Hi, my name is Greg and I am a novice Bass Fisherman. Just wondering if anyone had some tips for Largemouth fishing small ponds and lakes in the South Chicago area. What are some of your go to lures when fishing a smaller body of water? Is it better to fish slow with soft plastics or to burn spinnerbaits and other lures. Chicago weather is crazy and unpredictable. I feel like it can be a little tricky fishing in this part of the United States.

Greg - Welcome to Bass Resource. Enjoy reading & contributing in the forums. I'm sure some folks from the Chicago area will be along soon to give you some responses. 

Hello Greg and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

A-Jay

I'm in the Chicago area. The weather here is no more crazy than it is in any other part of the country. Everything that works for largemouth anywhere will work here. Worms, jigs, spinnerbaits, topwaters, crankbaits, other plastics, everything works. Ponds are usually small enough that covering them entirely is no problem. Pick something and try it. If it doesn't work, try something else. My only real suggestion which pertains to ponds anywhere, is to fish at the spot where water flows into the pond especially right after a rain.

56 minutes ago, Scott F said:

I'm in the Chicago area. The weather here is no more crazy than it is in any other part of the country. Everything that works for largemouth anywhere will work here. Worms, jigs, spinnerbaits, topwaters, crankbaits, other plastics, everything works. Ponds are usually small enough that covering them entirely is no problem. Pick something and try it. If it doesn't work, try something else. My only real suggestion which pertains to ponds anywhere, is to fish at the spot where water flows into the pond especially right after a rain.

Thanks for the feedback. I throw mostly jigs and spinnerbaits as those are what I have the most confidence with. Any tips for worms and other soft plastics? I would like to get more experience with more soft plastics but its hard to know where to begin.

Greetings Greg and Welcome to the forums  

2 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

Thank you. I've had some good luck with senkos so far

Welcome aboard, Greg!

Hello and Welcome! 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike 

Welcome!

Welcome!

if you're fishing natural ponds, they'll get weedy as the year goes on.  start with wacky rigged senkos, when it gets too weedy switch to a texas rigged ribbon tail worm.  soft plastic paddletail swimbaits and grubs work too year round.  

Welcome!

 

Try a Texas Rigged Pit Boss.  Black and Blue in muddy, green pumpkin in fairly clear.  That's how I caught my first soft plastic fish!

Welcome home! We're glad you're here.