I am not experienced in fishing cold waters. My favorite place is two ponds connected by a shallow swamp area. The depth on the ponds varies greatly with max

Probably around seven feet. I am in eastern NC

I know the presentation should be slower, but what baits should I be throwing? I was thinking can baits or plastics.

Thanks!!

Fish suspending jerkbaits in the deepest water you can find

Where are you located in eastern North Carolina? Would help if you added your location and additional information in your avatar.

 

Ice on the pond?  Spring fed or runoff pond?  Ducks and geese breaking up any ice?  We need to know.

 

So here it goes - in general terms:

 

The bass will be seeking warmer water. Even two to three degrees will attract them.

 

If there is no warmer water they may be deep, holding to structure and drop offs. And a "drop off" may be less than a foot.

 

Get a swimming pool thermometer and tie a long strong to it.  Take it to the pond and throw it in the water to obtain the water temperature.

 

Around 60* the bass will start to move towards their spawning grounds along the bank or in the shallow swamp area depending on water depth.

 

The north and west banks will warm up first and fastest.  If there is any wood or other structure in the water on the northern or western banks fish those first. If you can legally throw some wood in the pond this summer please do so. The bass will thank you as will the baitfish and crawfish.

 

Then fish any rocks along the bank, if any. Fish whatever can hold the temperature.

 

Is there an underground spring feeding the pond?  If so, the water will be warmer where it enters the ponds.

 

Any oxygen aerators in the ponds?  The bass will accumulate around these aerators.

 

Remember, structure absorbs the sun's heat and the bass will look for warmer water adjacent to the structure.

 

Bass will also sun themselves, if not eating, in the warmer water.

 

Crawfish are probably coming out now, if any in the ponds, so a "red" shaded lipless crankbait can work.  Get the KVD Red Eyed Shad with the yellow belly, red body and black back.  Or any "red" shaded lipless crankbait can work.

 

If you want to throw plastics you have to fish them very, very, very s-l-o-w on the bottom.  Jigs can work (black and blue with a Rage Tail black/blue shaded trailer and rattles) as can spinning baits and Chatterbaits. Shad colored crankbaits always can be productive. 

 

If there are bluegills try your bluegill colors. A little blue or chartreuse on the ends of your Senkos and plastics can work wonders. Just a dab. Like a 1/16 of an inch.

 

You have to throw a number of baits each time you hit the ponds to find the pattern.

 

Any coves or tree banks to protect the water from the north winds?  If so, try them.

 

The sun is your friend in cold water. Take advantage of where the water will heat up first and hit those areas.

 

Good luck and go out and get your personal best!

One more thing to consider: The Carolina Rig!

 

Rig up a Carolina rig with a lizard and give it a whack.

 

Just fish it very slow, like all plastics, on the bottom.

Jerk, jerk, long pause.   Down size plastics and fish real slow.  Most bites occur on the long pause.  Be a line watcher and look for subtle movement. 

In colder waters I've had some luck with Jigs. Put on a crawdad trailer try to get the color of the crawdad the same as the jig, and dip the claws of the soft plastic in some JJ's Magic.