Hello Guys,

This is my first post on here. I know I know, probably going to get berated for not using the search function, for being a n00b, etc... Anyways, I'm just getting back into fishing after taking a 17 yr break. I have a pond that I've been fishing at lately, but can't figure out what lure type would be best. The water is muddy and there are grass clippings/algae all over the banks and most of the bottom.

 

I have tried rooster tails, frogs (topwater), 1/2oz bass jigs, spinner baits, crankbaits, texas rigged black & chartreuse worms, and crank baits.

 

I have only found some small bass, right now they are shallow. So far I have caught on a rooster tail, texas rigged worm, and a spinner bait. I have had bites on the frog and bass jig though. My only issues is with most baits once that algae/grass gets on the baits they are pretty much useless for that cast. I've tried multiple colors, black worms, blue lizards, green lizards, brown frogs, white frogs, green frogs, red spinner baits, white spinner baits, etc...

 

For Information's sake, this is near the NC/SC border.

All that being said, I'm looking for some advice from anyone who has fished water like this. What type of lure works best? Any and all help or advice will be appreciated!

Edited May 3, 20179 yr by CrispyGlock

 

Check this recent thread out. 

throw a chatterbait maybe also colorado blade spinnerbait WITH A TRAILER HOOK. If that doesn't work throw a ned rig you'll get more numbers than large bass but eventually you'll hook into a decent one.

My lead off pond bait is a quarter ounce Brewer Pro Spider slider head with a 5' BPS Paddle Tail Stick-o.  Green pumpkin is the color I start with, red shad is another good all purpose color.

Also the bass will probably be tight to the cover so cast past any structure and work your bait up to it. Try all the angles and patterns you can think of.

Wow! Thank you all for the for the information! This makes me feel a little better about the current water conditions. Gonna try some of this stuff later this afternoon!

Like @Adleyfishes said try out a chatterbait or a spinner bait but When the water gets murky I have some luck throwin crankbaits and draggin it by cover and docks but that's me. Good Luck  

Wacky Worm

Good info above, I'll just welcome you to the forums!  

chaaaatterbait. bump, bump, wait, pull.

black and blue chatterbait 

In evenings or night try casting parallel to the bank with a topwater noisy bait like a plopper or a pompadour. keep the bait close to the algae growth but not close enough to get hung up. Otherwise a chatter bait should work.

Pretty much everything I would recommend has been mentioned here - chatterbait, double Colorado blade spinnerbait, Pompadour, and I would add a buzzbait and a jig with rattles as well. Darker colors. When the visibaility is that low, you need to appeal to the lateral lines to help the fish locate your bait, so anything that creates vibration will increase your chances. 

Agree with the above post. Any heavy action plastic fished quickly will also get the job done. It doesn't have to be rattles and chatterbaits all the time. Thats all I ever see recommended for this type of water... And although they are fun to fish , sometimes I think a rattle sends them swimming for the hills. 

 

Try a High action plastic like a rage craw on a swing head . Fished quickly.

The only thing that really gets annoying is the algae has consumed almost everything underneath the water too. Every cast, whether with a jog or spinner, or whatever has "sludge" all over it by the time I get it back to the bank. Okay, I'm finished whining now. I am going to go out again this evening and see what I can shake up.

 

Thanks for the advice, gents!

Once the water clears up a bit, try a Zoom Super Flukes.  They can be fished with a lot of different cadences and speeds and tend to shed muck due to the pointy nose if you bury the hook eye in the plastic.  

EVERYTHING has been addressed at some point in time so join the crowd.

 

When the water is cold and muddy, I first try a lipless crankbait (Rat-l-trap, redeye shad, etc.) or a bright-colored jerk bait (my fav is a Shadow Shad Rap) fished slowly (looong pauses between jerks).  

Welcome aboard!

 

Roger

Welcome Aboard

Time of year and your location I would guess the small ass are makes grading nest sites, not eating just striking your lures. The bass also look very skinny and under feed, your pond/small lake may have a over population of small bass.

If the spawn is over, water temps above 75 degrees, then lure choices become more critical. As a general statement dark colors with bright contrast tend to work better in off color water. Black with bright blue or black with bright charteuse help bass find your lure.

Rattles or glass beads can also help bass find soft plastic and jigs. 3/16 oz Brass n glass T-rigged Zoom 6" G-Tail worms in red Shad or junebug would be a good choice to start with. The G tail worm pushes a lot of water and 6" is small enough for both spawn and post spawn bass to strike and still get a hook set. TW sells both the Zoom worms and Don Iovino brass n glass.

Tom

 

I'd suggest a Stanley top toad, black buzzbait, lipless crankbait (Bagley b-minus if you need a shallow running one) and a black and blue jig with a rattle on the bottom is not too weedy for it. 

A weightless senko on a wide gap hook seems to be one of the best lures for battling that snot algae. And senkos catch fish anywhere. a fluke, as stated above, can be deadly and very weedless also.