So I went cranking today and the bass were active, I saw them swimming all over the pond I was fishing.

It was greenish/clear water seeing about 3 ft down, I could see the bass swimming away from the crank like they were scared, not just slowly swimming but jolting away.

I reeled fast, I reeled slow, deep shallow in the middle and nothing lol

any ideas?

 

Change baits!

I would try a slow retrieve with a shallow suspending jerkbait. It's a subtle, yet visual presentation for spooky bass in clear water.

i did switch baits i tried the "tried and true" ribbon tail worm tossed into the bank, where i saw the bass feeding, and then pulled hopped and slowed skipped and still nothing lol

They might be carp.. Grass carp do that sort of thing all the time. I believe they spawn this time of year so you will see them following each other around and occasionally the female will take off after being hindered too much. Carp will usually bolt as soon as they see a lure near them if it is big.

they are definitely bass, i had 2 or 3 other guys (not fishing) just working on the house where the pond was at and they too saw the fish i was after

drop shot.

drop dynamite

 

 

 

lol, that'll get their attention.  Fish that can be seen are usually tough to catch.  I suggest a few casts at them and then move on to less frustrating bass.

 

FL