I did some pond hopping this afternoon, I wanted to see how a blade bait would work since they are normally known as deep water bait, and the ponds I fish are almost always 8' deep or less. I only landed one fish, but it was a good one, she measured just over 19" probably somewhere in the ballpark of 4lbs (I deliberately left the scales at home and it payed off  ). On a light action rod with 6lb test it was a fun fight. I also lost one on a jerkbait that was significantly bigger, I didn't get a good look at her but 6-7lbs is my guess...gonna be losing sleep over that one!

 

Better start carrying that scale. You never know.

Better start carrying that scale. You never know.

I would have caught a 12"er if I took a scale. I swear there is some correlation between a set of scales in possession and fish caught. If I didn't take a phone/camera I would have caught every fish in the pond!

Nice catch. I fish ponds mostly and have been wanting to try a blade bait. How were you fishing it?

Nice catch. I fish ponds mostly and have been wanting to try a blade bait. How were you fishing it?

Just hopping it about 6-8" off the bottom and letting it fall. I was using a tiny 3/16oz johnson thinfisher

Yeah 4 or 4.5 is a good ballpark estimate for a fish of that length. A 19" bass is a pretty darn nice size fish. Hate it you lost that bigger one though.

That's 1 more bass than I've ever caught on blade, congrats. 

Congrats! Keep the electronic scale in an inside coat pocket this time of year.  Mine acts up when it gets cold.

Nice fish

Great job!

Congrats. As the water gets colder, longer pauses between lifting and falling will catch fish all winter.

Congrats. As the water gets colder, longer pauses between lifting and falling will catch fish all winter.

How long do you let it  sit? I was just picking it up about a second after it hit bottom, and do you have many pick it up while it sits?

How long do you let it  sit? I was just picking it up about a second after it hit bottom, and do you have many pick it up while it sits?

You can dead stick it just like you would with a jig. I've caught largemouth letting it sit 5-20 seconds. Feels heavy when you pick it up. Surface temps 38-41. A lipless crank will work also. Only thing is i assume you are fishing from bank and there is probably some cover somewhere along bottom that it will hang in. In colder water in the lake, i fish a bladebait and lipless crank like a jig. Cast it into rocky banks and barely crawl or "tick" it of the rocks. Most hangs come loose by moving boat over it and shaking rod. A plug knocker helps. Some days they want a short pause and some a long pause. Most bites happen after it sits and as it moves again and deflects off rock it will get heavy like it is hung. Smallmouth will usually hit it harder even in cold water.