I have a few 'hidden gem' ponds that I go to year-round. Unlike some of the central/east regions, our ponds in Socal are usually shallow (6 feet would be generous) and very small in size (3/4 acre or less). I haven't waded out into the middle, but if I had to guess based on feeling, the bottoms are usually dirt/mud with a very gradual change in depth. I know there are lots of smaller bluegill and minnows present - up until October or so, I saw them in numbers in 1'-2' of water.

So I can pull bass out of these ponds regularly in the spring and summer, nothing large, but up to about 3 lbs. I've been trying to fish them recently, though, and haven't had any luck. I've switched to normal winter tactics that I'd employ on any other reservoir or lake - slower presentations and in deeper water. I've been throwing 6" T-rigged worms and weightless Senkos at a crawl, suspending jerkbaits, 3/8 oz jigs with trailers, and most recently larger flukes on a drop shot.

Most of the structure is at or close to the shore. The thing that all of these ponds have in common is that a FOREST of reeds usually surround part of the shoreline. This prevents me from casting in certain directions, but for the most part I can cast to (and beyond) the middle of the ponds with ease.

My question is - would the bass in these ponds be completely dormant because the water is so shallow? Am I wasting my time trying to fish them before spring? Is there anything else I can try to throw at them?

 

 

 

Do you know roughly what the water temperature is? In my water, for bottom contact presentations, I gravitate away from the worm profile over to a crayfish profile as the water temperature drops under 48 - 50 degrees. True suspending jerkbaits should still be in play (sometimes with a pause of 30 - 45 seconds between taps).

Don't know for certain what the temp is. I would guess around 50 just based on our recent ambient temps. I'll take a thermometer with me when I go out tomorrow. 

I'll also give the jerkbaits another spin and keep that in mind.