In my experience, pond bass are almost always caught by beating the banks.  In smaller ponds, I rarely pay mind to the wind because I can fish the entire thing pretty easily so I don't worry about wasting time fishing unproductive areas.  It's cool that you study physics. I studied engineering, and I understand your viewpoint on trying to analyze EVERYTHING to maximize your fishing.  However, I've come to find that studying bass is not quite like studying chemical reactions or collisions etc. It's not as predictable.  

 

I find it easy to compare a bass in a pond to let's say a dog in a fenced backyard.  It's going to be impossible to predict where the dog is going to be in the backyard on any given day.  However, you can use certain factors such as shade on a sunny day or where his food bowl is located to help you dial it down.  Same with bass.  Just remember they relate to structure, cover, shade, and whatever else will help them get what they need.  Whether that be food, shelter, better water quality, etc.  But just like trying to predict the location of the dog, you're not going to be able to predict everything about the bass.  Just use these guidelines as a starting point and go from there.  

 

I like to start off with power fishing (covering lots of water - spinnerbaits, crankbaits etc)  If I get a couple of bites that way, I'll wait till the bite slows then try out some finesse fishing to get a few more bites. All you can do is fish predictable areas and focus on your presentation. 

The wind was coming from the East. 

 

I understand how to "find the fish" in theory as mentioned above. It's just that I was fishing a structure lacking pond, at night haha. So wind is of the few I felt I could use.

 

Also, it seems like beating the bank is the simplest and probably best thing to do next time.

You're talking to a guy that studies physics at one of the best universities in the world haha. I'm all about the theory of it.

Well then you got alot to learn young man

the world dont work exactly like they write in those books ya know

and I got my pedigree at one of the best universities in the world too

Amen man, it's all about the pursuit of knowledge.

The wind was coming from the East. 

Well now, there's the problem! That's when they bite the least!

Amen man, it's all about the pursuit of knowledge.

It's all about the Pursuit of Giant Bass, the late Bill Murphy.

The wind from east, the fishing is least....high pressure ridge creates air flowing clockwise around a dome eastward. Wind from the west, fishing is best....low pressure creating westward air flow.

The bass in a golf pond rely on terrestrial critters falling into the pond. Live large night crawlers are like candy to pond bass. At night soft plastic worms work very well and if the pond has any big bass a rat swimbait is hard to beat.

Tom

Thanks for the full on explanation! 

It does have some large bass, and I'm about to purchase a swimbait rod. Might have to invest in a rat swimbait

Pond brass...

 

These would be the fish that run the pond, no?  

These would be the fish that run the pond, no?  

Yes, the big heavy brass bass.....

Tom

It's a pond....if all the bass are one side, what side would be on, if you were a baitfish, lol.  Ponds kind of break the rules.  What's a pond and whats a lake?  I'd call 150 acres the cutoff.

i thought lakes and ponds were distinguished by depth and/or surface space??

There's no standard.

Once the wind is above a steady 15 MPH, I keep the wind from my back as much as possible and let the wind be my friend.  With the wind coming from your back your lines will always be slack free.  Casting is easier.  Easier to detect bites.  A lot easier to control the boat.  You are in stealth mode because your not on the trolling motor very much.  I will put out a sea anchor and it slows the boat down big time.  Don't fight a strong wind, let it work for you! 

 

The thing I hate the most,  is when I have a cross wind, and you just can't change direction, like when fishing a canal.  I usually go home early even if I'm catching fish.  I just hate fighting the trolling motor all day long..

I find it easy to compare a bass in a pond to let's say a dog in a fenced backyard.  It's going to be impossible to predict where the dog is going to be in the backyard on any given day.  However, you can use certain factors such as shade on a sunny day or where his food bowl is located to help you dial it down.  Same with bass.  Just remember they relate to structure, cover, shade, and whatever else will help them get what they need.  Whether that be food, shelter, better water quality, etc.  But just like trying to predict the location of the dog, you're not going to be able to predict everything about the bass.  Just use these guidelines as a starting point and go from there. 

 

I may use that dog in the pen example next time I'm trying to explain positioning of fish.  That's a great visual that most people should be able to relate to.  Interestingly enough, my dog (much like bass) seems to hide from me when ever I look for him in the pen, lol.