Again, new here, this type of fishing is new to me, etc.

I live near this pond:

 

http://goo.gl/maps/FpUat

 

Is it worth spending a couple hours fishing something like this? What ould you look for? Ho would you approach it? 

 

As always, thanks a ton!

Yes I have read more than a few posts of the guys down there fishing the turnpike ponds. I have seen people up here pull over and fish them too. Things to consider, the pond is likely tied to the canal either with culvert pipes or a control structure. If it is pipes then the fish/animals can swim freely, so are there fish in that canal across the road? Looking at street view there are two culverts and different locations so that is a good sign. I would start by the brush/reeds corner by the bridge, and work around the culvert pipes/end walls. Work around the pond and then lastly I work the deepest part (middle) with a texas rig or something. Nice thing about small ponds like that is you can work the entire thing.  

T-rigged worms (and lizards) is pretty much the only thing I use anyways. Bass fishing is new to me and worms are simple. Hard lures are complicated, I never know which ones to use and how to fish them.

Just adding to what was already said, i would concentrate my efforts on the eastern shore.  Looking at the pic of the pond it looks like the eastern shore is more fishy.  Seems to be more cover, and as MCS said there is surely a culvert connecting the pond with the canal underneath university drive.  Culverts are always a good spot to start especially if there is water moving through them..  And not all hard lures have to be complicated.  i prefer soft plastics myself, i have 2 rods dedicated strictly for plastics(1 for weighted plastics, and 1 for weightless), one for a hollow body frog, and one for hard baits.  And as far as hard baits go, i have 3 cranks, 2 spooks, and a chatterbait, lol.  Good luck and let us know how it went!

 

Matt

Hey, I know where that is. Countyline area. Those turnpike retention ponds hold fish. One of buddies biggest bass, he actually mounted it, came from those type of ponds. You fish them like any other South Fl. lake, canal, or pond. Remember its summer time so you have to incorporate those type of patterns. There are actually several of those ponds in the immediate area off the turnpike. Good Luck. You have definitely stayed consistent to land a bass. It will pay off soon enough.

Thanks. I enjoy the hunting aspect of finding water that holds fish. I've resigned myself that i'm probably not going to find a trophy bass until fall. But I'm marking the places I catch fish for further exploration when it cools.

Explore away. There are numerous spots down here in South Fl.

Success! Caught 3 decent bass, a dinker, a medium guy and a nice one. Also foul hooked a pleco. Florida is crazy.

 

 

funny you ask, i was just there today at the one at turnpike north entrance from sample, we pulled a ton of bass, but all small, largest was 3lbs...

Nice job! That Pleco is big, not your pets store size. Lol

I caught the dink on a lizard and both others were lipless crankbaits. Lost the crankbait on a ledge...

Lost half a lizard on a gar. Also saw this weird catfish that looked like it was coming up to breathe air.

I caught the dink on a lizard and both others were lipless crankbaits. Lost the crankbait on a ledge...

Lost half a lizard on a gar. Also saw this weird catfish that looked like it was coming up to breathe air.

 

yea ton of catfish in the canals, they're not really interested in what we throw in the water for bass, but i did manage to pull a few on a bobber and a worm...

Rvadog, how did catch that armored catfish? Did you accidently snag him with the crankbait.?? They are vegetarians. Either way, good catches. You have been itching to catch fish for while now.

Thats a huge pleco!  Nice bass and nice G-Shock too.

I caught the dink on a lizard and both others were lipless crankbaits. Lost the crankbait on a ledge...

Lost half a lizard on a gar. Also saw this weird catfish that looked like it was coming up to breathe air.

I have just recently been fishing lipless a lot, they are great. But I wrecked one and snagged another like you. But I like fishing them they catch fish for sure.

FYI.... I just came back from the best bank fishing trip ever off one of the Turnpikes retention ponds. My biggest went for 6lbs. Bad news... I was kicked out by FHP. Apparently, no fishing is allowed along the turnpike ponds. I was stoked one second and deflated the next. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Pics and story continued in the Bragging rights thread.

It's only illegal if you get caught. If you're not going back, you wanna share the spot?

It's only illegal if you get caught. If you're not going back, you wanna share the spot?

I share the same sentiment

RVADOG, I hear ya. But with me, if I know I am restricted to fish somewhere, I in good conscious  can not go back. My brother said the trooper was actually nice just to give me a warning. As far as the spot?? Let's just say it was close to your Miramar location. How close you say?? You have to find out my friend. Those ponds if you risk going, are different from one another. Some have more vegetation than others (hint...hint).  

How did you attack the pond? What did most of the strikes come from?

My approach was simple once I saw what I working with. That place was screaming for a frog. And it didn't let me down

My approach was simple once I saw what I working with. That place was screaming for a frog. And it didn't let me down

 

I love those spot that are screaming for a frog makes fishing a lot of fun