Hey guys and gals,

 

I have always found a way to sneak off to one of these neighborhood ponds here on the west-side of Indy and get some easy bass fishing in, especially during spring and fall. During the summer, it can be slow haha but I still get to it. But, I have recently moved to a new location with my fiance and son here in Indianapolis and have 2 great looking ponds literally 100 yards away from our place. I have heard stories how one of them have produced some decent cats. The other pond is the easiest spot in the world for bluegill. Its so ridiculous. Guaranteed, we can cast and hook up 80% of the time on this pond and that is no exaggeration. Of course, most of them are relatively small, but its amazing how many we catch. This pond, has literally no cover (that I can see of course) but it does look like it is starting to get a slight slight sliiiight algae build up on the southern end.

 

I have lived here for for 3 months now and I cannot believe that I have yet too see a SINGLE bass. I feel like most of the time when I am at different neighborhood ponds I can sneak up quietly and not spook a bass to get a look. Here...its like a ghost town. I have checked and fished this pond plenty of times at different times throughout the day since I have moved here and I haven't even seen anything big go for the smaller fish at shore. It is just a little saddening I guess because this darn pond is so close. I've tried different approaches, baits, lures, and time of day, no luck. I guess its simple to say, the ego is starting to hurt a little, not being able to catch a single bass out here in front of the old lady lol.

 

Is it possible that since its summer and really hot, I have yet to see one single bass, or is it also a possibility that there isn't bass in the pond?

What would you try here? Tips and suggestions are desperately neeeeeded lol

 

The Pond:

The pond is somewhat clear for about 10 feet out and has about 2 foot of rock right at the shore. It is about 300 yards long roughly with about 75-100 yards on average across. I've seen so more bluegill here than anywhere else, a pretty decent amount of crayfish in the rocks. It is home to a few big turtles and ducks are always stopping by throughout the day. I have also spotted something that I thought was a beaver, until I seen the tail. This had a very skinny and long tail. It would surface every 30 seconds or so and then swim lol. The pond generally seems healthy and suitable for some good sized bass.

Well first of all that "beaver" is probably a muskrat, and and secondly it is a possibility there are just no bass in there. But I wouldn't give up, and don't let it affect your ego. What I would try is a 5 inch grub on a jig head, it's probably too big for the bluegill but a smaller bass would nail it and it would give you an idea if bass are even there. If that doesn't work I'd keep grinding and start trying things would would never use or think would work, you could be surprised. 

If it's a man-made pond maybe they didn't stock it with bass?

If it's a man-made pond maybe they didn't stock it with bass?

 

That's a good point too.

Ask whoever owns it to stock some bass?  Volunteer to pay for it maybe?

Is there a neighborhood association? If so, they might have some info on it. Otherwise, you could check with the local building dept and inquire of the developer & try to contact them for info. If none of these options produce results, get yourself an old crank telephone and....

Yeah if it's not something you can talk to the owner about, I'd buy a bunch of fingerlings, release at night and wait til next year if the cats don't eat em up. Or I guess you can buy adult size and have something to catch this year. It doesn't sound like there's any if the perch are dominant all over.

If it's a man-made pond maybe they didn't stock it with bass?

That actually dawned on me a little after my initial post. I've always figured that it was inevitable for bass and other common species to end up in all ponds and lakes because of this one idea I keep hearing ; That birds and animals carry eggs of these fish and transfer them when they migrate to a new lake. It sounds a little crazy and cool but yeah, I was hoping that would be the case hear since the lake is easily over a decade old. Maybe I should stock it haha

Is there a neighborhood association? If so, they might have some info on it. Otherwise, you could check with the local building dept and inquire of the developer & try to contact them for info. If none of these options produce results, get yourself an old crank telephone and....

Lol thanks for the reply. I think it is definitely time I find some info on it. I also think I am going to catfish the other lake tonight since I do not work tomorrow. Either way, its pretty exciting to have some locations now literally in my backyard. I'm 23 yrs old with tooooo many bills for a new boat right now lol So I guess I am going to have to make the most out of what is available for the time being.

It sounds like it was never stocked.

I don't know about where you live, but here in GA there are people who will stock it for free as long as it meets retirements to ensure it is healthy and the fish will survive.