Small Water Tactics
By Sandra Post
ProBass Angler.com Feature Writer

You probably have a pond somewhere near you. And, if you are like most of us, you have probably wondered if there are bass in it. The chances are good that there are, but fishing these small waters is different than fishing a large impoundment.

Gary Klein, the Texas Top 150 and 1999 WCF Champion, advises that bass in a small pond are much more opportunistic feeders than their larger water cousins. "These fish will eat whatever they can get. Most small ponds do not have a significant supply of any one type of forage, so the fish eat insects, bait fish, crawfish, whatever they can find."

This is good news in that it makes proper lure selection less of an issue. However Klein also advises that, because the available area is small, the fish will become conditioned very quickly. Therefore you may have a hot day on a white spinner bait, bring the kids or spouse back the next, and zip. Remember to throw a variety of lures at these fish to keep the success rate up.

Small waters are loosely categorized as farm ponds, neighborhood ponds, and old rock pits. Each one is a little different in terms of how it is fished.

First, before anything else, get permission to fish the pond from the owner. This is important and is part of being a good sport. Once you have permission evaluate the water using the following criteria:

Cover. Most small ponds, particularly neighborhood ponds that are man made, do not have an abundance of cover. This will mean that the bass will cluster around whatever cover is available. Fish the logs, lay-downs, drop-offs, and docks if you can find them. Also look for fish really tight to the shore, literally backed in to the bank.

Color. Small ponds have a tendency to be either very stained or extremely clear. This is caused by a variety of reasons but can be a problem for you. If the water is dirty try a dark colored, noisy spinner bait. In clear water downsize your baits to finesse sizes and stick to the natural forage colors.

Water Temperature. Small ponds, due to total volume, tend to get hot in the summer. This in turn leads to bloom and the surface can be thick with matted growth. The good news is that this growth provides a sort of floating shade canopy for the fish. Floating frogs and soft plastic jerk baits can be fished on top of this mess for some heart stopping top water bites. Heavy jigs that can penetrate through the canopy can work well too. Remember that most top water strikes are misses. When a fish breaks on your bait but whiffs, dead stick the bait in the hole that the fish makes in the mat. Chances are it will turn and come back. If the pond is formed by a dam the coolest water, and also the deepest, is almost always in front of the dam. This may be a good bet in the height of the summer season.

One last thing to remember when you fish the small waters. Most likely you will be on foot. The fish can easily hear you walking around. Be careful.

Also, practice catch and release. These ponds have a limited number of the larger spawning females. Always put the big fish back as the genetic integrity of the pond will become out of balance if you don't.

Good Luck, and have a great holiday season.