. If I get more I will pass it on.
roadwarrior reply :
Not this morning.
Dhuskey reply :
It was very busy this morning. Fortunately the buzz bait bite was still on and I got to meet Kent, which was a pleasure.
bassinNorthMS reply :
Man I hated having to bail.. is the info true about the grove guys?
Dhuskey reply :
As of 9am this morning it was still open and they were still biting.
roadwarrior reply :
I just talked with Parks & Recreation. Grove is closed today (Monday) for routine
water testing. There is nothing wrong or suspected, just an annual check-up for
this and all other Germantown parks.
bassinNorthMS reply :
Thanks for the info roadwarrior, I didn't get to fish the grove this past weekend due to an emergency. I plan to get a line wet out there this weekend for sure though
Cole474 reply :
My nephew and his first fish at grove Sunday
FishWitWiz reply :
Thanks for the clarification Roadwarrior and very glad to hear nothing was up. I will check in with my friend, not sure if the info came from an HOA email or what...
bassinNorthMS reply :
Anybody going to the grove this weekend? If it's raining like it is now on Sunday I'll still end up going.
Dhuskey reply :
I will more than likely be there around 6 but I can't stay very long. Weather could be a factor.
bassinNorthMS reply :
I hear ya, as long as it's not pouring rain or lightening and thundering I'll be out there. Little rain doesn't botherror me too much
mossybackbass reply :
Hey everyone,
I am new to the forum and wanted to learn more about the local "HotSpots" in the Memphis area. Can't wait to tell future fish stories and share information with all of you!
My fishing partner and I will be going out Monday in the A.M., so hopefully we will pull in some that are worth a story.
Talk to you soon,
Wes
bassinNorthMS reply :
Greeetings! You will find that everyone on here will welcome you with open arms. Don't be afraid to ask anything!
How's the bite at grove this morning? I should be there shortly
Cole474 reply :
Did anyone do well this week? I got out for an hour tues with no luck been to busy to hit grove again
bassinNorthMS reply :
Had one hit at grove on a buzzbait in about an hour and a half but that's all. Everything else I caught near my house in lake forest but they were no bigger than the popper I was using haha
Dhuskey reply :
I dont even know about it.
bassinNorthMS reply :
Yeah I had no idea about that either. Quite curious though myself
JDJ reply :
Fished Daycare Pond a couple hours early today. Caught 2 small bass on a black Senko. Anyone had any luck here or at the Civic Center lately?
roadwarrior reply :
Caught a nice one this morning on a Siebert Outdoors 3/8 oz Big O jig (PBJ)/ Rage Craw (PBJ)
ttime118 reply :
I went to the grove last Sunday and didn't catch a thing. Was wondering if there was a certain spot where you all like to fish a?. I walked the concrete track all the way back to the little cove area and couldn't get a thing to bite. Just wasn't my day I guess
Dhuskey reply :
I've got the next 6 days off for a little staycation so if the weather is reasonable I'll be hopping a bunch over the 6 days. If anyone wants to get a line wet let me know!
roadwarrior reply :
Met up with a few members today at Grove: Jamie, Doug and George.
The fishing was slow, but we had good conversation!
FishWitWiz reply :
I have given up on Grove completely. Consistently non-productive for me and everyone I fish with. Fished a private pond near Oakland this morning, the 3 of us caught about 20 fish, mostly small. One of the other guys hooked into a monster but it managed to throw the hook at the bank. Dude is still angry about it.
Dhuskey reply :
Always a good time with Kent, thanks again for the Recon worms. Pleasure meeting Jamie as well. The Grove has been slow lately, no doubt, but i dont have a private pond to fall back on 
JDJ reply :
Good to see everyone and to meet new Grovesters (thunderstorm or not!). Two weeks ago on an early morning outing I bagged 3 nice ones (2 in the 4-6+ lb range) within about 20 minutes on a black weightless Senko. Unusually good bite on for me that day, but plenty to keep Grove on my radar!
Any good bites for anyone at Neshoba lately?
JDJ reply :
Another tough morning at Grove today. One bite on a Senko but nothing on a Rage Toad or swim jig. Have to admit though that it was fun fishing the Toad for the first time, but it would've been more fun with a LMB crushing it!
bassinNorthMS reply :
Anyone know anything about central park in southaven,MS? I hear its descent fishing
FishWitWiz reply :
Hit the large pond by the mulch piles south of Shelby Farms last night. This is right by the paintball place, south of the Walnut Grove/Farm Road intersection. Huge amount of topwater activity visible all across the pond, but didn't have a single hit. The smell back there is not so awesome.
JoeP reply :
On 8/22/2014 at 1:01 AM, FishWitWiz said:Hit the large pond by the mulch piles south of Shelby Farms last night. This is right by the paintball place, south of the Walnut Grove/Farm Road intersection. Huge amount of topwater activity visible all across the pond, but didn't have a single hit. The smell back there is not so awesome.
Fished that once. Caught quite a few 1-2lb range. Also got one 4.5lber. Caught a few gar. They are plentiful in there. Also saw a few jumping carp.
Dhuskey reply :
I may get our early tomorrow, but it's been so hot lately im sure its worth the time.
JDJ reply :
Anyone familiar with any river fishing in the region with canoe rentals?
roadwarrior reply :
Spring River and tributaries. Noted mostly for trout, but a good population of smallmouth and once in awhile a surprise
Muskie. AR state record is from this river.
JDJ reply :
On 8/30/2014 at 2:21 AM, roadwarrior said:Spring River and tributaries. Noted mostly for trout, but a good population of smallmouth and once in awhile a surprise
Muskie. AR state record is from this river.
Thanks Kent! Forgot that I was there last year. How could I forget how cold that water was!
dmg320 reply :
Hello everyone, ran into this site searching for ponds n lakes to fish, n all of them that r mentioned are good. I like to fish the grove but hate seeing people keep their catch, since the pond isn't stocked, its all natural.
dmg320 reply :
How do I post a picture, caught a largemouth n wanna show it off! Bro says its round 10lbs caught at the grove
00 mod reply :
On 9/6/2014 at 1:22 AM, dmg320 said:How do I post a picture, caught a largemouth n wanna show it off! Bro says its round 10lbs caught at the grove
http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/143924-how-to-post-a-picture-pics/
Jeff
roadwarrior reply :
If any of you guys are duck hunters I have decoys for sale, $5 apiece.
I'm not sure how many I have, but it's around two dozen.
skyline223 reply :
Hey guys
New to the forum, I met Kent (roadwarrior) at Grove Park a few weeks back and mentioned to him that I had been lurking here for a while. (And watched him pull in a monster..)
Well time to join in! I live about 3 minutes from Grove Park so I visit it quite often. I've probably fished it about 15 or so times over the past two months. I finally caught my first bass in that pond last Saturday. I'd estimate about a 4 pounder. I will agree that there are some great fish in there, they are just very picky about what they bite. I caught mine on a clear minnow swimbait... going to continue to fish it as the weather cools off. Hope to see some of you guys out there.
Will
P.S. Kent, I have a picture of you holding your big ole' bass (8 lbs?), wasn't sure if you got a good one or not, but I'd be happy to either post it or send it to you.
roadwarrior reply :
I think that fish is the same bass that was caught and weighed last month.
The claim is 9 1/2 lbs. I will send you my contact info in a PM. Thank you!
00 mod reply :
On 9/16/2014 at 1:30 PM, skyline223 said:P.S. Kent, I have a picture of you holding your big ole' bass (8 lbs?), wasn't sure if you got a good one or not, but I'd be happy to either post it or send it to you.
On 9/16/2014 at 6:57 PM, roadwarrior said:I think that fish is the same bass that was caught and weighed last month.
The claim is 9 1/2 lbs. I will send you my contact info in a PM. Thank you!
Post it up!
http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/143924-how-to-post-a-picture-pics/
Jeff
skyline223 reply :
On 9/18/2014 at 6:28 AM, 00 mod said:Post it up!
http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/143924-how-to-post-a-picture-pics/
Jeff
I did not want to post it without Kent's permission.. but if it is alright with him I will post it!
roadwarrior reply :
Sure, post it up!
skyline223 reply :
FishWitWiz reply :
Nice fish!
You wearing your golf shoes? Is your secret to fool the fish to think you're golfing and not fishing?
roadwarrior reply :
When the water is high, like it is now, there is no flat bank to walk and
the slope on the east side of the pond is steep. I don't golf anymore,
but the shoes and spikes provide a lot of traction.
JDJ reply :
And by fishing in his golfing spikes, Roadwarrior aerates the banks to keep our local ponds looking good!!
roadwarrior reply :
One bite, one fish.
Last spring I caught this fish twice in three days. A week later I was fishing close to another Memphis
Pond Hopper who hooked-up with this monster. I ran over to help him with a picture, but I don't think
he ever posted it here. At any rate, the fish was officiallly weighed at 7 1/2 lbs.
This morning I didn't have a bite. I drove back to the pond around 11:00 armed with my MBR844C/
Calcutta CTE100GT/ Tatsu #20 and rigged with a 7" Senko (green pumpkin/ black flakes), traditional
rigging. Nothing for an hour, so last cast at noon, 12:00 straight up.
Great fight, three jumps, clean landing and safe release. Now I'm ready for some football!
FishWitWiz reply :
Man, the fish were hating me this week... Was down in NW Florida and managed to pick the only day of the week that the redfish weren't biting. Fished Daycare on Saturday and Sunday for about 2 hours each... caught one 1.5 pounder on Saturday and got nothing on Sunday. Noticed there is something up underwater on the Southeast area of the pond. Wondering if there's a leak in the nearby sewage pipe.
Dovetailing from that horrible thought, there continue to be people taking home every single fish that they catch out of that pond. Saw a guy take one, and another guy said he and his brother took 6 on Friday. Dumb.
FishWitWiz reply :
One 2 pounder at Daycare on Saturday morning on a swimbait. Couldn't get anything on my usual trusty green pumpkin or black senko, but as soon as I switched to a Lake Fork Magic Shad he was on it.
Struck out at Lowe's on Sunday morning, then got another 2 pounder at "Mulch Pond" on a senko. Saw a wake where he was swimming, cast about a foot to the side of him and he nailed it.
Haven't figured out out fall bassin' in Memphis ponds yet... need Roadwarrior to set me on the path.
roadwarrior reply :
Her name is "Lucky". I caught her again yesterday full of baitfish and completely bloated.
A couple of guys aked if she was a largemouth, she looked like a football Saturday! I wish
everyone good luck, but even if you verify a DD and she is your PB, please release her.
Don't "throw" her back in, but gently place her back in the water.
FishWitWiz reply :
On 10/6/2014 at 4:56 AM, roadwarrior said:Her name is "Lucky". I caught her again yesterday full of baitfish and completely bloated.
A couple of guys aked if she was a largemouth, she looked like a football Saturday! I wish
everyone good luck, but even if you verify a DD and she is your PB, please release her.
Don't "throw" her back in, but gently place her back in the water.
Is this post about a fish? I verified mine and she is indeed my PB, but we've been together almost 15 years... not sure I want to release her.
Kidding aside, good message here... At some of the ponds we have huge problems with conservation and sportsmanship, I'm glad to hear you've caught Lucky a few times now. That alone says to me that some people "get it."
JDJ reply :
No takers for me at Grove today. Tried Bug, Senko and jig & craw.
One guy landed a HUGE cat on live bait. He also pulled out a small crappie on a jig.
So where are the Lowes and Mulch ponds? Is the Mulch Pond at Shelby Farms?
FishWitWiz reply :
On 10/6/2014 at 10:01 AM, JDJ said:So where are the Lowes and Mulch ponds? Is the Mulch Pond at Shelby Farms?
It's behind the Lowe's on Germantown Parkway. If you're facing at the store from the parking lot, on the left side of the building take that road to the back and you'll see it. It's part of the Wolf River Conservancy. Do not park on the dirt, there are significant erosion issues back there and though others do it, WRC asks that you park on asphalt. Lots of snakes too.
Mulch Pond is the informal name for the pond at the south end of Farm Road right by the painball/laser tag place. It's directly behind Catch'em Lakes. Looking at a map, it's officially called Refuge Pond, but it's next to a whole bunch of enormous mulch piles and the whole time you're there, that's all you can smell. Loaded with water moccasins, so use caution.
JDJ reply :
On 10/6/2014 at 11:39 AM, FishWitWiz said:It's behind the Lowe's on Germantown Parkway. If you're facing at the store from the parking lot, on the left side of the building take that road to the back and you'll see it. It's part of the Wolf River Conservancy. Do not park on the dirt, there are significant erosion issues back there and though others do it, WRC asks that you park on asphalt. Lots of snakes too.
Mulch Pond is the informal name for the pond at the south end of Farm Road right by the painball/laser tag place. It's directly behind Catch'em Lakes. Looking at a map, it's officially called Refuge Pond, but it's next to a whole bunch of enormous mulch piles and the whole time you're there, that's all you can smell. Loaded with water moccasins, so use caution.
Thanks much. I've been to the Mulch Pond once (I remember it as being pretty shallow), but not yet to Lowe's. I'm with Indana Jones -- "Snakes ... I hate snakes!"
FishWitWiz reply :
Yes, Mulch is pretty shallow and it seems the water level varies a lot. I hear it is also loaded with catfish and a couple big gar, though I have not seen either.
JoeP reply :
On 10/6/2014 at 10:55 PM, FishWitWiz said:Yes, Mulch is pretty shallow and it seems the water level varies a lot. I hear it is also loaded with catfish and a couple big gar, though I have not seen either.
I had my boat in there once. Its full of gar. Actually caught one of them. Also caught a 4.5lb bass. Believe we even saw a couple jumping carp. One went right over the bow of the boat.
there are some deep holes out there. Saw a couple 15ft spots.
FishWitWiz reply :
Ahhh... football season... the ponds were lonely this weekend. With everyone watching the games, I was tearin' it up at the Memphis ponds all by myself. Don't worry guys, I got it. 
JDJ reply :
Football jig I'm guessing?
JG1933 reply :
Where is the daycare pond ?
roadwarrior reply :
Caught my pet again today and she looked like she was about to burst!
I'm sure going to be disappointed if anyone keeps her.
JDJ reply :
What did you catch her on this time Kent?
roadwarrior reply :
Chatterbait, skirt removed/ Rage Tail Cut-R ticking the bottom.
My theory is that the cold snap seriously impacted the shad population,
making them easy prey. This fat girl was bloated!
babyboycalvin reply :
I'm from and in Memphis I'm 24yrs old im a beginner at fishing trying to get a good family value hobby for me and my 1yr old son to bond with are there any good places to learn how to fish I'm also open to tips and pointers plz help
FishWitWiz reply :
Well guys, I did it...
I couldn't take any more of watching YouTube fishing videos or thumbing through the BPS catalog. With the last two days' temps being warmer, I decided to hit the water this morning for about an hour and I was rewarded with a real nice 3 pounder that jumped and fought like a champion. About 10 minutes later, the cold wind kicked in pretty good, but it was definitely nice catching an early January LMB.
C'mon warm weather!!!
bassinNorthMS reply :
Has anyone ever fished Olive Branch park before?
FishWitWiz reply :
Fished Daycare pond this morning for 2 hours, not a single bite. Last week when I stopped by there I had a nice one on a wacky senko but more importantly, I was disgusted to see an enormous amount of trash all around and in the pond. The dumpster for the daycare center must have been overflowing when they emptied it, and the trash blew everywhere. Styrofoam plates, plastic bags, paper, diapers. I brought a contractor trash bag today and filled the whole thing walking around the pond and surrounding area. It is that time of the year that many of us Memphis pond hoppers will start visiting our favorite ponds. I urge everyone to pack a trashbag or two in their kit and let's make sure that we take care of the places that make us happy.
Dhuskey reply :
Great Idea, count me in.
jc450rr reply :
On 1/22/2015 at 4:01 AM, bassinNorthMS said:Has anyone ever fished Olive Branch park before?
I have a few times and its full of 10"-12" bass. The small pond in the back is the one I go to
Basstracker 95 reply :
I happened to run up on this forum while I was snowed in over the last couple of days! I also
like to fish many of the local ponds around town. I haven't seen anyone talk about Appling Lake
in Bartlett. I personally have not caught anything that big myself but I witnessed A guy last
fall pull out a 10 pounder. Also, I really like the lake that is right behind Neshoba. Back in
January I caught a really nice one close to 8 pounds on a Rapala Husky Jerkbait. Ready for the
weather to warm up so I can get back on the water. Maybe I will see some of you guys around.
roadwarrior reply :
Never fished Appling Lake. Give me a shout and I will meet you there when it warms up a little.
-Kent
Skeeter Dan reply :
On 3/6/2015 at 7:50 PM, roadwarrior said:Never fished Appling Lake. Give me a shout and I will meet you there when it warms up a little.
-Kent
When do you start your new job at BPS.
Basstracker 95 reply :
Sure thing Kent. Will send you a PM in the near future.
Jason
roadwarrior reply :
On 3/7/2015 at 6:05 AM, Skeeter Dan said:When do you start your new job at BPS.
I started Tuesday. We have a lot of to do before the Grand Opening,
May 1. I have never been involved in a project this big being built from
scratch. We have more than 600 employees working full time while the
Pyramid is still under re-construction. The hard hats are working three
shifts, 24/7.
bassin427 reply :
On 1/22/2015 at 4:01 AM, bassinNorthMS said:Has anyone ever fished Olive Branch park before?
I have fished the front one with the pier and have caught a few nice one's in the 10 to 18 inch range.
The fish in the back lake I have caught have all been small.
I mainly fish Central Park and have caught plenty of nice bass out of it.
Faustino reply :
Fished appling lake today, caught 5 in an hour. Nothing big ,I was using a black and blue chatter bait and a lipless crankbait
FishWitWiz reply :
On 3/21/2015 at 9:07 AM, Faustino said:Fished appling lake today, caught 5 in an hour. Nothing big ,I was using a black and blue chatter bait and a lipless crankbait
Which part of the lake did you fish? I fished the south end on Monday and there were tons of small fish hitting my spinnerbait. I talked to some kids and they said the south end had some big fish last year but there were guys who came by every few days and took every fish they caught.
Faustino reply :
I started at the narrow end of the lake and fished all the way around.I caught all of my fish on the side closet to appling rd. They were all 12 to 13 inches. There was another guy there i saw catch a 3 pounder.On 3/21/2015 at 9:30 AM, FishWitWiz said:Which part of the lake did you fish? I fished the south end on Monday and there were tons of small fish hitting my spinnerbait. I talked to some kids and they said the south end had some big fish last year but there were guys who came by every few days and took every fish they caught.
JDJ reply :
Where is Appling Lake located?
FishWitWiz reply :
On 3/21/2015 at 12:48 PM, JDJ said:Where is Appling Lake located?
Appling Lake is on Appling Road north of Stage Road. Right behind the govt complex.
I fished Daycare this morning from 7:30-10:30, caught a little one and a 3 pounder, both on chart/white spinnerbaits slow rolled. No hits on senkos, swimbaits, chatterbaits or jigs.
BryanBrown reply :
I haven't had much luck with OB park other than some small ones from the smaller pond that's across from the oval track. Central Park in Southaven is a much better option...On 1/22/2015 at 4:01 AM, bassinNorthMS said:Has anyone ever fished Olive Branch park before?
4.5lber today from Central Park on a NorthStar swim jig (bull gill) rage tail menace.
Basstracker 95 reply :
Fished Grove Park this Saturday and only got one bite the entire time but it was worth it! This may be the heaviest fish I've caught in quite a while. Man she was fat!! Anyway, after asking someone to take my picture I safely placed her back to catch another day.
JDJ reply :
Nice fish Basstracker! Road Warrior might know her by name.
roadwarrior reply :
Looks familiar.
We need to get an official weight on that girl before
someone keeps her.
ttime118 reply :
On 3/24/2015 at 6:04 AM, BryanBrown said:I haven't had much luck with OB park other than some small ones from the smaller pond that's across from the oval track. Central Park in Southaven is a much better option...
4.5lber today from Central Park on a NorthStar swim jig (bull gill) rage tail menace.
I live in OB as well and plan on hitting up central park today.
Any certain spots in that lake that you like to fish? How about the smaller lake right next to it? Any thoughts on that one?
Basstracker 95 reply :
I caught her on a chartreuse Colorado blade spinnerbait. Just rolled it over a small log that has fallen in the water and she slammed it. Water was still fairly muddy. I thinking that fish was at least 9 lbs.
BryanBrown reply :
On 3/24/2015 at 10:47 PM, ttime118 said:I live in OB as well and plan on hitting up central park today.
Any certain spots in that lake that you like to fish? How about the smaller lake right next to it? Any thoughts on that one?
That one I caught was from the smaller lake on the backside next to the playground...
901_angler reply :
Fished daycare pond from 6pm-8pm tonight without a single bite. Fish were flopping around everywhere but couldn't get a nibble. As soon as the sun disappeared it was like a switch turned on. Caught 8 fish before 9pm with acouple being 4lbs+. Only way I could catch them was to cast parallel with the bank while keeping my 3" swim bait as close to it as possible. I could watch their wake as they nailed my lure. One of my best fishing experiences to date. All fish caught were released back into pond asap, after taking pics. Size 13 shoe for reference.
901_angler reply :
Here's another
FishWitWiz reply :
Dang... I had contemplated fishing last night but those storms were going pretty good and I spent the weekend battling Louisiana redfish.
JDJ reply :
Nice catch! You have me beat at Daycare. I'm skunked there most of the time and thought it was pretty barren -- at least until your post!
901_angler reply :
That was by far my best experience at daycare pond. They are in there just have to be patient and hold your mouth right. I've still yet to land a decent fish at Grove Park but not giving up.
JDJ reply :
Now I can assure you first-hand that GP holds some very nice - but alo very fickle - bass!
Mr. B44 reply :
Anyone been out to Nebosha lately? Staying in the area for a few days and it's the closest place, thinking about heading over there.
Dhuskey reply :
I was at Neshoba 2 days ago. Water was high and really muddy after the storms. Fished a spinnerbait and a rage blade, zero bits in about an hour. There was and abundance of snakes that ran me off. I only fished the side of the pond where the Baptist and small offices are.
Mr. B44 reply :
Nebosha is the pond behind Chic fil A correct?
roadwarrior reply :
On 4/3/2015 at 7:00 AM, Mr. B44 said:Nebosha is the pond behind Chic fil A correct?
Yes.
FishWitWiz reply :
Any of the ponds near the Wolf River have seen the snakes wake up lately... Neshoba, Humphreys, Lowe's, and Mulch ponds have all gotten snakey lately. Mostly water snakes, have only seen a few cottonmouths.
roadwarrior reply :
Still slow on the ponds for me, but I did catch a nice one today on the new ZMan
Pro Series/ ZMan MinnowZ.
jaredkelley6 reply :
Hey guys, new to the forum. Live out in Millington and have been lookin for some new decent places to fish besides around the house. I came across this post off google. What other lakes are there out in Bartlett, Germantown, etc. to pond hop? Not that im trying to take yalls honey holes, haha. If yall don't mind helping me out Id preciate it! I know where the lake is behind chic-fil-a but haven't got to fish it yet, I fished appling behind the church for about 3hrs last year and only hooked one off a buzzbait.
Jared
roadwarrior reply :
Grove Park near Houston Middle School, Civic Center Park in Collierville and Neshoba behind Chic-fil-A.
Basstracker 95 reply :
Is the lake behind Lowes private? Someone told me that, but not sure if that's true since I see several of you guys talking about it. I have never fished the Day Care pond so thinking about giving it a try sometime this week. I fished Graham Lake up in Jackson, TN yesterday. Wasn't sure I would even get a bite after that cold front just came through. I ended up
catching 11 all of them small. But I was satisfied under the circumstances.
FishWitWiz reply :
On 4/6/2015 at 1:52 AM, Basstracker 95 said:Is the lake behind Lowes private? Someone told me that, but not sure if that's true since I see several of you guys talking about it. I have never fished the Day Care pond so thinking about giving it a try sometime this week.
No, it is part of the Wolf River Conservancy and is open to the public. You can also put a small boat in there if you want. The shoreline only has a few places accessible for bank fishing once the brush grows in. Lots of bass and crappie in there. Snakes too.
Be sure to park on the paved area and not the dirt/gravel due to erosion issues.
calcio1020 reply :
Wow this thread is great. Love seeing fellow catch-and-releasers and it's so cool how you guys don't mind sharing good spots with others. I moved to Memphis in August for medical school and have been itching to get out and try to catch some fish when I can spare the time (which isn't very often, haha). I live on Mud Island and I was wondering if anyone has any experience fishing for bass in the lagoon on the east side of the island (Wolf River Lagoon). If so, any tips, spots, etc..? Thanks!
FishWitWiz reply :
On 4/7/2015 at 4:51 AM, calcio1020 said:Wow this thread is great. Love seeing fellow catch-and-releasers and it's so cool how you guys don't mind sharing good spots with others. I moved to Memphis in August for medical school and have been itching to get out and try to catch some fish when I can spare the time (which isn't very often, haha). I live on Mud Island and I was wondering if anyone has any experience fishing for bass in the lagoon on the east side of the island (Wolf River Lagoon). If so, any tips, spots, etc..? Thanks!
Welcome to the site! There are a couple of guys who live on Mud Island who regularly fish the lagoon, but I don't recall any of them posting here. You may want to just scope out the area and ask someone you see fishing. Strangely, the last couple times I've been down at Miss Cordelia's, I've seen a guy riding around with a Duckett rod resting across his handlebars...
Let us know what you find out, I've been curious myself. We almost bought a place right off the lagoon when we moved here a few years ago. Unfortunately, the year was 2011 and the river looked frighteningly close to the houses, so we ended up in Germantown.
calcio1020 reply :
Thanks for the response! I'll be sure to post here if have any luck down there!
On 4/8/2015 at 3:05 AM, FishWitWiz said:Welcome to the site! There are a couple of guys who live on Mud Island who regularly fish the lagoon, but I don't recall any of them posting here. You may want to just scope out the area and ask someone you see fishing. Strangely, the last couple times I've been down at Miss Cordelia's, I've seen a guy riding around with a Duckett rod resting across his handlebars...
Let us know what you find out, I've been curious myself. We almost bought a place right off the lagoon when we moved here a few years ago. Unfortunately, the year was 2011 and the river looked frighteningly close to the houses, so we ended up in Germantown.
Grizz88 reply :
Hey everyone,
Stumbled across this post from a Google search and wanted to add my 2 cents in to help out and get a few tips. I've been fishing in memphis for a few years now (native Memphian) and here is some of my experiences.
Fished behind chickfila pond a couple days ago-had one small bass fishing that retaining wall with a 1/8 white spinner bait
Fished the Audubon park pond (backs up to botanic gardens) about a week ago. Couple of tentative hits but no fish. I've fished this pond a lot, never really catch much but the bass/crappie I've pulled out have all been big. Anyone else ever fished here before?
There's a pond in memphis (near Bartlett) off shelby oaks drive (behind baymont inn) that I fished once and caught a few.
Used to live in Cordova-fished country squire apartments several times with little luck. Another apartment lake just north of wood chase dr and gtown pkway and had nothing. There is a couple of ponds off Macon in the woodland hills subdivision in Cordova (near Macon hall elem) that are not too bad. Pulled lots of small fish out there
My wife and I recently bought a house in east memphis, so I'm open to suggestions to fish around here.
Great threat btw!
JDJ reply :
Fished Grove this morning tossing a white chatterbait for about and hour and a half. Didn't get any fish to take interest, but did get to watch the guy geese chase the girl geese all over the pond. Spring is here!
roadwarrior reply :
On 4/16/2015 at 10:04 AM, jaredkelley6 said:Anyone on here fished any golf courses in Memphis area? With or without permission? Lol
We DO NOT CONDONE any illegal activity. Get permission first or stay out.
jaredkelley6 reply :
I understand and support that. I don't guess I worded that the best way. I was just wondering if anyone has been able to fish any golf courses around here, legally. my mistake
Basstracker 95 reply :
I fished the lake behind Lowes Thursday evening for the first time. Had two bites but didn't catch anything. This lake looks really good. Wish I had a small boat, that would make it much easier to fish. Anybody have any luck here?
Basstracker 95 reply :
Also, has anybody fished the lake behind Kroger on Whitten Rd? Was wondering if it was worth my time to go there.
Zach Rowe reply :
On 4/19/2015 at 3:19 AM, Basstracker 95 said:Also, has anybody fished the lake behind Kroger on Whitten Rd? Was wondering if it was worth my time to go there.
Zach Rowe reply :
I wouldn't waste my time behind Kroger. I've fished there several times with not a single bite. I'm at collierville civic today, I'll be here for awhile just Dont know what to fish here
Basstracker 95 reply :
On 4/20/2015 at 3:12 AM, Zach Rowe said:
On 4/19/2015 at 3:19 AM, Basstracker 95 said:Also, has anybody fished the lake behind Kroger on Whitten Rd? Was wondering if it was worth my time to go there.
Ok, thanks for letting me know. Also, have you fished the lake at Rockyford park? Fished there one time and didn't get a bite. I just moved to Bartlett so I'm trying to find another place close to fish besides Appling.
Zach Rowe reply :
On 4/20/2015 at 6:36 AM, Basstracker 95 said:On 4/20/2015 at 3:12 AM, Zach Rowe said:Ok, thanks for letting me know. Also, have you fished the lake at Rockyford park? Fished there one time and didn't get a bite. I just moved to Bartlett so I'm trying to find another place close to fish besides Appling.On 4/19/2015 at 3:19 AM, Basstracker 95 said:Also, has anybody fished the lake behind Kroger on Whitten Rd? Was wondering if it was worth my time to go there.
I live a block from Rockyford park. There used to be fish in there but they got sick and they all died in like 2 days (smelled awful) I Dont think they have restocked it yet either and I Dont thing there going to.
Basstracker 95 reply :
On 4/20/2015 at 6:38 AM, Zach Rowe said:I live a block from Rockyford park. There used to be fish in there but they got sick and they all died in like 2 days (smelled awful) I Dont think they have restocked it yet either and I Dont thing there going to.
Thanks a bunch! You just saved me a lot of wasted time. Good luck at the Civic Center, I know there are some good ones in there.
Jason
Zach Rowe reply :
On 4/20/2015 at 6:56 AM, Basstracker 95 said:Thanks a bunch! You just saved me a lot of wasted time. Good luck at the Civic Center, I know there are some good ones in there.
Jason
I blanked at the civic center with not a single bite all day. Where in Bartlett are you? Quail ridge apartments has some fish in them, no size but its something to do. I would use a zoom crawdad there if you ever go.
Basstracker 95 reply :
On 4/20/2015 at 10:14 AM, Zach Rowe said:I blanked at the civic center with not a single bite all day. Where in Bartlett are you? Quail ridge apartments has some fish in them, no size but its something to do. I would use a zoom crawdad there if you ever go.
I live in the Oak Forest neighborhood. I ended up going to Appling late yesterday and caught 3 small ones. All on a Shaky head jig with a zoom trick worm. I will look into Quail ridge. Thanks again for the advice.
Zach Rowe reply :
Any one ever go to poplar tree? If so what's your favorite thing to use out there?
ngramm1 reply :
Hey everyone, I am new to the forum. It is great to see people coming together to help each other out with this sport we all enjoy.
On 4/6/2015 at 2:44 AM, FishWitWiz said:No, it is part of the Wolf River Conservancy and is open to the public. You can also put a small boat in there if you want. The shoreline only has a few places accessible for bank fishing once the brush grows in. Lots of bass and crappie in there. Snakes too.
Be sure to park on the paved area and not the dirt/gravel due to erosion issues.
It there anywhere online to read about putting a small boat in the pond behind lowe's, and does the pond have a name? I have a kayak I am thinking about using in there.
ngramm1 reply :
Also my pond experiences so far have not been great. I have fished daycare twice and caught one small one. Fished behind chic-fil-a once with no luck but did see a guy out there catch a decent bass probably about 3lbs. Fished Civic Center pond a couple times and only two small ones to show for it. I have heard there are some really good fish in the civic center pond though. I am still new to the area and always looking for new places to fish.
jaredkelley6 reply :
On 4/21/2015 at 4:58 AM, Zach Rowe said:Any one ever go to poplar tree? If so what's your favorite thing to use out there?
Fished it twice . Big waste of time. Barely got bites and few fish we did catch we're horribly small. But that was quite awhile ago. Talked to some friends recently and said fishin still ain't even decent. I wouldnt reccomend your time or gas to fish it but that's just me. If anyone else on here has had better experiences let me know!
FishWitWiz reply :
On 4/22/2015 at 4:03 AM, ngramm1 said:Hey everyone, I am new to the forum. It is great to see people coming together to help each other out with this sport we all enjoy.
It there anywhere online to read about putting a small boat in the pond behind lowe's, and does the pond have a name? I have a kayak I am thinking about using in there.
There's no info posted online about being able to fish or canoe/kayak there. It is part of the Lovitt Woods tract, but to my knowledge, the lake is unnamed and among friends we call it "Lowe's Pond" so that there's no confusion. I'm a member of the Wolf River Conservancy - great organization that if you live in the area, you ought to consider joining - and before putting my canoe in back there, I got with them to make sure it was legal. Here's a snip of the email that I got back...
"The Conservancy holds a Conservation Easement on that lake by Lowe's... The Conservancy prohibits the use of motorized vehicles including motor boats. The Conservation Easement allows for active recreation, which includes canoeing and kayaking. It's very possible to put a kayak into the lake without causing additional erosion. Yes you can fish out of a kayak or canoe. Do not drive a truck down or back a vehicle down to unload the kayaks; this promotes others to do even more erosion-causing activities. Finally, there is a fish advisory on this part of the Wolf River and all lakes fed by the Wolf, so I would not recommend eating the fish. Happy Fishing!"
Pretty straightforward. 
ngramm1 reply :
Thanks for the info FishWitWiz, I will have to give it a shot.
Franner11 reply :
ngramm1 -
I've kayak fished on "Lowe's Pond." Didn't catch anything that day, but it was the middle of last summer.
Anyway, I almost caught a lunker in the back there to the left of the trees...seemed huge, but he spit out my hook
I can tell you though, if there is a way for you to "cart" your kayak further back behind that lake (over the hill past the awning thingy), there is another pond back there that is FULL of fish. I have bank fished there briefly but didn't catch anything. Look it up on the satellite of google maps, here:
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.1155319,-89.7914988,454m/data=!3m1!1e3
ngramm1 reply :
Franner11 - thanks I will have to walk back there and take a look.
MemphisFF reply :
Ngramm1 hope you fight off the snakes I hate em I just banked fish the Lowe lake and it was snakey I almost stepped on 2 haven't been back since.. I caught a couple nice fish there.. But the snakes.. No way. I'll go back in the winter when hopefully snakes are gone..
MFBAB reply :
Here are two important things to bring to the ponds right now:
1) A Buzzbait!! They are working good on every local pond I've hit in the last couple of weeks!! Don't put a trailer hook on it unless you want to catch about twice as many fish though
2) Also, please bring a trash bag and something to pick up some of the junk along the bank!!
Most of the ponds I've fished are full of garbage right now, I just take a lap after I fish and load up a walmart bag, takes 5-10 minutes and makes fishermen look GOOD instead of BAD!!
Most of the garbage is styrofoam bait boxes and stuff other fishermen put there, not good.
If you drive down I-55, Mississippi has a "No Litter" campaign going. The billboards show a deer hunter and basically frame hunters as major litterbugs, fishermen don't look much better.
If we want to improve our image as outdoorsmen in the general public, we need to start doing a better job out there!! Even if that means picking up after other people who don't know any better
OK, off the soapbox. 'Good Luck w the Buzzers!!
roadwarrior reply :
If you are going to the Pyramid this weekend stop by and say hi.
http://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2015/04/28/first-bass-pro-featuring-hotel-set-open-memphis-pyramid/26475617/
Basstracker 95 reply :
Fished Lowes Pond tonight with very little success. Missed 2 on a Zara Spook and
couldn't get a bite on anything else. Not sure I will fish there much, there were a ton of people down there. If any of you have any luck on this lake I'm open to
suggestions?
FishWitWiz reply :
On 5/2/2015 at 11:01 AM, Basstracker 95 said:Fished Lowes Pond tonight with very little success. Missed 2 on a Zara Spook andcouldn't get a bite on anything else. Not sure I will fish there much, there were a ton of people down there. If any of you have any luck on this lake I'm open tosuggestions?
Eh, the surge of fair weather fishermen. Yesterday was the first exceptionally nice day of the year and on top of that, it was a Friday. Give 'em a few weeks and they'll all be back inside hibernating from the outside world.
Josh Rainey reply :
Has anyone fished at the greenway ponds? I've caught one bass there but that's as far as that goes.
Zach Rowe reply :
Anyone ever been out to Edmund Orgill? I'm going tomorrow just wanted to see if anyone has caught anything nice out of there.
00 mod reply :
On 5/7/2015 at 2:06 PM, Zach Rowe said:Anyone ever been out to Edmund Orgill? I'm going tomorrow just wanted to see if anyone has caught anything nice out of there.
Nothing nice, but take some senkos, and fish them slow!
Jeff
Basstracker 95 reply :
Just got back from fishing Glenn Springs Lake today. Caught 8 mostly small, biggest about 2.5lbs.
Seemed to biting my little Zoom Fluke. no big'uns but a fun day on the water!
Skeeter Dan reply :
I went last tues. didn't catch anything.
KAM901 reply :
Are there any new fishing spots in the area of Memphis, Collierville, Bartlett?
FishWitWiz reply :
On 5/10/2015 at 3:53 AM, KAM901 said:Are there any new fishing spots in the area of Memphis, Collierville, Bartlett?
Not unless you built a pond and stocked it.
Welcome to the board. Lots of info in this thread with lots of local pond info.
JDJ reply :
Fished Neshoba this morning during the rain hoping to find some hungry ones around the culvert inflows. Tried buzzbait, craw and lipless crank. Got skunked.
Basstracker 95 reply :
I'm telling you guys, if you can make it to one of the local TWRA lakes their on fire! Just got back from Graham Lake in Jackson, TN. Caught 20 bass and 2 of them were just over 5 pounds. Took my father in law who has never fished and he had the time of his life.
Skeeter Dan reply :
On 5/10/2015 at 7:47 AM, Basstracker 95 said:I'm telling you guys, if you can make it to one of the local TWRA lakes their on fire! Just got back from Graham Lake in Jackson, TN. Caught 20 bass and 2 of them were just over 5 pounds. Took my father in law who has never fished and he had the time of his life.
You must know something I don't know !!! I live about 2 to 3 miles from Glen Springs. I think I have found every tree top and every fence post in the lake in every cove. I've thrown everything I have except a frog. The best I've done there is two small bass and a bucket load of bream. I know there's fish in it because my Humming Bird says so. I just can't get a bite.
JoeP reply :
On 5/10/2015 at 9:52 PM, Skeeter Dan said:You must know something I don't know !!! I live about 2 to 3 miles from Glen Springs. I think I have found every tree top and every fence post in the lake in every cove. I've thrown everything I have except a frog. The best I've done there is two small bass and a bucket load of bream. I know there's fish in it because my Humming Bird says so. I just can't get a bite.
Throw the frog. Up against the banks and in the holes of the moss, algae, grass, and whatever it is. I was just up there Thursday. We caught 10bass in the short time we were there. Was also using a blue&silver spinnerbait.
I'm ready to get back to Graham and Gibson.
Basstracker 95 reply :
On 5/10/2015 at 9:52 PM, Skeeter Dan said:You must know something I don't know !!! I live about 2 to 3 miles from Glen Springs. I think I have found every tree top and every fence post in the lake in every cove. I've thrown everything I have except a frog. The best I've done there is two small bass and a bucket load of bream. I know there's fish in it because my Humming Bird says so. I just can't get a bite.
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I get my best results at Glenn Springs using either a Yum Dinger(Senko worm)or a Zoom Rainbow shad Super Fluke. The Super Fluke was killing them this weekend. Sometimes you can wacky rig your senko and that works too. Good luck I'm sure it will pick up!
Skeeter Dan reply :
On 5/11/2015 at 1:30 AM, Basstracker 95 said:
On 5/10/2015 at 9:52 PM, Skeeter Dan said:You must know something I don't know !!! I live about 2 to 3 miles from Glen Springs. I think I have found every tree top and every fence post in the lake in every cove. I've thrown everything I have except a frog. The best I've done there is two small bass and a bucket load of bream. I know there's fish in it because my Humming Bird says so. I just can't get a bite.
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I get my best results at Glenn Springs using either a Yum Dinger(Senko worm)or a Zoom Rainbow shad Super Fluke. The Super Fluke was killing them this weekend. Sometimes you can wacky rig your senko and that works too. Good luck I'm sure it will pick up!
I'll give it a try. looks like a trip to walmart. Those are two Items I don't have.
JDJ reply :
On 5/10/2015 at 7:47 AM, Basstracker 95 said:I'm telling you guys, if you can make it to one of the local TWRA lakes their on fire! Just got back from Graham Lake in Jackson, TN. Caught 20 bass and 2 of them were just over 5 pounds. Took my father in law who has never fished and he had the time of his life.
Never been there. Did you take a boat, rent a boat or beat the bank?
Basstracker 95 reply :
On 5/12/2015 at 6:13 AM, JDJ said:Never been there. Did you take a boat, rent a boat or beat the bank?
I have a boat, its about 500 acres so would be hard to fish effectively from the bank. its full of standing timber and stumps. Lots of cover to target.
gr8outdoorz reply :
On 5/10/2015 at 9:52 PM, Skeeter Dan said:You must know something I don't know !!! I live about 2 to 3 miles from Glen Springs. I think I have found every tree top and every fence post in the lake in every cove. I've thrown everything I have except a frog. The best I've done there is two small bass and a bucket load of bream. I know there's fish in it because my Humming Bird says so. I just can't get a bite.
Dan,
I will give you a couple tips about fishing Glenn Springs. Throughout the summer, when the grass mats on top, it is time for 2 presentations: Hollow body frogs/mice & punching.
Troll from mat to mat listening for the bluegill feeding (crackle & pop sound). When you come on one of those, toss your frog next to any timber you see in the mat and also look for irregular lines in the mat (where 2 different grasses meet). I get many strikes in these areas. I will also punch these mats. Again, looking for timber in the mat, irregular grass lines, & holes in the mat. I promise you will increase you numbers by doing this alone.
Once I am done with the frogs & punching, I head to the creek channels & drop-offs. Everyone I see out there beats the bank. You can catch some by doing this, but you will be MUCH more consistent if you use your sonar to find the drop-offs & creek channels.
If you are standing on the pier looking across the lake, there is a big main lake point directly across from you. That cove is a spawning cove & has a creek running from the back of it to the main lake. Depending on what stage the bass are in ( pre, spawn, or post) depends where on that creek they are. The hotter the weather, the closer to the main lake they will be. Where the creek meets the main lake, there is a huge pile of submerged timber. There are almost always bass stacked in & around that timber (it sits on the edge of a drop-off to deep water). Work the cove well & you will find fish.
Looking from the pier again, There is one other main lake point to the left of the one I just discussed. That point runs about 30-40 yards underwater. It runs to about 15-20 fow (depending on the lake level). at the 10-12 ft mark, there is a stump field. I catch many bass on jerkbaits & crankbaits in that stump field. Crash you cranks into the stumps & you will get bit. That stump field sits right on the edge of...you guessed it...a drop-off. In between those 2 points, there is a small bluff wall that drops from 5-8 fow to 15-18 fow. There is a grass bed on top of the wall. There are many bass that feed on top of the wall early & late day then drop to the bottom of it midday. Jerkbaits & jigs have been the bet for me in this section. See the point I am getting at? Find the drop-offs...find the bass.
Along with these areas, there are a few humps just south of the dam that hold fish in the summer. They sit in 20-25 fow & rise to 10-15 ft. Use you sonar to find the drop-offs Then work them good & I bet you will start catching more bass. I always hear people say they never catch anything out there, but I always catch good fish out there & I'm definitely no pro!
I live 10 min from there & fished it often until I jacked my arm up. I should be able to fish again by mid June. If you like, we can meet out there then & fish together once I heal from my surgery. I hope this helps you some! Good luck!
Carlton
Skeeter Dan reply :
I sent you a message Thanks Carlton 
Tim Cianciola reply :
Good tips for Glenn springs, its defiantly about finding the points and drop offs there.
MFBAB reply :
Thought I'd share a little redneck invention I came up with.
Basically, I was sick of the standard "selfie" bass pics and decided to come up with a quick, easy, cheap and functional way to get a better pic when fishing the ponds alone.
This was yesterday without the camera holder:
This was this morning (early ) with the camera holder:
Here it is:
Very simple, and it fits in my fanny pack.
I was able to use it today with an iphone without ever having to let go of the fish during setup, which I like A LOT!! The fish was out of the water for maybe a minute total and released in good shape.
Basically, you just take it out, set it on the ground, take your iphone and set it on a 10 second timer, lay the phone in the holder with the screen facing away from you, and get ready for the pic.
Easy as pie and you get a good high resolution pic instead of the poor quality selfie pics . Also, these are dirt cheap to make, you can make a few and leave one in the boat and anywhere else you might need it. And it floats
Hope someone can use this!!
Also, these came on buzzbaits, the top one was at Grove park (both pics) and I lost one a couple of pounds bigger that morning. The bait on the pic is a Cavitron, but the larger one hit a SK Tri Wing.
The other one was in another Shelby County pond in an undisclosed location That was a fun catch because I was standing on a bulkhead about 4' above the water, so I had to dead-lift that 5.5 lbr up to me on 17 lb Excel :) That was on a cavitron also, and it held up to the punishment pretty well.
BTW, that was an excellent post re: Glenn Springs by gr8outdoors, he gave a lot of good advice there!!
JDJ reply :
MFBAB - what time of day were they hitting the buzzbait at Grove?
MFBAB reply :
I was there around sunrise on Wednesday. I only had 4 bites in an hour or so, but I never seem to get a lot of bites at Grove the few times I've fished there.
#1 I missed
#2 was a 7 lbr that got off at the bank, it jumped 4-5 x during the fight, just a tough one to get in on the bank.
#3 was a 1 lbr
#4 was the one in the pic, spawned out female about 5 lbs, probably would've been 6 a couple of weeks ago
JDJ reply :
Nice going! That's a pretty good return for your time spent at Grove.
JDJ reply :
I fished Grove for 2 hrs this morning at daybreak throwing a buzzbait and Spook. Didn't get even a sniff from anything but a turtle! And so it goes at Grove.
FishWitWiz reply :
Grove is the definition of frustration for me. You know there are great fish in there because of this site, but there are so many days that it does not deliver even one fish. Grove is well stocked with disappointment!
Basstracker 95 reply :
On 5/24/2015 at 7:59 AM, FishWitWiz said:Grove is the definition of frustration for me. You know there are great fish in there because of this site, but there are so many days that it does not deliver even one fish. Grove is well stocked with disappointment!
I totally agree with you on Grove, I have fished there several times and only caught one fish ever. But, the one I caught was a giant. Its just enough to keep me coming back LOL!
Basstracker 95 reply :
I have a question about the Collierville Civic Center Pond. I just started fishing there this spring and have been several times. It seems like I always catch fish but their basically the same size. I was wondering are there any underwater structure areas (Drops, ditches, etc.) that I can key in on? Just trying to key in on some larger fish if possible. Thanks for any advice anyone can spare.
MFBAB reply :
Ha, Grove is one of those ponds that you never get many bites on (my experience)....But the quality is there. I've honestly had an equal or greater number of 5+ bites there to dinks. I never remember getting more than 2-5 bites on a given trip, but half of those are studs. I just don't get to fish it much because of distance.
I usually only fish for about an hour or 2 tops at a pond that size, it helps to keep the concentration level up for me.
One tip on Grove, and ponds in general, I think it's important to be quiet and sneaky there, those fish see a lot of baits. You will see those v-wakes shooting out from the bank in front of you a lot over there if you're not a little stealthy.
As far as Halle (C-ville civic), the best thing I've found to focus on there is the edge of the grass, it drops off at that point. The trouble is that you can't really parallel it from the bank because of the angle. That edge is too far off the bank to get a parallel retrieve so you have to fish it perpendicular and get something to hang on that edge as long as you can. Dropshpot, crig, trig, weightless fluke or senko, just try to deadstick a plastic bait on that edge. I try to get a bait on the grass edge around points, indentions, any irregularities. That lake would fish a lot easier from a boat though, imo.
Again, that's another one I don't fish a lot because of the distance and also because there are a lot of ponds I like to bank fish on better.
Basstracker 95 reply :
On 5/25/2015 at 8:56 AM, MFBAB said:Ha, Grove is one of those ponds that you never get many bites on (my experience)....But the quality is there. I've honestly had an equal or greater number of 5+ bites there to dinks. I never remember getting more than 2-5 bites on a given trip, but half of those are studs. I just don't get to fish it much because of distance.
I usually only fish for about an hour or 2 tops at a pond that size, it helps to keep the concentration level up for me.
One tip on Grove, and ponds in general, I think it's important to be quiet and sneaky there, those fish see a lot of baits. You will see those v-wakes shooting out from the bank in front of you a lot over there if you're not a little stealthy.
As far as Halle (C-ville civic), the best thing I've found to focus on there is the edge of the grass, it drops off at that point. The trouble is that you can't really parallel it from the bank because of the angle. That edge is too far off the bank to get a parallel retrieve so you have to fish it perpendicular and get something to hang on that edge as long as you can. Dropshpot, crig, trig, weightless fluke or senko, just try to deadstick a plastic bait on that edge. I try to get a bait on the grass edge around points, indentions, any irregularities. That lake would fish a lot easier from a boat though, imo.
Again, that's another one I don't fish a lot because of the distance and also because there are a lot of ponds I like to bank fish on better.
Thanks for the advice, that's kinda what I have been doing using flukes. I have never fished a drop shot rig so think I'm going to practice it out there this summer. Thanks again for you help!
Tim Cianciola reply :
Caught the fish in my pic at Halle park 3 years ago, the grove is tough I rarely have luck there its frustrating lol
MFBAB reply :
A pond hoppers worst nightmare :)
This is at Chickasaw Gardens in Memphis, the pond is a Memphis Park, not a private SD pond, but still no fishing allowed 
MFBAB reply :
On 4/19/2015 at 3:19 AM, Basstracker 95 said:Also, has anybody fished the lake behind Kroger on Whitten Rd? Was wondering if it was worth my time to go there.
I fished it this morning, only 2 bites (and missed 2) but one was about 5 lbs, spawned out female.
The fish looks horrible in the pic, but it was just in muddy water and a little bleached out. Otherwise, pretty healthy fish.
Basstracker 95 reply :
On 5/30/2015 at 6:42 AM, MFBAB said:I fished it this morning, only 2 bites (and missed 2) but one was about 5 lbs, spawned out female.
The fish looks horrible in the pic, but it was just in muddy water and a little bleached out. Otherwise, pretty healthy fish.
Twin Lakes 5 lbr - Small File.JPGThat's great news for me! I live really close to that pond so It will be easy for me to fish there when I only have a little time to go. Didn't think there were any bass there. Have you fished the pond on Altruria inside the little park? Is it worth my time to give it a try?
MFBAB reply :
On 6/1/2015 at 3:12 AM, Basstracker 95 said:That's great news for me! I live really close to that pond so It will be easy for me to fish there when I only have a little time to go. Didn't think there were any bass there. Have you fished the pond on Altruria inside the little park? Is it worth my time to give it a try?
No, I haven't tried the one on Altruria. This was actually my first time fishing the pond behind Kroger as well.
It was a little odd, I fished for about an hour and caught only 2, but the funny thing was that they were on back to back casts and pretty soon after I arrived.
I thought I was getting ready to put the hurt on them pretty good for a minute there:)
Tim Cianciola reply :
Haven't tried behind the Kroger before.
MFBAB reply :
Had a fun morning today.
I saw the first Hummingbird of the year (for me), saw a red Fox, and did something I've never done before...caught a crappie on a Buzzbait
I've caught a lot of them on spinnerbaits and even once flipping a jig, but not ever on topwater.
Also caught one pretty nice bass and a few dinks.
Is anyone else fishing??
roadwarrior reply :
Just be careful at the Kroger pond, there are lots of snakes.
MFBAB reply :
On 6/3/2015 at 9:53 PM, roadwarrior said:Just be careful at the Kroger pond, there are lots of snakes.
10-4!!
I hate snakes, haven't been seeing many so far this spring/summer but I'm always watching where I walk.
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 6/3/2015 at 8:08 PM, MFBAB said:Had a fun morning today.
I saw the first Hummingbird of the year (for me), saw a red Fox, and did something I've never done before...caught a crappie on a Buzzbait
I've caught a lot of them on spinnerbaits and even once flipping a jig, but not ever on topwater.
Also caught one pretty nice bass and a few dinks.
Is anyone else fishing??
Was thinking of heading to Grove after work today. Where did you fish this morning?
FishWitWiz reply :
Fished Kroger on Monday afternoon and Daycare last night. No hits at Kroger, surprised about the snake comment, seems park-like. Getting small ones at Daycare. Heard that the bucket & icebox crowd has been there recently. Made friends with a cottonmouth and a bunch of big watersnakes at Daycare.
MFBAB reply :
I agree on Kroger, it seems to be well maintained other than some litter, but the grass is cut. I didn't see one there, but that's my only experience.
Ranger, welcome to the party! I fished Rockyford this morning.
Tim Cianciola reply :
When I'm at daycare or any pond for that matter and the bucket folks come up asking if I'm catching anything I always lie lol I just say nah theybaint biting
Mr. Ranger reply :
Headed to Grove to try a new color- anyone had any luck with Pearl or White crankbait? Trying out a new (to me) Curado on a crankin stick as well. I'll post if I catch anything.
MFBAB reply :
Anything white or bone can be good, especially for the ponds with shad like most of the ones adjacent to the Wolf - this includes Grove.
Bream colored stuff is good too right now, they are up bedding on this full moon cycle
Do you guys see many people keeping bass out of the ponds? Just curious, I haven't run into too many folks keeping fish, but I have hit a few ponds that were dink city, which to me is a big sign that they need to start coming out.
One thing I will say, if you fish a lake like that, it is probably a good big bream pond!
There's one near me (sorry, lake x) that I can go to and literally catch 15-20 bass in an hour-not kidding, but I've never seen a fish over 1.5 lbs come out of it-and it is loaded with stud bream.
I catch and release on ponds other than private ones under a management program, but there are definitely times when keeping a few unders can be good for a pond.
This is an excerpt from a pond management article on the MDWFP website:
Small Bass Issues
Currently, the most common problem Fisheries Biologists encounter in Mississippi farm ponds is an abundance of small bass from 8-14 inches. A few large bass are usually present and the bream are hand-size -- really nice. Catch rates of small bass are high and body condition is usually poor. They appear skinny and have shallow or inverted bellies. They may have large heads and small bodies. If you are a bream angler this is the idea situation to have. If you want larger bass, you have a problem. The problem is there are too many bass for the amount of food present, so they all grow very slowly and die after 6-7 years before reaching a good weight. If you don't harvest the bass in a pond after they are 2 years old it is almost certain to become bass-crowded with slow growth rates.
Full Article:
http://www.mdwfp.com/fishing-boating/pond-assistance/small-bass-issues.aspx
FishWitWiz reply :
Daycare probably has the highest number of people taking fish home. Since it is so close to the road, the bucket brigade shows up in force. I don't know if the fish there have been tested lately but I'm willing to bet that they are unsafe for consumption due to all of the runoff and nearby sewage.
I have seen people take fish from Mulch pond, but only catfish.
Mr. Ranger reply :
Morning- sadly I did not get out to Grove yesterday as expected.
Just curious though, where is 'daycare'?
00 mod reply :
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.0274801,-89.7204146,1795m/data=!3m1!1e3
385 and Houston Levee.
Sorry I haven't posted much in here lately. I do read everyday, but I haven't pond hopped in a while. Will probably get back to it the second half of this year!
JDJ reply :
I fished Grove early this morning for a couple of hours. Caught one small one on a Rage-rigged Structure Bug. Didn't get any attention to a buzzbait or worm. If any of you guys get 'em figured out over there, let me know! I haven't had much success there this Spring.
Skeeter Dan reply :
On 6/4/2015 at 8:30 AM, MFBAB said:Anything white or bone can be good, especially for the ponds with shad like most of the ones adjacent to the Wolf - this includes Grove.
Bream colored stuff is good too right now, they are up bedding on this full moon cycle
Do you guys see many people keeping bass out of the ponds? Just curious, I haven't run into too many folks keeping fish, but I have hit a few ponds that were dink city, which to me is a big sign that they need to start coming out.
One thing I will say, if you fish a lake like that, it is probably a good big bream pond!
There's one near me (sorry, lake x) that I can go to and literally catch 15-20 bass in an hour-not kidding, but I've never seen a fish over 1.5 lbs come out of it-and it is loaded with stud bream.
I catch and release on ponds other than private ones under a management program, but there are definitely times when keeping a few unders can be good for a pond.
This is an excerpt from a pond management article on the MDWFP website:
Small Bass Issues
Currently, the most common problem Fisheries Biologists encounter in Mississippi farm ponds is an abundance of small bass from 8-14 inches. A few large bass are usually present and the bream are hand-size -- really nice. Catch rates of small bass are high and body condition is usually poor. They appear skinny and have shallow or inverted bellies. They may have large heads and small bodies. If you are a bream angler this is the idea situation to have. If you want larger bass, you have a problem. The problem is there are too many bass for the amount of food present, so they all grow very slowly and die after 6-7 years before reaching a good weight. If you don't harvest the bass in a pond after they are 2 years old it is almost certain to become bass-crowded with slow growth rates.
Full Article:
http://www.mdwfp.com/fishing-boating/pond-assistance/small-bass-issues.aspx
I once long time ago fished a pond in Eads Tn that was so over stocked you could catch a Bass with every cast. He wanted me to take as many as I could. So I kept some for my kids and Grand Mother . Just left the rest on the bank. The fish had good length to them but no girth. I never saw my son have that much fun before. It wore him out and he fell asleep on the way home.. That's the first time anyone had fish there in ten years. What a day !!!
Mr. Ranger reply :
Best I've done at Grove is with a pumpkin rage tail on a football head, black and blue skirt - but that was in cold water. I just have not been out there much since the weather has warmed up. That's why I was hoping to get out and try the white crankbait. I will take the advice on a BlueGill crankbait and give it a try as well.
JDJ reply :
My best day at Grove occurred last Summer fishing a black Senko. I was lucky to find a pocket of hefty, hungry bass ... but you just never know over there. I'm tempted to try a bit of finesse that the fish maybe don't see much. Ned rig anyone?
MFBAB reply :
I fished johnson Rd Park this morning for about an hour and a half, caught 9 or 10, the biggest went about 3.5.
All on an eggbeater
Saw another Red Fox today too, they are everywhere right now apparently!
One other thing, I found a nice looking Livingston Lures Popper today while fishing. Has anyone tried these baits? I haven't tied it on yet but it looks like they got the lip right on it, no need for a file Apparently it is supposed to walk a little too, I guess we'll see.
I haven't fished the Daycare pond, that one is pretty overgrown, right?
It's been a while since I've driven by there, I didn't realize that was the one you guys were calling daycare pond until now
MFBAB reply :
On 6/5/2015 at 12:40 AM, JDJ said:Ned rig anyone?
I caught an 8.5 out of there on a plain craw splitshot rig a couple of years ago (March 2012, I think), that was actually the last time I'd fished there prior to a couple of weeks ago when I posted a pic here.
That was a prespawn female, and as usual for Grove, it was one of just a very few bites that day.
I don't see why a Ned Rig wouldn't work. That is a numbers bait IMO, but you can get a nice surprise sometimes on little baits
JDJ reply :
On 6/5/2015 at 12:58 AM, MFBAB said:I fished johnson Rd Park this morning for about an hour and a half, caught 9 or 10, the biggest went about 3.5.
All on an eggbeater
Saw another Red Fox today too, they are everywhere right now apparently!
One other thing, I found a nice looking Livingston Lures Popper today while fishing. Has anyone tried these baits? I haven't tied it on yet but it looks like they got the lip right on it, no need for a file
I haven't fished the Daycare pond, that one is pretty overgrown, right?
It's been a while since I've driven by there, I didn't realize that was the one you guys were calling daycare pond until now
Which ponds at Johnson hold fish? There's a large pond behind the baseball fields and close to the Wolf River that I fished once. It's relatively isolated, but there's a paved pathway that leads to it. You just have to scramble down to the water. I hear the snakes can be bad there this time of year -- but I think that's the norm for the ponds located along the river.
The grass at Daycare can get high, but the water is easily accessible.
MFBAB reply :
I think there is a Johnson Park in C-Ville and one in G-Town, I was at the one in G-Town near Johnson Rd @ Poplar.
There are 2 ponds there and both seemed to fish equally.
I haven't fished the one in C-Ville before.
djones85 reply :
Hello everyone, im new here and trying to get info on fishing the hatchie wildlife refuge, trying to figure out the best locations to fish off shore (no boat) anywhere i can back my jeep right up to where i can fish? thanks in advance. Also has anyone had any luck at herb parsons or glenn springs as of late off shore?
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 6/5/2015 at 4:00 AM, djones85 said:Hello everyone, im new here and trying to get info on fishing the hatchie wildlife refuge, trying to figure out the best locations to fish off shore (no boat) anywhere i can back my jeep right up to where i can fish? thanks in advance. Also has anyone had any luck at herb parsons or glenn springs as of late off shore?
Glenn Springs is tough tough to fish offshore. I've tried it and you have to fight through some heavy brush just to get to the shore. The grass makes it a challenge too. Nearly every retrieve comes back with the grass. I'm in the same situation as you- looking for any advice on how to fish Glenn Springs from the shore. The rocky dam had some promise, but I do not think I had the right bait. I was throwing crawdad crankbait in January, with zero luck.
roadwarrior reply :
On 6/4/2015 at 10:08 PM, JDJ said:I fished Grove early this morning for a couple of hours. Caught one small one on a Rage-rigged Structure Bug. Didn't get any attention to a buzzbait or worm. If any of you guys get 'em figured out over there, let me know! I haven't had much success there this Spring.
Not having any luck either.
MFBAB reply :
Yep, Glenn Springs is going to be tough bank fishing due to the grass.
Your best bet is going to be topwater at dawn and dusk if you're talking fishing the bank there during summer.
Herb Parsons has a trail around the lake and no grass in it so you can get more access, just fish it like you would a normal pond. Don't forget about the riprap there either, there are fish on it year round. Just bring a lot of jigs because you need to get down in the rocks to get them most of the time, and the rocks like to eat jigs
Topwater at dawn and dusk is a good option there too along the rip-rap, but you're a prisoner to the gate there as you are at Glenn
Hatchie has some ponds, you can get a map and free permit at the ranger station. I used to hunt there but never have fished it, you can try to ask someone at the office for info I guess.
Orgill park has a good sized lake/pond with easy bank access except around the golf course parts, and I've caught some good ones there up to 5-6 lbs in years past and heard of 8-10's but never seen one there. I would fish it more if it was closer
Poplar Tree at Shelby Forest has trail access to most of it as well and no grass to worry about. It too is gated and limited hours to fish.
Another option not talked about a lot is Shelby Farms, there are at least 6-7 decent sized ponds with bass there, you just have to hike a little to fish most of them. There is a snot grass issue with most of those too, you just need to fish the right baits to deal with it, it is good for bass but harder for fishermen. Think Flukes, Floating Worms, Frogs, etc..
Also, the park hours are a hindrance here during summer - sunrise to sunset.
IMO, most of the bigger TWRA lakes on this list are better fished from a boat, I think you get more bang for your buck on the bank fishing the smaller ponds.
Hope that helps you.
Also, if you're willing to drive 2 hours, Pickwick around the tailrace can be a great place to bank fish for many species.
MFBAB reply :
On 6/5/2015 at 4:37 AM, roadwarrior said:Not having any luck either.
Don't lie RW, those are your trained pets :)
JDJ reply :
[quote name="MFBAB" post="1784892" timestamp="1433446727".
I think there is a Johnson Park in C-Ville and one in G-Town, I was at the one in G-Town near Johnson Rd @ Poplar.
There are 2 ponds there and both seemed to fish equally.
I haven't fished the one in C-Ville before.
Basstracker 95 reply :
On 6/5/2015 at 5:36 AM, MFBAB said:Yep, Glenn Springs is going to be tough bank fishing due to the grass.
Your best bet is going to be topwater at dawn and dusk if you're talking fishing the bank there during summer.
Herb Parsons has a trail around the lake and no grass in it so you can get more access, just fish it like you would a normal pond. Don't forget about the riprap there either, there are fish on it year round. Just bring a lot of jigs because you need to get down in the rocks to get them most of the time, and the rocks like to eat jigs
Topwater at dawn and dusk is a good option there too along the rip-rap, but you're a prisoner to the gate there as you are at Glenn
Hatchie has some ponds, you can get a map and free permit at the ranger station. I used to hunt there but never have fished it, you can try to ask someone at the office for info I guess.
Orgill park has a good sized lake/pond with easy bank access except around the golf course parts, and I've caught some good ones there up to 5-6 lbs in years past and heard of 8-10's but never seen one there. I would fish it more if it was closer
Poplar Tree at Shelby Forest has trail access to most of it as well and no grass to worry about. It too is gated and limited hours to fish.
Another option not talked about a lot is Shelby Farms, there are at least 6-7 decent sized ponds with bass there, you just have to hike a little to fish most of them. There is a snot grass issue with most of those too, you just need to fish the right baits to deal with it, it is good for bass but harder for fishermen. Think Flukes, Floating Worms, Frogs, etc..
Also, the park hours are a hindrance here during summer - sunrise to sunset.
IMO, most of the bigger TWRA lakes on this list are better fished from a boat, I think you get more bang for your buck on the bank fishing the smaller ponds.
Hope that helps you.
Also, if you're willing to drive 2 hours, Pickwick around the tailrace can be a great place to bank fish for many species.
There is a lake on the Hatchie refugee that is called Oneal Lake. You can drive all the way around it and fish the entire thing from the shore. It does have a lot of vegetation but Its fishable from the bank. I haven't fished it in a couple of years but there are some really good bass there. If you get off on exit 52 headed east turn left on the next street and you cant miss it. I agree fishing Glenn Springs from the shore is almost impossible. I fished it yesterday from My boat and had a pretty good day using buzzbaits early and cranking over channels later in the day. Plan on hitting the local ponds more in the next couple weeks so maybe I will see some of my fellow Pond Hoppers out !
MFBAB reply :
On 6/5/2015 at 8:37 AM, JDJ said:Unfortunately the Gtown Johnson Rd. ponds are posted No Fishing - at least they were when I stopped by this evening
Where did you see that sign? I was there this morning and never saw anything about fishing. There is a sign that says no wading or swimming, but G-Town parks allow fishing as far as I know.
The website lists it as a fishing pond too.
https://www.google.com/maps/search/2970+Johnson+Road+Shelby,+Tennessee+38138/@35.085184,-89.812943,1373m/data=!3m1!4b1?source=s_q&hl=en
ngramm1 reply :
On 6/5/2015 at 10:44 AM, MFBAB said:Where did you see that sign? I was there this morning and never saw anything about fishing. There is a sign that says no wading or swimming, but G-Town parks allow fishing as far as I know.
The website lists it as a fishing pond too.
https://www.google.com/maps/search/2970+Johnson+Road+Shelby,+Tennessee+38138/@35.085184,-89.812943,1373m/data=!3m1!4b1?source=s_q&hl=en
I drove by there today as well and saw the "No fishing" signs everywhere around both ponds. No idea why
MFBAB reply :
That is strange. I fished both of them this morning and never saw a no fishing sign, but I did see the other signs.
Could they have just put those up today or did they look like they had been there a while??
You're saying there are multiple signs around the lake that you would see if you were using the walkway?
I've got to see an eye doctor
EDIT:
I just thought of something, if they are temporary signs, I think they have a fishing rodeo this month in that pond. I bet they stocked it w catfish and put up signs to save the fish for the kids.
I know they usually close the rodeo locations prior to the event.
I still don't think those signs were there this morning....
I looked it up, this years rodeo is June 6th!!
FishWitWiz reply :
There are a couple guys on here who know one of the Germantown Park Rangers - perhaps someone can figure out what is up. Very strange.
ngramm1 reply :
On 6/5/2015 at 11:18 AM, MFBAB said:That is strange. I fished both of them this morning and never saw a no fishing sign, but I did see the other signs.
Could they have just put those up today or did they look like they had been there a while??
You're saying there are multiple signs around the lake that you would see if you were using the walkway?
I've got to see an eye doctor
Yeah they looked pretty new. Very well could have been today. There were at the end of the walkways as approaching the ponds and scattered around, probably 5-6 at each pond. They must of not been there this morning because you couldn't miss them.
ngramm1 reply :
The signs definitely looked temporary.
JDJ reply :
On 6/5/2015 at 11:27 AM, ngramm1 said:The signs definitely looked temporary.
There were numerous yellow temporary signs up posted around each of the ponds. Probably put there this afternoon. Makes sense that there's a special event in the works.
FishWitWiz reply :
Mystery solved... kids fishing rodeo this weekend at Johnson Park.
MFBAB reply :
Hope y'all have a good w/end and get some fishing in!!
We're camping up at Natchez Trace SP, I'm going to take a shot at the 16 lb bass TWRA shocked up out of Browns Creek lake
coloradofire reply :
Hey guys I just moved here from colorado and I still don't know the area very well except I do know of the pond behind kroger/autozone. Its a pretty close drive to where I live now. Basically I'm just wondering if anyone wants to go hit a few ponds this weekend and show me a few places to throw a line in. Catch and release of course. All of my wife's friends husbands don't fish, so I have no fishing buddy's here. Sacrilege I know but in the future I'm hoping to change them of that habit.
901_angler reply :
Anyone fished Horseshoe lake this year?
Tim Cianciola reply :
On 6/6/2015 at 5:10 AM, MFBAB said:Hope y'all have a good w/end and get some fishing in!!
We're camping up at Natchez Trace SP, I'm going to take a shot at the 16 lb bass TWRA shocked up out of Browns Creek lake
I'll be there camping in July myself and fishing.
djones85 reply :
Went to the hatchie refuge today, was there at O'Neal lake for about 4 hours and got nothing, not even a big bite
Basstracker 95 reply :
On 6/6/2015 at 5:15 AM, coloradofire said:Hey guys I just moved here from colorado and I still don't know the area very well except I do know of the pond behind kroger/autozone. Its a pretty close drive to where I live now. Basically I'm just wondering if anyone wants to go hit a few ponds this weekend and show me a few places to throw a line in. Catch and release of course. All of my wife's friends husbands don't fish, so I have no fishing buddy's here. Sacrilege I know but in the future I'm hoping to change them of that habit.
I live in Bartlett also, so if you ever wanna meet up just send me a PM. Unfortunately I cant go this weekend. just check in with me later if you want.
coloradofire reply :
Has anyone tried the pond on the north side of I-40 near Covington Pike? Looks like its next to some Mulch piles and has a Barge in it on the N. side? You would have to have 4x4 to get to it unless you wanna walk from what looks like a small parking area off of covington pike. Or is it private cause the road is pretty rutted up it looked like from the interstate but I do got the truck to get through there as long as the mud ruts are not too deep.
djones85 reply :
On 6/6/2015 at 5:15 AM, coloradofire said:Hey guys I just moved here from colorado and I still don't know the area very well except I do know of the pond behind kroger/autozone. Its a pretty close drive to where I live now. Basically I'm just wondering if anyone wants to go hit a few ponds this weekend and show me a few places to throw a line in. Catch and release of course. All of my wife's friends husbands don't fish, so I have no fishing buddy's here. Sacrilege I know but in the future I'm hoping to change them of that habit.
I live in Bartlett as well, me and my fiancé might be going to to either shelby farms or some little lakes around here on Sunday
Tim Cianciola reply :
I also live in Bartlett lol
calcio1020 reply :
Anyone around here fly fish? If so, could you give me some advice on what flies to use for bass around Memphis, specifically at civic center since that's probably where I'll try next. Thanks!
FishWitWiz reply :
If anyone goes to Daycare today and wants a free topwater plug, check the northeast shoreline in the grass, but be careful if you reach for it... the huge cottonmouth it is attached to is quite fond of it and has no problem expressing his feelings clearly.
djones85 reply :
Has anyone fished behind/around the Riverwood area behind Riverwood Elementary in a Cordova? If so is it private or public? How's Appling lake?
MFBAB reply :
On 6/6/2015 at 10:53 PM, FishWitWiz said:If anyone goes to Daycare today and wants a free topwater plug, check the northeast shoreline in the grass, but be careful if you reach for it... the huge cottonmouth it is attached to is quite fond of it and has no problem expressing his feelings clearly.
Attached how? In the mouth? I like a good scavenger hunt
What kind of plug?
BTW, here is one I saw below the dam at Cub Creek Lake in Natchez trace SP this w/end.
I was about 30' from him, so the zoom / pic quality isn't very good. This snake was probably over 4' long and I'd say as thick as a baseball in the middle
Fishing was fair and not enough of it, biggest was a 4lbr at Browns Creek but no pic, I dropped the fish right when I got the hook out.
It was hooked in the bottom lip and I didn't have a good hold, boo hoo. He received freedom and a good headache for his efforts.
FishWitWiz reply :
The snake was hooked in the body. I went back out this morning and had a shovel in my car as I assumed I would find the snake in the same place I last saw it. Instead there was a young guy walking around the pond in shorts and carrying a snake stick. I thought at first he was a member here and I was going to say, "times must be tough if a free topwater plug is that important to you." He actually just saw the snake and said he studied herpatology in college and was a local teacher. He said he saw the snake swimming around still hooked and he was gonna try to get it out.
Turns out it was a big water snake and not a cottonmouth. I know a lot more than most about snakes and it even fooled me. It swam on top of the water and had a triangle-shaped head. Never got close enough to see the eyes and determine round or not. The young man said that water snakes will actually do that with their head to look like a venomous snake as a defense mechanism. Never knew that and felt pretty dumb because I know a lot of water snakes get killed because of being mistakenly ID'd. About 20 mins later I saw him swim past me. Happy ending I suppose!
Mr. Ranger reply :
Let's talk about Lures.
Here's what I'd be interested to know- What is your go-to lure for each major pond here in the Memphis area?
Example:
For Grove, I like a yellow buzzbait
For Kroger - i'll take a good pumpkin rage tail on a blue/black finesse jig
And so on. This would be beyond helpful for us newer guys on the Memphis Pond-Hopping Circuit.
Basstracker 95 reply :
Fished Appling Lake this evening and ended up with 5. No size to any of them though. I know its some good ones in there I just haven't figured out how to catch'em yet!! I am determined to catch something at least 3 pounds out of there LOL!
MFBAB reply :
I don't think of it that way, meaning I don't think it's a good idea to let your game plan be fishing with one specific lure on any given pond no matter what the conditions are.
It's got to be a little more situational than that, IMO.
I don't even fish the same buzzbait for every pond or set of conditions, there are different blades for different conditions just like there are different spinnerbait blades and plastic worm tails for different conditions.
Just take a look at the conditions you see, and then start checking them off on the list one by one.
1 - Is it Windy or Calm?
2 - Muddy or Clear?
3 - Hot or Cold?
4 - Cloudy or Sunny?
5 - Dark or Light?
6 - Cold Front, Stable or Pre-Frontal?
7 - What time of Day?
- The first 5 on that list are leading you towards power fishing on the left side and finesse fishing on the right.
A combination of rights and lefts might indicate baits in the middle of the spectrum.
An example would be:
- Power Spinnerbait: Big Colorado Blade with a twin tail trailer - Muddy or Night
- Medium Spinnerbait: 3/8 Oz w Double Willows - Medium stained water with a breeze
- Finesse Spinnerbait: 1/4 Oz. willow w a grub and no skirt - Clear water with a little breeze and partly cloudy
- The next step down is a swim jig: Clear water and Calm
Just apply that type of logic to all of your baits.
In other words, the finesse worm (not covering water - fished slowly on structure) that might be your best bet on a sunny/windless day in the afternoon at Grove, might be a terrible choice on a breezy early morning when a spinner bait or topwater (covering water) would almost always be a better choice - assuming reasonably warm water temp.
Hope that helps someone, there's no guarantees in fishing but you better believe you can play the odds and get more consistent results.
Having said all of that, never leave home without a few shaky heads and trick worms :)
jwemtp reply :
I fished the Lowe's lake and caught a small bass on the third cast. He was about 12" long and I put him back. Used a navy blue lizard, weightless with chartreuse tail on spinning rod.Saw lots of baby fish around bank. Didn't stay long as I went there straight from a night shift. The chick fil a lake / neshoba had lots of little fish, but not a productive day after sitting on southwest bank fishing for bream. Little fish ate bobber bait, also ran a drop weight rig with night crawlers and no luck. I assume that lake is rock bottomed, lots of stuff to get snagged on. I also threw a frog topwater and cicada crankbait with no luck.
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 6/9/2015 at 10:49 AM, MFBAB said:I don't think of it that way, meaning I don't think it's a good idea to let your game plan be fishing with one specific lure on any given pond no matter what the conditions are.
It's got to be a little more situational than that, IMO.
I don't even fish the same buzzbait for every pond or set of conditions, there are different blades for different conditions just like there are different spinnerbait blades and plastic worm tails for different conditions.
Just take a look at the conditions you see, and then start checking them off on the list one by one.
1 - Is it Windy or Calm?
2 - Muddy or Clear?
3 - Hot or Cold?
4 - Cloudy or Sunny?
5 - Dark or Light?
6 - Cold Front, Stable or Pre-Frontal?
7 - What time of Day?
- The first 5 on that list are leading you towards power fishing on the left side and finesse fishing on the right.
A combination of rights and lefts might indicate baits in the middle of the spectrum.
An example would be:
- Power Spinnerbait: Big Colorado Blade with a twin tail trailer - Muddy or Night
- Medium Spinnerbait: 3/8 Oz w Double Willows - Medium stained water with a breeze
- Finesse Spinnerbait: 1/4 Oz. willow w a grub and no skirt - Clear water with a little breeze and partly cloudy
- The next step down is a swim jig: Clear water and Calm
Just apply that type of logic to all of your baits.
In other words, the finesse worm (not covering water - fished slowly on structure) that might be your best bet on a sunny/windless day in the afternoon at Grove, might be a terrible choice on a breezy early morning when a spinner bait or topwater (covering water) would almost always be a better choice - assuming reasonably warm water temp.
Hope that helps someone, there's no guarantees in fishing but you better believe you can play the odds and get more consistent results.
Having said all of that, never leave home without a few shaky heads and trick worms
Very helpful, and more specific than I was even asking! Thanks! I guess the reason I ask, is historically I have fished rocky, clear lakes in Missouri, and rarely fished muddy river water or murky pond water. So color is more what I was asking about. Call it a sunny day in muddy water, what colors work down here?
Again, thanks for the great response. Very helpful.
MFBAB reply :
Sun and Muddy water both tend to position fish tight on/in cover.
Muddy to me is big flipping jigs w rattles, colorado blade spinners bumped into something solid, large profile creature plastics w appendages, present it tight to cover-any available cover, use scent, fish slower, try to help the fish find it.
If your worried about color, go dark.
Everyone says to use dark baits in muddy water, but every fish I ever caught out of muddy water was bleached out, white-ish in color, so why not imitate that?
It's the least important IMO, if you're doing the other stuff.
I caught fish this morning in muddied up water equally well on black and white skirted baits at the same pond, I started with a white skirt and a very big bass wanted it more than me (my fault for not changing my line enough), so I had to switch baits and still caught fish. I had the biggest blow-up of the year so far later on the black one, but no hook-up, it looked like someone threw a cinder block in the lake
And no, I ain't sayin where!!
If anyone is thinking about respooling, DO IT!!!!!!!!
My line broke at the reel, on the end of a long cast where the big fish hit. I must've had a bad spot or a kink from a backlash or something, who knows.
The bad thing is, I already knew I was due for a respool and didn't take the time.
I found some time later this morning though
Basstracker 95 reply :
Fished Johnson Rd Park this morning. Between the 2 lakes I ended up with 10 overall, all small. Caught all of them on topwater. Small fish but fun morning.
MFBAB reply :
Picked up a fiver at Grove this morning, and lost a bigger one.....as usual
I Only had 2 bites there.
If you bat 500 in baseball, you're a millionaire. If you bat 500 on big fish, you just have a lot of sad stories!
FishWitWiz reply :
You should ditch that yellow cloth necklace for a nice gold chain. The small picture made me think you were one of my Italian uncles for a sec.
Mr. Ranger reply :
Herb Parsons. I've heard this lake is over-fished, but then I hear that it is the best place in town to go fishing. Whats the story on this lake?
Basstracker 95 reply :
In my opinion, I wouldn't spend to much time at Herb Parson's. I feel like they have poorly managed this lake for many years. It is also full of Yellow Bass. I'm not saying you cant catch bass, but there are much better places to go. Glenn Springs, Lake Graham, Gibson County Lake. These are all good lakes and you can catch quality fish from all of them.
FishWitWiz reply :
Hope everyone is having a great Father's Day! We are expecting our first child in September and I can't wait.
I hit Johnson Park (Germantown) yesterday morning and caught 3 smaller fish on a chart/white spinnerbait after throwing just about everything else. All were caught on the western pond. Went back around dusk and got skunked. Hit Daycare on my way home (pregnant wife wanted a Sonic shake) and hooked into a nice 3.5 pounder who hit it like he was gonna be my new pb. Bugs, snakes and high grass out there are getting out of control.
Skeeter Dan reply :
Got Skunked at Glenn Springs yesterday afternoon. Only fished a couple of hours. My water intake on motor got stopped up so to insure I had enough juice left on trolling motor battery to put my boat back on the trl. I made it a short afternoon. Got to the house put the hose and muffs on the motor and water pump is doing its job again.
M35Man reply :
Hey whats going on! New to fishing and the forums here. Was wondering of any public bank fishing for bass around town here?
FishWitWiz reply :
On 6/25/2015 at 4:36 AM, M35Man said:Hey whats going on! New to fishing and the forums here. Was wondering of any public bank fishing for bass around town here?
Welcome to the forum! TONS of information in this thread. Grab a cup of coffee and read from the beginning and you'll be in good shape. Lots of bank fishing options here.
M35Man reply :
Welcome to the forum! TONS of information in this thread. Grab a cup of coffee and read from the beginning and you'll be in good shape. Lots of bank fishing options here.
Thanks for the reply! I kinda skimmed through it but really dont know the locations that well! Was hoping of somethin a little more specific.
M35Man reply :
Is herb parsons good? Heard it has alot of bass!
CamMTX reply :
Hey Guys, I have been a long time stalker on here and figured I would finally make an account. There sure is a lot of good info in this thread! I have lived in the Germantown area for my entire 27 years of existance and have really seen the fish numbers drop in my go to spots. I have never heard of Grove Lake and plan on hitting it up tomorrow for sure! I will let you know how it goes. Also, I know this isn't bass related, but does anyone know if there are any catfish or grass carp in the Grove or where there are some? I love fishing for some big ones, but finding them is the issue. Also I only practice Catch and Release to put your minds at ease.Thanks!
Cameron
MFBAB reply :
On 6/25/2015 at 10:47 AM, CamMTX said:Hey Guys, I have been a long time stalker on here and figured I would finally make an account. There sure is a lot of good info in this thread! I have lived in the Germantown area for my entire 27 years of existance and have really seen the fish numbers drop in my go to spots. I have never heard of Grove Lake and plan on hitting it up tomorrow for sure! I will let you know how it goes. Also, I know this isn't bass related, but does anyone know if there are any catfish or grass carp in the Grove or where there are some? I love fishing for some big ones, but finding them is the issue. Also I only practice Catch and Release to put your minds at ease.Thanks!
Cameron
Ha, I laughed out loud when I read that about carp.
I've had a few times recently where I accidentally threw my buzzer or whatever I was using right on their head this year, in the dark....It sounds like someone threw a bowling ball in the lake when they take off!!
That sound will let you know you're alive, for sure!!
As far as finding the carp, just start going to ponds and walk the banks with polarized glasses, they are not hard to spot. Ponds with grass and silted ponds usually seem to hold a lot of them.
Herb Parsons has carp too, I caught a 40 lbr once there on a redeye shad, in the mouth.
I fished a pond recently that had a fish kill (or I should say I had planned to fish it). There were 4 or 5 40-60lb carp floating, probably 30 buzzards hanging around, and a lot of nice bass carcasses on the bank, it was a very sad sight.
Catfish are just about everywhere, I think I've heard mention of one being caught at Grove on a Senko
If you're not worried about size, Glenn and Herb Parsons stock a ton of cats and people seem to catch them off of the bank pretty easily.
I caught a cat on my buzzer the other night at a private pond too, that was a first.
Good Luck!
FishWitWiz reply :
MFBAB, where was the pond with the fish kill?
Basstracker 95 reply :
I have a question about a pond and wanted to get some opinions from the forum. There is a pond at W.C Johnson Park that is far off the road, its actually behind the two smaller ones that are located to the left just as you come into the park. I looked at it for the first time today and it looks good. Its pretty good size and a little grown up but walkable. Has anyone here ever fished it? I have never seen anyone talk about it on here.I'm going to try it out soon, just wanted to know if anybody knew anything about it. Thanks
FishWitWiz reply :
Basstracker, it is a fairly popular lake for crappie fishermen. It is a shame that no boats are allowed because you really need a kayak to fish it. Lots of structure for snags, have never got a big fish out of it.
MFBAB reply :
Wiz,
It's just a little sd pond, nothing on the regular park rotation. I have a non fishing friend there, they don't live right on the pond and didn't even realize it had happened.
The strange thing about it was that there were thousands of bream still alive in the pond, they were all feeding up top on an insect hatch when I was there, but as I said, there were dozens of bass carcasses picked clean by the buzzards all over the bank.
I don't know if this is normal for some species to survive or what caused the kill. One resident said she thought it was ecoli.
Pater reply :
My son and I hit Johson park Sunday morning for a few hours. Started by the bridge on the lake with the fountains. No luck there so went to the lake in the NE corner behind the basball fields. Couple other guys fishing the banks but didn't see anything come out. On the way back to the truck he tossed his line in the small lake adjacent to the baseball field and immediately hooked about a 1.5lb'r. We fished it for another half hour with no luck but at least he had one to tell his mother about.
FishWitWiz reply :
Where the heck is Roadwarrior lately?
roadwarrior reply :
I am working too much at the Pyramid!
My local fishing has been weak this spring with very few fish and no monsters.
I am going to Grove this morning and will post a report later today.
-Kent
djones85 reply :
Went to Herb Parsons this past Sunday, had alot of bites, but only brought in a small cat fish and small bass, also hooked a turtle. On the way home we spotted and went under the Houston-Levee bridge at Wolf River and hooked into a pretty big catfish but it got away. Hopefully my luck will get better soon
FishWitWiz reply :
What were you using for the catfish?
djones85 reply :
On 7/1/2015 at 2:17 AM, FishWitWiz said:What were you using for the catfish?
Chicken concoction my fiance' mixes up, and some worms. I was also using some spinner bait and other kinds of bait
FishWitWiz reply :
RW - don't work too hard. I haven't been down there yet but want to stop by and meet you sometime. You've done so much for so many folks. If you look up my Bass Pro purchases, there is a heck of a lot of money that could be directly tied to your posts. Literally, YOU got me into bass fishing. Thanks for all you do.
Basstracker 95 reply :
Speaking of Road Warrior, I got the privilege to meet Kent today out at Grove. He is a really good guy! I agree, he has done a lot to help people on this site and I want to thank him for all he has done. Looking forward RW to going fishing with you at Graham in the near future.
Jason
MFBAB reply :
If anyone hasn't been to the pyramid yet, you need to check it out, It is pretty mind-blowing.
I haven't run into Kent there yet but the store is incredible, I've been in 6-7 other bps stores and none compare.
It is an instant hit on the tourist attraction list, everyone we've taken there so far
has loved it!
WhyteTyger reply :
Just found this group a few days ago and thought I'd say hello. Retired from the Army and originally from Maine so it is going to be a new concept to be able to fish pretty much year round. Have been out a few times in the last couple of week. Hit Patriot Lake on Shelby Farms, Neshoba a couple of times and Appling Lake a few times (it's close to home) and caught 0, 2 and 2. Actually caught a 1.5lb smallmouth on a jointed shad-rap at Appling this morning. Hope everyone has a great holiday.
Pogo reply :
On 7/2/2015 at 10:23 AM, Basstracker 95 said:Speaking of Road Warrior, I got the privilege to meet Kent today out at Grove. He is a really good guy! I agree, he has done a lot to help people on this site and I want to thank him for all he has done. Looking forward RW to going fishing with you at Graham in the near future.
Jason
I got to meet him the other day too. He fixed my setup and taught me how to cast correctly. haha
roadwarrior reply :
Welcome aboard!
MFBAB reply :
On 7/5/2015 at 7:10 AM, WhyteTyger said:Actually caught a 1.5lb smallmouth on a jointed shad-rap at Appling this morning. Hope everyone has a great holiday.
Wt,
We've got close to 100% largemouth in the ponds here. There are a few spotted bass/ Kentuckies in some of the river systems, like the wolf.
No smallies here though, you will find them in the tn river and to the west in Arkansas as well.
Nice profile pic!!
WhyteTyger reply :
Trying to find Grove. Noticed that Roadwarrior said it was near Houston Middle School so I looked on Google earth, found the school but no Grove Lake, did find Grove Park Clubhouse, but no lake there either. Looked up Grove Park in Germantown and got 1610 Hardy Oaks Drive, put that into Google Earth and ended up at Municipal Park behind the Germantown City Hall and Library, but this is not even close to Houston Middle School. There is a lake NW of Houston Middle School, but using Google Earth I really can't see any access without going through someone's backyard. Any help would be appreciated.
FishWitWiz reply :
The pond you see to the NW of the school is Grove. If you are on Wolf River and turn north onto Johnson Road, take the first left onto Groveway. Follow that road (it changes names) around the bend and keep going. There if you look closely on Google maps, near the NE corner of the pond there is an access road with an established parking lot. Be mindful there are lots of kids in the neighborhood so always be a good ambassador.
Basstracker 95 reply :
I fished the pond behind Houston High School for the first time this weekend. I ended up catching a few small ones. Just curious if anybody has ever caught a nice one over there? Also, fished Appling last week and saw a guy catch a pretty nice one. He asked me what I thought it weighed so we weighed it on my scale. It was an even 4lbs. What urked me was the guy then put it on the stringer. He said he was going to put it back after he was done. Believe it or not the guy actually put it back about an hour an a half later. The problem though was He stressed the fish so much that it belly roled and flopped for a long time before I lost sight of it. I hope she made it, I just don't understand if he wasn't planning on keeping it why didn't he just take a pic and throw it back?? weird.
FishWitWiz reply :
I have some buddies who are in a softball league that plays at Houston HS and they have fished there a ton before games. The only thing they have caught is little stuff.
Your story about Appling is very strange, but mostly sad. We all need to be that much more of conservationists and sportsmen to make up for that kind of stuff.
MFBAB reply :
I prescribe saying 10 of these:
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.
....and then go cleanly catch and release as many fish as you can until you feel you've offset this egregious violation
Seriously though, I agree that this is poor handling of the fish, but you will only stress yourself out worrying about things you can't control. If there was no law broken, you really just have to let it go.
The time spent worrying about this would be much better spent fishing, IMO
And believe me, I fully understand that it doesn't feel fair for one guys actions to potentially have a negative effect on your fishing experience (by maybe killing that fish), while your actions don't have a neg effect on theirs; but whether you are right or wrong, you will encounter situations like this one in areas of life, and that is probably why the little prayer I quoted above was written in the first place - maybe someone was jacking up the guys fishing hole when he wrote it :)
Good fishing!!
Basstracker 95 reply :
I just read an article online (TWRA website) that said that Herb Parsons was the newest TWRA lake chosen to be stocked with Florida Strain Largemouth. That's great news for us Memphis guys. I'm not sure how well they have managed the bass population there so this is encouraging. It will take a while but that could be a great lake in the future!!
CamMTX reply :
On 6/26/2015 at 11:45 PM, MFBAB said:Ha, I laughed out loud when I read that about carp.
I've had a few times recently where I accidentally threw my buzzer or whatever I was using right on their head this year, in the dark....It sounds like someone threw a bowling ball in the lake when they take off!!
That sound will let you know you're alive, for sure!!
As far as finding the carp, just start going to ponds and walk the banks with polarized glasses, they are not hard to spot. Ponds with grass and silted ponds usually seem to hold a lot of them.
Herb Parsons has carp too, I caught a 40 lbr once there on a redeye shad, in the mouth.
I fished a pond recently that had a fish kill (or I should say I had planned to fish it). There were 4 or 5 40-60lb carp floating, probably 30 buzzards hanging around, and a lot of nice bass carcasses on the bank, it was a very sad sight.
Catfish are just about everywhere, I think I've heard mention of one being caught at Grove on a Senko
If you're not worried about size, Glenn and Herb Parsons stock a ton of cats and people seem to catch them off of the bank pretty easily.
I caught a cat on my buzzer the other night at a private pond too, that was a first.
Good Luck!
MFBAB,
trust me I have been looking without any luck! I was wondering if anyone has seen any at our local ponds/lakes recently. It would save me a lot of footwork seeing as though bank sighting can be hit or miss depending on the time.
MFBAB reply :
I can tell you for sure, almost every golf course pond EVER has grass carp in it Getting permission is the hard part on that one. I've played most of the courses here and carp are ubiquitous wherever water is found on a golf course.
I'm pretty sure I saw some at the Bartlett ponds located behind the shopping center at N/E corner of Stage & Whitten also.
There is an old pay lake near Shelby Forest called Lyles Lake, if you google the Shelby Forest General Store they can probably give you contact info for it, it is located just N of the store but not affiliated with it. That pond used to LOADED w big carp, and some nice bass too. I haven't fished there in 15 years, so not current info
They have boats available and the flats in the back of the pond are silted in and were always full of carp.
Orgill Park might be a good place to look, but I can't say there are carp in it for sure. This is a large public pond adjacent to a public golf course with heavily silted creek arms. I think it might be a slam dunk for carp.
Generally, I would look for ponds w grass, because carp may be stocked to control it.
Also, look for silted ponds, because if they are there they will be easier to locate in shallow water.
If you like catching all UGLY fish 
, spend some time on the TN river, it is loaded w drum and they will hit anything a bass will, but shiners are preferred.
Oh, I almosat forgot:
If you have an aluminum boat, run it around on the Mississippi River or anything connected to it, the Asian Carp will be jumping in the boat before long - wear a helmet.
Good Luck!!
Jay.sav33 reply :
Hey guys, new to the Memphis area and also to bass resource. I read thru a lot of the past posts on this topic, I hit the pond by chick fila last night off Germantown parkway. Had a couple good bites but couldn't bring any in. What's some recomendations on ponds and what they are liking to hit on now a days? Thanks
roadwarrior reply :
Soft plastics, especially rigged on a shakey head.
Try the GYCB Kut Tail (green pumpkin/ red flakes)
on a 3/8 oz MegaStrike ShakE2. I'm also having
some luck with the Rage Tail 10" Thumper.
JDJ reply :
My 10-yr old son wants to go slam some bream. I'm familair with most of the local public bass holes, but are any of them hotspots for hungry panfish?
FishWitWiz reply :
Rossville town pond/lake is loaded with bream as well as small catfish.
MFBAB reply :
Heads Up:
There's a big sale on Rage stuff at the Sycamore View BPS right now.
There is a bin right before you get to the rod and reel counter at the end of the main aisle, $2.79 a pack for
Lobsters,
Thumpers,
Anacondas,
Grubs,
and maybe a couple of other types - this is Friday afternoon, so they will go fast
Again, it's not all types and not all colors, but the price is more than a 50% mark down on what's there.
Maybe Kent will see this and let us know if the sale is also at the Pyramid.
Good luck this w/end, I plan on fishing both mornings, I'll probably hit Grove 1 of those days so say hi if you see me!
I'll be the guy sweating profusely and wearing a camo fanny pack!
Rob
Basstracker 95 reply :
Fished Glenn Springs this morning and had a pretty good day. 15 total, biggest was 3.4 and a couple of 2lbers. I have fished this lake a lot more this summer and really like it. I have caught a lot of 3 and 4 lb fish out of there this year. I just cant seem to snag a big'un!! With that said, my fishing days will slow down a lot because this teacher has to go back to work It has been a good summer and I got to do what I love the most "FISH"!! LOL, Will have to do most of my fishing on the weekends now.
Skeeter Dan reply :
On 7/25/2015 at 6:15 AM, Basstracker 95 said:Fished Glenn Springs this morning and had a pretty good day. 15 total, biggest was 3.4 and a couple of 2lbers. I have fished this lake a lot more this summer and really like it. I have caught a lot of 3 and 4 lb fish out of there this year. I just cant seem to snag a big'un!! With that said, my fishing days will slow down a lot because this teacher has to go back to work
I'm glad some one can catch bass there . I went this morning and couldn't even get a tease.
tha black bill dance reply :
Hello everyone, im new on here but i love the way everyone is helping each other. In need of some real fishing friends i been running around with some amateur. My grandma has two bass ponds that have been around for more than 50years but the guys i fish with want walk through the grass and bushes to get to them. And i can get us on a few more ponds in coldwater ms. Any takers i want go with people that catch slabs like me
MFBAB reply :
Ha ha, I love your handle!!
It would be hard for me to be in Coldwater and NOT be on Butla, best big crappie lake in the world
Show us some pics of what y'all are catching, it has gotten slow around here lately on the pond-hopper thread.
Here's one to get the ball rolling, just a regular pic, no funny business here.......
Grizz88 reply :
Not bass related...but went fishing on a nice weekend at the spring river in NEA. caught about 10 rainbows in 3 hours using trout magnet. This was my best. 15 incher. Figured yall would appreciate. Oh..and released alive back from where she came.
MFBAB reply :
Nice job! Trout Magnets will destroy the Bream and Crappie in the ponds as well, 2 lb test is fun fishing.
tha black bill dance reply :
Has anyone caught anything behide chick-fil-a or the three ponds on Humphrey.
tha black bill dance reply :
Memphis pond hoppers we have to do better with catch and release. I also see that nobody post pics from neosba or from Humphrey has anyone caught anything there
WhyteTyger reply :
Just a quick questions. Has anyone fished the two lakes behind Stevie B's off of Whitten. I have been told that there are bass there just wanted to see if anyone had been there or even better been there recently.
tha black bill dance reply :
At Neshoba park do u guys fish the pond in the woods
tha black bill dance reply :
Think im going to try the chick-fil-a ponds today around 4 anybody want to meet up there tour welcome to use anything in my box that u like but u cant get my buzzanatior thats my baby. For years together and still going strong. Think im going to use ribbit frogs and swimbaits
tha black bill dance reply :
Anybody wants to meet at the chick-fil-a ponds today around 4. I will met u there i'll be the guy throwing the box at the pond. Point me to the pond and im gon make somthing shake. But lately seems like u guys dont want to make friends or have a good time. Im ready to beat somebody pond up. Wheres the road warrior or bass n tatters when u need them. P.S bring your snake boots they are everywhere at chick-fil-a ponds
tha black bill dance reply :
Hello memphis pond hoppers ther are two apartments lakes that we can fish off of ridgeway. The first one u would have to turn in the arbor apartments thats on the right side if u come off of kirby on to knight Arnold turn in and go to the left and park walk through the breeze way and the pond is straight ahead. Fish just bite funny but there are slabs in there. The other apartments is called the lakes at ridgeway just got to hope the gate is open just dont eat the fish trash in the lake but it has sum monsters in there just have to make them bite start by the office thats the deepest part
tha black bill dance reply :
Pond hopper with boats and without boats try the navy base lakes they have four ponds there wish my phone would stop saying my picture to big. But i caught a 4lb bass there on a spinners bait. I have seen a few slabs cum from there but remember catch and release so the next guy gets a chance to get a slab. And again my grandma has a pond that been there for 50 plus years if anyone want to meey up and go there off of cassey rd in ms but the grass is super high cause nobody wants to walk through itor deal with the snakes but thats what u want crappie there to just havent came across fishermen that will go. I think im going to stock it with Florida bass next year and add more brim and minnows to. Going to make it a great lake just have to stop the people thats been sneaking on it. But message me if your down to fish i love to trade tips and learn. Im a buzzbait and worm fool. Beware of my hula popper calls them from the deepest water.
tha black bill dance reply :
I have a few ponds in coldwater too, me and my son uncle once caught 200 1lb bass at this one lake in a two day period no joking, had a fish fry that turned into a block party sum how. The owner ok it cause it was over stocked. But the roster tail was my weapon that day. Really good eating!!
tha black bill dance reply :
I vote road roadwarrior as president of memphis pond hoppers hopefully i can get a chance to fish with this guy. Great sportsmanship the way we all should be
Young jimmy Houston reply :
Where is Central Park located I've only been in Memphis for a little and I'm looking for some good bank fishing
tha black bill dance reply :
Young jommy Houston bout time u made a profile and i already let them know u dont do snakes lol. When we go Saturday you know im crush the pond. I got the grove and daycare pond on my mind beens sum good picks on here. We t poo go eat breakfast before we go. Hope we run into roadwarrior out there or sum of the other pond hoppers.
Young jimmy Houston reply :
On 3/24/2015 at 6:04 AM, BryanBrown said:I haven't had much luck with OB park other than some small ones from the smaller pond that's across from the oval track. Central Park in Southaven is a much better option...
4.5lber today from Central Park on a NorthStar swim jig (bull gill) rage tail menace.
tha black bill dance reply :
Pond hoppers lets turn up our page we have to keep it alive its been a lil to dry on here lately
tha black bill dance reply :
Me and my guy skeet reese who. Pond hoppers what do u think
Tim Cianciola reply :
Nice fish man
tha black bill dance reply :
Will be at bp friday spending more money and the grove at 5am if anyone wants to join. Both fish where put back, made sure that they good befor we let them go and i know i messed up with the line but the rocks i was on couldn't climb back up the cliff i was on but i had to get a pic
tha black bill dance reply :
Thanks tim just tryin to keep the page alive its been dead lately. My guy murder my fish and you sure did too
Tim Cianciola reply :
Been known to catch a few lol haven't been able to get out much the last few weeks tho.
tha black bill dance reply :
Jimmy Houston and i are hitting the grove and some more spots Saturday if u want to meet
tha black bill dance reply :
Seems like nobody really been fishin or on here that much. Wonder where all the pond hoppers are? Im hitting the ponds like i went crazy. Have to get me sum new sticks, but i love my ugly stick we have ripped so many lips i just cant cheat on her like that. Till death do us part. Married to her for 7 years lol. Im my poles keeper
tha black bill dance reply :
All this good rain going to have our ponds full to the rim just like i like it
tha black bill dance reply :
Point me to the water. What are u working with? Thats not even evrything. Pond hopper where yall at
MFBAB reply :
Your tackle is looking good BBD!! You can do some damage with that line-up for sure.
Glad you're catching a few. I haven't been out in a couple of weeks, just been busy but hope to change that soon. Y'all try to leave a few for me
With Bill Dance and Jimmy Houston posting here now, I think I'll change my handle to "Middle-Aged Roland Martin"
JDJ reply :
Anyone figured out Grove? It's been pretty non-productive for me this year.
tha black bill dance reply :
MFBAB i cant do anything but leave u a few. I preach catch and release, hope to get a chance to fish with some of the pond hoppers. I think i master worms poppers and buzzbait just have to get better with crankbaits and swimbaits. But if u ever want to go just let me know. Middle age roland martin kmsl but i like it.
tha black bill dance reply :
And i still want to vote road-warrior for president of the pond hoppers!!! That man is a monster on the water
tha black bill dance reply :
JdJ after i go Saturday morning i will let u know it will be my first time going there i hit neoshba a few weeks ago. Didnt have any luck. Didn't know it was a pond behind the woods till this lady popped up out of nowhere in front of me on the trail so i went in the first opening i seen and found water (blood hound for ponds. Just was to dark to be in the bushes to many snakes for me. Let me know if u do anything. I will be will young Jimmy Houston at the grove 5am we can have our on lil tournament
FishWitWiz reply :
BBD, you mentioned that you let that fish in the picture go, but in the picture it is on a stringer. Seems counterintuitive to put a fish on a stringer if you are practicing catch and release. I'm still pretty new to bass fishing so just trying to understand your method.
tha black bill dance reply :
Wiz if u read all the post u will see that i said i messed up by put him on a string but that was only cause i was standing on sum rocks and couldn't take a good pic without losing him. But i held him in the water till it got strength to swim away. Just make sure u dont make the same mistake i did by doing that i know and understand thats was not the best choice. With that being said on the way to basspro with young Jimmy Houston
Grizz88 reply :
Had a little time to do some exploratory fishing today on the eastern section of the green line today. There is a consistently flooded area next to the penitentiary that I fished. Couple little bites, nothing caught. I did see a good size gar cruising along. I moved further done and found a bike trail that led me to the wolf. I fished a deep diving crank bait under the pedestrian bridge with no luck. I think next time some bigger poles with cut bait might be a better approach.
Anyone ever fished here? How bout the prison ponds?
BadBradBassMan reply :
Went to daycare pond today and caught a bass as big as my crankbait and then two cast later caught a 1.1 lb'er. I thought I was going to wear them out with the rapala crawdad but didn't get anymore bites. The pond looks good, from google maps it looked depressing.
BadBradBassMan reply :
@grizz88 the prison will kick you out of those ponds. Tried last summer. There is a pond north of the greenline. In the winter you can see it from the 240 interchange. It has good fishing but hard to get to. You can access it from the wolf river trails or take a truck in from Shelby drive and summer.
WhyteTyger reply :
Just a quick picture from Grove this morning. Only had two bits, but caught them both. The first was 14 in and 1.1 lbs. The one in the photo was 24.5 in and a little over 3.5 lbs. 
Jay.sav33 reply :
The grove is by Chic Fil A right? I think I'm going to head out there later. Anyone else fishing today?
WhyteTyger reply :
Grove is in a housing area off of Johnson and Wolf River just before you get to Houston Middle School. Neshoba is the one near Chic Fil A. Let us know how it goes. Haven't been there is a while.
FishWitWiz reply :
Grove is my nemesis.
901_angler reply :
Took a trip to Gibson County lake and boy did it pay off. Caught a 8lb (my PB) largemouth today on a Zara Spook on the 4th cast. Will definitely be going back soon.
00 mod reply :
Great fish! Congrats!
Jeff
FishWitWiz reply :
Got shut out two afternoons in a row at the Memphis ponds. A tarantula-size spider tried to put me out of my misery while I was changing baits as well...
Jay.sav33 reply :
I caught 2 at neshoba and my girl caught 1. They were all maybe a pound each but it's nice to catch something. I caught mine on a white spinner and my girl caught hers with a Texas rig. Forgot what worm, I think it was a dark color with neon yellow tail. It started to get windy and the leaves started blowing into the water, I think that woke the fish up a little and made them curious.
Skeeter Dan reply :
On 9/1/2015 at 6:21 AM, 901_angler said:Took a trip to Gibson County lake and boy did it pay off. Caught a 8lb (my PB) largemouth today on a Zara Spook on the 4th cast. Will definitely be going back soon.
I've been wanting to try it out there. I just have never made the trip.
901_angler reply :
On 9/3/2015 at 1:40 AM, Skeeter Dan said:I've been wanting to try it out there. I just have never made the trip.
Better make that trip. I'll be heading back real soon. Might just been pure luck catching the 8lber but I'm definitely gonna keep trying for that 10lb+.
JDJ reply :
Daycare gave up a few to me this morning. Tossed a frog all around the pond at daybreak and couldn't get any hits. Caught a couple on a Chatterbait and a couple on a Rage-rigged Pit Boss. Each 2lbs or less.
Deathdrummer35 reply :
I've never got anything better than a dink out of there.
JDJ reply :
1 of my 4 was a dink. And it took me 4 hours to get those!
Deathdrummer35 reply :
You having any luck on any of the other local spots?
I've fished civic center a few times but can't seem to get the bass dialed in.
JDJ reply :
Not really. Grove has been slow for me this year but I know others have had some luck there. I've only fished Civic Ctr a couple of times and was limited to top water with all the submerged veg near the banks. I didn't have any luck.
Deathdrummer35 reply :
Yea that weird mesh bottom and terrible snot grass just began to get on my nerves. I'm thinking about trying out Neshoba sometime this weekend. You ever fish there?
mkeeler3 reply :
has anyone gone to bear creek lately
00 mod reply :
Bear Creek Pickwick or Bear Creek Arkansas?
Jeff
mkeeler3 reply :
On 10/5/2015 at 9:26 PM, 00 mod said:Bear Creek Pickwick or Bear Creek Arkansas?
Jeff
Arkansas
00 mod reply :
I am planning on going in the next couple of weeks sometime. Can give you a report then. Normally this time of the year- find wood cover on main lake points and feed them a lizard.
Jeff
Vicdougle reply :
Hey there. First time posting and just wanting to say hello. I live in Cordova and have been in TN a little under a year. So far I hate the humidity but love the fishing. As soon as I figure out how to post pics on here I'll share a few hogs from this year.On 10/11/2015 at 5:20 AM, Vicdougle said:Hey there. First time posting and just wanting to say hello. I live in Cordova and have been in TN a little under a year. So far I hate the humidity but love the fishing. As soon as I figure out how to post pics on here I'll share a few hogs from this year.
00 mod reply :
Welcome Vic!
Jeff
Vicdougle reply :
Kinda messed that up there but there's my most recent big'un. Thanks Jeff!
00 mod reply :
Nice fish for sure!
Jeff
bassinNorthMS reply :
Anyone had much luck at grove lately?
Vicdougle reply :
What/where is grove?
bassinNorthMS reply :
Johnson road and wolf river boulevard in the back of the neighborhood that's over there. I'm going there tomorrow mornin, just seeing if anyone's been out there lately
bassinNorthMS reply :
Back of the neighborhood at johnson rd and wolfriver boulevard. I'm going out there tomorrow mornin, just wondering if anyone has been out there lately
Vicdougle reply :
Gotcha...has it typically produced good fish? What time are you goin?
00 mod reply :
I plan on being there in the morning. Right before first light.
Jeff
bassinNorthMS reply :
Good chunks, I hear their is a monster in there from the park ranger. I'll be out there kind of early myself. Little after first light
Vicdougle reply :
Which lake is it? There are a few back there on Google earth
bassinNorthMS reply :
Its the longer one near dogcreek drive, kind of looks like a hammer handle
bassinNorthMS reply :
Actually looks more like a hatchet
Vicdougle reply :
Well I hit grove this morning and only caught one however I met Jeff and Kent which I would say was the big score. Thanks so much for your pointers and time. It was a pleasure meetin yall. Hope to fish with you again soon!
00 mod reply :
Nice meeting you as well!
Jeff
roadwarrior reply :
Back at ya!
901_angler reply :
Anyone bank fishing today? Headed to daycare now
Deathdrummer35 reply :
The grove is a pond behind Houston middle school off of wolf river.
And no, not as of late.
Deathdrummer35 reply :
And welcome to the forums Vic.
Vicdougle reply :
Anyone fishin this weekend? Where at? Also, I'm buyin a house in Riverwood Farms and they've got a 35 acre lake I've fished a couple times just from the bank... Lots of healthy yearlings but nothing bigger yet. Anyone fish it before? Any luck? Any catfish? Thanks!
00 mod reply :
Vic, I would be more than happy to dump my little boat in and we can investigate that lake, if boats are allowed!
Jeff
Vicdougle reply :
Sounds good to me. Trolling motor only. When and how long would you wanna go?
Basstracker 95 reply :
Hey guys, I know I haven't posted anything in a while but haven't really been fishing many ponds lately. I do have a question that I wanted to bring up about bass in general. I have been off this week so I got the change to fish Carroll County Lake and Lake Graham in Jackson. I decided to keep some fish and have a little fish fry for the family. I was surprise to find out of the roughly 20 or so fish I cleaned, several of them were full of eggs. This was true of fish from both lakes. How common is this? Do some bass spawn in the fall? I have read that this happens occasionally? Was wondering if anyone knows more about this? Just curious.
Vicdougle reply :
Soooooooo, I'm looking for a lightweight portable boat. Anyone have any suggestions on ones they like and more importantly, which ones to avoid and why? Please let me know how long you've had it, pros and cons etc... I think the Ultraskiff is kind of the ultimate personal watercraft but I like the idea of having something I can fish in with a buddy. Thanks in advance for the replies.
__________________
This belongs in the "Boat" section.
-Kent
Deathdrummer35 reply :
Has anyone been having any luck lately? This past week it's been pretty tough.
Skeeter Dan reply :
How was Carroll County Lake ?On 10/17/2015 at 8:35 AM, Basstracker 95 said:Hey guys, I know I haven't posted anything in a while but haven't really been fishing many ponds lately. I do have a question that I wanted to bring up about bass in general. I have been off this week so I got the change to fish Carroll County Lake and Lake Graham in Jackson. I decided to keep some fish and have a little fish fry for the family. I was surprise to find out of the roughly 20 or so fish I cleaned, several of them were full of eggs. This was true of fish from both lakes. How common is this? Do some bass spawn in the fall? I have read that this happens occasionally? Was wondering if anyone knows more about this? Just curious.
Dangerous_Bacon reply :
Just want to say hello...Been lurking for a while and decided to join. I live in Harbor Town, but try to fish all over as much as I can. No boat, so I am bank bound. Have fished Glen Springs( caught a few),Orgill( whole bunch of small fish) as well as Shelby Forrest... Grew up in G'town and I cannot find any of these places ya'll are talking about.
Full disclosure: I am the most directionally challenged human in North America so that doesn't help too much...LOL
Also RW, swing by the banquet department at The Pyramid and say hello...ask for Scott...
Basstracker 95 reply :
Fished Civic Center and Neshoba this morning. Between the 2 only picked up 1 small one. Seems like the ponds have been tough lately. Anybody having any luck?
Mr. Ranger reply :
I fished a pond at a park in Bartlett near Davies Plantation. No bites but I figured I wasnt doing something right. Talked to one of the homeowners on the lake, and they said that Bass were in there, but more people caught catfish and bluegill. Water was low and the shoreline is well groomed, so nothing was laying down for the fish to sit under. Just some mud flat banks. Going to try a texas rig next time I go. Anyone ever fished that pond?
Basstracker 95 reply :
On 11/12/2015 at 5:41 AM, Mr. Ranger said:I fished a pond at a park in Bartlett near Davies Plantation. No bites but I figured I wasnt doing something right. Talked to one of the homeowners on the lake, and they said that Bass were in there, but more people caught catfish and bluegill. Water was low and the shoreline is well groomed, so nothing was laying down for the fish to sit under. Just some mud flat banks. Going to try a texas rig next time I go. Anyone ever fished that pond?
I've fished that pond twice earlier this year and didn't get a bite either time. However, didn't really fish it very hard or very long. If you have any luck there let me know! good luck
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 11/12/2015 at 7:59 AM, Basstracker 95 said:I've fished that pond twice earlier this year and didn't get a bite either time. However, didn't really fish it very hard or very long. If you have any luck there let me know! good luck
Yeah I'll let you know next time I go. I'd like to figure it out, it's so close and easy to get to.
MFBAB reply :
On 11/12/2015 at 5:41 AM, Mr. Ranger said:I fished a pond at a park in Bartlett near Davies Plantation. No bites but I figured I wasnt doing something right. Talked to one of the homeowners on the lake, and they said that Bass were in there, but more people caught catfish and bluegill. Water was low and the shoreline is well groomed, so nothing was laying down for the fish to sit under. Just some mud flat banks. Going to try a texas rig next time I go. Anyone ever fished that pond?
That pond looks great, but it was recently converted to a Bartlett park. During the construction of the walking path, etc., they drained the lake according to Bartlett parks and rec., I think this was done in 2012-13 or so....
Basically, it is full of dinks, tiny bass, bream and crappie - throw a trout magnet in there and catch all you want.
It will probably get better in a few years, but I found it so tough for bass after a couple of trips this summer that I actually called in to check with the parks and rec. office to see if there had been a fish kill there, that's when I found out about the draining.
And yes, there is a bad siltation problem there too, I'm not sure whether it will fish very well from the bank even after it has had more time for the fish to grow. It's just an old farm pond, and they usually silt in eventually, but if you look at it on Google Earth and go back a few years to when Bartlett Parks was working on it, you can see that they really had the shoreline stripped down to dirt for a while...I think a lot of the silt issues came from their improvements.
Hope I save you some time, I had high hopes for that pond this past summer myself
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 11/15/2015 at 7:23 AM, MFBAB said:That pond looks great, but it was recently converted to a Bartlett park. During the construction of the walking path, etc., they drained the lake according to Bartlett parks and rec., I think this was done in 2012-13 or so....
Basically, it is full of dinks, tiny bass, bream and crappie - throw a trout magnet in there and catch all you want.
It will probably get better in a few years, but I found it so tough for bass after a couple of trips this summer that I actually called in to check with the parks and rec. office to see if there had been a fish kill there, that's when I found out about the draining.
And yes, there is a bad siltation problem there too, I'm not sure whether it will fish very well from the bank even after it has had more time for the fish to grow. It's just an old farm pond, and they usually silt in eventually, but if you look at it on Google Earth and go back a few years to when Bartlett Parks was working on it, you can see that they really had the shoreline stripped down to dirt for a while...I think a lot of the silt issues came from their improvements.
Hope I save you some time, I had high hopes for that pond this past summer myself
Bummer. I was hoping for some different news on this pond. Thanks for sharing, good to know.
MFBAB reply :
I know! I was pretty excited about finding it this year.
It's been there a long time but just recently became public so I figured it wasn't getting too much pressure yet
It has everything you want on paper, but I really think it got screwed up pretty badly when they were doing the park improvements.
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 11/17/2015 at 7:35 AM, MFBAB said:I know! I was pretty excited about finding it this year.
It's been there a long time but just recently became public so I figured it wasn't getting too much pressure yet
It has everything you want on paper, but I really think it got screwed up pretty badly when they were doing the park improvements.
Do you know of any other lakes or ponds in the same area? Thats about 5 minutes from my house, and I don't get the opportunity to get out that often. Proximity is key...
FishWitWiz reply :
On 11/18/2015 at 1:44 AM, Mr. Ranger said:Do you know of any other lakes or ponds in the same area? Thats about 5 minutes from my house, and I don't get the opportunity to get out that often. Proximity is key...
Google Maps
MFBAB reply :
The closest 2 park ponds I know from there would be the Bartlett Park on N Appling, called Appling Lake I think, and the International Harvester Park in Lakeland, on WS of Canada Rd up near the intersection with Hwy 70.
As Wiz said, Google maps is a good resource.
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 11/18/2015 at 9:58 AM, FishWitWiz said:Google Maps
Let me EDIT my question:
Do you know of any other GOOD FISHING lakes or ponds in the same area?
You can search google maps for blue areas all day long and still not know what is fishable.
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 11/18/2015 at 12:54 PM, MFBAB said:The closest 2 park ponds I know from there would be the Bartlett Park on N Appling, called Appling Lake I think, and the International Harvester Park in Lakeland, on WS of Canada Rd up near the intersection with Hwy 70.
As Wiz said, Google maps is a good resource.
Thanks- I'll be able to give both of those a try.
MFBAB reply :
0
FishWitWiz reply :
Anybody Memphis Pond Hoppers catching anything in the ponds? I haven't fished any freshwater since before my son was born in mid-September (been a little busy) and this week seems like about the right time. If you are, what are you catching them on?
coloradofire reply :
Hey guys Im back in Memphis now. When I originally posted here I was job searching from moving to colorado and took a job in jackson but now I'm here in Memphis with a even newer and better job and plan on staying in the area. So if anyone is up to go some weekend let me know.
coloradofire reply :
Anyone been to Herb Parsons Lake? My Father in law wants to go there tomorrow while he is in town. And as seeing how I'm still not familiar with the area since I've moved back to Memphis I was wondering if anyone has any thing good to say?
JDJ reply :
Anyone having having any luck lately at any of the Shelby Farms ponds?
Gstewartutc reply :
Hey guys, try cordova country club! it has been closed down now for a while and is used as a place where people mostly walk there dogs. I pulled out a 5lber like two weeks ago and have been to caught up with work to go lately! The good lake is the one with the wall you can see on your right headed towards gtown rd. And dont be discouraged by all the dinks, they are in there.
FishWitWiz reply :
Fished on Thanksgiving morning for my first time since September. Hooked a few small ones, but nothing to write home about.
As the Memphis ponds grow a little more quiet, I'd like to propose that if you have a chance, take a ride to your local Memphis pond and bring a trash bag. A few of the shorelines are looking pretty bad with trash. Last year I filled up an entire contractor trash bag just at Daycare Pond. These places are special to us, let's make sure that we take care of them.
FishWitWiz reply :
My wife, baby boy and I went to Johnson Park in Germantown yesterday and my wife convinced me to bring a rod along. Tied on a RatLTrap and off we went. Fished the eastern pond with no luck. Moved to the western pond and picked up 2 two pounders right after each other around the pier structure. One had a really ugly looking wound on its side but seemed otherwise healthy. Weather was great!
MFBAB reply :
On 12/28/2015 at 3:44 AM, FishWitWiz said:My wife, baby boy and I went to Johnson Park in Germantown yesterday and my wife convinced me to bring a rod along. Tied on a RatLTrap and off we went. Fished the eastern pond with no luck. Moved to the western pond and picked up 2 two pounders right after each other around the pier structure. One had a really ugly looking wound on its side but seemed otherwise healthy. Weather was great!
Nice!
A lot of people call traps an "idiot Bait" because you can just chuck and wind it, but I also heard a pro say once that he calls it that because you're an idiot if your not throwing one when the water's cold
FishWitWiz reply :
I've heard the same but never saw any luck with them. I was letting it sink to the bottom and then pulling it a few feet and letting it sink again. Both fish hit in the retrieve which was opposite of what I expected.
MFBAB reply :
The biggest largemouth I've ever had on the line came on a chrome/blue back original rattle trap on a pumping retrieve, in a small pond on Plantation golf course down in Olive Branch-in January, around 10 years ago. My buddy had a house on it and we could fish it in boats
I didn't land that bass but it was all of 11 lbs......I shoulda changed out the hooks on that plug!! That was also the ugliest live bass I've ever seen, it looked like a 50 year old wall-mount like you would see in a bait shop somewhere, it couldn't have lived for long after that day.
bassinNorthMS reply :
Anybody ever had any luck with golf courses? Just curious. I've wanted to try fishing one before but just never really know when a good time to go would be.
MFBAB reply :
The trouble with golf courses is getting permission. It's going to be nearly impossible if you don't know someone who works there, there's just nothing in it for them to allow people to fish there.
From their viewpoint: At best you might only be a nuisance to the paying golfers....at worst, it could become a big liability issue if someone got hurt or drowned.
Fortunately, there are plenty of other public pond options in this area. There is a ton of free and completely public water in Shelby county, and most of it is hardly touched.
trickworm15 reply :
Hi everyone, New to the site, have been reading through this thread, and found a wealth of info, thanks for sharing. My buddy, cousin and I tried the ponds behind Chik fil A on Dec 26 and my cousin hung this nice 5 pounder in the second pond behind Chik fil A.
Skeeter Dan reply :
Howdy neighbor. You look familiar or is that your cousin ? He looks familiar. Any away glad to see another Tipton county person on here.
trickworm15 reply :
On 1/3/2016 at 3:06 PM, Skeeter Dan said:Howdy neighbor. You look familiar or is that your cousin ? He looks familiar. Any away glad to see another Tipton county person on here.
Hey Dan, that is my cousin Jeff, we both live in Brighton, where in T-County do you live Skeeter Dan? We fish Glen Springs a lot and hit Edmund Orgill some, we have a couple ponds but not many, we are looking for some new waters to fish and I stumbled on this thread. Maybe we can meet up sometime and get on some ponds. I was at a private pond in Atoka yesterday Jan 2 and caught this pig. 7lbs
FishWitWiz reply :
Trickworm, welcome to the forum. What did you catch those girls on? Let em go?
trickworm15 reply :
On 1/4/2016 at 3:54 AM, FishWitWiz said:Trickworm, welcome to the forum. What did you catch those girls on? Let em go?
Thanks FishWitWiz, my cousin caught the one behind Chik Fil A on a square bill crank, black back,chartreuse, and white belly I believe. The one I caught yesterday in the 2nd pic was caught on a 6" Zoom Junebug trickworm (texas rig). Both were released safely back, hope too meet some of you guys soon, everyone seems really friendly!!!
Skeeter Dan reply :
That's a nice fish
JDJ reply :
If you're wondering what to throw around the local waters, the jig has been good to me lately. A Siebert's Dredge jig with a Sweet Craw skirt and Rage Bug trailer in Bama Craw is reeeeeeel purrrrrrrty!
Skeeter Dan reply :
That sir is a nice fish.
trickworm15 reply :
Thank JDJ hope to hit some of the waters soon and thank you Skeeter Dan!!!
FishWitWiz reply :
Weather in the 60s and 70s the next few days... who's goin fishin????
bassinNorthMS reply :
Anybody fishing in north miss? Thinking about going for a bit wondering if anyone has had any luck
bassin427 reply :
On 2/1/2016 at 3:11 AM, bassinNorthMS said:Anybody fishing in north miss? Thinking about going for a bit wondering if anyone has had any luck
I fish Central park and Olive branch park but mostly Central park 90% of the time .
I have caught 1 good fish in the 4 to 5 lb range so far .
The only thing I can tell you is work your lure real slow and put the wind to your back to get some extra range.
MFBAB reply :
There are a few FREE seminars coming up next w/end at BPS - These are at the Sycamore View Store:
Local Pro Fishing Seminars:
February 19th:
7 p.m. - Bladed Jigs: Learn How and Where to Fish Bladed Jigs for Your Next Big Catch.
February 20th (sat) and 21st (Sun):
11 a.m. - New to Fishing? Learn All You Need to Know to Get Started.
2 p.m. - Understanding Baitfish and Their Seasonal Movements.
4 p.m. - The Strategy of Successful Kayak Fishing.
Women's Fishing Workshop (Free Tumbler to the first 25 women to attend):
February 20th at 1:30 p.m.
FishWitWiz reply :
Fished Daycare this morning for an hour, got a real lively 1-pounder on a slow rolled spinnerbait. Lots of green, slimy algae from the shoreline out to about 10 feet.
It's that time of year again that the Memphis ponds need cleanup, so if you go out to your local favorite pond, please bring a trash bag. Daycare gets especially bad because of the dumpster in the parking lot to the west.
Mr. Ranger reply :
I fished International Harvester in Lakeland over the weekend. Lousy, lousy lousy. Not a single bite, and the kids couldn't even get the bluegill to bite a worm on a bobber. The water looks recently dyed blue, so I'm blaming that.
Has anyone ever had any luck there?
MFBAB reply :
Ranger-I've only fished IH park one time, I caught around 20 in an hour right at daylight on a Buzzer but they were all under 1 lb- this was last summer, I haven't been back but I'd bet there are some better ones in there 
Here are a few from the last week or so, these were all caught on a Redeye Shad, it was originally Sexy Shad but there's not a lot of paint left on it now. These fish were caught at Grove, Johnson Rd, and Appling, 3 of the 4 pictured were b/w 5-6 lbs. Also, they aren't on the banks yet, at least not where I've been fishing, and I've only hit a couple of good schools, it's mostly scattered bites here and there. Surface temps are in the mid 50's pretty much everywhere you find stained water right now, but that will change with the warm temps this coming week.
roadwarrior reply :
Great job!
Mr. Ranger reply :
Man, nice fish MFBAB. I'll have to give IH another shot- but I'm seriously wondering if the blue water dye had something to do with it. I used a buzzbait, spinner, buzzplug, swam a grub and then tried a Texas rig. Nearly 2 hours and not a single bite.
Question-
Anybody use a Senko? I've never fished with one, but keep hearing how good of a bait it is.
I'm a rookie when it comes to stick baits.
FishWitWiz reply :
Mr. Ranger, if I could go back in time about 3 years to when I started bass fishing. I would ONLY buy Senkos. Green Pumpkin. Couple of ewg hooks for Texas rigs and a couple of Wacky hooks.
Roadwarrior's guide to start fishing with Senkos is golden advice. You learn patience. He is like a bass fishing Yoda... from Germantown.
roadwarrior reply :
MFBAB reply :
On 3/8/2016 at 6:56 AM, Mr. Ranger said:I'll have to give IH another shot- but I'm seriously wondering if the blue water dye had something to do with it. I used a buzzbait, spinner, buzzplug, swam a grub and then tried a Texas rig. Nearly 2 hours and not a single bite.
Question-
Anybody use a Senko?
It may be a little early for the Buzzbait, I haven't broken mine out yet but then I've been stuck fishing mostly middle of the day lately too
I think I remember that pond having really clear water, so the Senko and also the grub you mentioned should fish well there. I would imagine that the water temp is a little behind the stained ponds I've been fishing too, so they are probably not super active there yet. Try the Senko on the points with the retrieve as RW describes it, just keep it out off the bank a fair ways right now. Also, you might consider a finesse topwater approach, something like a Floating Rapala.
That pond was flat loaded with the dinks when I hit it last Summer, I don't know if it was a recent stocking or what, but you should see some action with those finesse baits!
One nice thing about IH is that this is a true retention/farm pond design, meaning they built a dam and just let it hold water. This is nice because you don't have to guess at where the structure is, if you see a point on the bank, that's what is underwater. Most of the other park ponds are just holes dug out of the ground, so you are completely guessing about where the structure is, but trust me there is some there in a few of them if you take the time to find it!!
Seriously though, a lot of what I've been catching are fish out off the banks, and they are bleached out and pulling like a wet rag, which is a dead giveaway that they are still living in that deeper water full time.
Good Luck and keep us updated!
BryanBrown reply :
Does anyone know of any places around the Memphis area to kayak fish other than Herb Parsons Lake? Thanks!
MFBAB reply :
Shelby Forest / Poplar Tree Lake and Piersol
Glenn Springs near Munford
Edmund Orgill in Millington
Navy Lake in Millington near Orgill
if you're in OB, check out Holly Springs Nat. Forest just down the road, there are many good ponds there
The "New" Patriot Lake will be opening soon at Shelby Farms also, but you can use a yak on Pine Lake there in the mean time
JDJ reply :
Well, as you can imagine (or see for yourself), many of our local fishing spots are flooded by the historic rainfall received the past few days. I stopped by Grove this morning, and water from the Wolf River was still flowing INTO the pond at a pretty good clip. Hopefully, we'll gain more fish there than we'll lose.
MemphisFF reply :
@BryanBrown look up Hatchie river refugee near whiteville once this water gets down there's several oxbows that would be excellent in there.. I fish there time to time walking the banks or when I borrow my buddies Jon boat..
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 3/9/2016 at 2:23 AM, MFBAB said:It may be a little early for the Buzzbait, I haven't broken mine out yet but then I've been stuck fishing mostly middle of the day lately too
I think I remember that pond having really clear water, so the Senko and also the grub you mentioned should fish well there. I would imagine that the water temp is a little behind the stained ponds I've been fishing too, so they are probably not super active there yet. Try the Senko on the points with the retrieve as RW describes it, just keep it out off the bank a fair ways right now. Also, you might consider a finesse topwater approach, something like a Floating Rapala.
That pond was flat loaded with the dinks when I hit it last Summer, I don't know if it was a recent stocking or what, but you should see some action with those finesse baits!
One nice thing about IH is that this is a true retention/farm pond design, meaning they built a dam and just let it hold water. This is nice because you don't have to guess at where the structure is, if you see a point on the bank, that's what is underwater. Most of the other park ponds are just holes dug out of the ground, so you are completely guessing about where the structure is, but trust me there is some there in a few of them if you take the time to find it!!
Seriously though, a lot of what I've been catching are fish out off the banks, and they are bleached out and pulling like a wet rag, which is a dead giveaway that they are still living in that deeper water full time.
Good Luck and keep us updated!
Great advice, MFBAB. Like I said previously, I'm a rookie when it comes to stick baits and I'm just as rookie when it comes to finesse stuff. The lakes in Missouri that I grew up fishing, all you needed was a crankbait and spinner bait. Down here, the bass make you work for it. Patience is hard.
I think I'll take a trip back to Missouri and go throw an Alabama rig and catch pigs all day...just for old times sake.
The Senko article will be a big help for me. Thanks RoadWarrior.
MFBAB reply :
Don't get discouraged, there is some good fishing in these ponds. I keep my trips short, about an hour at any given place...and it's not uncommon for me to have little runs where I might have 3-4 of those trips in a row where I get skunked, or don't catch anything meaningful, but then, I'm gonna hit a little good stretch and start catching a few nice ones, and it all evens out. KVD just caught 2 or 3 keepers in 2 days in the classic...think about that! The best tourney fisherman in history just basically got skunked for 16 hours, when some guys were catching 20 lb sacks, Evers caught 30 on the last day. If you look at the bottom of the leaderboards on the BASS tourneys, there are a few guys getting skunked everywhere they go, it's just part of fishing. If I look at my 1 hour trips, I'll fish 8 separate places in that typical "tourney day" time period. So what if 4 of them are blanks, as long as I catch a few on the other 4 trips I'd still have a decent "best 5" fish over the 8 hours!
If you want to throw the Spinnerbaits and Cranks, your best bet is going to be fishing in the ponds with some stained water. Look at the water color in Grove, that is what you want for those baits. Nashoba and Halle are going to be clearer, so a lot of times finesse will serve you better in that environment. Just think of that as a starting point, you want to try and work the odds in your favor as much as you can Always look at the water color first wherever you are fishing, that will put you on the right path.
Now, without going into seasonal patterns or exceptional situations like current or crazy weather, the other big factors that will invite the reaction baits are some wind, and some low light conditions, whether that be from darkness or cloud cover. In other words, even with the stained water, if you're fishing a bright day with no wind at Grove, you will likely wind up downsizing baits and slowing down. The trick is in knowing where to soak those baits, which brings us to....
A great way to start learning the ponds is to take a couple of crankbaits that you know the running depth for. Start with a Squarebill that will run about 4' deep, and maybe a Bandit 200 that will run around 8' deep...then you just make a lap all the way around a pond. Don't use a lipless or a sinking bait like a Spinnerbait for this, you want a bait with a consistent running depth. You can take the hooks off of it if you are afraid of losing the bait. All you are doing here is mapping out the bottom, and this is the fastest way I know how to do it from the bank. The crankbaits will tell you where the drop-offs are, they will tell you where there is grass, where there are rocks, where the bottom is firm or soft, etc. If you start at a new pond and run around it like that a time or two, you will be well ahead of the curve and you will learn things that you can use to your advantage in the future there. You can eliminate some ponds, and you can also find others that suit your strengths once you know something about the contours or the lack thereof!
Lastly, if you don't keep a fishing journal, I strongly advise you to start. Especially when you are learning new water. If you start keeping detailed notes, it gives you something to refer back to periodically so you don't forget what you have already worked hard to learn, and also, maybe even more importantly, keeping a journal will start to make you run down a mental checklist during your trips, and after a while you will be thinking through the current conditions and making faster adjustments in real time. Take about 5 minutes and make some notes each time you go, and make yourself a little checklist so you are keeping consistent notes. I use a homemade spreadsheet but there are some pre-made examples you can find with Google.
Get a thermometer and log the surface temp in your journal each time you go. This is so simple, but nobody does it while bank fishing. Think about it, if you know the water temp and what lures worked or didn't, especially in a transitional period like right now-winter to pre-spawn to spawn to post-spawn, you can use that info for the rest of your life!
Start fishing as many ponds as you can find, don't get stuck in a rut at one place. If you can go fishing 2 days a week for 2-3 hours per trip, you can loop 2 ponds per trip (1 hour each-you will concentrate harder if you keep it short) and you will start increasing your options pretty quickly. If you start hitting 2-4 new ponds per week you'll have covered most of what is available nearby in a short time, then you can start to fine tune. You'll find some you like and some you don't, but you should learn something at every new one you go to. Forcing yourself to deal with a lot of "new water" fishing situations is the fastest way to get good at breaking down "new water" situations, it will keep you thinking about the conditions instead of falling into a rut.
I can go to Grove 10x in a row and fish an hour per trip, and expect to catch something like 4-6 bass over 4 lbs during that period by doing the same things that have worked for me in the past (fishing history),
-or-
I can fish 10 different ponds for an hour each and face different situations each time, and maybe only catch 2-4 over 4 lbs out of the lot, but I'll have found 2-4 new places to fish that I now know have decent bass in them, and I definitely learned something about reading new water and reacting to conditions in the process. And I probably eliminated a couple of other ponds off of my list too, so I don't have to wonder about them any longer.
This might sound like a lot, but it really isn't hard to do any of this stuff. If you do all of this, you'll still get skunked some of the time....but I bet you'll start getting more consistent too.
I'm handing out some pearls here guys, I hope some of y'all are listening
BrushHog1906 reply :
What's going on everyone! I'm new here to the area and this forum. You guys have posted some valuable info!
Yesterday I went and scoped out Chickfila Pond/Neshoba Park. It didn't look bad at all, just didn't see much vegetation to throw near. Any tips for this pond?
Has anyone been out on the water lately? I'm planning to check out some more of the places you all suggested soon.
Any places new? Or recent catches at the old ones?
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 3/17/2016 at 5:43 AM, MFBAB said:Don't get discouraged, there is some good fishing in these ponds. I keep my trips short, about an hour at any given place...and it's not uncommon for me to have little runs where I might have 3-4 of those trips in a row where I get skunked, or don't catch anything meaningful, but then, I'm gonna hit a little good stretch and start catching a few nice ones, and it all evens out. KVD just caught 2 or 3 keepers in 2 days in the classic...think about that! The best tourney fisherman in history just basically got skunked for 16 hours, when some guys were catching 20 lb sacks, Evers caught 30 on the last day. If you look at the bottom of the leaderboards on the BASS tourneys, there are a few guys getting skunked everywhere they go, it's just part of fishing. If I look at my 1 hour trips, I'll fish 8 separate places in that typical "tourney day" time period. So what if 4 of them are blanks, as long as I catch a few on the other 4 trips I'd still have a decent "best 5" fish over the 8 hours!
If you want to throw the Spinnerbaits and Cranks, your best bet is going to be fishing in the ponds with some stained water. Look at the water color in Grove, that is what you want for those baits. Nashoba and Halle are going to be clearer, so a lot of times finesse will serve you better in that environment. Just think of that as a starting point, you want to try and work the odds in your favor as much as you can Always look at the water color first wherever you are fishing, that will put you on the right path.
Now, without going into seasonal patterns or exceptional situations like current or crazy weather, the other big factors that will invite the reaction baits are some wind, and some low light conditions, whether that be from darkness or cloud cover. In other words, even with the stained water, if you're fishing a bright day with no wind at Grove, you will likely wind up downsizing baits and slowing down. The trick is in knowing where to soak those baits, which brings us to....
A great way to start learning the ponds is to take a couple of crankbaits that you know the running depth for. Start with a Squarebill that will run about 4' deep, and maybe a Bandit 200 that will run around 8' deep...then you just make a lap all the way around a pond. Don't use a lipless or a sinking bait like a Spinnerbait for this, you want a bait with a consistent running depth. You can take the hooks off of it if you are afraid of losing the bait. All you are doing here is mapping out the bottom, and this is the fastest way I know how to do it from the bank. The crankbaits will tell you where the drop-offs are, they will tell you where there is grass, where there are rocks, where the bottom is firm or soft, etc. If you start at a new pond and run around it like that a time or two, you will be well ahead of the curve and you will learn things that you can use to your advantage in the future there. You can eliminate some ponds, and you can also find others that suit your strengths once you know something about the contours or the lack thereof!
Lastly, if you don't keep a fishing journal, I strongly advise you to start. Especially when you are learning new water. If you start keeping detailed notes, it gives you something to refer back to periodically so you don't forget what you have already worked hard to learn, and also, maybe even more importantly, keeping a journal will start to make you run down a mental checklist during your trips, and after a while you will be thinking through the current conditions and making faster adjustments in real time. Take about 5 minutes and make some notes each time you go, and make yourself a little checklist so you are keeping consistent notes. I use a homemade spreadsheet but there are some pre-made examples you can find with Google.
Get a thermometer and log the surface temp in your journal each time you go. This is so simple, but nobody does it while bank fishing. Think about it, if you know the water temp and what lures worked or didn't, especially in a transitional period like right now-winter to pre-spawn to spawn to post-spawn, you can use that info for the rest of your life!
Start fishing as many ponds as you can find, don't get stuck in a rut at one place. If you can go fishing 2 days a week for 2-3 hours per trip, you can loop 2 ponds per trip (1 hour each-you will concentrate harder if you keep it short) and you will start increasing your options pretty quickly. If you start hitting 2-4 new ponds per week you'll have covered most of what is available nearby in a short time, then you can start to fine tune. You'll find some you like and some you don't, but you should learn something at every new one you go to. Forcing yourself to deal with a lot of "new water" fishing situations is the fastest way to get good at breaking down "new water" situations, it will keep you thinking about the conditions instead of falling into a rut.
I can go to Grove 10x in a row and fish an hour per trip, and expect to catch something like 4-6 bass over 4 lbs during that period by doing the same things that have worked for me in the past (fishing history),
-or-
I can fish 10 different ponds for an hour each and face different situations each time, and maybe only catch 2-4 over 4 lbs out of the lot, but I'll have found 2-4 new places to fish that I now know have decent bass in them, and I definitely learned something about reading new water and reacting to conditions in the process. And I probably eliminated a couple of other ponds off of my list too, so I don't have to wonder about them any longer.
This might sound like a lot, but it really isn't hard to do any of this stuff. If you do all of this, you'll still get skunked some of the time....but I bet you'll start getting more consistent too.
I'm handing out some pearls here guys, I hope some of y'all are listening
MFBAB- Truly helpful stuff here. I wish I could get out as often as that to do some scouting. The journal is a good idea- I'll start that on my next trip. I'm also shopping for a decent spinning reel to use with a Senko- I've got an ultralite that I use for Trout and then a bunch of baitcasters. Again, thanks to RoadWarrior for that article.
There's a wealth of knowledge on this message board. I appreciate all the help.
EllisJuan reply :
I am new to the area, is the Chick Fil-A pond the one behind the the CFA next to the Germantown Rehab Hospital? If so, I stopped by there earlier this week and the water was so light and silty there was about 8 inches of visibility. Is that normal?
JDJ reply :
No. There was record rainfall in the area recently and the Wolf River flooded the pond - and most other ponds near the river.
UFpwrLifter reply :
Hey all, I just spent hours reading this thread from pg1. Moved to Bartlett from south Florida (born/raised) in July 2014. Spent most of my days fishing offshore, but when it was storming, I'd fish inshore (very similar to bass fishing) and if too windy, freshwater. Fishing is a part of my DNA (and I remain the southeast moderator for the Florida sportsman forum to keep current on reports and Intel for when I visit 2-3 times a year). I've fished both fresh and saltwater tournaments and very much want to get back to where it all started, freshwater.
Such a great thread, thank you all for contributing. All I needed to know was that there ARE LMB in the area, now I can try without losing hope that there are none. I will be contributing here soon, just ordered a lot of new gear.
Looking forward to more reports and contributing myself. Even if you guys are out and get skunked, it's good for the rest of us to know as it could increase our chances of actually "catching" (vs "fishing" and getting skunked).
Long
Mr. Ranger reply :
Just thought I'd pass along a good deal-
Academy Sports is offering a free spinning rod and reel combo (H2O brand, retails for $69.99) if you buy any line for $14.99 or more.
I bought mine yesterday, and the reel is decent but the rod is pretty nice. Definitely worth it, and I got it all for the price of the line to spool it.
00 mod reply :
On 3/29/2016 at 5:49 AM, Mr. Ranger said:Just thought I'd pass along a good deal-
Academy Sports is offering a free spinning rod and reel combo (H2O brand, retails for $69.99) if you buy any line for $14.99 or more.
I bought mine yesterday, and the reel is decent but the rod is pretty nice. Definitely worth it, and I got it all for the price of the line to spool it.
Do you get to choose the rod action? Like you can specify a panfish rod?
Jeff
00 mod reply :
Posting here from the store now. Sold out.....
Jeff
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 3/29/2016 at 8:24 AM, 00 mod said:Posting here from the store now. Sold out.....
Jeff
Oh man, I'm sorry.
In futility, i'll answer your first question; you don't get to choose anything about the rod- it was a grab and go type of deal.
BrushHog1906 reply :
Was this at the Academy Sports in Cordova or Collierville??
Sweet deal!
00 mod reply :
I went to the one in Collierville.
Jeff
Mr. Ranger reply :
I got mine at the Cordova location. I'd call up there and ask if they still have any though.
Kevin Ellison reply :
A country U of M college student from Alamo, tn. This has been helpful. Are all these places free, and should I get my license renewed before going out there.
00 mod reply :
@Kevin Ellison yes all of the places mentioned are free and require a license. I have been check at least twice at 2 of these places.
Jeff
FishWitWiz reply :
Goodbye and Thank You to my fellow Memphis Pond Hoppers!
After a 12+ year adventure of moving all over the country, my wife and I have decided to finally head home. We'll be here in TN a few more weeks but I wanted to give a sincere thank you to Roadwarrior, 00 mod and MFBAB as many of your posts on here were my primary education for bass fishing. I'd never caught a bass or even thought about going bass fishing until moving to Tennessee and once I got into it, it was truly an addiction. I looked at my fishing journal and last year I went fishing a grand total of 110 times! I may sneak out to hit a pond or two before the move, but pretty soon the rods will get packed away. I wish you all of the best and I look forward to checking in here to see all of the pics.
Jimmy
tha black bill dance reply :
Went out to the grove yesterday, caught nice crappie on a green and orange rooster tail. Not the fish im lookin for but i did get see a guy catch 4-5lbs bass. Grove bass 13 black bill dance 0 lol i got to get one winning day under my belt there
roadwarrior reply :
Grove has been tough lately with the high murky water. The rain today and tomorrow will not help!
UFpwrLifter reply :
Has anyone tried the rockyford pond at the end of whitten rd? The water was very cloudy and I've seen tons of turtle in there and what looked like a very large goldfish (koi??). Does that pond hold large mouth bass?
MFBAB reply :
On 3/30/2016 at 10:48 PM, FishWitWiz said:Goodbye and Thank You to my fellow Memphis Pond Hoppers!
After a 12+ year adventure of moving all over the country, my wife and I have decided to finally head home. We'll be here in TN a few more weeks but I wanted to give a sincere thank you to Roadwarrior, 00 mod and MFBAB as many of your posts on here were my primary education for bass fishing. I'd never caught a bass or even thought about going bass fishing until moving to Tennessee and once I got into it, it was truly an addiction. I looked at my fishing journal and last year I went fishing a grand total of 110 times! I may sneak out to hit a pond or two before the move, but pretty soon the rods will get packed away. I wish you all of the best and I look forward to checking in here to see all of the pics.
Jimmy
Good Luck!! I Hope there is some good fishing where you're headed!!
On 3/31/2016 at 8:27 AM, UFpwrLifter said:Has anyone tried the rockyford pond at the end of whitten rd? The water was very cloudy and I've seen tons of turtle in there and what looked like a very large goldfish (koi??). Does that pond hold large mouth bass?
Someone posted that there was a fish kill there not long ago, I think he said he lived near that pond. Maybe they will chime in about the bass fishing there.
I've been seeing those Koi all over the place in the ponds this spring, I think they must be stocking them to control grass.
MFBAB reply :
On 3/30/2016 at 10:59 PM, tha black bill dance said:Went out to the grove yesterday, caught nice crappie on a green and orange rooster tail. Not the fish im lookin for but i did get see a guy catch 4-5lbs bass. Grove bass 13 black bill dance 0 lol i got to get one winning day under my belt there
Grove isn't a numbers pond, but you know the quality is there. I haven't fooled with it much lately because it was so muddy the last time I checked it, but the fish should have adjusted to it by now. They've still gotta eat and they will still spawn soon.
If you put your time in over there for the next couple of months, it'll happen
UFpwrLifter reply :
On 3/31/2016 at 9:24 AM, MFBAB said:Grove isn't a numbers pond, but you know the quality is there. I haven't fooled with it much lately because it was so muddy the last time I checked it, but the fish should have adjusted to it by now. They've still gotta eat and they will still spawn soon.
If you put your time in over there for the next couple of months, it'll happen
I haven't been but surely it's all underwater after last nights shower!
MFBAB reply :
I've mentioned record keeping before, I thought it might help some people to see how I keep my fishing log, what to keep track of, etc.
These are screenshots from an Excel Spreadsheet. I have it color coded so I can spot things at a glance. It looks like a lot, but it only takes a few minutes to fill in the boxes and make a few comments after you fish, and the ability to look at all of your trips on one screen like this (as opposed to a notebook or something) is amazing, the trends just jump out at you-both the good and the bad stuff you're doing.
I left off the pond names and one or two details, but y'all should get the idea 
Hope this helps!
These pics would all be in a long row from left to right on my spreadsheet screen....not stacked like this. Oh, and don't judge me for all of those yellow "zeros", I've had some tough trips at some ponds, but like I said, if you look at the dates, a lot of those are clustered on one day with a good catch at one of the stops-I only average about 1 hour per place. I'm still fishing a lot of "new to me" water, and that comes with some shut-outs, especially in the early season.
UFpwrLifter reply :
Thanks for sharing. And they say you can only catch fish at sunrise and sunset! I'm going to start sleeping in and fishing midday ?
EllisJuan reply :
Thanks MFBAB. I got skunked the last two days at Halle...Maybe I will give a rage craw a throw tomorrow. I did OK there with a trap last week, this week I have been catching nothing but slime.
I have not been to Grove yet. Where can you park to fish there? What road is it on?
FishWitWiz reply :
MFBAB, after reviewing your table, this meme came to mind...
MFBAB reply :
On 4/2/2016 at 6:33 AM, EllisJuan said:Thanks MFBAB. I got skunked the last two days at Halle...Maybe I will give a rage craw a throw tomorrow. I did OK there with a trap last week, this week I have been catching nothing but slime.
I have not been to Grove yet. Where can you park to fish there? What road is it on?
Go back a couple of pages, I think there's a marked Google map posted for it.
UFpwrLifter reply :
This is all I was able to convince to bite my spoiler shad after an hr at rockyford park.
00 mod reply :
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Houston+Middle+School/@35.1000146,-89.7531207,1003m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x887f99104d9e79cb:0x77b7636297622b5e
Grove Park is the big one in this map. Parking is in the North East Corner
Jeff
UFpwrLifter reply :
Anyone been out of glenn springs lately? I am headed there tomorrow and renting one of their boats. Thanks for any tips/reports.
Skeeter Dan reply :
Lite line, small bait and long cast.
EllisJuan reply :
Tough going today. I spend about an hour at City Hall and an hour at Grove (my first time there)...skunked at both. I could see bait fish being chased a lot at Grove, but it was just out of reach from the bank.
I am about to sell my GTO and start boat shopping. Are there good lakes in the region if I had a something like a 19' tracker?
UFpwrLifter reply :
On 4/4/2016 at 6:20 AM, EllisJuan said:Tough going today. I spend about an hour at City Hall and an hour at Grove (my first time there)...skunked at both. I could see bait fish being chased a lot at Grove, but it was just out of reach from the bank.
I am about to sell my GTO and start boat shopping. Are there good lakes in the region if I had a something like a 19' tracker?
I spent 5hrs at Glenn springs (7-12pm). North of the store is clear water and south is cloudy. Rented one of their little Jon boats with a 5hp and thought I'd be severely undergunned, but soon realize it's not safe to go much faster than a fast idle as there are hundreds of stumps in the water. Threw a variety of baits, mostly at banks and some around timbers. It was tough without a trolling motor and an indecisive wind. Only caught 1, but it's my first bass in Tennessee and I couldn't be happier! By 10am the lake was too small for the amount of boats out there. Plan to spend some time pond hopping at the local joints in the future weekends.
MFBAB reply :
On 4/4/2016 at 6:20 AM, EllisJuan said:I am about to sell my GTO and start boat shopping. Are there good lakes in the region if I had a something like a 19' tracker?
Absolutely! Pickwick is 2 hours East. Some of the best crappie fishing in the country is right down I-55-Butla, Sardis, Enid, Grenada. Glenn Springs TWRA lake is N of Memphis in Drummonds, about an hour. Poplar Tree at Shelby Forest State Park, Herb Parsons TWRA lake about 30 minutes east.
A good way to familiarize yourself with some of the local lakes would be to subscribe to the Mid South Hunting and Fishing News. They have monthly fishing reports for most of the area lakes so you would have a good starter list to work with. The reports in this magazine are not kept as current as they used to be, they tend to repeat a lot of them these days (by repeat, I mean they will republish the same reports for some lakes every year, they will be seasonally correct for the month published, it just might be from a couple of years back) but the information is still pretty useful if you are unfamiliar with the area. I highly recommend it as a starting point.
Mr. Ranger reply :
This thread needed a "BUMP".
Bait question:
Anybody use any frogs at a pond in the area? I'm always tempted to buy some lunker hunters just to make my tackle box look more complete, but I'm not sure where in town I would use them.
UFpwrLifter reply :
On 4/7/2016 at 10:42 PM, Mr. Ranger said:This thread needed a "BUMP".
Bait question:
Anybody use any frogs at a pond in the area? I'm always tempted to buy some lunker hunters just to make my tackle box look more complete, but I'm not sure where in town I would use them.
Used the LH yr round when I lived in south Florida! Great action on those things. Only complaint is some of them have weak leg joints and will get pulled out after a long battle(s). I have several and has only happened to one of the combat frogs, so don't know if that was just a lemon. LOVE frog fishing.
00 mod reply :
On 4/7/2016 at 10:42 PM, Mr. Ranger said:This thread needed a "BUMP".
Bait question:
Anybody use any frogs at a pond in the area? I'm always tempted to buy some lunker hunters just to make my tackle box look more complete, but I'm not sure where in town I would use them.
Yes at Glenn Springs
Jeff
UFpwrLifter reply :
On 4/8/2016 at 12:13 AM, 00 mod said:Yes at Glenn Springs
Jeff
North or south? I explored the entire south (of boat ramp) shoreline and didn't see anything good last wkend.
00 mod reply :
On 4/8/2016 at 2:48 AM, UFpwrLifter said:North or south? I explored the entire south (of boat ramp) shoreline and didn't see anything good last wkend.
All over can be good. Just depends. Once the grass tops out good, look for the grass that sounds like rice crispie cereal popping first thing in the mornings. Throw a frog and old on. Here are a couple videos from a couple years ago.
Jeff
MFBAB reply :
On 4/7/2016 at 10:42 PM, Mr. Ranger said:Bait question:
Anybody use any frogs at a pond in the area? I'm always tempted to buy some lunker hunters just to make my tackle box look more complete, but I'm not sure where in town I would use them.
I listed a few places here:
UFpwrLifter reply :
Went to grove park today for the first time. Slow day, only had one bite, but beat my personal best so I'm a super happy camper.
Does anyone fish that pond directly next to the main grove park pond? It looks very shallow. A lot of cover, but most of the vegetation appears to be brown/dead.
00 mod reply :
Congrats on the PB. That is what that place is about. Size- not numbers! I have never caught anything in the other pond!
Jeff
roadwarrior reply :
Congratulations on the PB!
FishWitWiz reply :
Congrats! Hope you got her back in the water fast, looks like a rat was trying to eat your fish.
bassinNorthMS reply :
Was curious if anyone has ever fished Hinton park in collierville?
EllisJuan reply :
I saw this chunky girl head down, tail up digging her bed at Grove last weekend. I sat a few different things on her nose, she was completely oblivious...
Any of you guys ever use a Ned Rig around here? I know they are real popular in the mid-west. Just curious.
UFpwrLifter reply :
On 4/10/2016 at 9:34 PM, FishWitWiz said:Congrats! Hope you got her back in the water fast, looks like a rat was trying to eat your fish.
Yep, I wanted to share what caught the bass. Pics alone are only of value to me, pics with details are of value to all.
ttime118 reply :
I'm confused on Grove park. Is it the lake in the middle of that google maps picture or is it the one on the right? If it is the one on the right where do you park? I can't seem to find anywhere to park from the google map.
Thanks for your help,
UFpwrLifter reply :
On 3/21/2012 at 12:36 AM, Fish38017 said:Is Grove the lake with a real small parking area on the northeast side, off the Dogwood Creek neighborhood street?
On 4/12/2016 at 9:12 PM, ttime118 said:I'm confused on Grove park. Is it the lake in the middle of that google maps picture or is it the one on the right? If it is the one on the right where do you park? I can't seem to find anywhere to park from the google map.
Thanks for your help,
It's the one in picture above and parking is in ne corner (within a residential neighborhood).
ttime118 reply :
Thanks
EllisJuan reply :
I have gotten skunked like it is my job at Grove and City Hall over the last week. I usually can only get out for an hour or so at a time, which makes it tough to "figure it out". Anyone had any luck at the Memphis ponds this week? What were you throwing?
roadwarrior reply :
A friend caught his PB last week. 7.5 lbs, weighed, pictured and released.
EllisJuan reply :
On 4/16/2016 at 2:22 AM, roadwarrior said:A friend caught his PB last week. 7.5 lbs, weighed, pictured and released.
Nice! At Grove?
roadwarrior reply :
Yes, Grove. I was there yesterday and zeroed, but I watched another regular land and release a 6+.. He was not actually bass fishing and caught her on a crappie jig.
BrushHog1906 reply :
How's it going everyone!
Yesterday I had the chance to check on Johnson Road Park. It looked like it would be a promising pond but it seemed overfished. There were some people fishing for bluegill but I believe I was the only one fishing for bass. Did not get a bite but the bluegill did hit my soft plastic.
I am looking to check out some spots soon. Weather permitting of course.
What is everyone's Go-To Bait right now? I see that shaky-heads with a finesse worm should work good for the bass in transition.
Backlash reply :
Hey everyone, long, long time lurker here, just joined the forums today to post in this thread.
I think it's really cool to see so much amicability between the local fishermen. As long as I've read articals and watched videos on BR, I've never paid much attention to the forums. After doing a Google search a couple days ago, looking for some new ponds for my son and I to try out, I came across this thread. It's refreshing to hear that some don't hold everything so close to the vest, and encouraging to know I'm not the only one picking up trash!! LOL
Hope to hit some of the previously mentioned ponds out in the next couple of weeks and maybe meet some of you guys.
MFBAB reply :
Brushog,
Not to oversimplify, but it just about all works this time of year, the fish will mostly be shallow with WT in the low 70's right now. I've caught fish w/in the last week on top/middle and bottom. I guess I'd say if it's windy and/or overcast, wind something...If it's calm or sunny, maybe slow down with plastics. I've caught a few fish recently that look spawned out or at least not heavy w eggs, so I'm thinking this current full moon cycle is probably winding down the majority of the spawners in the ponds.
Welcome to the thread backlash!!
You guys post up some pics when you get into 'em
Here's one of those spawned out ones, this is from yesterday evening, I'm pretty sure I caught her about 3-4 weeks back a little heavier :
Backlash reply :
Tough weekend.
Friday I tried out Crosspoint, Casper Lake and Orgill Pond: nothing. Moved to a pond off 385 in Millington I haven't tried in many years: got a 1 and 3 pretty quick then the bite died.
Saturday my son and I tried some new water for us. Went to Lowe's, Chick-Fil-A and the Shelby Farms pond next to the mulch pile: zero, zero, zero. Although I did hook into a clam/muscle/oyster at Chick-Fil-A with a square bill, that was a first for me. We packed it up and came home to our pond and coaxed several 3 pounders into biting so the day was not lost.
I sure hope they finished spawning on this last full moon and get out of this funk .....
Mr. Ranger reply :
I'm moving to Arlington, and found two spots I'm going to try out on Saturday. Pine Lake, just south of 40 and a couple miles east of Arlington; then there's a pond off of 385 and hwy 70. I've seen two guys put bass boats in there, so I assume that there are fish in there. Lots of visible structure in the water.
Anyone ever got a hook wet at either of these spots?
Backlash reply :
Mr. Ranger I've always thought Pine Lake was private/resident only so I've never tried it.
I'm interested to hear how you do on the one at 385 and 70, always been curious if it was any good but never tried it.
Good Luck!
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 4/27/2016 at 4:03 AM, Backlash said:Mr. Ranger I've always thought Pine Lake was private/resident only so I've never tried it.
I'm interested to hear how you do on the one at 385 and 70, always been curious if it was any good but never tried it.
Good Luck!
I'll post and let you know how it goes. Pine Lake is listed as public, and there is Dam access. I guess if I get chased off, I'll post that info too.
UFpwrLifter reply :
Sorry to hear guys. I tried grove park and couldn't convince one of those spawners to bite either. Ended the day with one tail bite off and a lost (user error) megabass vision oneten; cash reward if found
BrushHog1906 reply :
Good Morning Guys,
This past weekend I had a chance to check out some of the famous spots.
Friday, at Chickfila I caught a nice pounder on a creature bait, only bite of the day.
Saturday I checked out Daycare Pond and the pond behind LifeTime Fitness in Collierville. However, no catches on that day. However, I did get one hit on a buzz bait at Daycare. The water was too perfect not to try lol.
Sunday turned out to be my best day. Checked out Shelby Farms right off Trinity road. Caught 3 bass and a crappie. Not bad for my first time out there.
Keep casting guys!
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 4/27/2016 at 10:07 PM, BrushHog1906 said:Good Morning Guys,
This past weekend I had a chance to check out some of the famous spots.
Friday, at Chickfila I caught a nice pounder on a creature bait, only bite of the day.
Saturday I checked out Daycare Pond and the pond behind LifeTime Fitness in Collierville. However, no catches on that day. However, I did get one hit on a buzz bait at Daycare. The water was too perfect not to try lol.
Sunday turned out to be my best day. Checked out Shelby Farms right off Trinity road. Caught 3 bass and a crappie. Not bad for my first time out there.
Keep casting guys!
Good to hear the buzzbait got a hit. It's about time for that bait to get hot.
Gstewartutc reply :
Hey Guys,
Haven't been on here in a million years but, since I've been away I've had some luck. All these fish were weighed and released.
The picture at night was at Chickasaw Gardens. 7lbs 2ozs
This one was at Cordova Country Club. It has been reopened as a soccer golf course and I have yet to be spoke too while fishing there. 5lbs 4ozs
These two were in south haven behind the McDonalds near Snowden grove. 5lbs 11ozs and 6lbs 10ozs
Also, Memphis National golf club has huge bass in it, 7+, but they are usually caught on large swimbaits. They don't mind if you fish, just stay out of the way of golfers.
MFBAB reply :
Nice job Gstewart!!
I got lucky this morning early, caught 2 good ones on back-to-back casts, I mean the exact same cast too! That's about 12 lbs. of bass combined, 5.5 and 6.5 lbs These fish were both pretty skinny, I assume they just got through laying eggs.
ttime118 reply :
On 4/29/2016 at 4:31 PM, Gstewartutc said:
These two were in south haven behind the McDonalds near Snowden grove. 5lbs 11ozs and 6lbs 10ozs
Anyone give you any problems fishing there? I live real close to there. How do you think the pond is?
Gstewartutc reply :
On 4/30/2016 at 12:12 AM, ttime118 said:Anyone give you any problems fishing there? I live real close to there. How do you think the pond is?
No problems at all, just put the fish back pls lol. Also, that same day my friend caught a 7lber. Also, what do you mean by how the pond is?
ttime118 reply :
Thats awesome! My question meant to be how is the pond, meaning are there a lot of fish in there? Trees, rocks, things to get hung up on?? Also, it looks to be a pretty big pond...what part did you fish? Are you able to walk around the whole thing?
Thanks man
UFpwrLifter reply :
Has anyone fished Halle pond lately? If you fished there recently and forgot a rod on the ground, send me pm with ID of rod and I can meet up to hand it back to you.
Gstewartutc reply :
You can walk around most of it. There are rocks on the side closest to kroger. That is the better side. If you want to meet up and fish there we could!
Mr. Ranger reply :
Had a really good day on Saturday; all caught on a SENKO. First time fishing a Senko, and it did awesome. 3 and 4 pounders.
Big thanks to @roadwarrior and @MFBAB for the tips. This good day of fishing is a DIRECT result of being active on this board.
MFBAB reply :
Sounds great, glad you're having some success!!
The local ponds are on fire right now, I've been trying to run as much new water as I can lately. I feel like the best time to find (and evaluate) new places is when you know they are biting good. Even w the heavy rains/dirty water the last few days, it seems like the fish are pretty much wanting to eat right now everywhere I've been.
In March they were all cold and lethargic, but they are fighting hard and jumping a lot now. The landing percentage may go down a little but it's a lot more fun too
ttime118 reply :
On 5/2/2016 at 8:23 PM, Gstewartutc said:You can walk around most of it. There are rocks on the side closest to kroger. That is the better side. If you want to meet up and fish there we could!
I went Sunday and it looked like a tough pond to fish. A lot of high grass over by the mcdonalds/eye care side. I had on shorts so I didn't bother getting in there but next time I will wear some jeans and work my way around.
The kroger side does look a little easier to fish as well, like you said.
Hopefully I can get back out there and do some fishing and if I do I will let you know.
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 4/27/2016 at 4:03 AM, Backlash said:Mr. Ranger I've always thought Pine Lake was private/resident only so I've never tried it.
I'm interested to hear how you do on the one at 385 and 70, always been curious if it was any good but never tried it.
Good Luck!
Pine Lake in Arlington is indeed Private. Couldn't fish it. The fishing report I read incorrectly listed it as public.
385/70 is where i caught the 3 and 4 lbers. Looks like it is fished some; there's evidence of people fishing therebut I was the only one there on Saturday. If it truly is OK to fish it, then it's a good spot. There's nothing posted about no trespassing or no fishing. Wear your boots and long pants, it's not groomed for shorts and flip-flop fishermen.
MFBAB reply :
I was told by an Arlington city official that the pond at 385/70 is private property, this was about a year ago when I was thinking about fishing there myself.
I haven't ever actually gone down there to look at it other than passing by while driving, but I called the Arlington parks dept. to ask about it and that is what I was told so I just forgot about it-it looks like a great spot though! I never looked into finding the owner or attempting to obtain permission after that, so I have no idea whether they care about people fishing there or not.
Anywhere there's a highway project there are always a lot of those little borrow pits around, but they are almost always on private property so be careful.
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 5/3/2016 at 2:49 AM, MFBAB said:I was told by an Arlington city official that the pond at 385/70 is private property, this was about a year ago when I was thinking about fishing there myself.
I haven't ever actually gone down there to look at it other than passing by while driving, but I called the Arlington parks dept. to ask about it and that is what I was told so I just forgot about it-it looks like a great spot though! I never looked into finding the owner or attempting to obtain permission after that, so I have no idea whether they care about people fishing there or not.
Anywhere there's a highway project there are always a lot of those little borrow pits around, but they are almost always on private property so be careful.
Did some research with the Shelby County Assessor- it's private property.
UFpwrLifter reply :
Has anyone tried the pond in youth villages near the 5 way stop (actually 6 way stop) in Bartlett? It's off of Memphis Arlington near appling rd.
Also, where is the daycare pond in Collierville? or what is the name of the daycare that is near it?
MFBAB reply :
Ranger - yeah, that's what I was told. The Arlington parks office told me that they had actually tried to acquire that Hwy 70/385 parcel/pond for a park but it didn't work out. It may be worth trying to contact the landowner for permission, it doesn't cost anything to ask.
UFpwr - I don't know about the Youth Villages pond, but here is a map with the Daycare Pond circled. That's another one that I'm not sure about the ownership on, but I know a lot of guys fish it. The Daycare building would be to the left of the circled pond, not sure why it didn't show up in the Google map. I think there's a fire station right across the street also.
MFBAB reply :
On 5/4/2016 at 1:05 AM, mkeeler3 said:what part of chickisaw gardens lake was that
I'd be more concerned about the city ordinance against fishing there than the area of the lake that the fish was caught, but that's just me
BadBradBassMan reply :
Is it considered post spawn in the midsouth right now? I'm having the hardest time catching anything in the usual great spots. I did well at the Daycare pond 3 weeks ago on a buzzbait, lost maybe a 4lb'er at the bank cause I wasn't willing to get my shoes muddy; but overall it's been bad. I've barely even gotten a bite the 2 times I've went to Grove; I don't see how anyone catches anything there.
I've been using big baits: buzz, spinner, and swim. Some texas rigged worms, and crawdad crankbaits. All kinds of colors. I switched to smaller lures and slower retrievals but that isn't working either.
I never seem to do good when the water is high, and there has been a lot of rain lately too.
Any help appreciated,
Dave1017 reply :
On 5/4/2016 at 10:10 PM, BadBradBassMan said:Is it considered post spawn in the midsouth right now? I'm having the hardest time catching anything in the usual great spots. I did well at the Daycare pond 3 weeks ago on a buzzbait, lost maybe a 4lb'er at the bank cause I wasn't willing to get my shoes muddy; but overall it's been bad. I've barely even gotten a bite the 2 times I've went to Grove; I don't see how anyone catches anything there.
I've been using big baits: buzz, spinner, and swim. Some texas rigged worms, and crawdad crankbaits. All kinds of colors. I switched to smaller lures and slower retrievals but that isn't working either.
I never seem to do good when the water is high, and there has been a lot of rain lately too.
Any help appreciated,
Memphis Pond Hoppers - I relocated to Memphis from Colorado (for work & family) back in November and being that this is my first spring, I'm not sure what to expect. I've had the same bad luck as BadBradBassMan and am hoping that it's just a short-term seasonal issue!
I've tried all of the baits listed as well, as well as live minnows and have had little to no luck.
Any help appreciated here as well! I bought a 10' kayak as well and had a great time paddling on Herb Parsons last weekend but no luck pulling any in. Thinking about trying some drop shot rigs this weekend but hoping for some advice!
Thanks - Keep Castin'
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 5/5/2016 at 1:34 AM, Dave1017 said:
Memphis Pond Hoppers - I relocated to Memphis from Colorado (for work & family) back in November and being that this is my first spring, I'm not sure what to expect. I've had the same bad luck as BadBradBassMan and am hoping that it's just a short-term seasonal issue!
I've tried all of the baits listed as well, as well as live minnows and have had little to no luck.
Any help appreciated here as well! I bought a 10' kayak as well and had a great time paddling on Herb Parsons last weekend but no luck pulling any in. Thinking about trying some drop shot rigs this weekend but hoping for some advice!
Thanks - Keep Castin'
Senkos on a texas rig worked for me last week, and it was my first time using it. I'm sure it was beginner's luck.
I used Black with blue flake so that it can be seen in muddy waters.
MFBAB reply :
Sorry to hear some of you guys aren't catching much. I do think were in post spawn for the most part now, and from what I've seem they are eating, as should be expected. This is arguably the best time of the year to fish, things will change when the water gets boiling hot around mid-June, but it has been pretty good for me lately on a variety of baits.
I'm not doing anything special, I do try to fish early and late when I can but you should be getting bites on T-Rigged plastics of your choice and if you've got low light or a breeze the moving baits are effective right now as well, and don't forget a fluke or something to imitate yoy baitfish-fry are everywhere right now and bass will feed "up" a lot this time of year to capitalize on that opportunity, if not straight-up topwater then something worked just below the surface can be effective.
I would recommend trying as many different ponds as you can right now, some of them are giving up 10-15 bites an hour right now in the 1-2 lb range, some of the real dink-holes are giving up twice that but they'll almost all be tiny-you just have to fish around some of these places to find out what they hold. Grove isn't known as a "Numbers Lake", although I have averaged a few more bites than normal the times I've fished there in the last month-mainly because everything is shallow right now, and active.
This was first thing this morning at Grove, I had a bite from one about twice this size that got off too....
Dave1017 reply :
On 5/5/2016 at 4:27 AM, Mr. Ranger said:Senkos on a texas rig worked for me last week, and it was my first time using it. I'm sure it was beginner's luck.
I used Black with blue flake so that it can be seen in muddy waters.
I'll give it a shot! I was using texas rig last weekend too, I'm going to try out some drop shot and see if I get some beginner's luck on it too-
Thanks-
UFpwrLifter reply :
Skunked at the daycare yesterday. Did see 4 snakes slithering across the surface.
Skunked at Shelby farms until I caved and put on a small fish bait then it was all the dinks you wanted. Maybe I should've done that at daycare also, but been searching for quality vs quantity lately.
Hope you all did better than me.
roadwarrior reply :
Two From Grove
Started around 10:30 AM with no bites until 11:00.
Gear: MBR844C/ Chronarch 50Mg/ #40 Smackdown/ #15 Tatsu leader/ 1/2 oz Rage Blade (white skirt)/ Rage Structure Bug (white with the tail stained chartreuse using JJ's Magic).
Cast and retrieve near, but not on the bottom.
First bite, first fish at 11:00 on top of the ridge at the second culvert. I thought I was caught up on the jig magnet that you all know so well! Initially lifted the rod softly, but when the line jumped I became Bill Dance with my hook-set! The fish inspired me and another guy fishing across the pond in the snake & tick forest. Estimated weight 6 1/2 lbs. A few more casts and back around to the walkway.
Second bite at 11:15 just beyond the second bench. I caught this fish several times last year and a few members here also landed what we believe is the same fish. Last year it was officially weighed at 7 1/2 lbs. I hope one of you catch and weigh her, I think she will go 8 or maybe even a little better.
Please be careful with our pets. Take a quick pic and release them gently.
-Kent
JDJ reply :
Pics or it didn't happen Kent! JK -- nice catches and great details!!
roadwarrior reply :
On 5/11/2016 at 8:20 AM, JDJ said:Pics or it didn't happen Kent! JK -- nice catches and great details!!
Well, I'm not taking pics on the ground anymore, they never do justice to the fish. If there is someone around to take the picture for me, I'll post it up. In this case, another Memphis Pond Hopper might catch both of these fish, weigh them and post a picture...I hope it's you!
BadBradBassMan reply :
Finally caught a bass at Grove! Weighed about .4 lbs. Chartreuse spinnerbait and I was glad to catch it.
In response to Roadwarrior's gear: you have a leader (which i never use bass fishing) that costs $50 for 200 yards. Could that be part of my problem out there, I'm throwing lures with 15lb Stren white braid? The line can easily be seen by the fish.
How long is your leader? What type of knot do you do from the backer line? What is the backer line?
Maybe spring fishing requires more finesse than I'm experienced giving, and why i'm not catching anything. I was killing it last fall, but this year has been rough.
Thanks for any help,
Brad
roadwarrior reply :
You don't NEED braid and you don't NEED a leader, it's just something I am experimenting with on a couple of rigs. An inexpensive alternative that I STRONGLY recommend is either #6 Yo-Zuri Hybrid on spinning tackle or #12 on baitcasting gear. To address your other questions:
My leader is about 18" long so it is not inside the guides.
The connecting knot is an Alberto.
The mainline is #40 Seaguar Smackdown.
On other rigs I am fishing Tatsu #8 on spinning gear and #15 on baitcasting equipment. I have three rigs spooled with Smackdown, all with Tatsu leaders. For all treble hook presentations I am using #15 Sunline Defier Armilo.
BadBradBassMan reply :
Thanks for the response RoadWarrior.
I've decided I need to throw some money at my fish catching problems: anyone selling a bass boat?
I'm watching Craigslist, but haven't seen anything yet. Probably a fiberglass boat from the 90s is all I can afford.
Tery Songz reply :
On 5/14/2016 at 10:09 PM, BadBradBassMan said:Thanks for the response RoadWarrior.
I've decided I need to throw some money at my fish catching problems: anyone selling a bass boat?
I'm watching Craigslist, but haven't seen anything yet. Probably a fiberglass boat from the 90s is all I can afford.
this sounds stupid but you might aswell buy a jetski and modfiy it to hold rods. i did it and its awesome it has an anchor and all. i use it for land and sea it was cheap and its EPIC
you got alot of space and a chair. i modifyed it to also have a back rest when im catfishing 
has a livewell for minnows and shad on the side too!
MFBAB reply :
On 5/15/2016 at 5:18 AM, Tery Songz said:this sounds stupid but you might aswell buy a jetski and modfiy it to hold rods. i did it and its awesome it has an anchor and all. i use it for land and sea it was cheap and its EPIC
you got alot of space and a chair. i modifyed it to also have a back rest when im catfishing
Tery Songz reply :
its at my house in california ill ask if my friend can picture it for me if you dont belive me im not the only one. i thought i was . but mine makes me look like a redneck!!!
i found 2 pictures while image searching i thought u might have a laugh but i got a fishing jetski its a old model sounds like a coughing tank engine too
Tery Songz reply :
WARNING went to grove recently and some wretched broke my rod because i crossed his line (i didnt cast on point, i got my line off of his instantly and he shoved me and broke my rod i went to call the cops and he ran away)
Josh Smith reply :
On 5/16/2016 at 10:36 AM, Tery Songz said:WARNING went to grove recently and some wretched broke my rod because i crossed his line (i didnt cast on point, i got my line off of his instantly and he shoved me and broke my rod i went to call the cops and he ran away)
You were attacked. Why didn't you fight back?
Tery Songz reply :
On 5/16/2016 at 10:50 AM, Josh Smith said:You were attacked. Why didn't you fight back?
i could have defended my self but he had 3 suckers with him and they all were mad at me, i think prisoners escaped jail looking for food lol! i know i couldve defended my self and i wasent sure if i could stab them since i had my pocket knife with me for tying lures it wasent a good rod tho only like a 30$ combo
Josh Smith reply :
Escaped cons? Dang man, I carry a .45 and don't have a lockup of any sort close to where I fish.
Is the fishing really that excellent there?
Tery Songz reply :
i was joking about them being prionsers i just said because of the way they were acting. i didnt want to injure any one since i dont know if i could do that if some one shoved me. i have an akm and never thought you can shoot some one for something like that for shoving u? can you?
Josh Smith reply :
On 5/16/2016 at 11:28 AM, Tery Songz said:i was joking about them being prionsers i just said because of the way they were acting. i didnt want to injure any one since i dont know if i could do that if some one shoved me. i have an akm and never thought you can shoot some one for something like that for shoving u? can you?
It depends on disparity of force, and the state's laws. In Indiana, if I were outnumbered like this, I could, though I would definitely explore other options first.
Know what? We're thread drifting. Post down in the firearms forum and we can talk about self-defense.
Regards,
Josh
UFpwrLifter reply :
Rented a boat at herb parsons Saturday morning. Fished for an hour then crazy gusts started blowing making hard for the trolling motor (on highest speed) to make it back across the lake. Decided to turn it in and pond hop.
Stopped at Halle, missed a 2lb'r right at the shore, explored Johnson park for the first time hen finished at grove catching nothing at the last two places. It was a great weather day (little windy but kept the sweat away) and just what I needed after a long work week... To exercise my gear and listen to them sing.
llerroms reply :
On 5/11/2016 at 1:55 AM, roadwarrior said:Please be careful with our pets. Take a quick pic and release them gently.
-Kent
Saw a guy carry a 6 pounder out of there on a stringer a couple of weeks ago.
BadBradBassMan reply :
What kind of structure is in Grove? A guy told me there was a tree out in front of the first culvert, but I don't see where it would have come from.
Any history on the lake? Is it man made by the city of G'town?
MFBAB reply :
On 5/24/2016 at 5:20 AM, llerroms said:Saw a guy carry a 6 pounder out of there on a stringer a couple of weeks ago.
Bummer....
Vicdougle reply :
Hey y'all. Finally gettin around to postin on here again. Been fishing a neighborhood lake and caught a couple nice ones....and I fished grove and ACTUALLY CAUGHT A PIG! Caught both on a weightless rage craw.
Vicdougle reply :
Here's another one....
roadwarrior reply :
Nice fish, great pic!
jcbendall reply :
Hey everyone. Been fishing mostly private ponds until recently (my contacts all moved). So I'm trying to get back into the public pond scene. I've hit most of Shelby Farms, best luck at lake at Farm Rd deadend. Where else can i get some good bank action in and near Cordova, Germantown, or Bartlett?
Thanks guys,
roadwarrior reply :
This thread has 29 pages with lots of specific suggestions, including lures for the seasons.
jcbendall reply :
pleasure meeting you today at Grove. thanks for the lure and good luck.
roadwarrior reply :
You're welcome! BTW, there is a tread running in "Tackle" that's all about the Fat Ika.
Vicdougle reply :
Here's a beauty! Caught last night on a 6.5 inch green pumpkin plasmatail. (Drop shot)
Dave1017 reply :
Great catch Vicdougle! Where was that?
Vicdougle reply :
On 6/1/2016 at 12:21 AM, Dave1017 said:Great catch Vicdougle! Where was that?
Thx Dave definitely one of my top 10 bass. It's from a private lake community in Cordova. Riverwood farms. Caught it by the dam.
Memphis Kayak Bassin reply :
Hi, I am new this forum and was wondering if you can put a kayak in grove park lake?
JDJ reply :
The pond is posted no boating, swimming, etc.
roadwarrior reply :
On 6/3/2016 at 1:19 PM, JDJ said:The pond is posted no boating, swimming, etc.
That applies to all Germantown parks.
Mr. Ranger reply :
Dink city over the weekend for me. (Still better than not fishing)
Anybody do any good?
roadwarrior reply :
Five good fish last week including what I think might be the biggest bass in Grove. A guy took out my "pet" last year and claims it weighed 10.4 lbs. The bass I caught and released last week was CONSIDERABLY larger.
p.s. A friend of mine says a 12 was caught and released at Nashoba last week. Does anyone know anything about this report?
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 6/7/2016 at 1:00 AM, roadwarrior said:Five good fish last week including what I think might be the biggest bass in Grove. A guy took out my "pet" last year and claims it weighed 10.4 lbs. The bass I caught and released last week was CONSIDERABLY larger.
p.s. A friend of mine says a 12 was caught and released at Nashoba last week. Does anyone know anything about this report?
There's a 10+ pounder lurking in Grove?
I've had success with a new bait recently- a square bill crank called a 'baitball'.
http://www.basspro.com/LIVETARGETYearling-Bait-Ball-Rattlebait/product/1407150711485/?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT
Bought a new rod as well, its the Academy brand H20 cranking rod- best feel of any rod that I own (even vs some of the more expensive ones). Reasonably priced too at $49.99, but you can catch it on sale for $39.99.
Thought I'd share.
jcbendall reply :
anybody had any luck recently at Daycare?
Vicdougle reply :
Fished daycare last week over a lunch break....saw a few cruisers but no bites. Threw a chatter bait and a drop shot for about an hour. Kinda need a boat to fish it well as there is a lot of vegetation around the edges. Good news is I just bought a Pelican Bass Raider 10 so I look forward to gettin it out there soon!
Ken, wanna PM me next time you head out for a morning bite? I'm off this week and wouldn't mind learnin a little more how to fish these pressured ponds... Thanks!
JDJ reply :
My son and I fished Grove yesterday evening. We couldn't get 'em to take a dark brown Pit Boss but they were loving a green Rage Craw - each Rage-rigged.
jcbendall reply :
fished Daycare this afternoon for about an hour. caught 4 bass, all around 1-2 lbs, using a red senko. nothing exciting, but better than nothing.,
went to Cordova Club golf course this evening, fished the lake on Hole #2. caught 7 bass on green & red senkos. all around the same 1-2 lbs.
so overall, not a bad day. but nothing to get too excited about. will probably hit up Grove tomorrow afternoon.
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 6/11/2016 at 9:54 AM, jcbendall said:fished Daycare this afternoon for about an hour. caught 4 bass, all around 1-2 lbs, using a red senko. nothing exciting, but better than nothing.,
went to Cordova Club golf course this evening, fished the lake on Hole #2. caught 7 bass on green & red senkos. all around the same 1-2 lbs.
so overall, not a bad day. but nothing to get too excited about. will probably hit up Grove tomorrow afternoon.
Still better than not fishing! That's the exact same result that i have had the past few outings using a Senko. Dinks.
BrushHog1906 reply :
On 6/8/2016 at 10:34 PM, JDJ said:My son and I fished Grove yesterday evening. We couldn't get 'em to take a dark brown Pit Boss but they were loving a green Rage Craw - each Rage-rigged.
Hey JDJ. I believe I met you out there at Grove on Friday. Thanks again for the lure.
I'll be looking to get out there again soon. I will probably go out to Nashoba this evening or tomorrow.
MFBAB reply :
I had a couple of odd Buzzbait catches last week, thought I'd share.
Wednesday night I had a 5 Lb. catfish just destroy the buzzer, the biggest cat I've caught on one. I didn't think too much of it, stranger things have happened.
Then, 2 nights later, I had a massive blow-up on the Buzzer at a different pond, I thought it was a monster bass...but about 30 minutes later and all the way across the pond, it happened again! This time it was about a 6 lb. cat, and I knew instantly what was going on. They are spawning right now, and just being territorial!!
At any rate, if you like to catch catfish, I would advise going shallow and fishing for them in areas you would for spawning bass.
BTW, the bass are biting lately too:
This collage was one night last week over about a 90 minute period, 4-5-6-7 Lbs.
This one weighed 6.5 and darn near swallowed my buzzer, I've never seen one down that deep before. I only had about 5 feet of line out when she hit too!
Hope everyone is catching a few!!
roadwarrior reply :
You are on a roll!
WTnPuddleJumper reply :
Newbie to this sight, Do neighborhood lakes apply to this thread? If so try otter lake in raliegh. I grew up there caught a 12.5 in the 90's. lake was stocked with floridas. haven't fished it in years but I bet their are some bruisers in it now.
roadwarrior reply :
Welcome aboard!
The majority of posts on this thread are about neighborhood ponds. Locally I fish Halle Park in Collierville; Grove and Nashoba in Germantown. My "home lake" is Pickwick.
jcbendall reply :
been dink city recently. Nashoba on Thursday, Daycare on Wednesday, & private pond in Eads on Sunday. all on senkos.
what lures have you guys been using and seeing results?
Skeeter Dan reply :
On 6/24/2016 at 1:28 AM, WTnPuddleJumper said:Newbie to this sight, Do neighborhood lakes apply to this thread? If so try otter lake in raliegh. I grew up there caught a 12.5 in the 90's. lake was stocked with floridas. haven't fished it in years but I bet their are some bruisers in it now.
To my WTPJ Brother Get Some !!!!!!!!!!!!!
ttime118 reply :
Heading to pickwick this saturday and will be at the aqua marina. Not fishing during the day but staying on a boat that night and sleeping there. I plan on taking my poles and just fishing around the dock. Any chance of catching anything around the marina or no?
MFBAB reply :
On 6/24/2016 at 10:02 PM, ttime118 said:Heading to pickwick this saturday and will be at the aqua marina. Not fishing during the day but staying on a boat that night and sleeping there. I plan on taking my poles and just fishing around the dock. Any chance of catching anything around the marina or no?
Absolutely!! I love fishing around the Marinas when I'm there.
There is easy topwater fishing early and late (and at night) at any of the Marinas, and also pretty much anywhere you find Rip-Rap at Pickwick!! Have Fun!
jcbendall reply :
caught a 5lb at Grove Saturday AM using chartruese Senko worm. caught a 6lb at private pond in Lakeland Saturday PM using plastic minnow.
tha black bill dance reply :
From the grove this morning, nothing major 2 1/2lbs 19 inches.
UFpwrLifter reply :
On 5/24/2016 at 6:04 AM, BadBradBassMan said:What kind of structure is in Grove? A guy told me there was a tree out in front of the first culvert, but I don't see where it would have come from.
Any history on the lake? Is it man made by the city of G'town?
Don't know about a tree, but appears someone caught the man made double sunken plastic chair reef and forgot to release it.
Mr. Ranger reply :
I'm headed to International Harvester in Lakeland tomorrow- anybody had any recent luck out there?
coloradofire reply :
So I have been meaning to post this a while now and have finally gotten around to it but last year a week after Thanksgiving I was fishing at Appling Lake in Bartlett. Caught a few bass on really soft bites and then I felt a slight bump and set the hook on this monster using a red crawfish rattle trap.
Tery Songz reply :
On 8/11/2016 at 1:06 AM, coloradofire said:So I have been meaning to post this a while now and have finally gotten around to it but last year a week after Thanksgiving I was fishing at Appling Lake in Bartlett. Caught a few bass on really soft bites and then I felt a slight bump and set the hook on this monster using a red crawfish rattle trap.
awesome where did u catch this? could i have the adress id love to catch catfish there did you release it?
coloradofire reply :
It's at Appling Rd. and Summer in Bartlett right across from the Bartlett police station.
Tery Songz reply :
On 6/20/2016 at 6:04 AM, MFBAB said:I had a couple of odd Buzzbait catches last week, thought I'd share.
Wednesday night I had a 5 Lb. catfish just destroy the buzzer, the biggest cat I've caught on one. I didn't think too much of it, stranger things have happened.
Then, 2 nights later, I had a massive blow-up on the Buzzer at a different pond, I thought it was a monster bass...but about 30 minutes later and all the way across the pond, it happened again! This time it was about a 6 lb. cat, and I knew instantly what was going on. They are spawning right now, and just being territorial!!
At any rate, if you like to catch catfish, I would advise going shallow and fishing for them in areas you would for spawning bass.
BTW, the bass are biting lately too:
This collage was one night last week over about a 90 minute period, 4-5-6-7 Lbs.
This one weighed 6.5 and darn near swallowed my buzzer, I've never seen one down that deep before. I only had about 5 feet of line out when she hit too!
Hope everyone is catching a few!!
where did u catch that catfish at ive been despertly looking for a good catfishing place in memphis for over a year lol. did u release em
MFBAB reply :
On 8/13/2016 at 10:24 AM, Tery Songz said:where did u catch that catfish at ive been despertly looking for a good catfishing place in memphis for over a year lol. did u release em
Those were 2 different ones, but one of them was from Landsdown park in Germantown.
A good way to find catfish places is just to look up where the local fishing rodeos are held-do a google search, I think TWRA has a master rodeo list somewhere on their site. Audubon Park, Appling Lake, Johnson Park (Germantown), are a few. These ponds are stocked w catfish annually for the rodeos (during summer) and there are always some holdovers that get big. I have heard of, if not actually witnessed nice catfish being caught at most of the park ponds I've fished. They are there.
And yes, I let those nasty slimers go :)
Tery Songz reply :
On 8/13/2016 at 10:30 PM, MFBAB said:Those were 2 different ones, but one of them was from Landsdown park in Germantown.
A good way to find catfish places is just to look up where the local fishing rodeos are held-do a google search, I think TWRA has a master rodeo list somewhere on their site. Audubon Park, Appling Lake, Johnson Park (Germantown), are a few. These ponds are stocked w catfish annually for the rodeos (during summer) and there are always some holdovers that get big. I have heard of, if not actually witnessed nice catfish being caught at most of the park ponds I've fished. They are there.
And yes, I let those nasty slimers go
i caught a 10 lb blue cat at johnson park. the one with the baseball fields. 2-3 hours of my bait in the same spot a half inch crawfish tail.
Tery Songz reply :
i fish a 2 acre pond with 15 lb large mouths and a TON of 3 inch blue gill i came to it a few days and i see dozens of beds with bluegills all over them are these bluegill beds or bass beds? i saw a 1 inch lmb cruising by its self in the pond so i know the bass should be done spawning. are those bluegill beds. and also what type of fish are those black half inch things that got a white streak through em? i put a dead bluegill for an hour didnt get a bite. think theres catfish in that pond or no?
MFBAB reply :
Sweet! 15.2 Lbs. is the state record for TN. You need to reel one of those babies in and get your name in the books!!
I've been looking for a pond full of 15 Lbrs. for a while myself :)
Tery Songz reply :
a police officer caught one in a lake no one fish's only a few people and we all knwo each other. all catch and release. 3 years ago he caught a 14 lb lmb. so i guess its over the record right now. just find a big lake that is fed by a stream or something that could hold fish. a dude caught a crappie there thats the size of a laptop screen.
Ndq1124 reply :
Does anyone know anything about the lakes off stage road in Bartlet behind krogers?
SouthernBelleAngler reply :
On 7/4/2016 at 10:49 PM, UFpwrLifter said:Don't know about a tree, but appears someone caught the man made double sunken plastic chair reef and forgot to release it.
Hey! I saw that floating in the water. Glad someone else is helping to clean up the waters in our neighborhood lakes.
jcbendall reply :
On 8/19/2016 at 4:24 AM, Ndq1124 said:Does anyone know anything about the lakes off stage road in Bartlet behind krogers?
they are more drainage than lake, but the one closer to Kirby Whitten isn't very deep and the back one is stocked.
where is everyone having luck recently? Been tough times over at Grove & Nashoba the past two weeks.
Been to a few golf courses with minimal action & Shelby Farms is, well, Shelby Farms.
SouthernBelleAngler reply :
On 6/24/2016 at 2:41 AM, roadwarrior said:Welcome aboard!
The majority of posts on this thread are about neighborhood ponds. Locally I fish Halle Park in Collierville; Grove and Nashoba in Germantown. My "home lake" is Pickwick.
Hello! In early spring I fished Germantown Station and never caught anything over 2lbs. Lately I have been fishing The Grove like a mad woman with zero luck. Have got a few bites at Johnson Park, Germantown but have yet to pull anything out of the water. Love to fish but haven't caught anything. Have tried every bait I can think of and nothing! Just last week my husband and I hiked to a run off from the Wolf River behind Lowe's on Germantown Road and there were so many catfish swimming around I was in absolute awe but they would not bite. We literally thumped them on the head with liver bait but it did not even scare them! They would swim right past and act like nothing was there. I have never seen anything like it. I am not a big fan of catfish, especially after that trip. Has anyone ever experienced this before and if so, why weren't they biting?
Going to try The Grove & Johnson Park today. What baits are good for these two types of lakes?
roadwarrior reply :
The bite is slow right now, but will improve as the weather cools. Soft plastics are probably your best bet right now. I have had some luck with the Fat Ika and Senko.
Tery Songz reply :
On 8/23/2016 at 7:33 PM, roadwarrior said:The bite is slow right now, but will improve as the weather cools. Soft plastics are probably your best bet right now. I have had some luck with the Fat Ika and Senko.
yesterday the bite for me was epic. every bass was biting. the pond i fish has the water level high and it made some areas really shallow i spooked two 3 lbers sitting in 1 foot of water. they were probaly feeding on crawfish. didnt catch anything. but i went to a lake here in memphis and the bass was all crazy. the small bass were near the weeds feeding on insects and small fish from this years spawn. i there a senko and a small swim jig with a crawfish trailer on them weeds a few times and caught about 2 small dinks. then i went to a shallow part of the pond 1/2 feet and i threw in any soft plastic and jigged it off the bottom and it would get hit in seconds. my squarebill didnt do much. i even put it in there faces, they seem to be loving soft plastics like senkos,lizards,crawfish type baits too. watermelon green is working best.
i forgot to mention i caught about 5-7 bass yesterday only 3 or so were big about 1.5-2 lbs one 12 inch dink died i gut hooked him and blood was all pouring from him. i threw him back he struggled for 5 mins then floated up and died unfortuantly.
rest were small. i was focusing mostly on small fish. since i had my ultralight
and tips on how to catch a 10 lber. a woman there told me she sees people pulling out giant bass out of there should i fish big bass in open water or near a laydown i know there. whats a good bait for a 10 lber atm
Tery Songz reply :
im a tn resident and wondering how much a license to catch trout is in tennessee. the twra website is too confusing. any one know how much for trout fishing and a link please. thanks
gr8outdoorz reply :
On 8/25/2016 at 5:15 AM, Tery Songz said:im a tn resident and wondering how much a license to catch trout is in tennessee. the twra website is too confusing. any one know how much for trout fishing and a link please. thanks
A resident trout stamp is $22 in TN. You must have a valid fishing license then have a Trout Stamp added on.
Tery Songz reply :
On 8/25/2016 at 6:19 AM, gr8outdoorz said:
A resident trout stamp is $22 in TN. You must have a valid fishing license then have a Trout Stamp added on.
see i saw that 22$ and i got confused but its for annual trout. im going to be fishing park ponds stocked in the winter.
https://www.tn.gov/twra/article/resident-fishing-license-j1
it says all species 11.50 does that mean i can fish trout with that license?
one day fishing is 6.50 does that include trout? any one know? i dont want to spend 22$ i can barley put a roof on my head.
roadwarrior reply :
http://fishinglicense.org/tennessee.html?utm_source=RL.org&utm_medium=Affilate&utm_campaign=Tennessee
One day "all species" is $11.50 and includes trout. The annual trout stamp is $22.
Tery Songz reply :
On 8/27/2016 at 5:31 PM, roadwarrior said:http://fishinglicense.org/tennessee.html?utm_source=RL.org&utm_medium=Affilate&utm_campaign=Tennessee
One day "all species" is $11.50 and includes trout. The annual trout stamp is $22.
thanks man. the creel limit is 7 right.?
Tery Songz reply :
i went fishing at johnson park 3 days ago the one in collerville. was catfishing using a gut hooked dead 1 lb lmb i make into fillets for catfish. no cat bites and no luck. no one was getting lucky. so i caught like 5 longnose gar. one was 37 inches one 30 and one was like 18 i kept one for bait. couldent cut through it and throwed it away the rest i threw back in the pond. i read online there invasive. should i kill em and throw em away or toss em back in. all i can see is shad jumping and gar swimming uptop the water. i think its bad for some of the fish. all the bluegills are staying like 20 feet of any gar.
Mr. Ranger reply :
How is fishing lately? I've been out of it for a few weeks- life gets in the way of good fishing. I'm headed to a private farm pond to get some froggin practice in. Also may go try Grove again. Anybody had any luck there lately?
roadwarrior reply :
Thursday was best fishing of the year at Grove. I fished a Rage Tail Structure Bug from noon to 1:30. One Walmart Girl, two of our typical 5-6 lbs and two smaller fish. It has been years since I have caught multiple fish at this pond. Back to normal yesterday, two bites and one small fish.
-Kent
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 9/10/2016 at 5:43 PM, roadwarrior said:Thursday was best fishing of the year at Grove. I fished a Rage Tail Structure Bug from noon to 1:30. One Walmart Girl, two of our typical 5-6 lbs and two smaller fish. It has been years since I have caught multiple fish at this pond. Back to normal yesterday, two bites and one small fish.
-Kent
Sounds like a nice day. I changed plans and went to Nashoba- caught a couple 2 LBers and missed a big one, all on a Senko. There was lots of topwater activity, but I couldn't get any bites on topwater baits. Going again during lunch break to try and get 'the one that got away'... I'm sure it was a 14 pounder....at least!
BrushHog1906 reply :
On 9/12/2016 at 11:58 PM, Mr. Ranger said:Sounds like a nice day. I changed plans and went to Nashoba- caught a couple 2 LBers and missed a big one, all on a Senko. There was lots of topwater activity, but I couldn't get any bites on topwater baits. Going again during lunch break to try and get 'the one that got away'... I'm sure it was a 14 pounder....at least!
Is there a tip on any specific place that the bass hold? I've been around several times but haven't had too much luck.
Missed like a 2 lber when they were spawning in the shallow part in the back.
Looking to get out there soon! Topwater should be lighting up!
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 9/14/2016 at 3:06 AM, BrushHog1906 said:Is there a tip on any specific place that the bass hold? I've been around several times but haven't had too much luck.
Missed like a 2 lber when they were spawning in the shallow part in the back.
Looking to get out there soon! Topwater should be lighting up!
I'm fairly new to Nashoba- but I caught both of mine on the shady side of the lake near the entrance off the medical center parking lot; just walk 2 benches in. Caught both on a Senko maybe 10 yards off the bank. Saw another guy catch a couple deep with a fluke off the bottom.
I've been going during my lunch break this week, and I can see bass patrolling the bank, but they aren't interested in biting. They patrol in groups of 4 or 5. I think middle of the day is a tough time to get them to bite.
pwdebard reply :
So I am taking off tomorrow, and plan on going fishing in the morning. Where would be a good place to go? Sorta new to fishing lakes/ponds in the Memphis area.
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 9/16/2016 at 1:21 AM, pwdebard said:So I am taking off tomorrow, and plan on going fishing in the morning. Where would be a good place to go? Sorta new to fishing lakes/ponds in the Memphis area.
Where are you starting out from?
Some of the more visited spots from guys on this board are:
Grove Park in Germantown (behind Houston Middle School)
Halle Park in Collierville
Nashoba Park in Germantown (behind Chick-fil-a)
If you are coming from Bartlett, Lakeland, Arlington area there's:
Appling Lake in Bartlett
Inernational Harvesters Park in Lakeland.
Herb Parson's out in Eads
If you have a boat, Glenn Springs up near Millington is a decent lake to put a boat in and fish. You can launch a gas boat, but you can only idle.
Good luck.
pwdebard reply :
I'm coming from Walnut Grove/Yates area, so it is really easy to get to any location. I have tried fishing Grove Park and Neshoba before, but I wasn't out there too long. I will try them again for sure.
Wesleyy reply :
Is night fishing good At any of these spots
Tery Songz reply :
On 9/17/2016 at 8:42 AM, Wesleyy said:Is night fishing good At any of these spots
night fishing is a myth it doesent really do much. best time to fish is before the sun rises or after the day cools down after 5 or 4
roadwarrior reply :
Night fishing can be fabulous, but most of the parks are only open from dawn to dusk. My biggest bass have been caught between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
Wesleyy reply :
Does anybody kno where I can buy some shad or skipjack.?
roadwarrior reply :
http://www.frayserbaitshop.com/
Wesleyy reply :
Has anyone ever fished navy lake? Catfish or bass
Wesleyy reply :
How's every body doin..
Vicdougle reply :
STRIPERS IN A FARM POND!?!?!??! Yessir! Caught 3 of em. Plus this 6 lb beauty.
00 mod reply :
Awesome @Vicdougle
Jeff
roadwarrior reply :
Broke the drought this morning at Grove with a Seibert jig (PBJ)/ GYCB Flappin' Hog.
trashfishjunky reply :
Hey Guys! Been lurking like a champ for a couple of years. I'm super addicted to chasing bass locally (with a fly rod) and this forum is gold for some good hotspots. Most of what I do is public access, but this year has brought access to a couple of insane private spots (and my first fly rod bass over 10lbs!)
Hopefully, I can contribute instead of just lurk now!
Feel free to drop by the shop and talk bass (fly or not)
Dylan Embree
Fishing Manager for a local fly shop
Vicdougle reply :
On 10/13/2016 at 7:55 AM, trashfishjunky said:Hey Guys! Been lurking like a champ for a couple of years. I'm super addicted to chasing bass locally (with a fly rod) and this forum is gold for some good hotspots. Most of what I do is public access, but this year has brought access to a couple of insane private spots (and my first fly rod bass over 10lbs!)
Hopefully, I can contribute instead of just lurk now!
Feel free to drop by the shop and talk bass (fly or not)
Dylan Embree
Fishing Manager
Orvis Memphis
901-767-3592
Good to see any Fly Guy on here! Ive been almost exclusively a fly guy for the last decade but moving to memphis and seeing all these conventional guys horsing pigs outta brushpiles made me switch. I sold fly gear for Cabelas while goin to college so Most of my stuff is Cabelas brand and Sage....No Orvis yet. What are your days off? Lets fish!
trashfishjunky reply :
Thanks for the welcome, Vic! I know what you mean about dragging fish out of the junk. Sometimes I have to use a 10wt and 50lb leader to get them out of the grass mats..conventional totally has the advantage over fly rods when geared reels come into play. I have a blast doing it, but half of it is just trying to prove that not all fly fishermen wear tweed, drink single malt scotch, and fish dry flies from a drift boat while quoting Walton.
Some of us like cowboy cold beer, chasing some stud bass, and listening to Jerry Jeff Walker or Robert Earl Keen instead.
Days off are sporadic. In the near future, I'm off Friday, Monday, and Tuesday. Let's do it!
Dylan
trashfishjunky reply :
Didn't see the thing about not promoting my shop! Edited first post to take the name and phone number out of it. Sorry, guys. Won't happen again.
WDE reply :
Hello from Collierville. After roughly a 15 year break between casting, about a month ago I went to Academy and picked up a new baitcasting setup. My usual stops are Grove Park and Johnson Park. I've been behind Collierville town hall once, but got frustrated quickly with every cast bringing back grass. I also dropped in behind Houston High, but it didn't appear to have much action. Herb Parsons didn't seem to be too advantageous, considering I'm strictly bank fishing at this time and I got hung up more times than I'd like to admit.
Primarily fishing junebug and pumpkin plastic worms, and tossing black/blue spinnerbaits since the water seems so murky.
So a couple questions:
Do the two ponds at the front of Johnson offer anything? I've been hitting the pond with the fountains, across from the bridge mostly and had some luck, though the bite has been slow/nonexistent over the past week.
Are there any other ponds I should be hitting, in the Collierville/Germantown area? Anything at Shelby Farms worth checking out?
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 10/14/2016 at 10:35 AM, WDE said:Hello from Collierville. After roughly a 15 year break between casting, about a month ago I went to Academy and picked up a new baitcasting setup. My usual stops are Grove Park and Johnson Park. I've been behind Collierville town hall once, but got frustrated quickly with every cast bringing back grass. I also dropped in behind Houston High, but it didn't appear to have much action. Herb Parsons didn't seem to be too advantageous, considering I'm strictly bank fishing at this time and I got hung up more times than I'd like to admit.
Primarily fishing junebug and pumpkin plastic worms, and tossing black/blue spinnerbaits since the water seems so murky.
So a couple questions:
Do the two ponds at the front of Johnson offer anything? I've been hitting the pond with the fountains, across from the bridge mostly and had some luck, though the bite has been slow/nonexistent over the past week.
Are there any other ponds I should be hitting, in the Collierville/Germantown area? Anything at Shelby Farms worth checking out?
War Eagle to you as well.
Nashoba (behind GTown Chick Fil A) is a decent spot. Also, I recently hit some fairly large ponds on the Greenline off Wolf River, copy these coordinates in to Google Maps to see them. You have to kinda sorta go down a slight hill to get to the water, but it's worth it.
35°06'58.4"N 89°48'53.1"W
WDE reply :
On 10/14/2016 at 10:08 PM, Mr. Ranger said:War Eagle to you as well.
Nashoba (behind GTown Chick Fil A) is a decent spot. Also, I recently hit some fairly large ponds on the Greenline off Wolf River, copy these coordinates in to Google Maps to see them. You have to kinda sorta go down a slight hill to get to the water, but it's worth it.
35°06'58.4"N 89°48'53.1"W
Thanks for the tips. I'll try to get over there this weekend at some point and check them out.
Mr. Ranger reply :
The bite is picking up for me. Senkos and some shallow crankbaits are bringing some success. Still nothing on the topwater stuff that I have tried, but i've only thrown topwater sparingly.
Anybody else noticing the improving trend?
WDE reply :
On 10/21/2016 at 3:55 AM, Mr. Ranger said:The bite is picking up for me. Senkos and some shallow crankbaits are bringing some success. Still nothing on the topwater stuff that I have tried, but i've only thrown topwater sparingly.
Anybody else noticing the improving trend?
Been almost a week since my last outing because I went to Nashville for a few days. But this cold front that came in may put a damper on my plans for Sunday and Monday in terms of strategy. As I said in a previous post, I'm re-learning how to approach bass fishing from a scientific point of view, so I'm not sure what to expect in terms of water temps and activity. I did have mild success on a private 1 acre pond about a week and a half ago. Once again on Junebug, about the only thing I feel confident on lately.
I had some really nice bites at Johnson last Monday(on all 3 of the ponds, the front two were very active as the sun was almost completely down ~6:45), but couldn't land squat, mostly all on Junebug plastic. Catfish were grazing right on the bank at Grove, around 4:30p.
I did see a turtle trying to munch on a bream at Johnson, before I scared him and he dropped it. It was so strange, just seeing that bream floating/swimming perpendicular with the surface until I saw the turtle latched on its tail.
Next plan is to attack the Germantown locations and see what I can do.
Sidenote: Had to buy a new spinning reel(Pflueger President) because my 15+ year old Daiwa is just done. I hadn't been really using it since picking up the new baitcaster, and my wife kept getting birdsnests on the spinning. Chalked it up to her inexperience. But I used it at the private spot and got a massive birdsnest, and realized the line was catching a tiny nick in the top of the spool. I believe that nick could probably be filed down so I'm not going to trash it--it still retrieves smoothly and doesn't creak and moan; but it gave me an excuse to update . So far I'm liking the Pflueger, but like the Daiwa reel, the rod(similar age 2pc. Berkley Lightning Rod 6ft med/heavy action)desperately needs updating soon. The rod itself twists the guides and the reel out of whack, which I have to correct on just about every cast--going to try to take it apart and see what the problem is. Done with the 2pc in general, but I still like the action of that particular rod.
Sorry for rambling, I don't have much in the way of sincere fishing companions that could offer more than, "that sucks or that's cool".
Vicdougle reply :
On 10/22/2016 at 3:33 PM, WDE said:Been almost a week since my last outing because I went to Nashville for a few days. But this cold front that came in may put a damper on my plans for Sunday and Monday in terms of strategy. As I said in a previous post, I'm re-learning how to approach bass fishing from a scientific point of view, so I'm not sure what to expect in terms of water temps and activity. I did have mild success on a private 1 acre pond about a week and a half ago. Once again on Junebug, about the only thing I feel confident on lately.
I had some really nice bites at Johnson last Monday(on all 3 of the ponds, the front two were very active as the sun was almost completely down ~6:45), but couldn't land squat, mostly all on Junebug plastic. Catfish were grazing right on the bank at Grove, around 4:30p.
I did see a turtle trying to munch on a bream at Johnson, before I scared him and he dropped it. It was so strange, just seeing that bream floating/swimming perpendicular with the surface until I saw the turtle latched on its tail.
Next plan is to attack the Germantown locations and see what I can do.
Sidenote: Had to buy a new spinning reel(Pflueger President) because my 15+ year old Daiwa is just done. I hadn't been really using it since picking up the new baitcaster, and my wife kept getting birdsnests on the spinning. Chalked it up to her inexperience. But I used it at the private spot and got a massive birdsnest, and realized the line was catching a tiny nick in the top of the spool. I believe that nick could probably be filed down so I'm not going to trash it--it still retrieves smoothly and doesn't creak and moan; but it gave me an excuse to update
Sorry for rambling, I don't have much in the way of sincere fishing companions that could offer more than, "that sucks or that's cool".
Hey boss....as far as a good rod and reel, I just picked up a Falcon HD medium as well as an All Star medium fast from academy... they are both one piece with quality guides. Check em out. Just picked up a Daiwa BG...excited to test it out.
WDE reply :
On 10/23/2016 at 6:44 AM, Vicdougle said:Hey boss....as far as a good rod and reel, I just picked up a Falcon HD medium as well as an All Star medium fast from academy... they are both one piece with quality guides. Check em out. Just picked up a Daiwa BG...excited to test it out.
I had an Allstar long ago, I believe I broke the tip in a ceiling fan. But I had no qualms with it prior. Thank you for the advice.
WDE reply :
Thought today was going to be another bust. Went to one of the above Germantown spots(with the coords) first around 3pm for about an hour. Fish were jumping and breaking all over, but they weren't interested in what I was throwing. Left there to head back to Collierville. Stopped at Grove and made a few casts, nothing interesting there.
Decided to spend the rest of the day at Johnson. Back pond had about 8-10 different folks spread out by the bridge, so I went back to the front two ponds. Once again those ponds were bumping, swirls all over. Landed my first bass after about 30 minutes, I'll say a pound or so. I saw a swirl off to my right so I started reeling in my lure quickly to throw at him. As I was bringing in my lure I thought I got hung up, but I yanked again and there was a fish! Hit it right at the bank.
Got bumped several more times and the pond started to die down, so I decided to start packing it in and throw a couple casts in the cove in the pond closest to the parking lot.
It was literally my last cast and I got bumped, so I went to set the hooks and the lure jumped out of the water--bummer. Then as soon as the lure hit the water this guy just cranked it and caught me totally off guard:
So I got him in on the bank and snapped this quick pic and went to see the damage. He completely inhaled the lure down to the gills. I started panicking and grabbed the pliers and started surgery in so little light. Finally freed the lure and got him back into the water. He swam around a bit, but I don't think I got the lure out in time, and he lost too much blood. I feel awful about it, but I suppose it's just part of the sport. He was maybe 1.5-2lbs, and definitely my PB(stifle your laughter) since starting back fishing...could be ever.
Here's what was working for me, shad colored H20 Express rat-l trap(I think)bought on clearance at Academy for $3.99:
Got my confidence back in throwing things other than worms. Time to celebrate with a Wiseacre Ananda and pour a little out for the one I couldn't save.
WDE reply :
Oh, and those two front ponds are a lot of fun to fish. They're so shallow, that you can watch the fish break off and bee line straight at your hook. So many of them whiffed my lure. Or bumped it and go back for it. Is there anyway to avoid that and encourage a hookset? If I saw them bee lining I'd slow my retrieve, but maybe they're smart enough to realize that the lure wasn't a real baitfish.
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 10/25/2016 at 8:33 AM, WDE said:Oh, and those two front ponds are a lot of fun to fish. They're so shallow, that you can watch the fish break off and bee line straight at your hook. So many of them whiffed my lure. Or bumped it and go back for it. Is there anyway to avoid that and encourage a hookset? If I saw them bee lining I'd slow my retrieve, but maybe they're smart enough to realize that the lure wasn't a real baitfish.
What line are you using? How deep are you running that rattletrap? Baitcaster or spinning reel?
WDE reply :
On 10/27/2016 at 5:32 AM, Mr. Ranger said:What line are you using? How deep are you running that rattletrap? Baitcaster or spinning reel?
14lb mono on a baitcaster. Medium/quick retrieval alternating, tip up. The pond is so shallow that even with the tip up I'm still skimming the bottom about 3-5 feet out. Got two more last night. Plus two palm sized bream that actually hit it, and 3 fist sized freshwater clams. I'm guessing the bass were in the 2-2.5lb range, both bigger than the ones I caught the night before.
Vicdougle reply :
Stopped by daycare yesterday and caught a 2lber. Drop shot with a black plasmatail worm. There was another guy fishing there when I showed up but I didn't see him catch anything. Meh. I did, however stop by another spot today and caught three on topwater including 3 lber. Seriously some of the most aggressive topwater bites Ive ever seen. I'm going to see if I can get my boat into this place somehow as it was extremely promising. Will post more details after another trip or two.
WDE reply :
Went back to Johnson--wasn't planning on going anywhere today--but I got bored after work and wanted a quick fix.
Fish were noticeably less active than my previous two times. Pulled one in after about 15 minutes, half a pound, on the same rig I've been using this week. Fished another uneventful 15 or 20 minutes and headed home.
BrushHog1906 reply :
Finally just back on the water for about a month and a half drought. Caught a 2 lber on topwater Monday and two smaller ones on Tuesday. Simple pops medium and fast retrieve. Monday, about 30 minutes after catching my 2 lber, missed my biggest bass ever! She jumped about 3 times, belly wouldn't even come out of the water. Got her to the bank and she spit my lure right at feet and swam off. I will be throwing topwater all I can these next two weeks because Daylight Savings is coming!
My tactics as of now will be topwater (popper/torpedo style lure) and maybe a shallow crank soon.
Planning to hit the water tonight and tomorrow!
@WDE Is Johnson you mention, Johnson Park in Collierville? I haven't been there in a while.
WDE reply :
On 10/29/2016 at 12:25 AM, BrushHog1906 said:
@WDE Is Johnson you mention, Johnson Park in Collierville? I haven't been there in a while.
It is.
Mr. Ranger reply :
Just got back from a trip up to the Ozark lakes. Man those guys don't know how good theyve got it with all those clearwater rock lakes. Table Rock, Pomme de Terre, Stockton... caught some big pigs and handful of keepers.
Oh well, back to the pond hopping in Memphis. If y'all ever get a chance to travel up there to fish, DO IT.
WDE reply :
Wanted to go to a new pond today, but I've been having such good luck on such an easy setup so I went back to Johnson. Caught 4 bass, including another PB(bottom two pics). Two biggest I pulled out:
Went to set the hook on the smallest one(couldn't have been more than a quarter pound), and I flipped him out of the pond and he came off the lure, 5 feet over my head and he landed on the grass 10 feet behind me.
Vicdougle reply :
Top water is on firrrre. 8 more in a hour this morning. Caught this one at an undisclosed location ??? Wednesday. Looked like someone threw an M80 at my frog!
WDE reply :
Went Johnson for a couple hours today. Got a couple dinks. Bite has cooled quite a bit on the crankbait. Tossed a spinnerbait around for a while and they weren't interested.
I suppose the time change and the dip in temperature has them transitioning? I guess it's time to try out the jerkbait and/or topwater. Two lures I've never had success with.
JakebeCastin reply :
I've been around bassresource multiple times and thought, why not join. Hey everyone my name is Jake and I usually pond hop and fish around multiple areas in Memphis, with me being a college student, I have little time in my hands to get out there and get some casting in.
I went to Collierville city hall couple days ago, didn't do so well I went around 8-9 a.m and usually fish the far side facing the city hall. I've caught 2 on a berkley jerk bait. Water was low as well there.
roadwarrior reply :
Welcome aboard!
volchuck reply :
Im usually fishing Grove or greenline ponds off the wolf with some pretty decent success, has anyone ever fished any of the main river on the wolf or on up the Ghost with any luck??
UFpwrLifter reply :
New to boating. Now that Glenn springs and herb parsons stores are closed, how do you buy permits to fish the lake legally? When I was a bank fisherman, I would buy from the ladies in the store and go on about my business.
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 11/11/2016 at 4:59 AM, UFpwrLifter said:New to boating. Now that Glenn springs and herb parsons stores are closed, how do you buy permits to fish the lake legally? When I was a bank fisherman, I would buy from the ladies in the store and go on about my business.
You write your name on a slip of paper and deposit it and $5 into a box. Boat rentals are closed, I think. It's all honor system!
UFpwrLifter reply :
On 11/11/2016 at 11:18 PM, Mr. Ranger said:You write your name on a slip of paper and deposit it and $5 into a box. Boat rentals are closed, I think. It's all honor system!
Thanks Mr. Ranger!
WDE reply :
Pulled in another PB. It's nice to start out so low .
Passerby snapped the pic, high school kid. "I didn't know there was bass in here!". He assumed 3lbs+, I'll agree with him. I really need to get scales.
Ghost shad crankbait still. I'm very lucky I was able to land him. He hit the back treble that so happened to be missing a barb. Didn't even feel like a fish, I thought I was reeling in another freshwater clam(I'm really beginning to hate those damned things). Hopped down into the mud and yanked him out.
WDE reply :
3 today. 1 decent. Going to be interesting next week when the temps drop into the 50s.
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 11/15/2016 at 7:34 AM, WDE said:3 today. 1 decent. Going to be interesting next week when the temps drop into the 50s.
Nice fish. Is that in Collierville at Halle?
WDE reply :
On 11/16/2016 at 4:01 AM, Mr. Ranger said:Nice fish. Is that in Collierville at Halle?
Johnson. Been meaning to check out Halle, is it public?
roadwarrior reply :
Yes, Halle is a city park. There are some monsters in this lake, but it is VERY hard to fish.
WDE reply :
On 11/16/2016 at 9:47 PM, roadwarrior said:Yes, Halle is a city park. There are some monsters in this lake, but it is VERY hard to fish.
Would you mind elaborating on what makes it so difficult? Finnicky fish, poor bank angles, etc?
roadwarrior reply :
Halle was originally a quarry. When it was acquired by Collierville they filled in the outer rim so the shoreline did not drop off 50' or so. Still, the middle of the lake is VERY deep. You will notice fish breaking out in the middle where the shad swim in a big circle around the center. Most of the bass that we catch are visiting shallow water on occasion, but do not live there,
WDE reply :
Apparently Johnson has crappie. At least that's what I assume this is, I've never caught one before. Feisty little bugger though.
wdp reply :
On 11/17/2016 at 2:03 AM, roadwarrior said:You will notice fish breaking out in the middle where the shad swim in a big circle around the center. Most of the bass that we catch are visiting shallow water on occasion, but do not live there,
Yep. I fished there Sunday evening. Saw lots of big bass busting in the middle on pods of shad. Occasionally one would bust closer to shore, but they were still hard to catch. Tried a popper, fluke & baby 1 minus with no luck. Finally got one on a red eye shad. Only bout a pound. Immediately hooked up again in same spot & it got off. Only 2 bites I had.
Mr. Ranger reply :
Has anyone ever fished at Mike Rose Soccer Complex?
I just called, its open to fish and there are bass in there.
WDE reply :
On 11/22/2016 at 12:05 AM, Mr. Ranger said:Has anyone ever fished at Mike Rose Soccer Complex?
I just called, its open to fish and there are bass in there.
Where is that located?
WDE reply :
So when you guys are referencing "Halle" are you talking about the lake behind Collierville Town Hall? Or Lake Page that's in the Halle Plantation neighborhood?
roadwarrior reply :
Town hall/ Library. The round pond.
wdp reply :
On 11/22/2016 at 12:05 AM, Mr. Ranger said:Has anyone ever fished at Mike Rose Soccer Complex?
I just called, its open to fish and there are bass in there.
I've thought about trying it. Went by there one day, but a soccer tourney was going on & they were charging for parking. Plus, the entrance on Shelby Dr close to the pond was blocked off as an exit only for people leaving the tourney. So didn't end up fishing it. So I went to Halle Park instead.
Good to know it's got bass. Thanks for info.
On 11/25/2016 at 8:46 AM, WDE said:Where is that located?
It's on Forest Hill Irene close to 385. Huge soccer field complex.
WDE reply :
On 12/2/2016 at 4:48 AM, roadwarrior said:Town hall/ Library. The round pond.
Gotcha. I have been there before, and I did struggle with it.
Have you(or anyone else reading) tried lake Page?
WDE reply :
Bite's gone cold at Johnson front ponds, skunked toady and a dink earlier in the week. I think the rain we got probably helped the bass spread out, now that they can move between the ponds via the drainage pipes.
I guess it's time to check out other spots and play around with new presentations. And I was having so much fun with the ghost shad lipless crankbait.
WDE reply :
I drove by Lake Page in Halle Plantation today after work. It looks nice, however there was a sign that said that it's "reserved for residents and guests of Halle Plantation". I didn't feel like getting run off, if anyone would even bother. So I went to Grove for the first time in quite a while. Bite's slow there too. Played around with a jig for a bit(I've never really used one), then tied on the lipless crankbait and pulled this small one in.
While still small, it's the biggest I've ever pulled out of there.
Mr. Ranger reply :
Caught a decent little guy (1 lb? 1 1/4 lb?) on a green senko at Mike Rose. Went back again, missed two bites early and then not a single bite after. Seems like a nice little pond.
wdp reply :
On 12/8/2016 at 12:17 AM, Mr. Ranger said:Caught a decent little guy (1 lb? 1 1/4 lb?) on a green senko at Mike Rose. Went back again, missed two bites early and then not a single bite after. Seems like a nice little pond.
I'll have to give it a try. Too cold right now tho. ?
WDE reply :
Back at Grove today for a little bit.
roadwarrior reply :
Nice fish!
WDE reply :
Not the big fish I wanted, but I landed my first carp(ever) on a lipless crank at Grove.
roadwarrior reply :
It's a buffalo fish.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigmouth_buffalo
JakebeCastin reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 7:26 AM, WDE said:Back at Grove today for a little bit.
Nice! I've been itching to go since I'm finally down with the semester hopefully this Thursday would be a great day. Haven't checked the weather.
WDE reply :
On 12/14/2016 at 12:07 PM, JakebeCastin said:Nice! I've been itching to go since I'm finally down with the semester hopefully this Thursday would be a great day. Haven't checked the weather.
Looks like it'll be sunny, high in the mid 30s. I'll probably be back out at the Grove tomorrow afternoon. If you see me, come say "hi".
JakebeCastin reply :
On 12/15/2016 at 12:40 AM, WDE said:Looks like it'll be sunny, high in the mid 30s. I'll probably be back out at the Grove tomorrow afternoon. If you see me, come say "hi".
Sounds good, I'll probably be out there the same time. Great will do, if you see a short 5'3 asian guy thats me haha.
Hop to catch some decent ones it will be my first time fishing the grove.
WDE reply :
On 12/15/2016 at 8:05 AM, JakebeCastin said:Sounds good, I'll probably be out there the same time. Great will do, if you see a short 5'3 asian guy thats me haha.
Hop to catch some decent ones it will be my first time fishing the grove.
It's a fairly deep pond from what I can tell(relatively speaking). But fish have been active, mostly ~30-40 yards out. I got discouraged there back in late Summer, early Fall and didn't go back until last week.
WDE reply :
On 12/15/2016 at 8:05 AM, JakebeCastin said:Sounds good, I'll probably be out there the same time. Great will do, if you see a short 5'3 asian guy thats me haha.
Hop to catch some decent ones it will be my first time fishing the grove.
Didn't see you, but did you have any luck(if you went)?
I was out there from about 4:20-5:30. Line guides were freezing up, spinnerbait skirt froze, got a couple bites.
I'm not totally sure if bank fishing in 30 degree weather is advantageous for Grove. For me anyway. Fish were still busting, but way out toward the middle. All I can ever think when I'm out there is, "it sure would be nice to take a boat right out to the middle and anchor".
High is 50 degrees tomorrow, so I'll be back at it around 3. Maybe there, maybe Johnson.
JakebeCastin reply :
On 12/16/2016 at 8:40 AM, WDE said:Didn't see you, but did you have any luck(if you went)?
I was out there from about 4:20-5:30. Line guides were freezing up, spinnerbait skirt froze, got a couple bites.
I'm not totally sure if bank fishing in 30 degree weather is advantageous for Grove. For me anyway. Fish were still busting, but way out toward the middle. All I can ever think when I'm out there is, "it sure would be nice to take a boat right out to the middle and anchor".
High is 50 degrees tomorrow, so I'll be back at it around 3. Maybe there, maybe Johnson.
Let's seee I wasn't sure if I was at the correct spot haha. I went behind Houston High school, and then went to look for the grove park and drove behind Houston middle. I had no bites at all, I was fishing a heavy finessse jig with a crawl trailer. If I'm freee tomorrow morning I might try it again before work. Can I get directions to the grove? I probably was at the right spot but wasn't to sure.
WDE reply :
On 12/16/2016 at 11:32 AM, JakebeCastin said:Let's seee I wasn't sure if I was at the correct spot haha. I went behind Houston High school, and then went to look for the grove park and drove behind Houston middle. I had no bites at all, I was fishing a heavy finessse jig with a crawl trailer. If I'm freee tomorrow morning I might try it again before work. Can I get directions to the grove? I probably was at the right spot but wasn't to sure.
Grove is the pond on far left of this pic, right on Johnson, first left and left into the parking. (Coming from Collierville). You were probably in the right spot.
I noticed today on the north end that they've either created a retention pond or perhaps they've allowed access to a small off-shoot creek from the Wolf River. I'm going to go stomping around down there soon. Late summer there were crews out there working on an overflow pipe, I should've taken pics today...but cold...I'll try to get them tomorrow.
JakebeCastin reply :
On 12/16/2016 at 12:44 PM, WDE said:Grove is the pond on far left of this pic, right on Johnson, first left and left into the parking. (Coming from Collierville). You were probably in the right spot.
I noticed today on the north end that they've either created a retention pond or perhaps they've allowed access to a small off-shoot creek from the Wolf River. I'm going to go stomping around down there soon. Late summer there were crews out there working on an overflow pipe, I should've taken pics today...but cold...I'll try to get them tomorrow.
Oh ok. Yup I was at the wrong spot. I literally turned into Houston high school and spotted a little pond back there and fished there for about 30 mins. But I will have to try it again tomorrow probably 11ish. Thanks for the screen shot.
Skeeter Dan reply :
You better take your rain gear.
Mr. Ranger reply :
Merry Christmas! I hope all of you get the rods/reels/tackle/Bass Pro gift cards that you all asked for.
wdp reply :
Went to Halle Park yesterday & actually did pretty well. Caught 10 total in a couple of hours. Nothing big, but the biggest was about 2 lbs.
WDE reply :
On 12/28/2016 at 8:13 AM, wdp said:Went to Halle Park yesterday & actually did pretty well. Caught 10 total in a couple of hours. Nothing big, but the biggest was about 2 lbs.
What were you throwing?
I'm hoping to get out tomorrow after work, but I just saw that rain has moved into the forecast.
I noticed a pond yesterday behind Covenant Church on Houston Levee. Might have to go check that one out soon.
wdp reply :
On 12/28/2016 at 9:01 AM, WDE said:
What were you throwing?
I'm hoping to get out tomorrow after work, but I just saw that rain has moved into the forecast.
I noticed a pond yesterday behind Covenant Church on Houston Levee. Might have to go check that one out soon.
I did most the damage with a little finesse swimbait - a 3.5" keitech easy shiner on a 1/8 oz round jig head. I'd just throw it out and swim it back to the bank with a slow & steady retrieve. Seemed to be what they wanted. Most bites were coming within bout 10 yards of the bank.
I did catch 2 on a Strike king Redeye shad.
wdp reply :
Hey @WDE, I might try to head back out to Halle Park on Friday if you're in the neighborhood. Weather is supposed to be nicer, like 50 & sunny. I figure if the fishing stinks there might head to a few other spots in the area. Lemme know if you wanna meet up.
WDE reply :
On 12/28/2016 at 2:55 PM, wdp said:Hey @WDE, I might try to head back out to Halle Park on Friday if you're in the neighborhood. Weather is supposed to be nicer, like 50 & sunny. I figure if the fishing stinks there might head to a few other spots in the area. Lemme know if you wanna meet up.
I gotta close that day and Saturday, so no fishing for me either of those days. But we could try to figure something out in he future.
wdp reply :
On 12/29/2016 at 1:28 AM, WDE said:
I gotta close that day and Saturday, so no fishing for me either of those days. But we could try to figure something out in he future.
I hear ya. If I make it to the lake on Friday, I'll post another report.
We'll catch up one of these days.
Skeeter Dan reply :
Happy New years every one
WDE reply :
What's the deal with Johnson front pond lately? Past two times I've tried to go, there's been 7 or 8 people fishing it. Usually I have the whole area to myself.
wdp reply :
On 1/1/2017 at 9:40 AM, WDE said:What's the deal with Johnson front pond lately? Past two times I've tried to go, there's been 7 or 8 people fishing it. Usually I have the whole area to myself.
No idea. I haven't fished at Johnson in quite a while.
Btw, you didn't miss much at Halle Park yesterday. Caught 2 dinks from 2 - 5 pm. ?
On 1/1/2017 at 9:37 AM, Skeeter Dan said:Happy New years every one
Happy New Year!
WDE reply :
On 1/1/2017 at 10:26 AM, wdp said:No idea. I haven't fished at Johnson in quite a while.
Btw, you didn't miss much at Halle Park yesterday. Caught 2 dinks from 2 - 5 pm. ?
Happy New Year!
I got out to Grove for a little while on the 29th. All I managed was a crappie. And no, I wasn't handling the fish like this, just a frame grab from the GoPro when he thrashed out from my other hand.
Interesting hook set, however.
jcbendall reply :
On 1/1/2017 at 9:40 AM, WDE said:What's the deal with Johnson front pond lately? Past two times I've tried to go, there's been 7 or 8 people fishing it. Usually I have the whole area to myself.
stocked with Lake Trout this winter, also at Cameron Brown
https://www.tn.gov/assets/entities/twra/fish/attachments/wintertrout.pdf
WDE reply :
On 1/2/2017 at 12:12 PM, jcbendall said:
stocked with Lake Trout this winter, also at Cameron Brown
https://www.tn.gov/assets/entities/twra/fish/attachments/wintertrout.pdf
Yep, I just saw the signs this afternoon. They were busting and jumping out of the water like crazy. The front ponds are way up right now too.
WDE reply :
If I ever needed a sign to take a break from Grove again, I think this would be it. Oh, and losing two lures to hidden discarded Christmas tr--err structure. 
Angry John reply :
The weather sucked today for obvious reasons so i ran over to the bass pro on 40 and sycamore view. Found lucky craft square bill cranks for 6.99. I got two but this is half price and they have some good colors left. Checked and the SK KVD's i normally get are the same price.
roadwarrior reply :
Great post!
WDE reply :
I guess I'm just going to have to look into a trout fishing rig and elbow my way into Johnson now. I can't begin to tell you how frustrated I've been, wanting to just hit a quick stop after work only to see a gang of people out there. A pond that I've had moderate success in, but I also appreciate my solitude--so I'm stuck playing around in Halle(which I truly cannot stand) or Grove until people get bored with Johnson. I did notice a day or two ago that there's a pond in the back by the boardwalk shielded by trees(not the one with the fountains), if the weather is okay tomorrow I'll have to check it out.
And I know it's really not my place to gripe about a public pond and people wanting to take advantage of the recent stocking of it. Just venting because I haven't had much luck lately and with this schizophrenic weather--I'm just aggravated.
MFBAB reply :
You can fish the other 2 ponds behind the trout pond, and the one with the fountains is full of fish too
If you want to catch some trout, just take an ultralight and toss Rooster Tails or little Cleos, anything like that worked slowly close to the bottom should produce. 4 lb. test helps to keep them down.
If you've heard of Trout Magnets, they should be illegal. 1/64 Oz. jig w a tiny grub, 2 lb. test, reel it as slowly as you can stand-1-2 seconds per turn, and shake the rod tip sort of like when you test a rods action at a store
If you can imagine a stocker trout or a little bream trying to take the rod out of your hand, that's sort of what it feels like when they hit it!
WDE reply :
On 1/11/2017 at 10:10 AM, MFBAB said:You can fish the other 2 ponds behind the trout pond, and the one with the fountains is full of fish too
If you want to catch some trout, just take an ultralight and toss Rooster Tails or little Cleos, anything like that worked slowly close to the bottom should produce. 4 lb. test helps to keep them down.
If you've heard of Trout Magnets, they should be illegal. 1/64 Oz. jig w a tiny grub, 2 lb. test, reel it as slowly as you can stand-1-2 seconds per turn, and shake the rod tip sort of like when you test a rods action at a store
If you can imagine a stocker trout or a little bream trying to take the rod out of your hand, that's sort of what it feels like when they hit it!
Yeah yeah, I'm just being bitter. I've tossed around in the furthest pond nearest the baseball field a couple times and yielded no bites. Bite also fell off at the middle pond. I had the one closest to the road dialed in, which is why I'm grumpy. I've got an old ultra light around here somewhere, but I'll wait to get my trout sticker or endorsement(I haven't even looked into it) when I renew my license next month.
My luck at the pond with the fountains has really fallen off since my first few visits back in the late Summer. Haven't had many bites and no landed fish since.
Have you checked out the pond by the boardwalk back in the trees(behind the fountain pond)?
MFBAB reply :
No, never tried that one.
There is another one in the woods beyond the ball fields also, I haven't fished it either but there have been some reports on it within this thread that sounded positive.
This is the time of year to fish those wooded ponds, the snakes and bugs are dormant! The ones behind Nashoba and along Humphreys, etc.
wdp reply :
On 1/11/2017 at 11:21 AM, WDE said:Have you checked out the pond by the boardwalk back in the trees(behind the fountain pond)?
I tried that pond once the year before last. It's super shallow. Biggest thing is it's really hard to fish. There really isn't any good bank access.
There is another lake out there that's located past the 3 ponds up front near the baseball fields where you've been mostly fishing. If you walk all the way down the walking track past those ponds thru a clearing in the woods, you'll run into that lake. That's where I've had the most luck at Johnson.
WDE reply :
On 1/11/2017 at 8:58 PM, wdp said:I tried that pond once the year before last. It's super shallow. Biggest thing is it's really hard to fish. There really isn't any good bank access.
There is another lake out there that's located past the 3 ponds up front near the baseball fields where you've been mostly fishing. If you walk all the way down the walking track past those ponds thru a clearing in the woods, you'll run into that lake. That's where I've had the most luck at Johnson.
I always thought the river was back there. Never made my way back there. But I'm reminded of an encounter that I had with an older man that I would see on a semi regular basis. We always make small chat, what are they biting, how's it going sort of talk when we see each other. One day after our little chat, he let me be at the front pond and went back in he woods. About an hour later he came back out and had blood covering his forehead and neck and hewas soaking wet. Apparently he stepped out onto a log back there and smacked his head a couple times on the log or underwater. He had a nice gash on the crown of his head, so I asked him a few questions to make sure he wasn't concussed. He seemed fine, but that was the last time I saw him.
wdp reply :
On 1/12/2017 at 3:39 AM, WDE said:
I always thought the river was back there. Never made my way back there. But I'm reminded of an encounter that I had with an older man that I would see on a semi regular basis. We always make small chat, what are they biting, how's it going sort of talk when we see each other. One day after our little chat, he let me be at the front pond and went back in he woods. About an hour later he came back out and had blood covering his forehead and neck and hewas soaking wet. Apparently he stepped out onto a log back there and smacked his head a couple times on the log or underwater. He had a nice gash on the crown of his head, so I asked him a few questions to make sure he wasn't concussed. He seemed fine, but that was the last time I saw him.
Dang. Yeah, that lake has a lot of timber in it in 2 different areas. 1st area you come to walking up to the lake is a shallow cove that has a bunch of logs in it. That area obviously gets hammered by fishermen. Lots of corks & line broken off in the cover.
If you walk walk down to the left along the bank, there is another big area of stumps & laydowns. I've caught a few there with shallow cranks, wakebaits, flukes and buzzfrogs.
I've never fished going along the right side of the bank. And the bank on far side of lake is steep with limited access.
You kinda gotta be careful walking the bank tho. Some areas are a bit dicey & steep. Plus, there's also a roped off area along the trail where there is a major erosion issue where it drops off very steep into a big culvert/ditch.
WDE reply :
On 1/13/2017 at 11:16 AM, wdp said:Dang. Yeah, that lake has a lot of timber in it in 2 different areas. 1st area you come to walking up to the lake is a shallow cove that has a bunch of logs in it. That area obviously gets hammered by fishermen. Lots of corks & line broken off in the cover.
If you walk walk down to the left along the bank, there is another big area of stumps & laydowns. I've caught a few there with shallow cranks, wakebaits, flukes and buzzfrogs.
I've never fished going along the right side of the bank. And the bank on far side of lake is steep with limited access.
You kinda gotta be careful walking the bank tho. Some areas are a bit dicey & steep. Plus, there's also a roped off area along the trail where there is a major erosion issue where it drops off very steep into a big culvert/ditch.
Yeah, I actually walked down there Wednesday and around the right side about half way for a few minutes. No bites(lipless crank and spinnerbait), but I wasn't fishing it hard. Just getting a feel. Definitely some sketchy bank angles and terrain. Has some promise, hoping for a sunny day without so much wind soon so I can go back and beat the left side of the bank.
WDE reply :
Finally got rid of the skunk and out of my slump. Had to drive to Wolfchase Academy to get the lures I like because Collierville Academy was resetting their crankbait aisle. So I drove down Wolf River to Humphrey(across from the hospital) and saw that there's no fishing in there.
Backtracked to here:
Fished the pond on the left for a few minutes, then cut through the woods and hit that small pond on the bottom right. Was slow going for a while, then I pulled in a bass(1.45lbs) on shad color spinnerbait.
Then the fun started. I made a couple more casts and headed out to the bigger pond on the left, right where the skinny part widens into the bigger part of the lake. I initially wasn't going to bother with it, but saw some boils and started casting. In about 5 minutes a school of shad moved in and the bass started going crazy. Bagged 3 more decent sized bass(none smaller than the first) in about 10 minutes(or until the school dissipated) on almost back to back to back casts.
The largest weighed in at 3.5lbs and was the most fun to catch. Saw him blow up on the shad a couple times and tossed my lure out past him and he nailed it right when it entered his zone.
wdp reply :
On 1/17/2017 at 7:36 AM, WDE said:Finally got rid of the skunk and out of my slump. Had to drive to Wolfchase Academy to get the lures I like because Collierville Academy was resetting their crankbait aisle. So I drove down Wolf River to Humphrey(across from the hospital) and saw that there's no fishing in there.
Backtracked to here:
Fished the pond on the left for a few minutes, then cut through the woods and hit that small pond on the bottom right. Was slow going for a while, then I pulled in a bass(1.45lbs) on shad color spinnerbait.
Then the fun started. I made a couple more casts and headed out to the bigger pond on the left, right where the skinny part widens into the bigger part of the lake. I initially wasn't going to bother with it, but saw some boils and started casting. In about 5 minutes a school of shad moved in and the bass started going crazy. Bagged 3 more decent sized bass(none smaller than the first) in about 10 minutes(or until the school dissipated) on almost back to back to back casts.
The largest weighed in at 3.5lbs and was the most fun to catch. Saw him blow up on the shad a couple times and tossed my lure out past him and he nailed it right when it entered his zone.
Very nice. Sounds like a very productive day especially for winter time.
Don't think I'm familiar with those ponds. I'll have to check them on google maps.
WDE reply :
On 1/17/2017 at 7:55 AM, wdp said:Very nice. Sounds like a very productive day especially for winter time.
Don't think I'm familiar with those ponds. I'll have to check them on google maps.
It's part of the Wolf River Greenway. Right by the corner where Wolf River Blvd meets Germantown Rd. There's some shared parking with a medical complex, and a paved path down to the pond. During warmer months there's usually a smattering of people out there fishing for bluegill.
wdp reply :
On 1/17/2017 at 8:10 AM, WDE said:
It's part of the Wolf River Greenway. Right by the corner where Wolf River Blvd meets Germantown Rd. There's some shared parking with a medical complex, and a paved path down to the pond. During warmer months there's usually a smattering of people out there fishing for bluegill.
Cool. Thx for info. We def need to meet up one of these days.
WDE reply :
On 1/17/2017 at 9:20 AM, wdp said:Cool. Thx for info. We def need to meet up one of these days.
I'm usually free nearly every Monday(all day). Then work schedule varies Tues-Sat.
wdp reply :
On 1/17/2017 at 9:23 AM, WDE said:
I'm usually free nearly every Monday(all day). Then work schedule varies Tues-Sat.
I'm usually busy all week with work. Weekends are typically my free time to fish. At least until summer when it's daylight until 8 pm or so. That time of yr usually affords me a few hrs fishing in my neighborhood when I get home.
But we'll work something out one of these days. You ever get weekends free?
WDE reply :
On 1/17/2017 at 9:36 AM, wdp said:I'm usually busy all week with work. Weekends are typically my free time to fish. At least until summer when it's daylight until 8 pm or so. That time of yr usually affords me a few hrs fishing in my neighborhood when I get home.
But we'll work something out one of these days. You ever get weekends free?
I'm free every Sunday, but I use that day to spend with my wife, and stuff around the house. Earliest I get off work during the week is 3pm, so until Spring I'm racing the sunset.
rebranger reply :
Ya'll holler at me sometime. I fish just about everyday some where around here. Plenty of "virgin" places to fish.
wdp reply :
On 1/18/2017 at 2:20 AM, rebranger said:Ya'll holler at me sometime. I fish just about everyday some where around here. Plenty of "virgin" places to fish.
Nice one! I'm game when you are....... unless it's too cold. I'm ready for spring.
On 1/17/2017 at 9:56 AM, WDE said:
I'm free every Sunday, but I use that day to spend with my wife, and stuff around the house. Earliest I get off work during the week is 3pm, so until Spring I'm racing the sunset.
We might work out some Saturday then, if you can get off at 3. Won't be long til the days start getting longer.
WDE reply :
On 1/20/2017 at 12:16 PM, wdp said:Nice one! I'm game when you are....... unless it's too cold. I'm ready for spring.
We might work out some Saturday then, if you can get off at 3. Won't be long til the days start getting longer.
Sending you a PM.
Seals reply :
New guy here, been lurking for a while. I primarily fish at Halle, WC Johnson, or the Grove, as well as some very small ponds out in the county. Here's a couple of my better fish in the last year.
Skeeter Dan reply :
Nice fish
WDE reply :
Had another pretty productive Monday. Started down at the Germantown ponds. Landed 5 total on the day, though my first 2 hookups jumped off...thought that was going to be a bad sign. After I landed 3 there, I got out of dodge to get back closer to home before rush hour. Stopped by Johnson (fountains) for a few minutes and landed 2 more. Largest fish was 4lb at Johnson(middle), 2nd largest was 2lb in Germantown(bottom right).
WDE reply :
On 1/21/2017 at 10:26 AM, Seals said:New guy here, been lurking for a while. I primarily fish at Halle, WC Johnson, or the Grove, as well as some very small ponds out in the county. Here's a couple of my better fish in the last year.
That one on the bottom looks like he's been caught a time or two.
wdp reply :
On 1/24/2017 at 8:24 AM, WDE said:Had another pretty productive Monday. Started down at the Germantown ponds. Landed 5 total on the day, though my first 2 hookups jumped off...thought that was going to be a bad sign. After I landed 3 there, I got out of dodge to get back closer to home before rush hour. Stopped by Johnson (fountains) for a few minutes and landed 2 more. Largest fish was 4lb at Johnson(middle), 2nd largest was 2lb in Germantown(bottom right).
Dang! You caught that big one in the middle pic at Johnson in the pond with the fountains? I only caught a couple dinks outta there the 2 times I went. Figured it didn't have any decent ones.
WDE reply :
On 1/24/2017 at 10:10 AM, wdp said:Dang! You caught that big one in the middle pic at Johnson in the pond with the fountains? I only caught a couple dinks outta there the 2 times I went. Figured it didn't have any decent ones.
Indeed, I haven't pulled anything out of there literally in months. I was asking myself, "why am I even bothering with this pond anymore?". But I wanted to get a few more casts in before dark; but that one fish is going to keep me coming back in hopes that there's something bigger in there. Definitely a chunky fish.
Here's some different shots that I posted in the 'latest catch' thread:
wdp reply :
On 1/24/2017 at 10:44 AM, WDE said:
Indeed, I haven't pulled anything out of there literally in months. I was asking myself, "why am I even bothering with this pond anymore?". But I wanted to get a few more casts in before dark; but that one fish is going to keep me coming back in hopes that there's something bigger in there. Definitely a chunky fish.
Here's some different shots that I posted in the 'latest catch' thread:
Yeah, maybe I should give it another try.
GHOSTRIDER71 reply :
Hello avid Bass Fishermen. Where is the Daycare Pond located? I transferred to Memphis last year with my company. Any help would be appreciated. Also where is Grove Park? I have fished the Humphries BLVD. ponds and will probably go back this weekend, throwing a Berkeley Power Worm and Rattle Trap, silver with black back. I did pretty good on the trap at Shelby Farms last weekend. Thanks!!!!
Where is Johnson Fountains Pond? Address or directions?
WDE reply :
On 1/28/2017 at 12:11 AM, GHOSTRIDER71 said:Hello avid Bass Fishermen. Where is the Daycare Pond located? I transferred to Memphis last year with my company. Any help would be appreciated. Also where is Grove Park? I have fished the Humphries BLVD. ponds and will probably go back this weekend, throwing a Berkeley Power Worm and Rattle Trap, silver with black back. I did pretty good on the trap at Shelby Farms last weekend. Thanks!!!!
Where is Johnson Fountains Pond? Address or directions?
Grove Park*. Head down Wolf River(what Humphreys becomes) toward Collierville from Germantown, take a left on Johnson:
For Johnson Park, keep heading down Wolf River for a few miles until it meets Byhalia. Then turn left into the park. It's a large sports/park complex. There are 3 small ponds* visible from the road in the front. All have pipes that allow the fish to move from one to the next. One tucked back in the woods down the paved walking/cycling path beyond those. If you keep driving down the road past those and the baseball fields, you'll see the fountain pond on the left. There's another pond visible through the woods beyond the fountain pond, though I've never fished it. @wdphas poked around there.
*Grove park is seemingly "deep". And I have noticed that during these colder months, that the bite has gone pretty cold as well(for me). I did pull a decent bass out of there in mid-December, but I haven't gotten hooked up since--other than a crappie and a buffalo fish--on bass lures. You'll see boils about 50 yards out, but they don't like the baits I've been throwing.
**The pond closest to the road at Johnson was recently stocked with trout, so there's always people there lately. I was told they also lowered a grate that cuts that pond off from the connecting bigger pond. Apparently, from what I was told by someone else(not here) is that they stock it and let all the trout fisherman take them all out and then raise the grate back up.
WDE reply :
And if anyone wants to ever meet up, I am free every Monday, all day.
Seals reply :
On 1/24/2017 at 8:54 AM, WDE said:That one on the bottom looks like he's been caught a time or two.
I thought the same, which is kind of strange because no one has fished this pond besides me in ages, and he was the first one over 4lbs I've pulled out of there.
Angry John reply :
So i have been searching for a decent shop to have a guide repaired at and found a place called gator browns bait and tackle on Summer. I plan on stopping by soon to see the shop and feel it out. Anyone ever been here or have had a repair done there???
wdp reply :
On 2/2/2017 at 11:55 AM, Angry John said:So i have been searching for a decent shop to have a guide repaired at and found a place called gator browns bait and tackle on Summer. I plan on stopping by soon to see the shop and feel it out. Anyone ever been here or have had a repair done there???
I've been there 5 or 6 times now. They have a decent selection of used cranks, spinnerbaits, etc. at a decent price. Few nice new baits, some made by guys in the area & surrounding states like Arkansas.
Thought about getting a reel cleaned & worked on there. But then one day I saw the guy spraying the heck outta a reel with WD40. And I thought, nah, better take my reel elsewhere. But, I will say the guy must be pretty cool cause he's a Mississippi State fan, lol. Even if he doesn't clean a reel with the right stuff.
Dont know anything about how they might repair a rod, sorry.
Angry John reply :
Any place in the area you would recommend for a rod repair???
wdp reply :
On 2/2/2017 at 12:52 PM, Angry John said:Any place in the area you would recommend for a rod repair???
Nah, remember we had this discussion in the other thread you started. I haven't found anybody local that will work on a rod and/or reel & would do a professional type job. I'd prefer somebody that really knows what they're doing work on em.
coloradofire reply :
On 2/3/2017 at 2:29 AM, wdp said:Nah, remember we had this discussion in the other thread you started. I haven't found anybody local that will work on a rod and/or reel & would do a professional type job. I'd prefer somebody that really knows what they're doing work on em.
I've repaired a few rods in the past of my own. It's pretty easy just take your time lining up your guides and doing the wrap. Just gotta make sure you use the right type of thread with the right diameter. And as far as sealing it slow curing 2pt epoxy works good just put it on with a small soft brush while slowly rotating the rod. also a Rod jig for doing your thread rotating on is actually pretty easy to build you can even build one out of cardboard. just be careful when taking off the old guide. you have to use a lighter to brittle the thread sealer so you can cut the threads off of the blank. Too much heat with the lighter and you can weaken your blank which will cause failure later.
Angry John reply :
I have most of the stuff to build rods and I do a lot of my own repairs. This is a dobyns champion rod that was broken during a military move so I have to have it repaired professionally and provide a receipt for the repair.
coloradofire reply :
Wouldn't hurt to go talk to Gator then.
Angry John reply :
So i went into the place, kind of empty in there. The staff was nice and was more than willing to talk shop. My daughter had to use the rest room and they accommodated. I talked about guide repair and they did not have the guides from my rod, which is not really out of the box so i said i could track down the right one. I asked to see some of the work they did and found it to be very unsatisfactory. The repair guy claimed that most people just bring in junker rods and dont care about the quality of the repair. If you were in a pinch and had to have a working rod i still dont think i would let them do it. If i need something i would go back as they were helpful and nice and i bought a bag of tungsten weights just because i went in. I am currently working on my work bench and if i cannot find anything in the area i will start practicing. Who knows others in the area might need a good repair guy.
wdp reply :
On 2/4/2017 at 8:09 AM, Angry John said:So i went into the place, kind of empty in there. The staff was nice and was more than willing to talk shop. My daughter had to use the rest room and they accommodated. I talked about guide repair and they did not have the guides from my rod, which is not really out of the box so i said i could track down the right one. I asked to see some of the work they did and found it to be very unsatisfactory. The repair guy claimed that most people just bring in junker rods and dont care about the quality of the repair. If you were in a pinch and had to have a working rod i still dont think i would let them do it. If i need something i would go back as they were helpful and nice and i bought a bag of tungsten weights just because i went in. I am currently working on my work bench and if i cannot find anything in the area i will start practicing. Who knows others in the area might need a good repair guy.
Yeah, bout my take on the place as well. They're nice guys, but it ain't a top notch bait & tackle store. I stop in from time to time when I'm over that way for work. I've picked up a few used & new cranks & couple packs of hand poured soft plastics.
Angry John reply :
If your around and want to fish i am new here and learning the lay of the land!!!
wdp reply :
On 2/4/2017 at 1:51 PM, Angry John said:If your around and want to fish i am new here and learning the lay of the land!!!
I'm in Southaven, but drive over to Germantown and Collierville occasionally to bank fish. We need to hook up with @WDE also. He fishes same areas a lot as well.
WDE reply :
On 2/5/2017 at 3:58 AM, wdp said:I'm in Southaven, but drive over to Germantown and Collierville occasionally to bank fish. We need to hook up with @WDE also. He fishes same areas a lot as well.
I torqued my lower back moving some furniture a couple weeks ago, so I haven't been out nearly as much lately. This swing in weather hasn't helped much either.
Angry John reply :
Let me know if you guys want to get out, I seem to do ok but i am sure there is a lot of local knoledge to gain. I have a yak so i can bring one other. You will get front seat and i do all the paddling as i need the exercise...
WDE reply :
On 2/5/2017 at 10:02 AM, Angry John said:Let me know if you guys want to get out, I seem to do ok but i am sure there is a lot of local knoledge to gain. I have a yak so i can bring one other. You will get front seat and i do all the paddling as i need the exercise...
None of the local spots I go to regularly allow boats. However, you could go up to Herb Parsons and put in. I believe it's currently their off-season, but I think there's money dropbox to use on your honor. I believe it's $5 or $6 a day. And they offer season passes as well.
Angry John reply :
Been there twice and did horrable. I do better at the golf course pond at orville
WDE reply :
On 2/5/2017 at 10:12 AM, Angry John said:Been there twice and did horrable. I do better at the golf course pond at orville
I went once shortly after getting back into fishing last September(after about a 15 year hiatus). Only fished the bank(s) and I didn't do so hot either. I'll go back in the Spring. I personally believe my fishing game has improved tremendously since September--as far as bank fishing is concerned.
WDE reply :
On 2/5/2017 at 8:00 AM, WDE said:
I torqued my lower back moving some furniture a couple weeks ago, so I haven't been out nearly as much lately. This swing in weather hasn't helped much either.
Might as well piggyback(pun?) this post, I did grab this lil guy earlier this week. I was impressed with his color, and apparent health.
WDE reply :
No pics worth sharing, but the bass were biting at Johnson front side. Had a couple trout fishermen out there at first and continued to fountains for a few and had no luck, so I went back up front and they were gone. Landed a couple in the first 15 minutes, less than a pound each. I'm just glad they're biting again.
Additionally, I hooked up on something big(I think). I was reeling in my crank and it just stopped, no budge. Figured I was hung up on something, so I started cranking down and the lure gave way and a large, long fish(18 inches at least)swam away. Not sure if it was a trout(there are some pretty big ones in here) or catfish feeling frisky and he spit it, or I spooked it after the lure loosened up. I could've sworn it started running with it though.
Mosquitos were baaaad, so break out the bug spray if you go before this weather dips again.
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 2/2/2017 at 12:52 PM, Angry John said:Any place in the area you would recommend for a rod repair???
If you go to the Bass Pro on Sycamore View, they have a lady named Jane who does rod and reel repair. Shes a guru, and is incredibly affordable. She's fixed a Shimano Curado for me, and while she was at it replaced the guides on my Denali rod.
The Bass Pro guys back in fishing have her card, but you can leave your gear at Bass Pro and Jane will come pick it up, repair it, and return it. Takes a little faith the first time, but she's never done me wrong! I highly recommend her, and so do the Bass Pro staff.
Angry John reply :
Cool man thanks, thats the store that is close to my house and i visit often!!!
wdp reply :
Yeah. +1, thanks for the info. But dang it. Wish I knew this yesterday. I was just at the Bass Pro during my lunch hour.
tha black bill dance reply :
Guess who's back? Thats right BBD, I applied pressure on yall all 2016 at the Grove and going into 2017 with my foot on yall neck!! And one more thing STOP COMING TO THE GROVE AND TAKIN 5 N 7 POUND FISH HOME. PUT IT BACK AND LET THE NEXT MAN HAVE A TRY AT EM.
Legends say you can't take BBD NO WHERE cause he'll get the biggest fish you got in there. Before you know it he got 1 fish 2 fish kmsl????
tha black bill dance reply :
Country boy City man!! My friends are nothing nice either!! Fact
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 2/9/2017 at 10:45 AM, wdp said:Yeah. +1, thanks for the info. But dang it. Wish I knew this yesterday. I was just at the Bass Pro during my lunch hour.
Darn, guess you'll have to go back! What a bummer... 2 Bass Pro trips in a week!
Skeeter Dan reply :
On 2/9/2017 at 6:08 AM, Mr. Ranger said:
If you go to the Bass Pro on Sycamore View, they have a lady named Jane who does rod and reel repair. Shes a guru, and is incredibly affordable. She's fixed a Shimano Curado for me, and while she was at it replaced the guides on my Denali rod.
The Bass Pro guys back in fishing have her card, but you can leave your gear at Bass Pro and Jane will come pick it up, repair it, and return it. Takes a little faith the first time, but she's never done me wrong! I highly recommend her, and so do the Bass Pro staff.
What's her prices on cleaning reels
wdp reply :
On 2/10/2017 at 2:09 AM, Mr. Ranger said:Darn, guess you'll have to go back! What a bummer... 2 Bass Pro trips in a week!
Well yeah. But the big fishing classic sale starting soon. May wait til then. Of course, the Pyramid is a much nicer store.
Seals reply :
Got my biggest bass yet last night on crankbait. 10.3lbs. Size 15 boot for comparison, only picture I got before my phone died.
Derekbfl reply :
Hey guys I've been on this forum for a while but just never registered but is it just me or has this trout fishing at Johnson Park gotten a little out of hand I just drove by there today and there was 9 trout fisherman spaced just far enough apart that no one trying to bass fish could actually fish gotta love these fair weather fisherman sorry just putting my 2 cents in on it
Angry John reply :
New TN pb of 4lb 7oz. My all time pb is 5lb even, from CT. Caught today on a spinnerbait.
wdp reply :
On 2/12/2017 at 10:53 AM, Angry John said:New TN pb of 4lb 7oz. My all time pb is 5lb even, from CT. Caught today on a spinnerbait.
Nice! I stayed close to home but went for a couple hrs this afternoon. Caught this 4 pounder on my 2nd cast.
WDE reply :
Hit 6 ponds in the area over the course of 4 hours(including drive time). Grabbed up 3. Chunkiest being around 3.5-4lbs at Fountains again!
Went to Shelby Farms to check out Patriot Lake. That pond is giant. I drove in the entrance and turned right around. I didn't want to break into a pond that large today.
I went to the pond far down the path in Johnson too. That pond would be killer if dialed in. Went around the left side this time, and fished around the line of trees on a "sand bar". I wanted to keep going around, but the quicksand kept me from going any further.
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 2/10/2017 at 5:01 AM, Skeeter Dan said:What's her prices on cleaning reels
You know, I'm not sure. She repaired a baitcaster of mine and only charged me $15. I think that is drastically underpriced.
Angry John reply :
Took the dive today and am upgrading the yak with a helix 7. Been fishing by sight forever and now i will have to run around and map these places. Hope i end up learning to use this thing... Now the wait as they are on back order at TW.
coloradofire reply :
Is anyone else besides Road Warrior going to the Bass Resource pickwick trip at the end of May?
Angry John reply :
I would if I knew I had a back seat on a boat!
roadwarrior reply :
On 2/16/2017 at 3:48 AM, Angry John said:I would if I knew I had a back seat on a boat!
We have NEVER left anyone on the bank.
wdp reply :
I'd love to go, but doubt I'll be able to make it with my schedule and limited vacation time.
coloradofire reply :
You could always come for the weekend or a day!
wwood reply :
Has anyone tried Neshoba park lately? I might hit it for a little while tomorrow afternoon
roadwarrior reply :
On 2/22/2017 at 3:19 AM, wwood said:Has anyone tried Neshoba park lately? I might hit it for a little while tomorrow afternoon
So how did you do?
BrushHog1906 reply :
Anyone getting out on the water this weekend??
I checked out Nashoba and Lowe's last weekend. Nothing much was happening. Thinking to test the waters some with senkos and lipless cranks!
Can't wait for Topwater!
Skeeter Dan reply :
RW and my self were on the water yesterday and will be on the water tomorrow morning as the sun start to rise.
UFpwrLifter reply :
On 2/26/2017 at 1:23 AM, Skeeter Dan said:RW and my self were on the water yesterday and will be on the water tomorrow morning as the sun start to rise.
Really hoped we'd get some of that recently nice weather in the 60s...
Angry John reply :
Yea tomorrow morning is going to be painful an i plan to dress like its going to be a blizzard. Mid 30's to start ouch.
Skeeter Dan reply :
On 2/26/2017 at 2:07 AM, UFpwrLifter said:
Really hoped we'd get some of that recently nice weather in the 60s...
You could never make could me believe it was in the 50's
On 2/26/2017 at 4:09 AM, Angry John said:Yea tomorrow morning is going to be painful an i plan to dress like its going to be a blizzard. Mid 30's to start ouch.
I'm glad you could make it.
Angry John reply :
29 was worse than I thought, I could not feel my hands until around 11. Had fun, but dam this is the south. Hope were done with the deep freeze starts!!!!
Skeeter Dan reply :
On 2/28/2017 at 12:02 AM, Angry John said:29 was worse than I thought, I could not feel my hands until around 11. Had fun, but dam this is the south. Hope were done with the deep freeze starts!!!!
Just think how your partner felt since he came from Florida.
Angry John reply :
He seemed to do better than this guy from San Diego!!! We were both very cool first thing, but he was using gloves so he was smarter than I was!
UFpwrLifter reply :
On 2/28/2017 at 10:24 PM, Angry John said:He seemed to do better than this guy from San Diego!!! We were both very cool first thing, but he was using gloves so he was smarter than I was!
Those gloves made a world of difference. Thanks for the beenie too! Keep your hands and ears warm and the rest of your body stays warm.
Can't wait for beech!!
roadwarrior reply :
It was nice meeting you all again. Best of luck at Beech!
Skeeter Dan reply :
There are also afternoon tournaments. Steve posted on FB BUT THE TWO DON'T SHARE POINTS
Easy3actual reply :
Hello fellow Memphis fishermen, just want to say thanks for all the great information that has been posted on here. It has shown me some cool new places to fish. So has anyone been having any luck out there, lately?
WDE reply :
On 3/12/2017 at 9:02 AM, Easy3actual said:Hello fellow Memphis fishermen, just want to say thanks for all the great information that has been posted on here. It has shown me some cool new places to fish. So has anyone been having any luck out there, lately?
In the times I've been able to get out lately(which has been slim--always seems to be raining when I get the chance), the bite has been pretty tough.
wdp reply :
On 3/13/2017 at 12:20 AM, WDE said:
In the times I've been able to get out lately(which has been slim--always seems to be raining when I get the chance), the bite has been pretty tough.
Yep. We've had some beautiful weather during the week when I'm stuck at work. Then every weekend when I can actually fish, the weather stinks. We got snow last night! ? I hate winter.
Angry John reply :
I am currently trying to motivate myself to go for an hour! It's frigid! !!
wdp reply :
On 3/13/2017 at 1:02 AM, Angry John said:I am currently trying to motivate myself to go for an hour! It's frigid! !!
Yeah. And Wed & Thursday were awesome. ?
Easy3actual reply :
Got to get out last Sunday. I was throwing a jig and did not getting a bite. Guy next to me got a 5 pounder on a senko. We talked for a minute. He told me he caught a 9 pounder at Blue Lagoon park in Bartlett, the weekend before.
neocrunch reply :
Greetings from the cold hard plains of central Indiana. My wife's parents live in Collierville so we bring the kids down there a few times a year + a special visit whenever my favorite band plays Memphis. I've been thinking about hauling my kayak down there the next time we visit. This thread has been very helpful locating spots to fish.
I'm hoping y'all might be able to give me some info on the Wolf River, too. I came across this video and now I'm dying to paddle it. How is the fishing on the "ghost" section (or any other section for that matter)?
Angry John reply :
On 3/13/2017 at 6:59 AM, neocrunch said:Greetings from the cold hard plains of central Indiana. My wife's parents live in Collierville so we bring the kids down there a few times a year + a special visit whenever my favorite band plays Memphis. I've been thinking about hauling my kayak down there the next time we visit. This thread has been very helpful locating spots to fish.
I'm hoping y'all might be able to give me some info on the Wolf River, too. I came across this video and now I'm dying to paddle it. How is the fishing on the "ghost" section (or any other section for that matter)?
The wolf river in the Memphis area sucks. I have been on it three times and never got a bite. The eastern part of the river is much nicer I hear and I am looking to try those sections this summer.
Skeeter Dan reply :
On 3/14/2017 at 12:35 AM, Angry John said:The wolf river in the Memphis area sucks. I have been on it three times and never got a bite. The eastern part of the river is much nicer I hear and I am looking to try those sections this summer.
But first things first This Sunday boats in the water by 0645 and Blast off at 0700 Beech lake Be there.
On 2/28/2017 at 10:46 PM, roadwarrior said:It was nice meeting you all again. Best of luck at Beech!
I hope your having fun at Toledo Bend with your Brother. 
roadwarrior reply :
Leaving for Texas in a couple of hours.
Woo-Hoo!
BrushHog1906 reply :
Any body getting on the water today?? I'm pond hopping all day ?
wdp reply :
On 3/19/2017 at 1:39 AM, BrushHog1906 said:Any body getting on the water today?? I'm pond hopping all day ?
I wish. Was gonna go, but now I'm doing chores around the house.
Angry John reply :
What a perfect day to be out. Spending the day getting ready for the tourney tomarrow and helping around the house.
wdp reply :
On 3/19/2017 at 6:48 AM, Angry John said:What a perfect day to be out. Spending the day getting ready for the tourney tomarrow and helping around the house.
You didn't miss anything. I managed to go to a local pond in Southaven for the last hr & half of daylight. Not a single nibble. Not even on a Ned Rig. ?
Good luck tomorrow.
Angry John reply :
I got smoked on tourney day. First time in the state to catch nothing. Partner had no keepers but got two. Saw one fiver did not hang out for weigh ins. Rough
wdp reply :
On 3/20/2017 at 6:46 AM, Angry John said:I got smoked on tourney day. First time in the state to catch nothing. Partner had no keepers but got two. Saw one fiver did not hang out for weigh ins. Rough
Beech, right? Never fished there, but I have an uncle that's fished it and Pinoak quite a few times. My understanding is those lakes can be tough nuts to crack. Plus, tough conditions this weekend after cold weather & a front moving thru on Friday.
coloradofire reply :
On 3/20/2017 at 6:46 AM, Angry John said:I got smoked on tourney day. First time in the state to catch nothing. Partner had no keepers but got two. Saw one fiver did not hang out for weigh ins. Rough
Man it was tough out there Skeeter Dan and I only got one fish outta 5 that was 14.5" and the rest were under 12.
Skeeter Dan reply :
On 3/20/2017 at 8:05 PM, coloradofire said:Man it was tough out there Skeeter Dan and I only got one fish outta 5 that was 14.5" and the rest were under 12.
We even used the Fish call but it didn't work !!!! John you and UFpowerlifter won a door prize but ya'll weren't there so it was given to some one else. The winner had a 17lbs +
Angry John reply :
We had to run home to our family's. We both stretch to make the events and run home to make sure the kido's are ready for school on Monday. Its worth all the pain with the wife to be out there though!!!
WDE reply :
Weather is nice today. Here's to next 3.5 hours of work flying by. Hoping they're biting today, March has been brutal to me with on and off weather and lack of landing much.
coloradofire reply :
Went to Neshoba the other day my buddy caught 5 bass 2 in the back pond through the trees on the back side and 2 on the main pond. I landed about a 13" Black Crappie on the back lake and got me a little square bill out of a tree that someone left in it.
WDE reply :
On 3/25/2017 at 1:31 AM, coloradofire said:Went to Neshoba the other day my buddy caught 5 bass 2 in the back pond through the trees on the back side and 2 on the main pond. I landed about a 13" Black Crappie on the back lake and got me a little square bill out of a tree that someone left in it.
Well, I'm glad someone's catching something. I haven't caught a fish in over 3 weeks(!) and it's driving me insane. Closest thing was a bass who tried to run with my jig, but the weed guard prevented the hookset.
It seems that everyone that I've seen lately has been fishing for crappie, and having pretty decent success at it.
wdp reply :
Caught my best so far this season at 5+ lbs. Wish I'd had my scales on me to weigh it. She had a fat belly.
Angry John reply :
Did you catch that today, i had a good bit today as well!!!
Add pic
wdp reply :
On 3/26/2017 at 12:38 PM, Angry John said:Did you catch that today, i had a good bit today as well!!!
Yeah. Stayed close to home & fished near my neighborhood since weather was looking sketchy. Didn't figure I would have much luck, but ended up with 3. Decent one on a Redeye, a little dink on Ned Rig & the big one on a wakebait.
Victor Kees III reply :
On my way to the civic center. Anyone been having any luck there recently?
roadwarrior reply :
Have not had a single bite on three outings there, but I can tell you there are some MONSTERS in that water!
Victor Kees III reply :
On 3/27/2017 at 10:43 PM, roadwarrior said:Have not had a single bite on three outings there, but I can tell you there are some MONSTERS in that water!
Yeah I've been hearing that haha. Me and a buddy went and i didnt catch anything and he caught ab a 2 pounder
WDE reply :
Caught 4 today. 3 small bass, 2 of which I was able to spy from the bank and enticed them with soft plastics. Got a fair sized crappie(1.67lbs, ~13 inches) too on a lipless crank.
WDE reply :
Keep your eyes down, everyone. Watched this little guy creep around at Johnson-fountains.
Victor Kees III reply :
Anyone been fishing the daycare pond recently and having luck? Im going to stop by there when i get off work in a few hours
WDE reply :
Nothing fancy or big, but the Grove gave me this little nicely marked/colored crappie today(hit on a crankbait).
WDE reply :
4.74lbs. Pulled from one of the ponds beyond the trees back by Chic Fil A Germantown.
wdp reply :
On 4/6/2017 at 7:15 AM, WDE said:4.74lbs. Pulled from one of the ponds beyond the trees back by Chic Fil A Germantown.
Nice!
coloradofire reply :
My buddy caught this one last saturday when we went to Horseshoe but haven't been pond hopping recently.
wdp reply :
@WDE and @Angry John Either of you yahoos gonna be around this weekend? I'm thinking about heading to Collierville area maybe Sunday afternoon.
Angry John reply :
Yea I'll be around. Had the best numbers day ever today. 28 landed and I left still catching because my son had a sleepover skeduled and I was already an hour late. Biggest went 3lb 5 oz with lots of pounders mixed in.
wdp reply :
On 4/8/2017 at 10:34 AM, Angry John said:Yea I'll be around. Had the best numbers day ever today. 28 landed and I left still catching because my son had a sleepover skeduled and I was already an hour late. Biggest went 3lb 5 oz with lots of pounders mixed in.
Sending you a pm.
WDE reply :
On 4/8/2017 at 6:22 AM, wdp said:@WDE and @Angry John Either of you yahoos gonna be around this weekend? I'm thinking about heading to Collierville area maybe Sunday afternoon.
I'll be around, but plans with wife Sunday. Sorry, bud.
wdp reply :
On 4/8/2017 at 10:47 PM, WDE said:
I'll be around, but plans with wife Sunday. Sorry, bud.
No worries.
Downunderbassin reply :
Hey guys, this is an awesome thread! Some great fish you should be really proud of. I'm an Aussie avid bass fisherman and fish all my local areas over here for our native Australian Bass. I'm heading over to Memphis in may for the BBQ comp as part of a team. I hope to get some fishing done when I'm in that great part of your country. Would any of you great fishos be keen on taking me out for a fish so I can try a tick some of your guys species off my bucket list. As you know local knowledge goes a long way and my time here is very short (1 week) so I don't have the time I usually would to sus out a good spot. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Cheers Bill
roadwarrior reply :
I will take you out.
PM sent.
-Kent a.k.a roadwarrior
Global Moderator
Downunderbassin reply :
Roadwarrior is an absolute legend! Thanks heaps mate that is what fishing is all about. Hopefully one day I can return the offer and I also extend that offer to any of you gents! Pay it forward and keep growing my favourite sport. Looks like I got to go for a quick shop when I get there and grab some lures. Always like to support the local businesses so where is the go too place in Memphis? What lures do your guys bass go for?
roadwarrior reply :
You don't need to buy anything. If you like some of my stuff we have the Crown Jewel of BPS
in downtown Memphis for things you can take home. For our outing I will have everything you
might need.
WDE reply :
Solid day at Johnson-fountains. The biggest was 4.5lbs. The rest were in the 2.5-3lb range.
Downunderbassin reply :
Thanks mate I will be definitely be buying some tackle over there, you guys get new lures and toys years ahead of us over here. Lol. Where I live we just had massive floods that have destroyed half of the town ( Lismore NSW) and as I'm a sparkie (electrician) I've been out for the last week and a bit getting power back on for folks for free. I can't wait to go fishing over there, what species can I expect to catch around Memphis? Large mouth bass? Crappie?
roadwarrior reply :
You could catch both, but we will be fishing for largemouth bass.
Downunderbassin reply :
Excited just doesn't do it justice!
coloradofire reply :
On 4/11/2017 at 6:11 PM, roadwarrior said:You could catch both, but we will be fishing for largemouth bass.
Man I wanna come fish with you guys. I got to fish with Dan at Beech as your temp. Man I wanted and tried to get him on a fish but they just wouldn't cooperate. Also at Pickwick your more than welcome to come fish with me for a day. My buddy Jeff said he wouldnt mind going out with someone else for a day too. To help us learn more of the lake.
roadwarrior reply :
I will take you up on both offers. When Downunderbassin comes to town we can all get together, EVERYONE is invited.
Pickwick, maybe next week? Can you fish during the week?
Skeeter Dan reply :
On 4/11/2017 at 10:18 PM, roadwarrior said:I will take you up on both offers. When Downunderbassin comes to town we can all get together, EVERYONE is invited.
Pickwick, maybe next week? Can you fish during the week?
Remember where you find them Partner. That will give us more to go by on the 23rd. 
On 4/11/2017 at 8:24 PM, coloradofire said:Man I wanna come fish with you guys. I got to fish with Dan at Beech as your temp. Man I wanted and tried to get him on a fish but they just wouldn't cooperate. Also at Pickwick your more than welcome to come fish with me for a day. My buddy Jeff said he wouldnt mind going out with someone else for a day too. To help us learn more of the lake.
Did you get your live well fixed ? What kind of tires do you have Da go what ?
wdp reply :
On 4/11/2017 at 8:08 AM, WDE said:Solid day at Johnson-fountains. The biggest was 4.5lbs. The rest were in the 2.5-3lb range.
Dang, you're catching some nice ones. I didn't even make it over to Cville on Sunday. My uncle backed out on me due to some family stuff.
Looks like I need to hit Johnson.
WDE reply :
On 4/12/2017 at 2:39 AM, wdp said:Dang, you're catching some nice ones. I didn't even make it over to Cville on Sunday. My uncle backed out on me due to some family stuff.
Looks like I need to hit Johnson.
It was the best day I've ever had there size and numbers wise. Caught all 3 in about an hour. Didn't get another bite over the course of the next 90 minutes.
coloradofire reply :
On 4/11/2017 at 10:18 PM, roadwarrior said:I will take you up on both offers. When Downunderbassin comes to town we can all get together, EVERYONE is invited.
Pickwick, maybe next week? Can you fish during the week?
I can fish some evenings but mostly on weekends. It all depends on if there are any honey do's around the house when I get home. As to Pickwick I was talking about the trip at the end of the month.
Downunderbassin reply :
Very generous roadwarrior! What's the weather like over there in may? Do you guys find it's a good time of year for bass? If it's like over here late arfternoon in summer is heaps of fun, we don't lose light until after 7:30pm and the surface action is awesome fun! Do you guys get many on surface? This is the first bass I got off the top with a Halco Night Walker in H52 Fluoro Green. Caught heaps since and it's probably my favourite way. They make a huge boof sound when they take it from the surface and then you know your alive ?
coloradofire reply :
Downunder dont you worry we will get you on some fish. May is a little muggy temp wise but its still a good time to fish.
Downunderbassin reply :
Coloradofire also very generously offered to help me get on the fish as well! You guys are awesome! Be great to meet everyone. I should be given some visitors passes for the Memphis in may BBQ comp and I would be more than happy to share them with any of you guys if you would like to attend. Such a great fishing community ??
WDE reply :
First bass I've pulled out of the Grove in a loooong time.
wdp reply :
Snuck out after dinner and hit a local pond before dark. Caught 4 including these 2 big ones. One was prob around 5 and the other had to be close to 7. It was really long. Everything hit an Academy popper really close to the banks. Not bad for about an hr of fishing.
Downunderbassin reply :
These fish pics are amazing and all you guys are just like oh yeh just caught a 5 and a 7 ?
Pretty impressive !!!!!!
Skeeter Dan reply :
What are you doing to the fish ? WDE and WDP Your not suppose to eat their tails before pictures are taken!!! YOUR SUPPOSE TO WAIT till later to eat them.
wdp reply :
On 4/17/2017 at 11:31 AM, Skeeter Dan said:What are you doing to the fish ? WDE and WDP Your not suppose to eat their tails before pictures are taken!!! YOUR SUPPOSE TO WAIT till later to eat them.
Lol. I can't make em not bed.
On 4/15/2017 at 8:43 PM, Downunderbassin said:These fish pics are amazing and all you guys are just like oh yeh just caught a 5 and a 7 ?
Pretty impressive !!!!!!
Well, it doesn't happen too often. I went back to that same spot the next evening & didn't get a single bite, lol. But that's fishing.
Downunderbassin reply :
On 4/17/2017 at 11:43 AM, wdp said:Lol. I can't make em not bed.
Well, it doesn't happen too often. I went back to that same spot the next evening & didn't get a single bite, lol. But that's fishing.
Oh don't do that too me lol. I got my hopes up with roadwarrior and coloradofire to go out and slay them hahaha! Either way a great day will be had with new friends.
wdp reply :
Do any of you local guys have any info about these lakes just south of Catch Em Lakes off Walnut Grove? This is directly south of Patriot Lake in Shelby Farms. From Google maps, it looks like they might be part of Shelby Farms. One is called Refuge Pond & the other is next to the Battlefront Lazer Tag & Paintball place, but it appears to be un-named.
Would like to know if these are public & worth fishing. Thanks.
Oldredneck reply :
On 4/21/2017 at 2:09 AM, wdp said:
sorry new here just started back fishing and looking for advise on some good ponds to fish and looking to meet new friends to fish with
WDE reply :
On 4/21/2017 at 2:09 AM, wdp said:Do any of you local guys have any info about these lakes just south of Catch Em Lakes off Walnut Grove? This is directly south of Patriot Lake in Shelby Farms. From Google maps, it looks like they might be part of Shelby Farms. One is called Refuge Pond & the other is next to the Battlefront Lazer Tag & Paintball place, but it appears to be un-named.
Would like to know if these are public & worth fishing. Thanks.
I think it's just a little pond for people and kids to fish for stocked bluegill. I doubt it's meant to fish very seriously.
WDE reply :
Up in Piperton for a crawfish boil on a private pond. Of course I brought my fishing gear. 3lb on black/blue spinner.
wdp reply :
On 4/23/2017 at 8:45 AM, WDE said:
I think it's just a little pond for people and kids to fish for stocked bluegill. I doubt it's meant to fish very seriously.
Yeah, I called Shelby Farms. Didn't sound like it was worth fishing & the pond next to the lazer tag is off limits.
coloradofire reply :
Been Fanning a bed I see.
WDE reply :
Between two of us we landed 16 today in a couple hours on a private lake from the dock. Caught on spinner, senkos, and squarebill. For some reason the crappie just couldn't stay away from me. My buddy landed a 5lb, and another larger one broke his line right as I was pulling it up on the dock.
Hawkeye1975 reply :
Hey all. I am new to the forum. I caught this guy Saturday night in C'ville... I am from Iowa, North Iowa, and grew up fishing mainly in Minnesota and Canada, been here 3yrs and finally beating the shores again... When I hooked this, picture below, I honestly didn't know what the dang thing was, and still am not really sure, but is it a white bass? And if it is, did I just throw back a state record without weighing it? The thing was certainly heavier than 6lb, maybe closer to 7-8lbs... Heck, that is 1.5lb bass and on the bottom, 1lb catfish in the middle, you can see the standard size metal stringer loop on the bottom.. It was heavy on, and crushed my t-rig powerworm, I was on 6lb fluro and I fought it for a good 10min because it was fighting like mad, never jumped, and I was *not* going to lose it trying to man handle it in. Tell me its a carp... I know it isn't... dang, I've never even heard of white bass... It was 9pm on Saturday, my wife was mad I was still out, phone kept vibrating, skeeters were eating me alive, hadn't eaten since noon, but after something had hit my line hard and I lost it around 8pm, I wasn't leaving... So I kept fishing around the little estuary leading down to the pond, which ran into a nice drop off... and sure enough hauled this guy out. Anyways thoughts was I landed?
roadwarrior reply :
It's a drum.
Hawkeye1975 reply :
Ok good, only 50lbs off the record . I'm headed to the grove in 30min, I'll let you know if I catch and release another state record 
And I do remember landing one when I was kid in Minnesota, it was silver though and pops called em grunts or grinders 
Ersteman reply :
On 4/25/2017 at 12:02 PM, Hawkeye1975 said:Hey all. I am new to the forum. I caught this guy Saturday night in C'ville... I am from Iowa, North Iowa, and grew up fishing mainly in Minnesota and Canada, been here 3yrs and finally beating the shores again... When I hooked this, picture below, I honestly didn't know what the dang thing was, and still am not really sure, but is it a white bass? And if it is, did I just throw back a state record without weighing it? The thing was certainly heavier than 6lb, maybe closer to 7-8lbs... Heck, that is 1.5lb bass and on the bottom, 1lb catfish in the middle, you can see the standard size metal stringer loop on the bottom.. It was heavy on, and crushed my t-rig powerworm, I was on 6lb fluro and I fought it for a good 10min because it was fighting like mad, never jumped, and I was *not* going to lose it trying to man handle it in. Tell me its a carp... I know it isn't... dang, I've never even heard of white bass... It was 9pm on Saturday, my wife was mad I was still out, phone kept vibrating, skeeters were eating me alive, hadn't eaten since noon, but after something had hit my line hard and I lost it around 8pm, I wasn't leaving... So I kept fishing around the little estuary leading down to the pond, which ran into a nice drop off... and sure enough hauled this guy out. Anyways thoughts was I landed?
Welcome to the forums. Nice fish! Even nicer if they were caught and released!
Hawkeye1975 reply :
I catch and release, all those fellas back in. I just stringer up if I get a few in a row to take some group pics... was at Grove all day today for the first time and got skunked.
BrushHog1906 reply :
How's it going guys! Looking to take over the waters again soon. I've had some luck lately. Caught my PB earlier back in March but my phone won't let me upload it. Around 6 lbs from a white chatterbait.
Been doing pretty good lately. I finally purchased my first baitcast to my arsenal. The game is about to change!
Texas rigs and topwater have been working for me.
Just 30 min ago, I lost my new favorite lure to a tree ?. Getting back out first evening tomorrow!
Anybody getting out evening time tomorrow or Thursday before the rain comes? Hopefully the rain will pass.
Oldredneck reply :
Where is the Grove located at heard there was some nice size bass in there..... Catch Release Repeat
WDE reply :
On 4/26/2017 at 8:19 AM, Hawkeye1975 said:I catch and release, all those fellas back in. I just stringer up if I get a few in a row to take some group pics... was at Grove all day today for the first time and got skunked.
On 4/26/2017 at 9:46 AM, Oldredneck said:Where is the Grove located at heard there was some nice size bass in there..... Catch Release Repeat
Depending where you're coming from, turn onto Johnson Rd(next to Houston Middle School) off Wolf River
and take your first left into that neighborhood. Follow that road around and your first or second left should be into a little parking area.
We went back to that private pond today. The bite dropped off tremendously from yesterday. Landed "just" 6(10 less than yesterday) between the 2 of us in a couple hours. No size to speak of, but the crappie seem to be enjoying the squarebill I've been tossing.
Could we have just lucked up on a large population of fish yesterday and subsequently pressured them out in just a 24 hour time difference? We were tossing the same lures and everything. Needless to say, we're going to take a brief break from that hole for a little bit.
Hawkeye1975 reply :
After Grove I headed to the big pond at Johnson... I landed a 4lb bass, a few nice 2-3lbs over the weekend and monday, but was skunked there today as well! And it figures your numbers dropped at the private pond. I guess it is the high pressure and sun following the low pressure overcast days we had. I changed my retrieve, depth, lures, I chanted, burned incense, did a fish god dance, screamed, yelled, cursed, begged, cried, and then had a sense of enormous peace and acceptance after talking to a couple of turtles about the meaning of life.
WDE reply :
Saw this one crash the bank on some shad. He took the squarebill in two casts. It was so windy, I had to cast it inland to get it to fall in his zone a few feet off the bank. 3.2lbs, Johnson-fountains.
WDE reply :
Quiet around here lately.
I've only had two days so far this week to get out. Caught this one yesterday. 2.5ish pounds. Swallowed the crankbait sideways and got lodged in the gills. Finally got the lure out after a hectic few minutes--he was still flopping around, snapped the quick pic and released.
Much to my surprise, he had no issue re-entering the water. No circling around or going side up, swam away with vigor.
Went back out today in this "great" weather. Couple bites, no fish landed. Didn't see this fish's corpse so I'm assuming he'll be good to go.
wdp reply :
I haven't been much lately. And the few times I've been I haven't caught anything noteworthy. Just a few dinks.
Oldredneck reply :
Went out to the Grove today didnt have any luck what lures should i use on those stained waters?
RoLo reply :
I used to be a descent 'Pond Hopper'
but lately it seems I've lost the razor's edge
Roger
bassinNorthMS reply :
Anybody wanna fish Thursday?
BrushHog1906 reply :
I just pulled in here at Grove. I will let y'all know how it goes!
WDE reply :
FYI, Johnson-fountains is closed until some time Saturday for a kids fishing rodeo.
Went to the Grove yesterday instead. Couple bites and a sub-pound LMB.
wwood reply :
I went out for a little while on Wednesday at a small pond in Germantown and caught 5 bass - 2 on Texas rigged senkos and 3 on soft plastic swimbaits with a weighted 3/0 ewg. Nothing too big but it still made for a fun afternoon
Ndq1124 reply :
Whats up everyone. Does anyone know about the waters next to and behind Halley Park pond if you are looking at it from google maps.
I've only fished Halley Park once so I can't remember if those other ponds are fishable.
Also has anyone fished the lake behind Lowes on GTown Pkwy and is it possible to walk around it cause there are some smaller ponds behind it according to google earth.
Thanks to anyone who can help me out.
WDE reply :
On 5/17/2017 at 2:54 AM, Ndq1124 said:Whats up everyone. Does anyone know about the waters next to and behind Halley Park pond if you are looking at it from google maps.
I've only fished Halley Park once so I can't remember if those other ponds are fishable.
Also has anyone fished the lake behind Lowes on GTown Pkwy and is it possible to walk around it cause there are some smaller ponds behind it according to google earth.
Thanks to anyone who can help me out.
The ponds behind Halley are inaccessible due to the fence, assuming private property. If that's the one I'm thinking about.
Can't answer your question about Lowe's in Gtown.
kwd1987 reply :
Gave it hell yesterday at Grove park and only caught a baby bass. Anyone have success elsewhere?
WDE reply :
This one caught me totally by surprise. Kept feeling him hit it, and thought I was just hitting a branch underwater. Johnson-fountains.
Skutr reply :
Pulled this out of the CC today.. Guess he wanted my chatterbait.
WDE reply :
3.5 lbs
WDE reply :
Johnson. 3.02 lbs on the left.
Mr. Ranger reply :
I've tried finding some new spots here lately, only to strike out. International Harvesters in Lakeland continues to disappoint. Next i'm trying Orgil Park in Millington area. Anyone fished out there?
Angry John reply :
On 6/7/2017 at 12:47 AM, Mr. Ranger said:I've tried finding some new spots here lately, only to strike out. International Harvesters in Lakeland continues to disappoint. Next i'm trying Orgil Park in Millington area. Anyone fished out there?
I do and it's ok. Fish seem to hold tight to the bank. Do ok sometimes and crap others. Best in some type of craft like a yak or canoe
Mr. Ranger reply :
On 6/7/2017 at 4:50 AM, Angry John said:I do and it's ok. Fish seem to hold tight to the bank. Do ok sometimes and crap others. Best in some type of craft like a yak or canoe
Great. Thanks for the advice.
Hawkeye1975 reply :
Hey all, I caught what I think is a spotted gar last night... This look right? It snapped my line (fishing for bass, texas rig pitboss) right when I landed him, then flipped and flopped, snapped a pic but could not get him in time to measure and weigh. But I reckon he's close to 35inches, 8-9lbs... Also pics of a couple nice largemouth I caught in the last week, same place, with texas rigged power worm or pitboss.
roadwarrior reply :
Nice fish!
WDE reply :
I'm about ready for late Summer, early Fall to kick in and start driving these water temps back down. The bite has been rough for me lately. That's not to say I haven't been catching anything, but the size has dropped considerably. I'm being forced to slow way down off the cranks and switch over to Senkos, which I really don't prefer. I'm seeing them cruising and holding up right on the bank, but their interest level is low--almost lethargic.
Caught this one Monday(plus a few others) in Gtown on a watermelon Senko, and is the largest I've caught in about three weeks. 2+ range, 2.5 if I'm being generous. He was fun to bring in though, I was watching a giant school of shad/minnows moving around right in this little "narrow" cut and I kept tossing the Senko all around and inside the school. Jumped out of the water a couple times for dramatic effect, but I had him hooked squarely in the corner of his mouth.
I will say, re: Senkos, that it's a whole lot of fun landing them on my med/fast action spinning rod. It's nice to feel that bump and watch the line start to run, then getting a solid hookset. Requires a bit more patience than the trebles on my preferred cranks.
Sump reply :
On 6/7/2017 at 12:47 AM, Mr. Ranger said:I've tried finding some new spots here lately, only to strike out. International Harvesters in Lakeland continues to disappoint. Next i'm trying Orgil Park in Millington area. Anyone fished out there?
Not sure if you've made it there to fish yet or not but I lived there in millington for for a short time early this year (March-May) the fishing wasn't great at all from the bank. The pond next to the Orgill Lake actually has some okay sized ones in it- had decent luck there. As far as the lake goes i never had much luck bank fishing there- never got to fish on a boat there. I've heard the bass like to hang out on be far side of the lake next to all the rock. Tough to throw a crank there though because of all the sticks and algae. I never caught anything over 3lbs at the lake or the pond yher though. Needless to say the fishing wasn't great there pre spawn this year but I wouldn't shy away from giving it a go! If you do let me know how it goes!
Shlacker reply :
Hey guys!!! I'm new here. I just started driving, so I can fish other places now. What places can I fish for bass in Tipton county and surrounding areas??
coloradofire reply :
Went to the dog park ponds in Shelby Farms Saturday. Caught 4. One on a Green Pumpkin baby brush hot on a shakey head and the rest on a blk and blue craw texas rig. Also found a Sexy Shad Super Spook walking the bank hooks were rusted off but the split rings were S/S so they were still good and it cleaned up nice with a brillo pad looks barely used now.
WDE reply :
Johnson-fountains is rough lately(again). Hooked up on a decent 2lb yesterday only to have him spit the lure right at the bank. Front ponds are pretty much useless to me(again). They finally lifted the grate allowing passage from the front to the middle pond, by the way.
I walked back into the woods behind the fountains today and found some breaks in the tree line just wide enough to toss a Senko under tree limbs. This little one hit it a couple times before he finally decided he wanted it. Small, but surpringly fat(relatively speaking). I was a bit shocked at the size of the scar on his belly considering his size, seems a scar that big would be a death wound for a fish that size.
Ah well. Back to it tomorrow afternoon.
Does anyone know if the pond way back past the front ponds is overgrown? I might wander down there and toss a jig around if there's still a path down to the water.
Skutr reply :
On 6/7/2017 at 12:47 AM, Mr. Ranger said:I've tried finding some new spots here lately, only to strike out. International Harvesters in Lakeland continues to disappoint. Next i'm trying Orgil Park in Millington area. Anyone fished out there?
I've been fishing at Orgill (Casper Lake-main lake) for 13 or so years, and the biggest thing I've caught is a 5lber on a jerkbait off of the long stretch of flat bank between the first two coves. I've fished every inch of that place, using every tactic, all throughout the day. I know it gets deep by the rock wall, but without a boat, fishing that place is not too fun.
I've fished IH a few times this year, only catching a few dinks. The only spot I really see movement is in the back right corner, where there are a few trees in the water.
On 6/15/2017 at 11:52 AM, WDE said:I'm about ready for late Summer, early Fall to kick in and start driving these water temps back down. The bite has been rough for me lately. That's not to say I haven't been catching anything, but the size has dropped considerably. I'm being forced to slow way down off the cranks and switch over to Senkos, which I really don't prefer. I'm seeing them cruising and holding up right on the bank, but their interest level is low--almost lethargic.
Caught this one Monday(plus a few others) in Gtown on a watermelon Senko, and is the largest I've caught in about three weeks. 2+ range, 2.5 if I'm being generous. He was fun to bring in though, I was watching a giant school of shad/minnows moving around right in this little "narrow" cut and I kept tossing the Senko all around and inside the school. Jumped out of the water a couple times for dramatic effect, but I had him hooked squarely in the corner of his mouth.
I will say, re: Senkos, that it's a whole lot of fun landing them on my med/fast action spinning rod. It's nice to feel that bump and watch the line start to run, then getting a solid hookset. Requires a bit more patience than the trebles on my preferred cranks
Is that at Nashoba? I spooked what I can only guess was about an 8lb cruiser 3 ft from the bank, near the rock piles on the CFA side.
kwd1987 reply :
I caught a nice fish @ Nashoba last Thur @ lunch.
https://i.redd.it/pvw59h1pj85z.jpg
roadwarrior reply :
Great pic!
I caught one around 3 lbs today on a jig.
Osceola reply :
Asking for some ***, never been here before, could really use some advice, on locations and baits. We are at pickwick.
WDE reply :
On 6/27/2017 at 3:07 AM, kwd1987 said:I caught a nice fish @ Nashoba last Thur @ lunch.
https://i.redd.it/pvw59h1pj85z.jpg
I've definitely seen you at Neshoba before. Nice fish.
Still dink city for me.
kwd1987 reply :
On 6/27/2017 at 9:30 AM, WDE said:
I've definitely seen you at Neshoba before. Nice fish.
Still dink city for me.
Next time come say hello.
This is definitely my all time personal best. It was on a a 5wt fly rod which is super underpowered because I wasn't expecting this guy.
I doubt i'll beat this record for a while on a flyrod.
kwd1987 reply :
Does anyone fish the hinton park pond in collierville?
WDE reply :
Couple scores at Johnson. Picked up my first ever gar from the boardwalk pond on a Senko:
And finally landed a good bass out of Fountains after a prolonged dry spell on a squarebill. 4.4 lbs, I absolutely love it's patterns and color, I was very happy to return this beautiful bass to the pond.
roadwarrior reply :
That is a beauty!
WDE reply :
Haven't been out much in the past 3 weeks. This bass had to have a fever, he was so warm.
Can we get a weather-temp break please?
Edit: a quick grab before the storm dropped:
JDJ reply :
Caught a few bass in the extreme heat last weekend at Herb Parsons on a black/blue jig. They were holding in the rip rap at the dam. Best was just under 4 lbs. But I wouldn't recommend a metal jon boat in that kind of heat!
WDE reply :
Got a couple 1-2lbers out of the front pond at Johnson yesterday around 5pm on a lipless crankbait. That water is very warm right now. My pool is 95 degrees currently, and the pond water is at least that warm.
WDE reply :
Johnson front pond seems to be in trouble. I'm going to call the game and wildlife department tomorrow.
Update: definitely a fish kill/die off/turnover. Apparently this happens every year at Johnson. So keep that in mind if you're struggling to find any (live)fish in the front ponds.
WDE reply :
All the dead fish have been cleaned out as of Thursday afternoon.
Finally pulled a bass bass out of Halle.
And I got a couple out of Grove, and Johnson:
Size seems to be a common thread.
WDE reply :
Neshoba, Johnson, and some other public pond right off Wolf River/Farmington(forgot the name of the park, my first time dropping in). 3.25 and a 2.3 pictured.
WDE reply :
Still out here catching fish. Where's everyone been?
wdp reply :
On 8/16/2017 at 9:30 AM, WDE said:Still out here catching fish. Where's everyone been?
I've been sticking close to home last few weeks & not catching much. Got laid off few weeks ago so I'm trying to save money plus I'm in job search mode. Send me a PM - I might could sneak over to your area one afternoon for some fishing. Just don't tell the wife I'm not job hunting. ?
WDE reply :
On 8/16/2017 at 12:38 PM, wdp said:I've been sticking close to home last few weeks & not catching much. Got laid off few weeks ago so I'm trying to save money plus I'm in job search mode. Send me a PM - I might could sneak over to your area one afternoon for some fishing. Just don't tell the wife I'm not job hunting. ?
I'm so sorry to hear that, brother.
wdp reply :
On 8/16/2017 at 1:26 PM, WDE said:
I'm so sorry to hear that, brother.
No worries. Hopefully I'll find another job soon.
Seriously though, shoot me a PM if you wanna meet up one day. I'd be happy to do a little pond hoppin' if I'm not busy.
WDE reply :
On 8/16/2017 at 1:47 PM, wdp said:No worries. Hopefully I'll find another job soon.
Seriously though, shoot me a PM if you wanna meet up one day. I'd be happy to do a little pond hoppin' if I'm not busy.
Will do for sure!
randylw67 reply :
Hi all. I am new here, haven't been fishing in a really long time. Decided it was time to get back in to it and found this forum and this thread. I went and bought a couple of reels and some lures last night, and then today after work I decided to head to the Day Care pond since it was close by. I wasn't there for 15 minutes and got my first bass in maybe 5 years or more. It looks bigger in the picture than it really was, maybe 3 lbs at the most. But it was way bigger than i expected, I figured i might get a couple of baby bass if even that. But I was thrilled with my first catch in years, and I guess I can say I am hooked again :-) Thanks for all the invaluable information here.
roadwarrior reply :
Great pic!
randylw67 reply :
Thanks raodwarrior!
Has anyone here used the Deeper Sonar Pro+ or any other casting type sonar devices? Being away from fishing for a while, I was looking at some videos and ran across one where a guy was using it for bank fishing and it looks really incredible. It can tell you the water depth and temperature, and of course find fish. But it can also be used to survey the entire pond/lake and map out the depth across the whole lake (or at least in casting distance). Being that I know little about the lakes and ponds in our area, this would be very helpful information.
However, I kind of have mixed feelings about using one, in that the main reason I decided to take up fishing again, was that I work in I.T. and have a pretty stressful job. One of the things I like about fishing, is that it has always been a very relaxing experience, whether I was catching any fish or not. So I kind of decided to get back in for therapeutic value as much as the thrill of catching fish.
I also used to be heavily in to photography, but one of the main reasons that I quit and now leave my camera at home on trips, vacations, and outings, was that I spent to much time focusing on getting that perfect picture, than actually enjoying the experience of wherever I was. So that's the other hesitation that I have, is that I may get too caught up in the technology and not just enjoy the experience of fishing.
All that being said, it would still be great to have knowledge and information on frequented lakes and ponds that otherwise may take a long time for me to just figure out.
Would be interested in anyone's thoughts on the subject, and if anyone has had any experiences using these castible sonar devices.
WDE reply :
Johnson is a swamp. I took these around 4:30p today.
randylw67 reply :
Wow, did you try to fish it?
wdp reply :
On 9/1/2017 at 9:36 AM, WDE said:Johnson is a swamp. I took these around 4:30p today.
?????
WDE reply :
On 9/2/2017 at 9:26 AM, randylw67 said:Wow, did you try to fish it?
Haha, no. Didn't even give it much consideration. It was an outright monsoon.
It's back down to normal now. Got out for about an hour or so before my wife woke up this morning. Place was crawling with people. Got one massive bite, but otherwise nothing.
WDE reply :
I guess I need to fish more often in the morning. Pulled this 4.1lb out of the pond behind Johnson-fountains at 11AM last week. Went out to run an errand or two and decided to drop in for a minute on the way back to the house.
I've been focusing a lot of attention back there lately over the past month or two. There's some big fish back there and they're not pressured whatsoever. But there's also a fair amount of 1lb or below(most of my catches). Unfortunately, there's just one decent place to throw clean casts without stomping around in the woods and risking getting snakebit*. It took some figuring out, when to yank my lure out before hitting the reeds and such as there's a good 5+ feet between where the water ends and the edge of vegetation. But I started out with a Senko and now I can drag a lipless crank through. I've caught them on topwater frogs as well. Haven't had any luck with jigs or spinners, but I don't toss them often anyway--they are great for not getting hung up in the reeds though.
You do also have to wade into up to knee deep water if you can't flip them over the reeds.
Someone recently looks like they got a swimbait hung up in a tree limb hanging over the cast radius...and well...I've hit it twice and backlashed my reels both past the point of no return.
*Definitely be wary of the snakes. I was making casts in a different part of that pond near the path and a 3 foot moccasin swam through not 2 feet away from me; I had no idea it was there.
wdp reply :
On 9/14/2017 at 7:57 AM, WDE said:I guess I need to fish more often in the morning. Pulled this 4.1lb out of the pond behind Johnson-fountains at 11AM last week. Went out to run an errand or two and decided to drop in for a minute on the way back to the house.
I've been focusing a lot of attention back there lately over the past month or two. There's some big fish back there and they're not pressured whatsoever. But there's also a fair amount of 1lb or below(most of my catches). Unfortunately, there's just one decent place to throw clean casts without stomping around in the woods and risking getting snakebit*. It took some figuring out, when to yank my lure out before hitting the reeds and such as there's a good 5+ feet between where the water ends and the edge of vegetation. But I started out with a Senko and now I can drag a lipless crank through. I've caught them on topwater frogs as well. Haven't had any luck with jigs or spinners, but I don't toss them often anyway--they are great for not getting hung up in the reeds though.
You do also have to wade into up to knee deep water if you can't flip them over the reeds.
Someone recently looks like they got a swimbait hung up in a tree limb hanging over the cast radius...and well...I've hit it twice and backlashed my reels both past the point of no return.
*Definitely be wary of the snakes. I was making casts in a different part of that pond near the path and a 3 foot moccasin swam through not 2 feet away from me; I had no idea it was there.
I tried fishing that pond once & gave up because like you said, such limited access. Ain't no way I'd go wading in that water...... especially with moccasins. ?
WDE reply :
On 9/14/2017 at 11:37 PM, wdp said:I tried fishing that pond once & gave up because like you said, such limited access. Ain't no way I'd go wading in that water...... especially with moccasins. ?
Speaking of snakes...almost stepped on this one today. Don't know the species. 
wdp reply :
On 9/15/2017 at 7:54 AM, WDE said:Speaking of snakes...almost stepped on this one today. Don't know the species.
NOPE!!!!!
roadwarrior reply :
Looks like a timber rattler to me.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timber_rattlesnake
WDE reply :
On 9/22/2017 at 9:23 PM, roadwarrior said:Looks like a timber rattler to me.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timber_rattlesnake
I didn't notice any rattles, but he was also curled up pretty tight and I couldn't get a good look at his head. I also didn't stick around for very long.
GHOSTRIDER71 reply :
Been fishing Johnson Park in Collierville using a shaky head with a Berkley power snake, red shad. Throwing some swimbaits and shad colored crank baits as well. The fishing has been slow, but the baitfish are moving in early morning and evening as well. I will try the Civic Center pond behind the library Sunday evening as I have first responder classes all day Saturday at the Red Cross. Good luck to everyone. The shad are thick at the pond behind the library in Collierville and the bass seem to be concentrated on these schools.
WDE reply :
On 9/27/2017 at 5:29 AM, GHOSTRIDER71 said:Been fishing Johnson Park in Collierville using a shaky head with a Berkley power snake, red shad. Throwing some swimbaits and shad colored crank baits as well. The fishing has been slow, but the baitfish are moving in early morning and evening as well. I will try the Civic Center pond behind the library Sunday evening as I have first responder classes all day Saturday at the Red Cross. Good luck to everyone. The shad are thick at the pond behind the library in Collierville and the bass seem to be concentrated on these schools.
Agreed on the slow bite. These past couple weeks have been rough for me. But I think Fall weather is just around corner.
PatrickC reply :
Hi, I would like to give bass fishing a shot. I've read cold fronts can put a damper on things, but can not find any information on how long before/ after the front before things may pick up again. I took my daughter fishing at Neshoba on Saturday but we did not even get a nibble (she was using worms), and I was trying a shad. We didn't see anyone else out there so maybe that should have been a sign.
We would like to try and go again before it gets too cold and are thinking about tomorrow. Would Wed still be considered part of this current cold front?
Best,
Patrick
WDE reply :
On 10/25/2017 at 4:15 AM, PatrickC said:Hi, I would like to give bass fishing a shot. I've read cold fronts can put a damper on things, but can not find any information on how long before/ after the front before things may pick up again. I took my daughter fishing at Neshoba on Saturday but we did not even get a nibble (she was using worms), and I was trying a shad. We didn't see anyone else out there so maybe that should have been a sign.
We would like to try and go again before it gets too cold and are thinking about tomorrow. Would Wed still be considered part of this current cold front?
Best,
Patrick
I'm no expert, but I think once we get a little more consistent temperatures, we'll find that the fish are transitioning toward late Fall/Winter and start feeding up. The bite around this time last year was great, but temperatures were a bit warmer if I'm remembering correctly.
The bite has has been tough for just about everyone I've talked to at the ponds I frequent. I got a 3lb around 11am about a week ago just before we got some rain on a crankbait. Days before and after that, they haven't been very interested in anything I'm throwing.
Best of luck.
Angry John reply :
I got out on Friday and picked up 17 dinks at perisol in shelby forest. Don't know if that pond holds any quality fish or not as it was my first time there. The fish were very active aND chasing minnows up the creek and pushing them to the banks. Hard to make a good presentation in 3" water. Weightless fluke got lots of bites.
WDE reply :
On 10/25/2017 at 8:56 AM, Angry John said:I got out on Friday and picked up 17 dinks at perisol in shelby forest. Don't know if that pond holds any quality fish or not as it was my first time there. The fish were very active aND chasing minnows up the creek and pushing them to the banks. Hard to make a good presentation in 3" water. Weightless fluke got lots of bites.
I’ve never been to Shelby Forest. It’s about 45 minutes from my house. Is it worth the drive? Are the ponds less pressured than anything I can fish in Gtown or Cville? Is it bank friendly? I’m pretty much at wit’s end fishing these ponds closer to my house, and need some new waters worth fishing.
PatrickC reply :
On 10/25/2017 at 4:24 AM, WDE said:I'm no expert, but I think once we get a little more consistent temperatures, we'll find that the fish are transitioning toward late Fall/Winter and start feeding up. The bite around this time last year was great, but temperatures were a bit warmer if I'm remembering correctly.
The bite has has been tough for just about everyone I've talked to at the ponds I frequent. I got a 3lb around 11am about a week ago just before we got some rain on a crankbait. Days before and after that, they haven't been very interested in anything I'm throwing.
Best of luck.
Thanks, maybe best then to save the vacation days just for a bit.
Angry John reply :
On 10/25/2017 at 8:56 AM, Angry John said:I got out on Friday and picked up 17 dinks at perisol in shelby forest. Don't know if that pond holds any quality fish or not as it was my first time there. The fish were very active aND chasing minnows up the creek and pushing them to the banks. Hard to make a good presentation in 3" water. Weightless fluke got lots of bites.
Never caught anything worth mentioning but I am available this weekend if you want to try one out in my yak. Costs a little like 5 bucks.
WDE reply :
A scavenger hunt of sorts. Don’t yell the spot here, just throw me a like if you know the spot. Gotta liven this thread somehow.
JakebeCastin reply :
Here's a nice big one back in April, I didn't have a scale with me but this was a perfect time walking along the banks and seeing them protecting their bed. Hit them with a nice Shad like swim bait. I usually never catch anything out of this lake but I heard a lot of people go there for catfish. This is at APPLING LAKE in Bartlett.
Since the winter is finally here, I took a break from bass fishing and did some White bass fishing out at Sardis Lake Mississippi.
Here's a quick link to my youtube of catching loads of white bass, these things are so much fun to catch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dn1TGu91cJQ&t=14s
WDE reply :
Recent catches since Sunday. Top-3.8, bottom left-3.6, bottom right-2.9. All on t-rigged worms of different colors, all between 8:30am and 10:30am. Johnson Park ponds.
JakebeCastin reply :
On 11/9/2017 at 8:10 AM, WDE said:Recent catches since Sunday. Top-3.8, bottom left-3.6, bottom right-2.9. All on t-rigged worms of different colors, all between 8:30am and 10:30am. Johnson Park ponds.
Nice! Looks nice and healthy
WDE reply :
Pretty surprising off a t rigged Yumdinger at Johnson around 5:30pm.
JDJ reply :
On 11/14/2017 at 8:39 AM, WDE said:Pretty surprising off a t rigged Yumdinger at Johnson around 5:30pm.
Agree! Johnson in Collierville or Germantown?
WDE reply :
On 11/15/2017 at 4:01 AM, JDJ said:Agree! Johnson in Collierville or Germantown?
Johnson Park—Collierville.
JakebeCastin reply :
On 11/15/2017 at 4:01 AM, JDJ said:Agree! Johnson in Collierville or Germantown?
Nice. I still haven't yet to find some time and fish Johnson park. Last time I went the water was a bit low.
WDE reply :
On 11/15/2017 at 5:27 AM, JakebeCastin said:Nice. I still haven't yet to find some time and fish Johnson park. Last time I went the water was a bit low.
It’s pretty much my “home pond”. I work about 7 minutes from there, and live about 3 minutes away. So any chance I get, I’m out there. I really need to explore Bartlett and Cordova, as I’m usually at Neshoba on my off days. Any tips for ponds in either of those areas?
My work is about 2 minutes from Halle, but I rarely even think of going. Just never seems to be worth the time.
I’ve stopped with Grove since the middle school practices cross country out there now, so a hundred pounding feet around the banks can’t be good for the fishing.
jameadows21 reply :
Hey everyone, been lurking this thread a while and only just got something i felt was worth sharing. 
Snagged him out of the front pond at Johnson park in Collierville - caught a few from here but this is by far the biggest. Really tough fishing around memphis for me lately, so this was a nice change of pace. Reading this thread has helped me find some good spots. I appreciate you guys' help!
WDE reply :
I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving.
LeeBo reply :
Just found this site last week while getting back to a past time I had forgotten for a while. Like the idea of locals here and have found some good info on some nice places to fish local. Still have not read through all the Memphis Pond Hoppers pages but working on it. After years and years of driving by a little private pond every single day I finally went and asked permission to fish. Started with a nice bass bug on a fly rod and hit a pound and a half bass pretty quick. Then took out the ultra light with 2 pound test and this fella hit my yellow spinner bait on the way to the bottom. Little under 4 pounds I would say. Nice fight. 20 minutes later I thought I was hung until the line started moving. Never got him close enough to the bank to see what it was before he spit the lure out. have been invited back to see if I can find him again.
WDE reply :
Caught what I believe is a bowfin today at Johnson.
beaver reply :
I was out at the larger pond in the back of Johnson this morning early and I believe I saw one or two of these.
I didn't know what they were but the color and dorsal matches.
Also, this is my first post and I'd like to thank everyone who has provided information on this thread.
I'm a Collierville pond hopper and it's nice to know there are others out there trying as hard as I am to coax out these pressured fish.
Thanks!
beaver reply :
Not sure who else is crazy enough to walk around c-ville with a baitcaster and a headlamp but, I've done decent recently between 9pm - 11pm with t-rigged blue/black and black curl tail worms at Johnson.
Nothing big but catching two pound fish on rainy nights is still fun.
WDE reply :
I work retail and it’s crazy season, coupled with this awful weather I haven’t been out in a while.
But I did get some farm pond fishing in today out in Dickson, TN. The weather is just as gross there.
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!
beaver reply :
Beautiful fish!
Merry Christmas to you too!
Angry John reply :
So now that all the water is hard what's the chance this rain and warmer next week may open some water back up. My closest lake is about 1" thick.
WDE reply :
On 1/8/2018 at 12:25 AM, Angry John said:So now that all the water is hard what's the chance this rain and warmer next week may open some water back up. My closest lake is about 1" thick.
Johnson was frozen over in parts last week when I drove through. Hoping to get out tomorrow before it gets too cold again.
Angry John reply :
Orgil golf course was over an inch thick all the way around. A little open water in the middle where some ducks were playing. This sucks...
WDE reply :
One small bite in over 3 hours between Neshoba, Johnson, and the Wolf River. Yes, I said the Wolf River. Found a little path in the woods at Neshoba down to the water front.
Angry John reply :
I was going to try and get out today but kids had a project for school. I will try and sneak in an hour tomorrow before the deep freeze starts again...
WDE reply :
On 1/11/2018 at 12:37 PM, Angry John said:I was going to try and get out today but kids had a project for school. I will try and sneak in an hour tomorrow before the deep freeze starts again...
Got rain in the forecast, good luck!
Angry John reply :
Got out today but due to it being the dead of winter i figured i would do some testing. I played with a tungsten weight in front of my owner beast hook and trash fish. Because the weight is so dense i could use a very small weight and get the bait to the bottom with no issue. I did not get any bites but i really did not expect to, This also would work well for bed fishing because it makes the bait sit nose down. I caught it on a video with a pro doing it and sad i did not think to do it earlier. Might be even better if you used a tungsten bead and could color it to match eggs.
beaver reply :
I saw kids walk across the brush pond by the boardwalk last week.
Looks like we're much less frozen after a couple 60 degree days.
What lures, styles are working for folks right now? My hits dropped off pretty bad when the temp did.
beaver reply :
Also, looks like Collierville is on to my night fishing scheme.
beaver reply :
Caught a nice fish out of the swampy pond next to the fountain pond at Johnson this afternoon.
Most of the ice is gone.
I bushwacked around to the back side of that little pond and found where the creek bed leaves it.
Bed was full of bait fish and 20 ft of water churned when I stepped up to it with a couple of the motions being bigger fish.
Might be good to consider. Most of the good fish I've caught out of that pond where in the area of the old creek bed that goes down the north side of it, easy to see when water is low.
This lady is still out there by the way.
roadwarrior reply :
Nice fish, great pic!
beaver reply :
I wish I knew about this thread back when it was hoppin in 2012.
I assume it's kinda old news for many that used to follow.
Seems to still be very relevant.
Fishing is still in style right? :]
Angry John reply :
Went out yesterday and caught my first blade bait fish. Ended the day with 8 all small but the water is still very cold. The Keitech easy shiner in 3" caught the rest on a 1/32 ball head. They were more active than I expected.
WDE reply :
On 1/22/2018 at 11:22 AM, beaver said:Caught a nice fish out of the swampy pond next to the fountain pond at Johnson this afternoon.
Most of the ice is gone.
I bushwacked around to the back side of that little pond and found where the creek bed leaves it.
Bed was full of bait fish and 20 ft of water churned when I stepped up to it with a couple of the motions being bigger fish.
Might be good to consider. Most of the good fish I've caught out of that pond where in the area of the old creek bed that goes down the north side of it, easy to see when water is low.
This lady is still out there by the way.
I’ve been stomping/wading around in that pond since October when it got cold enough to drive most of the snakes into hiding. They love a t rigged worm...specifically black/blue variants. Average weight seems to be in the 2lb range, but I’ve caught a handful of 3+, up to 4.5ish. There are definitely some big fish hiding in there though.
And speaking of which, got my first fish of 2018 today in what looks/sounds like the same spot as the pic above. This is only the second time I’ve been able to get out due to weather, ponds partially frozen, and being sick. That creek runs way back into the woods with shallow pools throughout. Lots of stumps and overhang, didn’t see much activity today that far back.
beaver reply :
On 1/26/2018 at 8:56 AM, WDE said:And speaking of which, got my first fish of 2018 today in what looks/sounds like the same spot as the pic above. This is only the second time I’ve been able to get out due to weather, ponds partially frozen, and being sick. That creek runs way back into the woods with shallow pools throughout. Lots of stumps and overhang, didn’t see much activity today that far back.
Awesome fish WDE!, yep that looks like the same area.
Sorry to hear you've been sick.
I've been looking for you at JP when I go.
If you walk in from the fountain pond till you hit that creek and take a left, there is a dry crossing 40-50 yards back.
I caught the fish on the other side of the creek.
This pond intrigues me.
As you say, most of what you pull out is around 2lbs, however every once in a while I see some movement out there that is obviously bigger than what I have caught in there.
My 1985 spring scale said the fish in my pic was 1lb so i'm probably going to leave it at the house next time.
I would have eyeballed her at closer to 4.
I'll try worms, nearly every fish i've caught out of that pond have been off of green pumpkin t rigged crawdads, was using rage craws the other day.
On 1/26/2018 at 1:43 AM, Angry John said:Went out yesterday and caught my first blade bait fish. Ended the day with 8 all small but the water is still very cold. The Keitech easy shiner in 3" caught the rest on a 1/32 ball head. They were more active than I expected.
Hey John,
Thanks for reporting what you were using, I'll try them out!
WDE reply :
On 1/26/2018 at 11:28 AM, beaver said:Awesome fish WDE!, yep that looks like the same area.
Sorry to hear you've been sick.
I've been looking for you at JP when I go.
If you walk in from the fountain pond till you hit that creek and take a left, there is a dry crossing 40-50 yards back.
I caught the fish on the other side of the creek.
This pond intrigues me.
As you say, most of what you pull out is around 2lbs, however every once in a while I see some movement out there that is obviously bigger than what I have caught in there.
My 1985 spring scale said the fish in my pic was 1lb so i'm probably going to leave it at the house next time.
I would have eyeballed her at closer to 4.
I'll try worms, nearly every fish i've caught out of that pond have been off of green pumpkin t rigged crawdads, was using rage craws the other day.
Hey John,
Thanks for reporting what you were using, I'll try them out!
The other side of the creek(boardwalk side) definitely looks more fisherman friendly, better casting radi. I was just following what I assumed were game trails, but perhaps some of your bushwhacking as well. I’m pretty sure I crossed the little land bridge you’re referring to.
I came back back down the other side of the creek to the little pool where I caught the one today. I have waded in that area, but it’s full of broken tree limbs and stumps...potentially dangerous, as I tripped on one not long ago and pierced my boot, and nearly the skin(left a nasty bruise). I don’t even know what those stumps are, what kind or tree or whatever. But they’re good at hiding and I’m good at stumbling on them even just walking in the woods.
Today, I was just in my gore tex boots and didn’t want to walk all the way back to the little land bridge so I attempted to cross a fallen tree. Needless to say, fishing rods don’t make the best walking sticks for balance and I came out of there soaked up to my knees—probably a poor decision.
It’s a fun, reliable little pond if you don’t mind getting your feet wet so to speak. I’ve got a video on the previous page or two showing another little corner near the boardwalk. If you have waders, the water is probably only chest deep at its deepest. It’s lousy with alage in some spots. Deepest I’ve gone in is a couple inches above the knee...but you can cast in a 180+ degree arch if you want. I’ll usually start in one corner and creep along the reeds and slowly make my way toward the middle. I haven’t traversed all the way across yet because I don’t have chest waders.
There are gar and bowfin in there too. Caught one of each, also stepped on a gar.
When we get good rain it’ll overflow by the walking bridge with the fountains. So there’s a lot of potential for travel for the fish from one pond to the other.
Sorry for all the exposition. Still hyped from catching a fish and eager to discuss.
beaver reply :
On 1/26/2018 at 12:35 PM, WDE said:Today, I was just in my gore tex boots and didn’t want to walk all the way back to the little land bridge so I attempted to cross a fallen tree
Hahahah, I know the tree, it was about 4 inch diameter and there was another shorter 4 inch diameter tree at its start, both laying across.
Am I right?
I tried that junk for about two steps holding onto an upright tree and wussied out.
Additional thought, if you've ever seen that pond, when it's dry you know it's a mud flat.
Ever tried dragging a carolina rig or drop shot across it?
WDE reply :
On 1/26/2018 at 12:59 PM, beaver said:Hahahah, I know the tree, it was about 4 inch diameter and there was another shorter 4 inch diameter tree at its start, both laying across.
Am I right?
I tried that junk for about two steps holding onto an upright tree and wussied out.
Additional thought, if you've ever seen that pond, when it's dry you know it's a mud flat.
Ever tried dragging a carolina rig or drop shot across it?
Yep, that’s the one. Put my weight on it, nope not dead, looked recently felled. Made it about half way and the rods gave way as my walking sticks.
I’m a very basic fisherman. I do t rigs and cranks(lipless and squarebill). And I only recently started t rigging again back in the Fall(which is what I started on some 16 or 17 years ago—and then put the rods down and picked them back up about a year and half ago). Every now and then I’ll throw on a spinnerbait or a topwater if I feel the mood is right. I don’t have myriad baits and lures, but I keep what’s reliable. I don’t haul around anything more than I can keep in my sling pack. As a bank ridden pond hopper, I try to keep it as minimal as possible.
I’m self taught. I’ve never had anyone to teach me how to tie leads for Carolina rigs, or how to properly do a ned rig or drop shot. However, I am always willing to learn.
Angry John reply :
On 1/26/2018 at 11:28 AM, beaver said:Awesome fish WDE!, yep that looks like the same area.
Sorry to hear you've been sick.
I've been looking for you at JP when I go.
If you walk in from the fountain pond till you hit that creek and take a left, there is a dry crossing 40-50 yards back.
I caught the fish on the other side of the creek.
This pond intrigues me.
As you say, most of what you pull out is around 2lbs, however every once in a while I see some movement out there that is obviously bigger than what I have caught in there.
My 1985 spring scale said the fish in my pic was 1lb so i'm probably going to leave it at the house next time.
I would have eyeballed her at closer to 4.
I'll try worms, nearly every fish i've caught out of that pond have been off of green pumpkin t rigged crawdads, was using rage craws the other day.
Hey John,
Thanks for reporting what you were using, I'll try them out!
I was using the 1/4 benski in silver. I am ordering the gold to see if it's any better. Never used a lure knocker before but fishing blade bait's please have one. I got hung up on wood a dozen times. First time using a knocker but glad I had one in the bag. The one I have is just a clip-on weight but worked good.
Angry John reply :
4lb 7oz on 5" Keitech and 5/0 owner flashy swimmer. Missed the first bite and she hammered it again. Lights out
beaver reply :
I went to Big Hill Pond state park yesterday and caught nothing.
Crystal clear water but real shallow where i was.
Seals reply :
any of you guys ever fish the large pond in the back of WC Johnson, where the levee broke years back? All I've been catching there is crappie and bowfin
beaver reply :
On 1/30/2018 at 10:39 AM, Seals said:any of you guys ever fish the large pond in the back of WC Johnson, where the levee broke years back? All I've been catching there is crappie and bowfin
Hey Seals, I've fished back there extensively for bass and tightlining for catfish.
... are we allowed to say 'catfish' on this thread?
Anyway, I am by no means a great fisherman but I have caught several of each. Most of the largemouths i've pulled out have been 2lbs or less. Most of the cats I've pulled out are what I grew up calling a mud cat which are no good.
And to be honest, I have never considered the fishing to be good from the bank back there. Most bass i've gotten were from the far grassy side off of texas rigged crawdads. Most of the catfish were from the flat sandy area just past where the levee broke. I've walked all the way around it with carolina rigs without a bite. I would love to be able to fish the brush line through the center of the pond with a boat but thats not allowed.
Seals reply :
On 1/30/2018 at 12:03 PM, beaver said:Hey Seals, I've fished back there extensively for bass and tightlining for catfish.
... are we allowed to say 'catfish' on this thread?
Anyway, I am by no means a great fisherman but I have caught several of each. Most of the largemouths i've pulled out have been 2lbs or less. Most of the cats I've pulled out are what I grew up calling a mud cat which are no good.
And to be honest, I have never considered the fishing to be good from the bank back there. Most bass i've gotten were from the far grassy side off of texas rigged crawdads. Most of the catfish were from the flat sandy area just past where the levee broke. I've walked all the way around it with carolina rigs without a bite. I would love to be able to fish the brush line through the center of the pond with a boat but thats not allowed.
I've never caught a bass back there, the only ones I've even seen were dead floating on top of the water. I've heard people talking about blue cats being in that pond, but I couldn't ever get them to bite(I'm a crappy catfisherman anyway). I wonder how deep it actually gets? I know where the brush line is it's fairly shallow. I would've liked to have fished it before the levee broke.
Edit: I did watch a couple of guys put a canoe in back there early last summer, didn't stick around to see how they did though.
beaver reply :
On 1/30/2018 at 1:25 PM, Seals said:Edit: I did watch a couple of guys put a canoe in back there early last summer, didn't stick around to see how they did though.
Yeah, I've seen several folks put small craft back there. Unfortunately there's a sign specifically stating no boats via image.
On a side note, my family bought me a $50 1232 jon boat fixer upper for Christmas. :] I reviewed Collierville's park ordinance and they are fairly strict on skateboarders but there's nothing relating to boats in their write up. I am hesitant to assume that if a body of water or park does not specifically state that boating is not allowed, it might be. Boats are strictly forbidden in Germantown from what I hear. I have a family member that works at Cville's chamber of commerce and i'm going to ask. If there's a doubt, I'm not risking it. I have also heard that you can put boats behind Lowes on Germantown parkway.
As far as depth, I would assume it is fairly deep in some points, specifically on the eastern side. That assumption is based on the angle of tightlines when catfishing. West side looks very shallow. NNW is where I've caught most of the little bass. I've seen alot of large stuff move out there though.
CWest reply :
Hey everyone, read a few pages on here trying to find somewhere new to fish. Ready to try out some of these spots I’m hearing about. Have any of you fished these ponds behind the high school back in the old dump?
beaver reply :
On 1/31/2018 at 12:15 AM, CWest said:Hey everyone, read a few pages on here trying to find somewhere new to fish. Ready to try out some of these spots I’m hearing about. Have any of you fished these ponds behind the high school back in the old dump?
Hey CWest,
Welcome to the thread!
I used to fish two ponds on the right before they put up Town of Collierville no trespassing signs all over.
It's a shame because it's a neat area back there.
They were shallow snot grass ponds surrounded by thickets but held a lot of small bass.
Short poles and flipping crawdads and arkies.
After reading the entire thread a few months ago I believe the best thing to do is this (and I missed my opportunity):
a. Say you're new to fishing and don't know where to go or what to do.
b. Try to sound a little sad about that in your post.
c. Wait for a bit.
d. Then this fishing legend named roadwarrior will step in, show mercy, and take you on a private fishing expedition where you catch gigantic bass for an entire morning and soak up knowledge.
What I've heard anyway. I've never seen him, but I believe he exists.
CWest reply :
I see the people from the houses kayaking and fishing in the big pond up in the left. I spray the grass at a couple of them and always see lots of small fish swimming around the banks over there. If only I lived in one of those houses ha
WDE reply :
On 1/30/2018 at 10:39 AM, Seals said:any of you guys ever fish the large pond in the back of WC Johnson, where the levee broke years back? All I've been catching there is crappie and bowfin
I’ve been back there a few times, never gotten a bite. Disappointing because it does look like it’d have potential.
CreazyBear reply :
Hi everyone,
It has been a while that i had picked up the ol fishing rod. And I am planning on getting back. I had been looking at the little pond at Shelby View Dr just behind the autobahn indoor speedway. Now the question is, how is the quality of fish there or is it even a great place to fish?
beaver reply :
On 2/6/2018 at 7:45 AM, CreazyBear said:Now the question is, how is the quality of fish there or is it even a great place to fish?
Hey CB!
Welcome to the thread!
I didn't know that body of water was there until your post.
Maybe someone else here has checked it out?
Angry John reply :
Took a half day from work and headed out to orgil pond at the golf course north of the navy base. Seems like a lot of other people had the same idea as i did. I got two bites landed one on a keitech/owner flashy swimmer and got a second bite on a f5 rapala shadrap. The fish came off the crank but felt like a two poundish fish and it left the water and spit my lure in my general direction about 15 feet from the yak. No one on the bank or in the boats was catching anything for most of my trip and one bream guy got dialed in for an hour and landed like 6. Hoping the storm front would activate them but still to cool i guess.
CWest reply :
Hey I think I saw you out there on your yak. I was playing disc golf around the lake today. Went fishing this morning at the big pond in front of the autobahn raceway. Not sure if I’m suppose to or not but had a fish pulling out my fully set drag on my lews baitcaster and then it popped my 15lb line. Buddy told me he used to catch 5+ pounders out of there. He said it was like 90ft deep out in middle.
wwood reply :
On 2/10/2018 at 12:16 PM, CWest said:Hey I think I saw you out there on your yak. I was playing disc golf around the lake today. Went fishing this morning at the big pond in front of the autobahn raceway. Not sure if I’m suppose to or not but had a fish pulling out my fully set drag on my lews baitcaster and then it popped my 15lb line. Buddy told me he used to catch 5+ pounders out of there. He said it was like 90ft deep out in middle.
What were you throwing & what part of the pond? I might have to try that place sometime since it’s only about 15min from my house but I’ve never thought to look there. ????
Same story this past week for me, i spent some time fishing before the weather moved in, hoping it would get the fish moving some, but didnt catch anything but leaves. Really hoping for some consistent warmer temps sometime soon
CWest reply :
I was fishing along the wall there closer to the road. Almost in the corner when you pull in the parking lot. I had on a lipless crank/blade bait type. Whatever it was hit that thing hard.
WDE reply :
2.9lbs at Johnson-fountains.
beaver reply :
On 2/14/2018 at 8:11 AM, WDE said:2.9lbs at Johnson-fountains.
Nice! i've been replacing floors and walls due to pinhole leak.
Will be a few weeks before I can get back out. :[
WDE reply :
On 2/14/2018 at 10:14 AM, beaver said:Nice! i've been replacing floors and walls due to pinhole leak.
Will be a few weeks before I can get back out. :[
Oof. However, the temps are trending upwards. Might be looking at prespawn by the time you get back out. I think we were in prespawn this time last year.
Angry John reply :
Has anyone ever fished the pond south of shelby farms next to the recycling center. Lots of open casting spots and signs that say fish at your own risk. Been twice this winter, no bites.
CWest reply :
Iv still never been fishing out at wc Johnson before. Might need to try it out.
On 2/10/2018 at 9:14 AM, Angry John said:Took a half day from work and headed out to orgil pond at the golf course north of the navy base. Seems like a lot of other people had the same idea as i did. I got two bites landed one on a keitech/owner flashy swimmer and got a second bite on a f5 rapala shadrap. The fish came off the crank but felt like a two poundish fish and it left the water and spit my lure in my general direction about 15 feet from the yak. No one on the bank or in the boats was catching anything for most of my trip and one bream guy got dialed in for an hour and landed like 6. Hoping the storm front would activate them but still to cool i guess.
Where all do you fish in your yak? I have a yak that’s not really a fishing one but could manage on it.
Angry John reply :
On 2/16/2018 at 11:58 AM, CWest said:Iv still never been fishing out at wc Johnson before. Might need to try it out.
Where all do you fish in your yak? I have a yak that’s not really a fishing one but could manage on it.
If there is a spot of water I am putting a liNE in it. Get some funny looks yakING around the dog park ponds at Shelby farms. Try not to go to far but exit 52 ish there are several ponds in the state park I have wet a line in. Off the next 4 days and planned on going at least twice. Monday is looking good
CWest reply :
Plan on taking on going to check out Glenn springs when it warms up a little bit. Might yak out there or rent one of the little boats they have.
wwood reply :
My only fish from this week 
. Got him flipping a jig at part of a Shelby farms pond where it got a little narrow and messy. He hit it on the retrieve about 2 feet off the bank and kinda surprised me
Angry John reply :
On 2/16/2018 at 12:25 PM, CWest said:Plan on taking on going to check out Glenn springs when it warms up a little bit. Might yak out there or rent one of the little boats they have.
My fishing partner picked Glenn for sunday, hope it's decent. Might go big baits for kicks. A lot easier out the back of a boat than in a yak...
CWest reply :
On 2/17/2018 at 2:28 PM, Angry John said:My fishing partner picked Glenn for sunday, hope it's decent. Might go big baits for kicks. A lot easier out the back of a boat than in a yak...
True. Iv heard the left side of the dock is better for bass out there.
WDE reply :
Got out for about 4-5 hours at Neshoba, Grove, and Johnson on Thursday. Not a single strike.
You can now reach some parts of the far bank at Grove since they carved a beaten path through the woods for the middle school cross country team. I’ll probably start spending some more time there in the coming weeks. Talked to a guy fishing for crappie out there, he was also having a rough go of it.
Bluffcityfly reply :
Hey guys, first time poster. I moved to memphis this past May from Florida. I'm a fly fisherman mostly, but will fish however. I went out to Johnson this Sunday for the first time and slung a little wooly bugger for only 20mins or so and caught a little speck (crappie). Just wanted to see the place and didn't have the time to really zone in on anything. Might try to get back out there this weekend. Anyone else mainly use fly around for the ponds around here? Or any other spots that give decent room for casting from the banks? Thanks in advance!
WDE reply :
Picked this big girl up this afternoon at Johnson . 4.6lbs, t rigged junebug Yum Dinger.
WDE reply :
On 2/28/2018 at 7:02 AM, Bluffcityfly said:Hey guys, first time poster. I moved to memphis this past May from Florida. I'm a fly fisherman mostly, but will fish however. I went out to Johnson this Sunday for the first time and slung a little wooly bugger for only 20mins or so and caught a little speck (crappie). Just wanted to see the place and didn't have the time to really zone in on anything. Might try to get back out there this weekend. Anyone else mainly use fly around for the ponds around here? Or any other spots that give decent room for casting from the banks? Thanks in advance!
Welcome to the thread. I’m not a fly fisherman myself, but I believe there’s at least one poster who gets out with his fly rod.
Depending on your knowledge of the area, we can direct you in a few different ways to kill an afternoon. Personally, I spend most of my time at the Johnson ponds because it’s 5 minutes from my house. In Collierville there’s also Halle which is behind the City Hall, Library, etc.
On my off days I’ll go to Germantown and hit a few ponds there. Primarily Grove and Neshoba. There’s also a big pond at Shelby Farms that I haven’t tried.
You can also go up to Herb Parsons, about 15-20 minutes outside of Collierville. It’s an actual lake, but plenty of bank to walk along. I think it’s $6 for a one time visit, but you can get a season pass as well as rent boats or kayak or whatever. Only trolling motors.
Most of the ponds I mentioned have clear clear banks for at least half of the body of water.
Bluffcityfly reply :
WDE , really appreciate the info. Awesome catch too. The lady and I live downtown Memphis so Collierville is a little haul but not terrible. Definitely worth it if I can get some fish dialed in. I'll have to spend some more time at Johnson and try the civic center as well. I tried a few ponds at shelby farms when I first moved here but only caught a blue gill with the fly. Saw a lot of bass just no takers. Ran into an older guy there that was also tossing a fly and he said long gone are the days he used to go out there and pluck 20-30 in an afternoon. I guess it just gets too much pressure (?). If anyone knows of something closer to downtown, let me know. If not , no worries, I'll let ya know how I do next time i make it east. Thanks!
Angry John reply :
I dont know if i ran into you in Bartlett today or not. There was a guy fly fishing at the church pond on Kirby witten and Yale.
Gabriel Sachett reply :
Hi All,
My first post here, i'm new to the area just moved from Brazil one month ago! Went to Johnson last sunday, had two actions during the afternoon, and got one little buddy. it is Johnson Road Park you guys are talking about right? Didnt know that those lake have this big bass thought, i'll definitly spend more time there.
Dink, nice catches, Congrats
Bluffcityfly reply :
On 2/28/2018 at 11:40 AM, Angry John said:I dont know if i ran into you in Bartlett today or not. There was a guy fly fishing at the church pond on Kirby witten and Yale.
No, unfortunately not me. Only went out to Johnson the other day for a short bit.
On 2/28/2018 at 12:57 PM, Gabriel Sachett said:Hi All,
My first post here, i'm new to the area just moved from Brazil one month ago! Went to Johnson last sunday, had two actions during the afternoon, and got one little buddy. it is Johnson Road Park you guys are talking about right? Didnt know that those lake have this big bass thought, i'll definitly spend more time there.
Dink, nice catches, Congrats
Gabriel, tudo bem? My fiancé is Brazilian too. We live downtown Memphis. Let me know if you ever want to fish sometime. Nice catch too!
Angry John reply :
Pulled a fiver at the pond next to the cop shop and performing arts center in bartlett. The first fish over 1.5 lbs ever out of that pond. It sees a bunch of pressure and then i hung up my trap and it was all over....
Gabriel Sachett reply :
On 2/28/2018 at 10:45 PM, Bluffcityfly said:No, unfortunately not me. Only went out to Johnson the other day for a short bit.
Gabriel, tudo bem? My fiancé is Brazilian too. We live downtown Memphis. Let me know if you ever want to fish sometime. Nice catch too!
Hi, that´s awesome. I live accross the street from Wolf river and Shelby farms. Would be great, i'm planning to go to Collierville this weekend if rain give us a break, forecast indicates sunny days in front. i´ve tried some ponds here in Shelby farms but no cacthes at all, Beaver lake seems promising though. let me know if you are coming to this side!!
Bluffcityfly reply :
anyone ever fish the creeks around the area? im not sure if now would be a good time to do so with all the rain, but some look like decent habitat...
also, anyone ever target carp? always wanted to land one on the fly, didn't know if there were and urban ponds that catered to carp around here
hopefully ill be doing fishing this weekend and able to give a report on Monday. thanks
Angry John reply :
On 3/1/2018 at 1:15 PM, Gabriel Sachett said:Hi, that´s awesome. I live accross the street from Wolf river and Shelby farms. Would be great, i'm planning to go to Collierville this weekend if rain give us a break, forecast indicates sunny days in front. i´ve tried some ponds here in Shelby farms but no cacthes at all, Beaver lake seems promising though. let me know if you are coming to this side!!
Beaver lake is rough and I caught one dink out of there. They all see a lot of pressure but I do have some 4lb catches out of the dog park ponds
Chris Walker reply :
On 11/15/2015 at 7:23 AM, MFBAB said:
That pond looks great, but it was recently converted to a Bartlett park. During the construction of the walking path, etc., they drained the lake according to Bartlett parks and rec., I think this was done in 2012-13 or so....
Basically, it is full of dinks, tiny bass, bream and crappie - throw a trout magnet in there and catch all you want.
It will probably get better in a few years, but I found it so tough for bass after a couple of trips this summer that I actually called in to check with the parks and rec. office to see if there had been a fish kill there, that's when I found out about the draining.
And yes, there is a bad siltation problem there too, I'm not sure whether it will fish very well from the bank even after it has had more time for the fish to grow. It's just an old farm pond, and they usually silt in eventually, but if you look at it on Google Earth and go back a few years to when Bartlett Parks was working on it, you can see that they really had the shoreline stripped down to dirt for a while...I think a lot of the silt issues came from their improvements.
Hope I save you some time, I had high hopes for that pond this past summer myself
Hi guys, I'm new to the forum. Just found it by Google searching this pond. I heard they have stocked trout in it. Has anyone fished it lately? Looking for a spot to take my boys fishing. Not looking for trophy fish, just fish on the hook to get the boys excited. Davies Plantation park is right around the corner from house.
WDE reply :
On 3/1/2018 at 1:15 PM, Gabriel Sachett said:Hi, that´s awesome. I live accross the street from Wolf river and Shelby farms. Would be great, i'm planning to go to Collierville this weekend if rain give us a break, forecast indicates sunny days in front. i´ve tried some ponds here in Shelby farms but no cacthes at all, Beaver lake seems promising though. let me know if you are coming to this side!!
You’re also close to Neshoba in Germantown. You’d drive right by it on your way to Johnson. It’s part of the Wolf River Greenway. The main pond is behind the Chic Fil A on Gtown parkway, I usually park in the doctors offices on Wolf River. Fishing there is seems to be better in Spring and Summer.
There’s 2 more ponds at Neshoba behind the tree line adjacent to the main pond if you don’t mind walking through the woods about 50 yards. Well, used to be 2 ponds, but a dam separating the two washed out during some heavy rains last year. I haven’t had any luck at either of those ponds since they merged. You can fish around the smaller portion pretty easily, but not much safe bank space for casting or walking around the larger part. There are some good bass in there though as well as crappie.
beaver reply :
On 3/2/2018 at 4:04 AM, Bluffcityfly said:also, anyone ever target carp? always wanted to land one on the fly, didn't know if there were and urban ponds that catered to carp around here
Hey Bluff, I actually was setting up to try to land some carp last summer.
There's a trail at johnson park cVille that starts at the first three ponds on the left, runs about two miles and hits the wolfriver and makes a right headed towards the end of the boardwalk. After that you'll eventually see a trail to your left that drops down to a large sandbar. There is a herd of carp back there. I went back there three times last year targeting bass. I strap my poles to backpacks and take bikes back in that area. It might be less distance going down the boardwalk and taking a left at the end of it but you cant bike that way.
Angry John reply :
Got one strike and one catch on a top water popper. Things are getting more intesting now.
beaver reply :
Struck out at herb parsons yesterday. Threw alot of different soft baits, spinners, lipless cranks. Even brought out beatle spins out of desperation. Nothing. On a bright note, my son and I tested out our new $50 fixer upper jon boat and survived.
WDE reply :
Bite was on and off quickly while I was out. Caught 3 in about 20 minutes, and 2 on back to back casts. 2 dinks, and this 2lb-ish. No bites for another hour and a half.
beaver reply :
On 3/6/2018 at 8:28 AM, WDE said:Bite was on and off quickly while I was out. Caught 3 in about 20 minutes, and 2 on back to back casts. 2 dinks, and this 2lb-ish. No bites for another hour and a half.
There aren't going to be any fish with lips left by the time I get back to 'our' honey hole. Darn pinhole leak home repair is making me miss the prespawn.
Gabriel Sachett reply :
On 3/3/2018 at 11:38 PM, WDE said:You’re also close to Neshoba in Germantown. You’d drive right by it on your way to Johnson. It’s part of the Wolf River Greenway. The main pond is behind the Chic Fil A on Gtown parkway, I usually park in the doctors offices on Wolf River. Fishing there is seems to be better in Spring and Summer.
There’s 2 more ponds at Neshoba behind the tree line adjacent to the main pond if you don’t mind walking through the woods about 50 yards. Well, used to be 2 ponds, but a dam separating the two washed out during some heavy rains last year. I haven’t had any luck at either of those ponds since they merged. You can fish around the smaller portion pretty easily, but not much safe bank space for casting or walking around the larger part. There are some good bass in there though as well as crappie.
Thanks for all the information, i went to Halle Park in Collierville, just two actions in 2 hrs fishing there, but a good size though. This is a very deep lake, and speaking with a local guy i've noticed that there's some huge bass over there. i've got my PB saturday afternoon. went back there on Sunday (couldnt resist) but any bite during all afternoon!
WDE reply :
On 3/6/2018 at 12:12 PM, beaver said:There aren't going to be any fish with lips left by the time I get back to 'our' honey hole.
Haha. They’re still being a bit finicky. Not biting as hard as they did in the Fall. I’m not sure if the rains we’ve been getting have pushed a lot back up into the creek or what. Hoping it dries out and they come out of there.
With real heavy rains it’ll flood the area by the bridge on the fountains pond. So I’m wondering if it’s ever deep enough for them to migrate back and forth.
I’ve been seeing a large carp(1.5-2ft long at least)moving around, and even leaping out of the water, that I’ve never seen back there before. I beginning to wonder if it’s the same large carp that I’ve seen numerous times in the fountains pond.
On 3/6/2018 at 12:29 PM, Gabriel Sachett said:Thanks for all the information, i went to Halle Park in Collierville, just two actions in 2 hrs fishing there, but a good size though. This is a very deep lake, and speaking with a local guy i've noticed that there's some huge bass over there. i've got my PB saturday afternoon. went back there on Sunday (couldnt resist) but any bite during all afternoon!
That’s a nice fish, did you get a weight? I’ve never had much luck there, but you may have inspired me. What were you throwing? I think it’s a pretty tough pond for everyone due to its depth. To paraphrase someone’s info given to me here, it used to be a quarry and the shad circle the middle which is where the bass hang out most of the time.
roadwarrior reply :
Nice fish, great pic!
Gabriel Sachett reply :
On 3/6/2018 at 10:10 PM, WDE said:Haha. They’re still being a bit finicky. Not biting as hard as they did in the Fall. I’m not sure if the rains we’ve been getting have pushed a lot back up into the creek or what. Hoping it dries out and they come out of there.
With real heavy rains it’ll flood the area by the bridge on the fountains pond. So I’m wondering if it’s ever deep enough for them to migrate back and forth.
I’ve been seeing a large carp(1.5-2ft long at least)moving around, and even leaping out of the water, that I’ve never seen back there before. I beginning to wonder if it’s the same large carp that I’ve seen numerous times in the fountains pond.
That’s a nice fish, did you get a weight? I’ve never had much luck there, but you may have inspired me. What were you throwing? I think it’s a pretty tough pond for everyone due to its depth. To paraphrase someone’s info given to me here, it used to be a quarry and the shad circle the middle which is where the bass hang out most of the time.
unfortnately i hadnt a scale with me, but it has 22 inches and was quite fat, i´ve check on internet (due my lack of experience with bass) and seems that this was a 6 pounder. believe or not it was bigger than appears in the picture, i know, usualy is the other way around.
I was throwing a big lipless crank. yes i've heard that too, those big guys don´t come to shore very often. Btw there´s another pic of the guy. would be great hear your opnion about the weight.
WDE reply :
On 3/7/2018 at 11:19 AM, Gabriel Sachett said:unfortnately i hadnt a scale with me, but it has 22 inches and was quite fat, i´ve check on internet (due my lack of experience with bass) and seems that this was a 6 pounder. believe or not it was bigger than appears in the picture, i know, usualy is the other way around.
I was throwing a big lipless crank. yes i've heard that too, those big guys don´t come to shore very often. Btw there´s another pic of the guy. would be great hear your opnion about the weight.
Was going to say low to mid 5s based on the picture, and based on bass I’ve caught that appeared that size. Get yourself a scale!
Noted on the lipless. Every time I toss one in that pond I catch more algae than anything, which is another reason why I don’t fish there often—because lipless and squarebill are my typical go-to lures.
Bluffcityfly reply :
On 3/4/2018 at 9:13 PM, beaver said:Hey Bluff, I actually was setting up to try to land some carp last summer.
There's a trail at johnson park cVille that starts at the first three ponds on the left, runs about two miles and hits the wolfriver and makes a right headed towards the end of the boardwalk. After that you'll eventually see a trail to your left that drops down to a large sandbar. There is a herd of carp back there. I went back there three times last year targeting bass. I strap my poles to backpacks and take bikes back in that area. It might be less distance going down the boardwalk and taking a left at the end of it but you cant bike that way.
That's awesome. Thanks a ton man.
I wasnt able to get out east this weekend but hopefully soon. I fished a small pond near downtown but didn't have much luck. Full moon and cooler temps may have thrown the bite a little. At least that's the excuse I'll use!I
WDE reply :
Just an FYI—I went to Neshoba last Wednesday, and due to the heavy rains we had the previous week, the Wolf River flooded into the surrounding ponds and they’re way up full of muddy water.
Gabriel Sachett reply :
On 3/13/2018 at 1:41 AM, WDE said:Just an FYI—I went to Neshoba last Wednesday, and due to the heavy rains we had the previous week, the Wolf River flooded into the surrounding ponds and they’re way up full of muddy water.
Hi buddy, i went to Nashoba last saturday, spend 1.5hours there and caught one little bass in a texas rig with a creature (not able to uplod pictures). If weather help i´m thinking to go to Meeman Shelby next weekend, has anyone ever fished there??
WDE reply :
On 3/13/2018 at 12:56 PM, Gabriel Sachett said:Hi buddy, i went to Nashoba last saturday, spend 1.5hours there and caught one little bass in a texas rig with a creature (not able to uplod pictures). If weather help i´m thinking to go to Meeman Shelby next weekend, has anyone ever fished there??
When I was there I only managed a small one in as much time as well. Hoping that the water calms after the flooding.
Never heard of Meeman Shelby, please report back if you go.
WDE reply :
Went up to Piperton today where I have access to a private neighborhood pond. Caught 3 in about 1.5 hours all on T rigged junebug Yum Dinger. Estimating 2.5lbs, the others were 1.5 or less.
Caught this one at Johnson the other day, 3.7:
Gabriel Sachett reply :
On 3/15/2018 at 8:20 AM, WDE said:Went up to Piperton today where I have access to a private neighborhood pond. Caught 3 in about 1.5 hours all on T rigged junebug Yum Dinger. Estimating 2.5lbs, the others were 1.5 or less.
Caught this one at Johnson the other day, 3.7:
Awesome!!seems like t rig is the best option lately. Forecast is showing some rain for the weekend, glade you're enjoyng the sunny days! congrats
WDE reply :
On 3/15/2018 at 12:21 PM, Gabriel Sachett said:Awesome!!seems like t rig is the best option lately. Forecast is showing some rain for the weekend, glade you're enjoyng the sunny days! congrats
Lipless is starting to heat up too. If I can’t get a bite after 20-30 min on that, I move back to the ol’ faithful.
The 3.7 above was on a lipless ghost shad from H20 Xpress(aka the Academy Sports brand). About $3 and reliable. I caught 4 that day all on the same lure.
Blaine McGraw reply :
Has anyone fished Glen Springs?
bartlettbassin95 reply :
On 3/23/2018 at 2:34 AM, Blaine McGraw said:Has anyone fished Glen Springs?
I've only been up there once, rented a jon boat for the day but spent about 80% of my time fighting getting blown around by the wind. Not a productive day fishing...
Maybe someone else had a better experience? It's definitely a more boat friendly lake as far as i can tell.
Brandon Dippel reply :
Would anyone want to meet up Monday morning? Get on some fish.
WDE reply :
I hit up Neshoba yesterday and caught a couple dinks in about an hour. One on a worm and the other on a crank.
I headed over to Johnson and couldn’t buy a bite in the brush pond or the fountains. Really odd not to even get a sniff in the brush pond.
Angry John reply :
Are you seeing any beds? Might be shutting down for the spawn here in two days but I been fishing mostly bigger waters and have not seen any yet. Big waters like Kentucky lake and beech lake are mid fifties.
WDE reply :
On 4/1/2018 at 11:27 AM, Angry John said:Are you seeing any beds? Might be shutting down for the spawn here in two days but I been fishing mostly bigger waters and have not seen any yet. Big waters like Kentucky lake and beech lake are mid fifties.
I thought about that too, and you could be correct. Haven’t seen any beds because the water is so murky.
WDE reply :
Apparently alligators have been spotted recently in Memphis.
http://wreg.com/2018/03/27/seven-foot-alligator-sighted-in-river-near-memphis/
Angry John reply :
Well if you hook one it will feel like the fish of a lifetime
WDE reply :
Saw my first snake of the year, so it looks like I’ll be keeping out of the woods until Fall. I believe it was just a non venomous brown water snake, but I didn’t want to get any closer. He was curled up on some reeds at the Johnson brush pond.
Caught 1 at Neshoba in about 5 casts. Didn’t get a sniff for the rest of the day.
WDE reply :
PB this afternoon at Johnson-fountains! 5.1lbs on the lipless crank.
Angry John reply :
Take that pb however you can... my buddy were joking about using a cast net during the spawn snap a pic and let them go. He laughed I laughed the game warden gave us a cross look and we left for home. We had fun with it the rest of the trip home.
wwood reply :
Got out today in my kayak for about 2hrs at the Shelby farms lake by the stables. Only caught a dink, but had a few swipe at a spinner bait. They seemed to be up really shallow crashing on the bank.
Also— keep your eyes open: the snake count for today was 9.
WDE reply :
Snakes are definitely out at Johnson. I was walking the paved walkway next to the walking bridge on the back side of the fountains pond, scanning the area to my right in between the concrete and the bridge watching for snakes. Caught some movement on the pond side, and a 2 foot long snake(unsure if cottonmouth or harmless water snake) went swimming by.
It swam a few feet then ducked and disappeared under water. I continued looking out for it while casting from the other bank, and about 5 minutes later it popped its head out of the water about a foot off the bank. It was just checking me out, but needless to say, keep your head on a swivel.
Ole DjB reply :
I went to the Grove Park today, threw everything from plastic to top water rat. No bites, but only 2nd time there. I'm hitting up Johnson Park in the morning. Any suggestions or tips would be great! I'm still looking to pull in my first TN Bass!
I'll update as the day goes on!!
Thank you to everyone contributing to the Memphis Pond Hoppers thread!!
You're making my world a better place!!
Happy fishing!
WDE reply :
On 5/8/2018 at 2:06 PM, Ole DjB said:I went to the Grove Park today, threw everything from plastic to top water rat. No bites, but only 2nd time there. I'm hitting up Johnson Park in the morning. Any suggestions or tips would be great! I'm still looking to pull in my first TN Bass!
I'll update as the day goes on!!
Thank you to everyone contributing to the Memphis Pond Hoppers thread!!
You're making my world a better place!!
Happy fishing!
Grove Park is tough. Big fish in there, but I can never find them. I’ve caught fish there on just about everything, but I get skunked more often than not.
I’m most confident with cranks and plastics at Johnson.
Schnoah reply :
Hey guys, new to this page. I was looking for places to fish in Cordova area. I went and fished Herb Parsons and IH the last few days. Didn’t catch anything. Had one real good bite at IH tonight but missed the hook set.
Thanks to reading through some of these messages... I am going to try Cordova country club tmw. So let’s hope it turns out good.
Schnoah reply :
I’m curious. Where do you guys park when going to cordova country club?
BrushHog1906 reply :
On 5/10/2018 at 12:25 PM, Schnoah said:I’m curious. Where do you guys park when going to cordova country club?
How was your trip to the Cordova Country Club? Is the Memphis Foot Golf group still there?
I have not been there since the fall. I usually park in the parking lot and walk around to all the ponds. The first pond supposedly has the biggest ones. They love top water and a soft plastic lizard for sure!
BrushHog1906 reply :
Hey Guys!
I hope everyone has gotten out of their winter funk and catching our green friends!
My most recent trip was to Halle Park last Saturday. Caught 2 one pounders on the Summer Craw. Wishing to catch one of the monsters out deep. Any suggestions? (Would love to hop in a kayak)
Haven't any luck at Grove nor Neshoba. A little luck throwing out at my apt but nothing but dinks.
Any old/new places heating up? Ex: Daycare Pond or Lowe's Pond?
Also, Johnson Road Park & Johnson Fountains - Are these 2 different places???
The pictures from WDE does not look like Johnson Road Park. @WDE
Lately, I have had luck throwing the Rage Tail - Summer Craw color texas-rigged. Since last year, I caught my PB bass on a chatterbait and I always start off with it. Hoping to top my PB soon!
BrushHog1906 reply :
Found my way to WC Johnson Park! Prettiest park I've here in Memphis.
And not bad for my first time out. Saw something swarm the bank about 2-3 times. Through everything in the book until I decided to throw a worm.
Nice 2.5 lb chunk. Picture too big to upload
Schnoah reply :
On 5/11/2018 at 3:25 AM, BrushHog1906 said:How was your trip to the Cordova Country Club? Is the Memphis Foot Golf group still there?
I have not been there since the fall. I usually park in the parking lot and walk around to all the ponds. The first pond supposedly has the biggest ones. They love top water and a soft plastic lizard for sure!
It was pretty Terrible. I saw the few big carp in there. Tons of snakes, think I counted 9. I threw a Chatterbait, popper, jig and Senko. Was there for about 90min (only hit the big first pond) saw one bass in the down trees in the corner but that was about it.
Ole DjB reply :
On 5/8/2018 at 9:08 PM, WDE said:Grove Park is tough. Big fish in there, but I can never find them. I’ve caught fish there on just about everything, but I get skunked more often than not.
I’m most confident with cranks and plastics at Johnson.
Thanks WDE! Grove continues to skunked me... plenty of snakes! There everywhere! Have you ever been to that little pond on the back side through the cut path? I headed that way, but came toe to baby Cooper head, so I turned back, didn't feel like losing a toe! I will say, when I did come back, I saw 3 very large fish, under the over hang, about Midway through that cut path. I can't believe they were bass, the top fin was curved and pointy. I couldn't tell, but they were very large fish! Im not giving up on the Grove. My boss gave me a machete knife, after listening to my stories, so I hope to clear out some of new holes to hit. Never give up!! Keep on fishing!!
Ole DjB reply :
On 5/11/2018 at 11:41 AM, BrushHog1906 said:Found my way to WC Johnson Park! Prettiest park I've here in Memphis.
And not bad for my first time out. Saw something swarm the bank about 2-3 times. Through everything in the book until I decided to throw a worm.
Nice 2.5 lb chunk. Picture too big to upload
They definitely like the plastic work at Johnson fountain and the top pond! By the bridge, top pond, I had a decent bass coming in, but it was able to head shake, off the hook!! But Johnson is my favorite spot as of now!
Ole DjB reply :
I'm headed out tomorrow morning, a HOT day fishing is better than sitting in AC house, wishing I was throwing braid!!! I wanted to try the, "Day Care" spot. Just have no idea were it is. Also, I've read about the lake behind Lowe's on G-Town Road, is that accessible? And if anyone knows of other spots, besides, Grove, Johnson, Neshoba or Collierville City Hall, PLEASE let me know. Even the surrounding counties of Memphis, I'll try it and report back!!
Thanks to everyone who takes time to keep the fishing good in Memphis!!
Happy fishing!!
I have a 14ft. Flat bottom John Boat, with live well. I am trying to get it registered here in TN. She's from Michigan, I do not have the,"Bill of sale", all I have is my past MI registration. It was a gift for my 40th. So I never saw any of the paper work. Does anyone know if that will be enough to get it registered? And what is the ,"sales tax", I keep reading about? If anyone can help guide me, so I can get her back in the water, I would greatly appreciate any advice. And I'll even take you or yous out for a day on the water!! Thank you!
WDE reply :
On 5/15/2018 at 12:34 PM, Ole DjB said:I'm headed out tomorrow morning, a HOT day fishing is better than sitting in AC house, wishing I was throwing braid!!! I wanted to try the, "Day Care" spot. Just have no idea were it is. Also, I've read about the lake behind Lowe's on G-Town Road, is that accessible? And if anyone knows of other spots, besides, Grove, Johnson, Neshoba or Collierville City Hall, PLEASE let me know. Even the surrounding counties of Memphis, I'll try it and report back!!
Thanks to everyone who takes time to keep the fishing good in Memphis!!
Happy fishing!!
I have a 14ft. Flat bottom John Boat, with live well. I am trying to get it registered here in TN. She's from Michigan, I do not have the,"Bill of sale", all I have is my past MI registration. It was a gift for my 40th. So I never saw any of the paper work. Does anyone know if that will be enough to get it registered? And what is the ,"sales tax", I keep reading about? If anyone can help guide me, so I can get her back in the water, I would greatly appreciate any advice. And I'll even take you or yous out for a day on the water!! Thank you!
Herb Parsons Lake just outside Collierville. Plenty of bank to walk, can launch boats with trolling motors. Can also rent boats/motors. $6 to fish, or get a season pass. Big bass in that lake including cats and crappie.
Day Care is on Shea Rd at the corner of Houston Levee. I’ve never gotten a bite there.
I went to Johnson Rd Park yesterday afternoon and caught a little 1lb on the lower pond. Hardest fighting pounder I’ve ever caught. Crushed the lure and made a spectacle of himself jumping out of the water a few times as I brought him in. First time fishing there, not a bad little spot.
Bought a Whopper Plopper 90 this morning and took it to throw around behind city hall. Fished it for about an hour with no strikes and decided to tie on a crank and got another 1lb on the first cast.
WDE reply :
Woke up at 5am and couldn’t fall back asleep. So I decided to hit several ponds between 6 and 10. Landed 6, all on the Whopper Plopper I bought yesterday. No real size to speak of, but that topwater bite is fun no matter what.
I did go hit daycare and caught my 2 biggest there(1.5 range), and a 2-3lb spit my lure(of course).
JakebeCastin reply :
Since I'm finally done with school, I got sometime to head out to Collierville City hall last week and did some damage.
I was using a spinnerbait at first and switched up to a Bull Frog color Speed craw. I caught like 3-4 good size and this momma popped on it.
I caught most of these on the right side of the parking lot pass the water drain of the fence, I normally fish across the lake on the deeper end but changed it up a bit and glad I did.
Collierville holds some big bass, if only a kayak was allowed.
If anyone is free lets fish.
WDE reply :
I have access to a couple private neighborhood ponds up in Piperton, but I rarely go up there as to not impose on the resident(even though they tell me to come whenever).
Caught 5 today on t rigged black/blue and junebug Yum Dinger. Largest went 2.5(upper right). Obviously you can see they hang out around the bushes.
2 on the other pond from Wednesday. Larger one was 2.6. Both on the Yum Dinger.
I’ve been out every day this week, and it’s felt pretty d**n good.
WDE reply :
On 5/19/2018 at 4:00 AM, JakebeCastin said:Since I'm finally done with school, I got sometime to head out to Collierville City hall last week and did some damage.
I was using a spinnerbait at first and switched up to a Bull Frog color Speed craw. I caught like 3-4 good size and this momma popped on it.
I caught most of these on the right side of the parking lot pass the water drain of the fence, I normally fish across the lake on the deeper end but changed it up a bit and glad I did.
Collierville holds some big bass, if only a kayak was allowed.
If anyone is free lets fish.
Congrats on being done with school! I’m free random days. PM me and we can see if we can coordinate something.
Ole DjB reply :
On 5/17/2018 at 12:00 AM, WDE said:Woke up at 5am and couldn’t fall back asleep. So I decided to hit several ponds between 6 and 10. Landed 6, all on the Whopper Plopper I bought yesterday. No real size to speak of, but that topwater bite is fun no matter what.
I did go hit daycare and caught my 2 biggest there(1.5 range), and a 2-3lb spit my lure(of course).
Thank you for the directions to Day Care Pond!! Now I'm looking forward to going to it and seeing what it's all about! Johnson Park Lower Lake is definitely a place to go if you haven't caught anything in awhile.. there's definitely some nice fish in that Lake! I decided to do a little night fishing tonight. Went to in the Shobha / Chick-fil-A pond, a rigged up a ChatterBait with a brush hog tail after about an hour of slowly working the shoreline, I pulled in a nice 1 pounder, just over, according to the scale. I got to say, I really liked the night fish!! Using my other sences to really hone in on my lure, was definitely fun! Plus, you can't beat the cool night air!! Thanks again WDE!! Hope to see you out there!
Angry John reply :
On 5/19/2018 at 2:30 PM, Ole DjB said:Thank you for the directions to Day Care Pond!! Now I'm looking forward to going to it and seeing what it's all about! Johnson Park Lower Lake is definitely a place to go if you haven't caught anything in awhile.. there's definitely some nice fish in that Lake! I decided to do a little night fishing tonight. Went to in the Shobha / Chick-fil-A pond, a rigged up a ChatterBait with a brush hog tail after about an hour of slowly working the shoreline, I pulled in a nice 1 pounder, just over, according to the scale. I got to say, I really liked the night fish!! Using my other sences to really hone in on my lure, was definitely fun! Plus, you can't beat the cool night air!! Thanks again WDE!! Hope to see you out there!
Went night fishing at the churchouse pond on Yale and kurby witten. Caught 5 and lost another on a small popper. That pond has a bunch of small fish but top water in the dark gets the blood pumping.
Ole DjB reply :
Heck yea! I was checking out some night fishing videos, before heading out and alot of anglers were talking about the top water poppers. I'm gonna have to get some. What type of popper did you use? I'm gonna have to check out the church pond, I live off 240 at Walnut Grove, so that's a quick drive for me.
Angry John reply :
On 5/20/2018 at 9:42 AM, Ole DjB said:Heck yea! I was checking out some night fishing videos, before heading out and alot of anglers were talking about the top water poppers. I'm gonna have to get some. What type of popper did you use? I'm gonna have to check out the church pond, I live off 240 at Walnut Grove, so that's a quick drive for me.
The river 2 sea popper the bubble walker, the pop max and I have a cheap bps that kills it. Minus the mb all can be had for 20. The mb is 20.
Brandon Dippel reply :
What’s the deal around here? I’ve been to every pond known to man, fished every bait I’ve got and haven’t got a bite in 3 weeks..,
Angry John reply :
On 5/22/2018 at 2:15 PM, Brandon Dippel said:What’s the deal around here? I’ve been to every pond known to man, fished every bait I’ve got and haven’t got a bite in 3 weeks..,
Go at 730 pm and work a frog or popper along the bank and it should catch you at least one. It has worked extremely well for me the last 7 days and I get out almost every night for at least an hour. The zoom 6" lizard in 420 working well on a Carolina rig.
Brandon Dippel reply :
On 5/22/2018 at 9:10 PM, Angry John said:Go at 730 pm and work a frog or popper along the bank and it should catch you at least one. It has worked extremely well for me the last 7 days and I get out almost every night for at least an hour. The zoom 6" lizard in 420 working well on a Carolina rig.
I work nights do that’s out of the question. I’ve tried to get the morning bite but that’s not working. I have thought about going at 1 am when I get off but I’m a chicken and don’t want to get in trouble.
Angry John reply :
The popper works for me any time it's dark. Day worker so I dont get to try that morning fishing often.
wwood reply :
Went fishing with a friend at a pond then a private lake in our kayaks this past week. Caught about 12-15 of all different sizes, then caught my new PB- a 6lber.
Texas rigged zoom ultravibe worm, junebug & green pumpkin colors.
roadwarrior reply :
CONGRATULATIONS!
WDE reply :
On 5/23/2018 at 8:02 AM, wwood said:Went fishing with a friend at a pond then a private lake in our kayaks this past week. Caught about 12-15 of all different sizes, then caught my new PB- a 6lber.
Texas rigged zoom ultravibe worm, junebug & green pumpkin colors.
Now that’s a bucket mouth. Nice fish.
JakebeCastin reply :
On 5/23/2018 at 8:02 AM, wwood said:Went fishing with a friend at a pond then a private lake in our kayaks this past week. Caught about 12-15 of all different sizes, then caught my new PB- a 6lber.
Texas rigged zoom ultravibe worm, junebug & green pumpkin colors.
NICE!!!! CONGRATS on your PB!
WDE reply :
I think I am done with Grove until Fall. I don’t think I’ll ever figure it out. Went this afternoon between 6 and 7, and nothing going on. Even back in the corner with all the tree overhangs, which looks pretty tasty.
Caught two out of Johnson Rd Park(lower). Both small, not sure if there’s any decent fish in there, but it’s been pretty reliable the 3 times I’ve been.
Nothing doing at City Hall between between 7 and 8. Seems my only luck there comes in the morning. If Chris posts or reads here, it was nice meeting and talking to you for a bit.
Giving Johnson a break for a while. Gonna go try to find some new waters to explore tomorrow.
Angry John reply :
On 5/24/2018 at 10:14 AM, WDE said:I think I am done with Grove until Fall. I don’t think I’ll ever figure it out. Went this afternoon between 6 and 7, and nothing going on. Even back in the corner with all the tree overhangs, which looks pretty tasty.
Caught two out of Johnson Rd Park(lower). Both small, not sure if there’s any decent fish in there, but it’s been pretty reliable the 3 times I’ve been.
Nothing doing at City Hall between between 7 and 8. Seems my only luck there comes in the morning. If Chris posts or reads here, it was nice meeting and talking to you for a bit.
Giving Johnson a break for a while. Gonna go try to find some new waters to explore tomorrow.
I feel like it's getting later on in the season and these pond fish see an insane amount of pressure. Tons of natural food is also available as I see tons of minnows in these ponds now. Might be time to change tactics and try and find an approach that is not as common. Drops hot maybe?
BrushHog1906 reply :
Anybody hitting the water soon? I am thinking to get out tomorrow afternoon before the storm comes.
Birdnester reply :
Just fished the Grove for the first time today. Almost got skunked but managed to hook the tiniest bream on a small popper. Used a fluke too but only managed a couple of missed fish. What do you all use to catch bass there? I have both a bait caster and light spinning gear. Still learning the baitcaster and can’t seem to manage long casts yet. Relatively new to freshwater fishing so any advice is appreciated.
bartlettbassin95 reply :
So, I've just made a huge upgrade to my fishing arsenal:
A kayak!
So, I've broken it in a couple times on a private lake i fish, but i'm wondering if anyone knows what local public spots are kayak-friendly??
WDE reply :
On 6/9/2018 at 11:16 AM, Birdnester said:Just fished the Grove for the first time today. Almost got skunked but managed to hook the tiniest bream on a small popper. Used a fluke too but only managed a couple of missed fish. What do you all use to catch bass there? I have both a bait caster and light spinning gear. Still learning the baitcaster and can’t seem to manage long casts yet. Relatively new to freshwater fishing so any advice is appreciated.
I’ve caught fish on just about everything in there. And I’ve fished every inch of the bank that’s easily accessible. However, I get skunked more often than not—so I rarely go there anymore. Next time I go will be when the Fall bite is on.
Baitcasting takes a bit of practice and familiarity with your reel and lure choices, when I started I couldn’t manage long casts. Every time you tie on a new lure, crank the tension up and the brake all the way down. Reel the lure up to about 5 inches from the rod tip and press the button on the reel. Loosen the tension so it’s not falling fast, but not slow either. Turn your brake to half and adjust accordingly.
On 6/9/2018 at 1:31 PM, bartlettbassin95 said:So, I've just made a huge upgrade to my fishing arsenal:
A kayak!
So, I've broken it in a couple times on a private lake i fish, but i'm wondering if anyone knows what local public spots are kayak-friendly??
Herb Parsons.
Birdnester reply :
Thanks WDE. Went to Halle this afternoon and caught about a two pounder on a jig with the bait caster. Fun catching fish with it as it feels more powerful than the spinning setup I have. Still not casting that far. It’s amazing to see others seem to cast a mile. I guess I just need more practice. I’ll be out again Sunday.
WDE reply :
Midday bite is gone as far as I’m concerned. Only time to hit it is in the morning lately for me. Nailed these 7 this morning on a t rigged black/blue and junebug Dinger in about 2.5 hours.
Brandon Dippel reply :
On 6/28/2018 at 6:19 AM, WDE said:Midday bite is gone as far as I’m concerned. Only time to hit it is in the morning lately for me. Nailed these 7 this morning on a t rigged black/blue and junebug Dinger in about 2.5 hours.
That’s a pretty good bag you got there! I bet that was at a private pond right?
WDE reply :
On 6/30/2018 at 2:40 PM, Brandon Dippel said:That’s a pretty good bag you got there! I bet that was at a private pond right?
Correct. With the way the bite has been lately, I’ve been avoiding the usual pressured ponds.
Brandon Dippel reply :
On 7/1/2018 at 11:30 AM, WDE said:Correct. With the way the bite has been lately, I’ve been avoiding the usual pressured ponds.
Anyone can catch em on a private pond...just saying
WDE reply :
On 7/2/2018 at 6:31 AM, Brandon Dippel said:Anyone can catch em on a private pond...just saying
I fail to see your point.
SouthernAngler reply :
New to the board and Germantown looking for public places to fish in the Memphis area.
I didn't go through all 49 pages but compiled a list of ponds mentioned below.
Neshoba Park
Grove Park
Glen Springs
Daycare Pond
Collierville City Hall Pond
Johnson Park Lower Lake
Church house Pond
Shelby Farms Lake
Herb Parsons Lake
Are there any additional ponds in the greater Memphis area that I can add to the fishing list? I'm also not sure as to the location of Daycare Pond and Church House pond. Which of the locations above are producing good fish?
A bit of info I can bring, I live in Germantown Station and recently took over the Park Services in our HOA and am working to have the pond re-stocked. Currently has only bass and bream with both populations being heavily pressured.
Jorge Granados reply :
Hey I am new to this place anyone want to fish?
WDE reply :
On 7/5/2018 at 11:57 PM, SouthernAngler said:New to the board and Germantown looking for public places to fish in the Memphis area.
I didn't go through all 49 pages but compiled a list of ponds mentioned below.
Neshoba Park
Grove Park
Glen Springs
Daycare Pond
Collierville City Hall Pond
Johnson Park Lower Lake
Church house Pond
Shelby Farms Lake
Herb Parsons Lake
Are there any additional ponds in the greater Memphis area that I can add to the fishing list? I'm also not sure as to the location of Daycare Pond and Church House pond. Which of the locations above are producing good fish?
A bit of info I can bring, I live in Germantown Station and recently took over the Park Services in our HOA and am working to have the pond re-stocked. Currently has only bass and bream with both populations being heavily pressured.
That covers most of them. You could add Patriot and Beaver Lakes at Shelby farms.
WC Johnson Park has 6 ponds with fish in it. I believe the “Johnson Park” you’re referring to is Johnson Rd Park, which does have an upper and lower pond.
Daycare is near the corner of Houston Levee and Shea Rd. Park in the day care parking lot. I’ve had some success there in the mornings on a Whopper Plopper. Prior to figuring that out, I had never gotten a bite there in the afternoons.
BrushHog1906 reply :
I've been slacking lately hitting the water. I shall be back out there soon.
I did check out Mayor Lake and Chickasaw at Shelby Farms a while back. Spotted a few bass in both but Chickasaw is a huge body of water to take on, on feet.
@WDE which lake is your favorite at Shelby Farms?
Looking to catch some nice bass and bream.
WDE reply :
On 7/10/2018 at 4:05 AM, BrushHog1906 said:I've been slacking lately hitting the water. I shall be back out there soon.
I did check out Mayor Lake and Chickasaw at Shelby Farms a while back. Spotted a few bass in both but Chickasaw is a huge body of water to take on, on feet.
@WDE which lake is your favorite at Shelby Farms?
Looking to catch some nice bass and bream.
I haven’t spent much time there to be honest; but Beaver Lake looks promising. I’m going to wait until the snake threat dies off to go stomping around the back side with the woods. It’s pretty big. There was a lot of moss/algae along the bottom, but it may have died off or calmed down by now.
Patriot Lake is also pretty huge, without a kayak or some other boat, I’ll probably never try bank fishing there.
beaver reply :
I have returned.
beaver reply :
I worked half way around Halle park tonight with frogs, beatle spins, worms and christie crawlers and completely struck out. Couple hits right when I got there(19:00) on blue/black 7 inch worm but was likely a brim.
Snott grass thick as usual.
I have never personally done good there (not saying much) but it seems others pull in lunkers.
Anyone had any recent success there?
beaver reply :
On 7/6/2018 at 7:52 AM, WDE said:That covers most of them. You could add Patriot and Beaver Lakes at Shelby farms.
WC Johnson Park has 6 ponds with fish in it. I believe the “Johnson Park” you’re referring to is Johnson Rd Park, which does have an upper and lower pond.
Daycare is near the corner of Houston Levee and Shea Rd. Park in the day care parking lot. I’ve had some success there in the mornings on a Whopper Plopper. Prior to figuring that out, I had never gotten a bite there in the afternoons.
I have had cool weather success tossing t-rigged rage craws at the furthest light pole from the day care near the road as well. Daycare pond is another snott grass semi shallow pond but has mature bass in it. Zero shade so the tactics are different.
wwood reply :
I’ve had a few good ones in the past few weeks + a lottt of dinks.
Anyone else been catching much lately? Thread has kinda died since last month 
WDE reply :
On 8/23/2018 at 3:51 PM, wwood said:I’ve had a few good ones in the past few weeks + a lottt of dinks.
Anyone else been catching much lately? Thread has kinda died since last month
I’ve been whacking them at the neighborhood pond I was cleared to use. Couple hours in the morning a few days a week. Haven’t gotten anything of size lately though.
Waiting for the Fall weather to roll in so I can spend a little more time out bouncing around ponds.
Brandon Dippel reply :
Fishing here sucks. End of story
G.K. Hoak reply :
Fairly new here, didn't grow up here, but I was wondering if anyone did any frog gigging around here and if so where do you usually go?
Brandon Dippel reply :
Anyone know any good bank fishing spots on the big lakes down 55? Sardis, Arkabutla
GRITnGRIND1001 reply :
On 9/9/2018 at 3:03 AM, Brandon Dippel said:Anyone know any good bank fishing spots on the big lakes down 55? Sardis, Arkabutla
I have had luck all three times I have been to Sardis in the past 2 months. I go to the spillway on the lower lake. Nice bass are right along the rocks on both sides where it widens out.
roadwarrior reply :
Welcome aboard!
Boaz reply :
On 7/5/2018 at 11:57 PM, SouthernAngler said:New to the board and Germantown looking for public places to fish in the Memphis area.
I didn't go through all 49 pages but compiled a list of ponds mentioned below.
Neshoba Park
Grove Park
Glen Springs
Daycare Pond
Collierville City Hall Pond
Johnson Park Lower Lake
Church house Pond
Shelby Farms Lake
Herb Parsons Lake
Are there any additional ponds in the greater Memphis area that I can add to the fishing list? I'm also not sure as to the location of Daycare Pond and Church House pond. Which of the locations above are producing good fish?
I'm assuming that Neshoba Park is the one behind Chick-fil-A in Germantown, if so, I caught a 4 pounder out of there yesterday, September 12th. Not the one with the walking trail, the one they don't cut the grass around.
So where is the church house pond?
I live in midtown, any leads on places that might be good not so far away? Sometimes I have only an hour or so to fish.
Anyone ever fish off of Humphreys north of Walnut Grove? Or any of the bar pits along 385?
On 7/5/2018 at 10:57 AM, SouthernAngler said:
On 8/27/2018 at 1:18 PM, Brandon Dippel said:Fishing here sucks. End of story
Aw, man...did you try wombo?
Boaz reply :
On 7/11/2018 at 8:08 AM, WDE said:I haven’t spent much time there to be honest; but Beaver Lake looks promising. I’m going to wait until the snake threat dies off to go stomping around the back side with the woods. It’s pretty big. There was a lot of moss/algae along the bottom, but it may have died off or calmed down by now.
Patriot Lake is also pretty huge, without a kayak or some other boat, I’ll probably never try bank fishing there.
Ha! I'll be dead and buried before I call it Hyde Lake. From what I understand they were going to wait several years after the lake reopened before they were going to allow fishing there.
As far as Shelby Farms fishing goes, I like the three eastern most ponds in the leash-free dog area. They seem to be the least fished. I once fished the pond near the corner of Mullins Station and Farm Road without much luck. I'm going to hit it again one day, but it's not easy to get to, and even harder to walk around, and it's kinda far to drag my kayak.
I haven't fished Beaver Lake in 20+ years, but I have to assume it's heavily fished.
Boaz reply :
On 8/23/2018 at 3:51 PM, wwood said:I’ve had a few good ones in the past few weeks + a lottt of dinks.
Anyone else been catching much lately? Thread has kinda died since last month
I'd like to know where you found those
On 7/11/2018 at 8:08 AM, WDE said:I haven’t spent much time there to be honest; but Beaver Lake looks promising. I’m going to wait until the snake threat dies off to go stomping around the back side with the woods. It’s pretty big. There was a lot of moss/algae along the bottom, but it may have died off or calmed down by now.
Patriot Lake is also pretty huge, without a kayak or some other boat, I’ll probably never try bank fishing there.
Ha! I'll be dead and buried before I call it Hyde Lake. From what I understand they were going to wait several years after the lake reopened before they were going to allow fishing there.
As far as Shelby Farms fishing goes, I like the three eastern most ponds in the leash-free dog area. They seem to be the least fished. I once fished the pond near the corner of Mullins Station and Farm Road without much luck. I'm going to hit it again one day, but it's not easy to get to, and even harder to walk around, and it's kinda far to drag my kayak.
I haven't fished Beaver Lake in 20+ years, but I have to assume it's heavily fished.
Is there a name for the lake behind the Lowe's on Germantown Road? It's really pretty and fun to fish, but you really need a kayak.
Angry John reply :
All the shelby park lakes get hammered. Its close to the house so i am out there a bunch, and there are always other people on the bank while i am there. The dog park is my stomping ground, and the only real fish i have caught in the park. The beaver pond behind the stables has fish but i have only ever caught dinks out of there and lots of the bucket patrol hauling fish out of that pond. Found a huge pond called the blue lagoon but despite the 4 trips i have made, i have skunked every time. Rumor is there are good fish in there, and i could believe it based on the size of the water, i may and try to get my yak in there and see how that goes.
Boaz reply :
On 9/15/2018 at 11:04 AM, Angry John said:All the shelby park lakes get hammered. Its close to the house so i am out there a bunch, and there are always other people on the bank while i am there. The dog park is my stomping ground, and the only real fish i have caught in the park. The beaver pond behind the stables has fish but i have only ever caught dinks out of there and lots of the bucket patrol hauling fish out of that pond. Found a huge pond called the blue lagoon but despite the 4 trips i have made, i have skunked every time. Rumor is there are good fish in there, and i could believe it based on the size of the water, i may and try to get my yak in there and see how that goes.
Where's the blue lagoon?
Angry John reply :
Boaz reply :
On 7/5/2018 at 11:57 PM, SouthernAngler said:
Anybody ever fish this place, or heard anything about it?
WDE reply :
On 9/23/2018 at 11:35 AM, Boaz said:Anybody ever fish this place, or heard anything about it?
Where on Wolf River Blvd is that?
Boaz reply :
It's between the Texas Gas pipeline and the Methodist Sutherland Cardiology clinic. I parked at the clinic by the dumpster and walked straight over. There is detritus everywhere, lumber scraps, lawn chairs, and other things you would typically see on the bank of the Wolf River. I fished the south and east side with not much luck, then on the north side just about dark I I finally caught a nice 3 pounder on a chatterbait. It was as if God just gave it to me... after fishing in the rain for a couple of hours, I probably looked like a drowned raccoon.
GRITnGRIND1001 reply :
On 9/25/2018 at 10:00 AM, Boaz said:It's between the Texas Gas pipeline and the Methodist Sutherland Cardiology clinic. I parked at the clinic by the dumpster and walked straight over. There is detritus everywhere, lumber scraps, lawn chairs, and other things you would typically see on the bank of the Wolf River. I fished the south and east side with not much luck, then on the north side just about dark I I finally caught a nice 3 pounder on a chatterbait. It was as if God just gave it to me... after fishing in the rain for a couple of hours, I probably looked like a drowned raccoon.
If it's the one beside youth lake I went 2 weeks ago and caught one over 3lb in midday heat on brush jig
Boaz reply :
I will, henceforth, call this lake Greater Sutherland, and the small one to the east, Lesser Sutherland, So let it be written, so let it be done.
wwood reply :
I sure am ready for the cooler weather. I caught this 4lber during the cold spell we had about 2 weeks ago. Caught in Lakeland on a private lake/pond that my buddy lives by and has access to.
Ole DjB reply :
Hey Pond hoppers, I've been out on dry land for too long!! hope everybody's been having good times catching big ones! So has anyone ever been fishing out on Horseshoe lake, in Arkansas? My 14 ft John boats is out there &I 've been fishing 3 times, but striking out every time! So my question for all you Hoppers is, does anybody know anything about Horseshoe Lake and catching any kind of fish out there? It's absolutely beautiful there. The cypress trees are amazing and super fun to drive the boat through. Any kind of advice would be greatly appreciative I'm thinking about heading out there Sunday afternoon... Hope to hear from you all!!
Boaz reply :
Lowe's pond 10/10/2018 late afternoon.
This guy, he was really really angry. He grabbed my wing ding as I was pulling it out of the water, just about to think this is BS I got to tie some other lure on this isn't working. Wasn't jigging it, just pulling it out like I was disgusted. Dude jumps out of the water grabbed it before I could realize what was going on. Ran under my kayak, snagged a treble hook from my other rod, and was darting around like he was on angel dust or something. Anyway that was fun. I only caught 3 and they were all angry.
Boaz reply :
Epping Lake, you guys are missing out.
8 friggin pounds!
New personal best. I had one break off at 9am that must have been a similar size. I was about to turn in, 5 hours in a kayak will wear you out, but I really wanted my 6th Sense Hybrid swimjig back. In total I had 2 break my line. I've always used Stren low-vis green 14lb test, but I'm considering giving braided line another go. I've tried it before with no results, and all the while a little voice in my head saying "they can see it!"...
So I guess I'll have to get over that, I have learning to do.
wwood reply :
On 10/14/2018 at 8:26 AM, Boaz said:Epping Lake, you guys are missing out.
8 friggin pounds!
New personal best. I had one break off at 9am that must have been a similar size. I was about to turn in, 5 hours in a kayak will wear you out, but I really wanted my 6th Sense Hybrid swimjig back. In total I had 2 break my line. I've always used Stren low-vis green 14lb test, but I'm considering giving braided line another go. I've tried it before with no results, and all the while a little voice in my head saying "they can see it!"...
So I guess I'll have to get over that, I have learning to do.
Where is this place? Never heard of it, but nice fish!
Brandon Dippel reply :
On 10/16/2018 at 3:41 PM, wwood said:Where is this place? Never heard of it, but nice fish!
Is this by the Wolf River?
WDE reply :
Finally had weather and work schedule cooperating together for me this morning. Caught 3 in about 90 minutes on two different bodies of water.
I finally dropped in on a place I’ve driven by a million times off Poplar headed toward Piperton. I’ve always noticed a spillway/channel behind some office buildings, but never stopped by. Fished it a bit and came up on the pond that sources the spillover. I caught a dink in the channel and a healthy 2 pounder off the rocks by the drainage off the pond.
No idea if this pond is named or what.
Red: main pond
Yellow: channel
Blue: office parking(didn’t see any signs saying no parking)
Footnote: Snakes are still hanging around despite this current weather. Saw about a 3-4 foot moccasin or brown water snake go up under the rocks when I created the hill to the main pond.
WDE reply :
Anyone been out recently? This weather killed my drive, plus it’s busy season at work. Looking at past memories on Facebook, I was wading in Johnson Brush Pond this time last year. Completely missed the Fall bite this year.
BrushHog1906 reply :
What's going on Pond Hoppers!
Anyone been out lately? I know the weather has not been the best. I wasn't able to get out on the water with the warm spell this past weekend.
Also, what are some of your guy's favorite winter lures?
Brandon Dippel reply :
Anyone fish Grenada spillway?
roadwarrior reply :
Hot spot for crappie.
wwood reply :
Shakeyhead and Ned rig have been my main producers recently. I’ve also caught a few on both dropshot and chatter bait.
Boaz reply :
On 12/28/2018 at 10:06 AM, BrushHog1906 said:I've only caught one bass in over a month, it was at Epping Lake. it was a nice 3 or 4 pounder. I was catching bass in November with Rattletraps, but I caught this one with a spinnerbait i bought at Walmart with this awesome gold oversized willow blade. I may buy more.
Skeeter26 reply :
I saw where someone mentioned the pond by the autobahn speedway, drive by after work and there are a few no fishing signs , does anyone actually care enough to run a fisherman off?l or is it not worth worrying about? Seemed like a security guard patrolled the parking lot all day at autobahn but on the other side that business didnt have one. Will never understand what all these people have against people fishing
roadwarrior reply :
The property is posted which means YOU CANNOT enter the property, period.
BassResource does not condone ANY illegal activity.
-Kent a.k.a. roadwafrrior
Global Moderator
Mr.Jackson reply :
Hello fellas.Me and my family will be headed to Memphis tomorrow night.Wete gonna be there a few days and the weather forecast is looking good.Im going to throw a pole or 2 in the car with hopes to wet a line while we are there.Its been 5 months since I caught a fish and it's overdue.Any suggestions on a place near Memphis to catch a bass?Any advice is greatly appreciated.
roadwarrior reply :
Nashoba Park and Grove Park in Germantown.
Mr.Jackson reply :
Thank you sir.Ill give them a whirl.
Mr.Jackson reply :
After checking out the pyramid Bass Pro and eating some chicken at Gus's.We fished the large pond behind Chick-Fil-a for about 2 hours today.The Water was muddier then I expected.But that's pretty normal conditions for my part of Ohio.My son threw a ned rig and Texas rigged craw bait..I threw a jig,square bill, and swim bait.Not a bite.Nice looking pond but for some reason they just weren't hungry today.You guys have a pretty cool city.Thanks for the help and Goodluck this season.
WDE reply :
On 3/29/2019 at 12:20 PM, Mr.Jackson said:After checking out the pyramid Bass Pro and eating some chicken at Gus's.We fished the large pond behind Chick-Fil-a for about 2 hours today.The Water was muddier then I expected.But that's pretty normal conditions for my part of Ohio.My son threw a ned rig and Texas rigged craw bait..I threw a jig,square bill, and swim bait.Not a bite.Nice looking pond but for some reason they just weren't hungry today.You guys have a pretty cool city.Thanks for the help and Goodluck this season.
I was out there yesterday and had the same results. Talked to another gentleman and he was striking out as well.
The Wolf River runs right behind that area and has a tendency to run high enough to flood out those ponds during periods of heavy rains.
BluegrassBoy reply :
Hey guys, I work in Memphis but live in Texas (for now). I end up with a lot of down time and choose to go pond hopping instead of sitting and staring at the walls. I’ve fished the Collierville Civic Center with moderate luck... they were bedding and could be site casted. And I have fished Central Park in Southaven... managed not to get skunked by tossing a Ned Rig.
As they are all post spawn and summer is coming on in full force, what are your guys recommendations for area lakes and techniques to find those sluggish summer fish? I considered a saltwater shore rod, to get that extra distance on civic center lake, lol.
Reznor2112 reply :
Hey everyone, new to the boards. Got a question regarding the ponds along the Greenway on Humphrey's...anyone had any luck with those? I noticed this little one that has some good access but not sure if there are any bass.
If you have any advice or info on any of those along there as I work at Poplar and Kirby and can get to these quickly during lunch break.
roadwarrior reply :
There are bass in all of the ponds, but be careful especially right now. The flooding
brings a lot of snakes to these waters.
tha black bill dance reply :
Guess who's back. BBD
roadwarrior reply :
tha black bill dance reply :
Are yall fishing or playing in the water??
roadwarrior reply :
David Reed reply :
Been fishing dark Ned rigs and white swim jigs with good success at the Neshoba pond. Also that nearby apartment complex with 4 ponds running through it. Had a nice day with a 4” kietex using an under spinner jig head. Plan to try a shaky head rig in a week or so... I like trying new-to-me baits
MichaelCampbell01985 reply :
So I'm extremely new to bass fishing and haven't a clue on how to catch some BIG ONES (anything over 3 lbs) it would be greatly appreciated to have some guidance in where I should go what lures I should use. I live in Bartlett and I want to catch some good size fish. Thank in advance
roadwarrior reply :
Send me a reminder PM in a couple of weeks when it cools down and I will take you
to a couple of ponds. I will supply the baits/ lures and a rod and reel to try.
-Kent a.k.a. roadwarrior
MichaelCampbell01985 reply :
Ok sir thank you do much. I actually have a couple of baitcasters. I surely appreciate your reply and I'll send you a PM in a few weeks thanks again.
roadwarrior reply :
Looking forward to it.
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