Zanza7

Went back after this post and caught 7 bass all above 14 inches in about 90 minutes using the heavier rod, all other things the same. Good advice

Never thought about that, makes sense! Im going to try and go there again today and use a medium power rod but it rains every day here in Florida during the summer. I'll post the results on a firmer rod.

That was a 7' ultra light rod, size 500 reel, 8lb mono. It was all I had in my car when I decided to try out this little pond!

Started fishing the local ponds again and the OP definately works. I followed it to a T

** Update with pictures at near end of thread. ** SOLVED! - My rod was an ultra-light and didn't have the umph to consistently set the hook Take a look at these photos. I caught one bass on the 2nd cast here and it was about 1.5 lbs - decent fish for a retention pond. Then I got about 5 more bites, some stayed on for 3 seconds, one stayed on for 5 seconds. After the 2nd or 3rd missed hook up I got even more patient in waiting before setting it. I am using Gamasatku (sp?) 4 Extra Wide Gap hooks and they are super sharp. I have it skin rigged weedless. Is it chance? Does the before and after picture help any? I think it looks like they werent getting it all in their mouth.