Farm Ponds

In early spring, bass metabolism is still slow; they won’t chase a small fish far or expend much energy to catch a lure. Choose spots carefully. Look for weedy areas near a drop-off, as bass use the deeper breaks as travel lanes to move from one shallow spot to another.

Anglers new to pond fishing often locate spots bass are using, but fail to catch many fish because they don’t work the area thoroughly. Also, early in the season, largemouths venture into water less than a foot deep, so they must be approached cautiously to minimize shadows and splashes. I recommend starting shallow and working slowly and methodically away from shore, covering every foot of potentially productive water.

In summer, largemouths eat almost anything they can catch—worms, leeches, frogs, crawdads, tadpoles, salamanders, grasshoppers, flying insects, and even mice, snakes, and the occasional bird. But in early spring, try to imitate small slower-moving baitfish bass rely on at this time.

When bass are in shallow water, select small lures that can be fished ultraslow. Though vegetation hasn’t had much time for new growth this early in the year, a few fish may be found along last year’s weedlines. Spinning equipment is fine for most pond fishing, especially in spring.

Four- to six-inch plastic worms, tubebaits, or curlytail grubs that display seductive action when retrieved slowly along the edge of weeds are good bets. Cast parallel to the bank and swim the lure slowly for a foot or two, then let it drop, rest, and then inch along the bottom. Experiment with movements to see what entices bass best.

Floating minnow plugs like 2-inch or 23⁄4-inch floating Rapalas produce well because it’s possible to perfectly control lure action. By raising, lowering, or shaking the rod tip; starting or stopping the retrieve; or varying lure speed, the floating lure can pop, slide, shimmy, dart, dive, swim, or sit motionless. It can dance in and out of small pockets in the weeds and float past partially submerged logs. Not even a bass still groggy from a long cold winter can resist these provocative moves.

Bait fishermen will find that a lightly-hooked nightcrawler or crappie minnow fished below a quarter-size bobber will attract bass feeding in the shallows. Crappie-size plastic and feather jigs also tempt large bass at this time

If a small creek enters the pond, bass sometimes patrol the edge, feeding on prey that washes in. Tiny tube jigs bounced slowly along the bottom with the current are effective. Hooking a nightcrawler through the collar 8 inches below a small split shot then letting the current carry it into the lake may also tempt a strike.

Along the bank of most ponds, a shelf of shallow water drops off into deeper water. The degree of drop and the depth of the water may be slight in shallow ponds or pronounced in 20-foot-deep ponds. In spring, bass often are found along the edge of the shelf or drop-off, where they’re susceptible to slow-moving spinners or small jigs. Mepps Black Fury spinners in 1/6- or 1/8-ounce sizes work well, along with plastic-tailed 1/16- or 1/8-ounce Blakemore Road Runners.