Farm Pond Smallmouths

[sstasiak]

I was fishing a small farm pond yesterday for the first time with my fly rod looking to hook up with some of the 3-4 lb smallies that live in it. I had only 2 poppers with me and am not sure exactly what size they are because they were given to me by someone(they look about a size 10) The crappie and sunnies were killing these poppers, but I was only able to catch one very small 8 inch bass. I've fished this pond many times with live bait, and the only thing that seems to work consistently are big fat night crawlers barely dragged through the water. I'm curious as to what you guys use for these kinds of particularly wary smallmouths. I think I'm heading back tonight for a couple of hours, so I'm going to try a few different things. This pond is not that big either. It's probably about 60 yards by 30. I would think in a smaller pond like this the bass would be fighting over a nice hearty meal like I was so kindly offering. There are a lot of sunnies and crappie that also inhabit this pond. Could it be possible that these smaller fish are swarming to the popper and not even giving the bigger fish an opportunity at it? Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

[Rolemodel]

Just a question.Are you sure that they are Smallmouths?I've never heard of Smallmouths being stocked in Ponds.I know Largemouths are a different story.If they are Smallmouths the water temp is to high for them to feed through out the day.They're a Coolwater Species and Warm water will more than likely make them sluggish.Anyway smaller fish would deter the bigger fish from Hitting the Popper.I have not experience Fly Fishing for Bass but have alot of experience with Bait Cast and Spinning Outfits.In the Heat of the Summer Bass will often stop feeding and wait until the Evening and go on feeding sprees through the Night until the next morning when water starts heating up.Night is actually a better time though,the Hogs come out to play.If you have a Spinning outfit I'd suggest finding deeper water and throw medium Crankbaits,Jerkbaits and Tube Jigs.During the Day a Jerkbait fished slow with pauses can be deadly but Tube Jigs will prevail over almost anything you throw as well as 4 inch Power Worms since they will be sluggish.

 

[Pete]

For smallmouths...During the daylight hours I'd try streamers and/or crayfish flys in the deep spots, (near "drop offs"), and save the surface bugs & poppers for the evening & night.

Disclaimer: My smallmouth experience is on streams and large deep lakes. I've never encountered them in small ponds.

 

[Rolemodel]

Pete,

Like you I've only caught Smallies in Reservoirs and Rivers so I pretty sure their Largemouths.sstasiak if the Bass your catching as a Dark Stripe in the Middle and is color of the fish is Green they're Largemouths.Smallies are Bronze and the upper jaw never extends beyond the eye,Largemouths upper jaw reaches far beyond the rear margin of the eye.

Here's a Largemouth.
http://floridafisheries.com/Fishes/bass.html

Here's a Smallie
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/fhp/fish/3hsmbass.htm

If there Largemouths they are most active between 60-75 Degrees,like trout once the water temp reaches above 80 they can die.Temperature will tell you what's happening,if you do start catching fish,make sure you pay close attention to what your doing and listen to the fish because they tell you what works and what doesn't.At a moments notice conditions can change and a Lure can be hot one moment and cold the next moment so go prepared.

Evening-Morning is better because the Bass has very sensetive Eyes and the Sunlight actually hurts their eyes so if you fish during the day.Make sure you fish Weeds and Grass.If the water is off color it's a slightly different story.

 

[sstasiak]

This pond is stocked with both I believe(I've caught both large and small mouth). The pond is cooled by a spring feeding into it at the bottom of the pond so I don't think the temp is an issue. I was fishing last night again from about 7 pm to 9 with the same results as the night before. This time though, I brought along my ultralight rod with some power worms. A few casts in and BOOM, nice fat largemouth. Nothing on the poppers or streamers though. I'm sure I'll find the best technique with the flyrod sooner or later. I just need to spend some more time on this pond. Thanks for the tips though.

 

[Rolemodel]

sstasiak,

Can you give me a better layout of the Pond?Any visible Structure,Weeds,Points,is there a Channels or a Channel where the Spring comes in?Is the Shoreline Rocky?Any dropoffs?Do you know how deep it is and at what point does it get deep?Does in go from shallow to deep drastically?The Bass are in the Summer Stage,try to get a temp and see where the Temp from the Spring and the main Body of water meet.I'm positive that that spring is a huge attractions for all Species in that Pond.You just have to find where there comfortable with the Temp.Look for water about 70 degrees and don't fish that much away because fish are concentrated in 10% of the water,I think that maybe that 10%.Try Crankbaits (The Depth will determine what depth Crankbait to use)and Jerkbaits(Rapala Husky Jerk)those are big fish getters.Then finish up with a unweighted Worm and if that doesn't try to add a Split Shot or Texas Rig Worm or Tube.Dusk fish Buzzbaits.

 

[DaveR]

Caught a nice 17" smallie on the SBR last weekend near me in Hillsborough. I was wet wading in about 4 feet of water casting just about my limit to the far side of the river and he it on what was going to be my last drift past a downed tree. Thought it was a snag until the line started moving. Try some of the quieter pools on the river where there's downed trees and other structure to provide shelter. I think I was using an olive zonker #6 or #8.