Pond bass have a different ecosystem then reservior bass that gives then fewer choices for prey. If there is a big hatch of baitfish bass of all sizes will target the small bait fish. Can you use larger size lures, certainly but you can catch the biggest bass in the pond on small size lures that mimick the prey they are eating. It becomes a pecking order, the biggest bass feed first!

Keep in mind that crawdads clean up the dead and injured minnows.

Tom

I've been throwing a small weightless Keitech. Depending on the weather, I'll burn it high in the water column. What's really nice is the occasional rod twitch that makes it looks like a bait fish breaking the surface.