Hey all!

 

As I am heading back to Florida in December, I've been thinking about which pond I'm going to hit first.

This one pond, I like to call Angry Man (because I was yelled out by some Angry Man one time I was there), is closest to my house and holds some very nice bass (caught my pb 6lb 7oz there).

 

I first fished it in June 2013 with my buddy, we were pulling out nice fish ranging from 1lb to 5lb, lots of nice chunks. 

I returned in February 2014, and the pond was awful, low water... lots of bass in sight, nothing was eating.

Then i took a trip in July 2014, and the pond was restored to its normal levels, but there were no bass in sight and no bass eating (except the one anomaly, where i hooked into the 6lb 7 oz bass). That was the only sizeable bass i caught there on that trip. I caught a few smaller bass (<12 inches) actually on little spinners, but nothing else over 12 inches. I have no idea what could have happened to all the other fish... I don't believe they died.. there is plenty of food, bluegills and other panfish flourish and frogs too. I'm stumped... I'm going to hit it up when I get down there, things could be back on or be dead.. I haven't a clue....

my mistake:   I meant to submit this to the general bass fishing forum

If there are near 7 pounders in there then its at least a 4 or 5 year old pond, so I assume they are probably fine....

If there are near 7 pounders in there then its at least a 4 or 5 year old pond, so I assume they are probably fine....

but what could be the explanation as to why they didn't bite like they once did?

but what could be the explanation as to why they didn't bite like they once did?

The ponds by my house down there have done the same thing, one month its really good the next month its dead. The bass down there are very temperamental 

but what could be the explanation as to why they didn't bite like they once did?

Because bass don't always bite like they did yesterday...

Because bass don't always bite like they did yesterday...

yea i know but it was weird i went there at least 5 times on both trips and no bites

How's the fishing pressure?

How's the fishing pressure?

My question too. They wise up after a while.

How's the fishing pressure?

 

My question too. They wise up after a while.

essentially zero pressure

Its a private pond

How old is the pond I'm curious if you know, if it has 7 pounders its probably had bass awhile (assuming nobody stocked some big bass in there)...

How old is the pond I'm curious if you know, if it has 7 pounders its probably had bass awhile (assuming nobody stocked some big bass in there)...

about 15 years old

Im no pond expert, But If the pond has survived and thrived (7lb bass!) For 15 years I'm sure it has seen tougher times....

but what could be the explanation as to why they didn't bite like they once did?

Bucket brigade?

Private Bucket Brigade.

Fish KNOW what people mean. OWWWW.  Why did you lift me by my lower lip ??

 

Screw all you big pain givers !!

 

They are not stupid easy to catch forever.

Maybe punk kids are catching them and killing them. Happened to a tiny farm pond near my house.

Hey all!

 

As I am heading back to Florida in December, I've been thinking about which pond I'm going to hit first.

This one pond, I like to call Angry Man (because I was yelled out by some Angry Man one time I was there), is closest to my house and holds some very nice bass (caught my pb 6lb 7oz there).

 

I first fished it in June 2013 with my buddy, we were pulling out nice fish ranging from 1lb to 5lb, lots of nice chunks. 

I returned in February 2014, and the pond was awful, low water... lots of bass in sight, nothing was eating.

Then i took a trip in July 2014, and the pond was restored to its normal levels, but there were no bass in sight and no bass eating (except the one anomaly, where i hooked into the 6lb 7 oz bass). That was the only sizeable bass i caught there on that trip. I caught a few smaller bass (<12 inches) actually on little spinners, but nothing else over 12 inches. I have no idea what could have happened to all the other fish... I don't believe they died.. there is plenty of food, bluegills and other panfish flourish and frogs too. I'm stumped... I'm going to hit it up when I get down there, things could be back on or be dead.. I haven't a clue....

Weld's based on your timelines, the water levels sound correct. In February small ponds will have low water because we are in our dry season down here in South Fl. Come July, after several heavy rains the ponds water level may have been restored. Depending on the depth's of this pond, just because you don't see bass doesn't remotely mean that bass are not there. Plus, July can be a tough time to fish down here. Its very hot and the bite will shut down. When you return this month, i bet your report will be much different.  

Ive got a pond just like that. Its either 10-14 years old and it went from an decent bite with lots of 12-15in and a handful of big ones 5lb+ and some 2-3lbers mixed in. Now I can go out and catch maybe 1 or two 12in and less fish and a 5lber.  Not sure what happened to the pond. Ive seen bluegill and what i think was a 10lb catfish but not much else besides  a 10lb+ carp. I havent seen much small baitfish so maybe that is the problem. 

Maybe punk kids are catching them and killing them. Happened to a tiny farm pond near my house.

 

Weld's based on your timelines, the water levels sound correct. In February small ponds will have low water because we are in our dry season down here in South Fl. Come July, after several heavy rains the ponds water level may have been restored. Depending on the depth's of this pond, just because you don't see bass doesn't remotely mean that bass are not there. Plus, July can be a tough time to fish down here. Its very hot and the bite will shut down. When you return this month, i bet your report will be much different.

 

Ive got a pond just like that. Its either 10-14 years old and it went from an decent bite with lots of 12-15in and a handful of big ones 5lb+ and some 2-3lbers mixed in. Now I can go out and catch maybe 1 or two 12in and less fish and a 5lber.  Not sure what happened to the pond. Ive seen bluegill and what i think was a 10lb catfish but not much else besides  a 10lb+ carp. I havent seen much small baitfish so maybe that is the problem. 

I hope Bassin Lou is right. And now that i think of it tbone1993, The bait i have been seeing have been bigger, not much small stuff around

Try scaling down lures or using live bait just to test