Best Way To Bank Fish A Small Pond?

[ThreeLions]

Hey guys,

Looks like I have gained access to a small pond that is supposed to contain bass. I took one look recently and it seems to be high with reeds and trees around the perimeter but there are three small open areas where one can stand and cast.

Never having actually targeted bass from the bank before I was wondering what people think the best approach would be. I have no idea of depth of the water.

I like to use my small crankbaits such as a bitsy minnow, and will be trying that out while I'm comfortable with it. Any other patterns I should consider trying?

DAVE

[Carter1]

Spinnerbait should work. I would also swim a worm with a ripple tail. I always had luck doing that in small ponds.

[roadrunner]

Swim bait, plastic worm buzz bait and spinner bait. You might waant to put on old tennis shoes and wade past the reeds and work the edges if you can't get a bait through them from the bank.

Good luck

[TroyRalph502]

frogs and plastic worms will do alright. just fish along to the bank.

[HydraBlade]

A frog colored hula popper has always been a great bait for me on ponds.

[coombro]

Slit shot with a night crawler works great for pond bassin.

[ThreeLions]

Took some advice and went out and bought a couple of Booyah spinners yesterday. One 3/16oz Pond Magic Red Ant and a 1/8oz Micro Pond Magic Alpine ~ hoping they'll do the trick. Appreciate the comments, guys.

DAVE

[artcarney_agr]

My top 5:

The Chatterbait is the best pond bait that I have found.

A weightless 5" Senko would be second

A small black buzzbait would be third

A weightless 6" Zoom Lizard would be fourth

A frog would be fifth... but if it's a really hairy pond, it could be the best since it doesn't hang up, just depends on the pond and what's in it.

[ThreeLions]

So ... I eventually got out to that small pond I was asking for ideas for today. Really enjoyed myself until I got into a, ahem, heated discussion with a neighbour!

I listened to what some of you said on here and I threw a blue chatterbait, an Alpine Booyah Spinnerbait, a Strike King Bitsy Minnow Tennessee Shad and an Excalibur Spook. I also did a few nightcrawlers under a float, just so I didn't get skunked!

In all I pulled in 31 fish. 26 were bluegill, the largest being about 8 1/2 inches, smallest about 6. Two redear sunfish, both a good 7" in length and three largemouth bass.

The biggest was around 14-15" and a good size. It was caught on the Alpine spinnerbait. The other two were about 10" and 12" and were both caught on the Bitsy Minnow.

Thanks for all your help. Hopefully I'll get to try it again.

DAVE

[King31]

If you are wanting to catch FISH use a bitsy minnow. i have caught anything from crappie to bass to bluegill and they are a lot of fun. if you are wanting to catch a larger bass though i'd definitely try a plastic worm or a pop-r!

[ThreeLions]

I really like the Bitsy Minnow, usually using the Tennessee Shad pattern first. I have caught many species on it including bluegill, sunfish, rock bass, crappie, drum, smallmouth and largemouth.

Easy to use for both adults and children. My kids love to catch anything on the lure because of the strike.

DAVE

[Jabbo]

I'm with Art Carney on his choices for the most part, although My order may be a little different.
I would try a sinko or 6 inch texas rigged worm with an eighth oz sinker around the edges and try to feel everything that was there on the bottom. A lot of it depends on how large the pond is, how often it gets fished and how much cover they have.
Of all the advise I could give you.. This is the most important.
Sneak to the pond. Walk softly and make your first few casts long with plenty of ground between you and the water. You don't want to spook fish that may be hanging out where you will be standing. Keep sneaking until your at the water's edge then parallel the banks and slowly move your casts to the center.
Best of luck.