How to find bass in shallow man-made ponds with loads of algae bloom, no structure, and little depth

[CoolestCornet99]

I'm a newer bass angler and I don't have a lot of places near me to fish well from the bank. There is this one man-made pond that has very low visibility, is really shallow, and is really only known for its duck poop. How do you find bass in shallow man-made ponds with loads of algae bloom, no structure, and little depth? The banks are primarily flat, vertical brick walls, however, there are some rocky shorelines that don't last too long. The water level has been low for the past three years or so but it is already only about 6 feet deep anyway. There is very low visibility.

 

I've fished there several times for hours and hours and have only come out with two fish. The reason I keep going back is that my first bass ever was a five pounder caught there. I've read lots of posts of how it used to be great, but I am struggling. Mainly, I am struggling because I have difficulty finding the fish, after all, there is little structure to target. What would y'all recommend?

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

If its like this a topwater frog pick a brand (spro, booyah, keitech, scumfrog) or I like to drag a Fat Ika or wacky rigged senko on top to open spots then let it fall.

If you reel too quickly with frog you might get a lot of missed strikes so go slower with a few hops to get some water movement is a thing to try.

 

[SWVABass]

Try fishing at night, topwater or spinner bait. If that didn’t work I would be trying a tex rig or Carolina rig with a craw, worm, tube or lizard. Green pumpkin would be my starting color.

 

one thing to wonder about is are there still fish there? Large blooms and -or turnover could have possibly led to a fish kill in a pond that small with possibly nothing surviving. How long has been since you caught a fish there?

[Hammer 4]

My main question is..anyone managing this pond.? Does it have aeration, and a fresh water supply..And, what is the primary forage.? 

[WRB]

It's been a cold year so far in the Bay Area with lots of rain. My guess is the pond is deeper then you think and has crawdads, bluegill and some other smaller fish. Right now the bas should be spawning so walk all around the pond looking for beds, lighter color 1 1/2'-2'+ diameter bare areas, the bass will be next to it. If you see pie plate size beds then the bass spawn is over and bluegill are spawning.

Drop shot a plastic worm or a Senko onto the bed and wait for the bass to pick it up.

No bass beds then probably very few bass to catch.

Tom

[CoolestCornet99]

On 4/3/2020 at 7:34 AM, QUAKEnSHAKE said:

If its like this a topwater frog pick a brand (spro, booyah, keitech, scumfrog) or I like to drag a Fat Ika or wacky rigged senko on top to open spots then let it fall.

If you reel too quickly with frog you might get a lot of missed strikes so go slower with a few hops to get some water movement is a thing to try.

 

There's not a lot of vegetation on top, but thank you! I will try senkos still because I know those always work!

On 4/3/2020 at 4:52 PM, Swbass15 said:

Try fishing at night, topwater or spinner bait. If that didn’t work I would be trying a tex rig or Carolina rig with a craw, worm, tube or lizard. Green pumpkin would be my starting color.

 

one thing to wonder about is are there still fish there? Large blooms and -or turnover could have possibly led to a fish kill in a pond that small with possibly nothing surviving. How long has been since you caught a fish there?

Yeah I've gotten one on the buzzbait in the early morning late last year. Yeah I'm not too sure how many bass are left in there, but I have gotten a couple bites before. There's always people fishing for carp and catfish though.

On 4/3/2020 at 5:08 PM, Hammer 4 said:

My main question is..anyone managing this pond.? Does it have aeration, and a fresh water supply..And, what is the primary forage.? 

The pond is part of a park that has an island built for houses. It's essentially a community pond. I know there are always people fishing for carp and catfish in it. I've read of people saying there are bluegill in there and I know every year it gets stocked with trout for a kids fishing derby. However, I know not many people know that there's fish in there since it's primarily a place for people to bird watch, have picnics, and run along the bank. 

5 hours ago, WRB said:

It's been a cold year so far in the Bay Area with lots of rain. My guess is the pond is deeper then you think and has crawdads, bluegill and some other smaller fish. Right now the bas should be spawning so walk all around the pond looking for beds, lighter color 1 1/2'-2'+ diameter bare areas, the bass will be next to it. If you see pie plate size beds then the bass spawn is over and bluegill are spawning.

Drop shot a plastic worm or a Senko onto the bed and wait for the bass to pick it up.

No bass beds then probably very few bass to catch.

Tom

There is almost no visibility in the water because of the algae and all the duck poop, so I wouldn't be able to sight fish. But I know there's catfish, carp, and trout in there. The trout are stocked once a year for a kids fishing derby. I'm not sure if there are bluegill, but I've heard of there being plenty.

[WRB]

IMO it's to early for a major algea bloom it's more then likely pollen floating on the surface and should blow around opening areas to see the bottom in 2' of water.

If the DFW is planting trout the water water temps are under 65 degrees with descent clarity for servival and the lake has a aeration system, fountain somewhere.

Keep an open mind and try harder to see the bottom, bass don't live on the surface.

Tom

PS, is the lake in the Coyote creek drainage?

[Hammer 4]

The only alternative is, if you can't see anything is to fan cast an area thoroughly, sometimes you get lucky. Oh and make long cast's if possible. Keep your retrieves on the slow side. I've fished such ponds for years, where there is no way to see beyond a foot or so, but only a couple of feet from the bank.

If it were me, I'd be tossin a jig with a compact trailer out there, going as light weight as you can get away with. Cast it, let it hit bottom ..then pop it up about a foot or so, rinse and repeat.    

[schplurg]

19 hours ago, WRB said:

IMO it's to early for a major algea bloom it's more then likely pollen floating on the surface and should blow around opening areas to see the bottom in 2' of water.

If the DFW is planting trout the water water temps are under 65 degrees with descent clarity for servival and the lake has a aeration system, fountain somewhere.

Keep an open mind and try harder to see the bottom, bass don't live on the surface.

Tom

PS, is the lake in the Coyote creek drainage?

 

Doesn't sound like it from the description, plus Coyote Creek is closed for fishing every year from November until the last Saturday in April. I just double-checked the sign yesterday. It's because of the "Steelhead Restoration Project". Haha, ya sure - steelhead!

 

I caught my PB at Coyote Creek in Morgan Hill. If they open it at all this year (Covid) it will be a mad house.

 

Anderson Lake is supposed to be completely drained this year as well, which I'd guess will dry up Coyote Creek. Not a good time to be an angler in the South Bay, not at all.

[CoolestCornet99]

On 4/5/2020 at 3:54 PM, schplurg said:

 

Doesn't sound like it from the description, plus Coyote Creek is closed for fishing every year from November until the last Saturday in April. I just double-checked the sign yesterday. It's because of the "Steelhead Restoration Project". Haha, ya sure - steelhead!

 

I caught my PB at Coyote Creek in Morgan Hill. If they open it at all this year (Covid) it will be a mad house.

 

Anderson Lake is supposed to be completely drained this year as well, which I'd guess will dry up Coyote Creek. Not a good time to be an angler in the South Bay, not at all.

I see. Thank you for the information and help. Tight lines brotha.

On 4/4/2020 at 8:25 PM, Hammer 4 said:

The only alternative is, if you can't see anything is to fan cast an area thoroughly, sometimes you get lucky. Oh and make long cast's if possible. Keep your retrieves on the slow side. I've fished such ponds for years, where there is no way to see beyond a foot or so, but only a couple of feet from the bank.

If it were me, I'd be tossin a jig with a compact trailer out there, going as light weight as you can get away with. Cast it, let it hit bottom ..then pop it up about a foot or so, rinse and repeat.    

Are the bass still able to pick up and find smaller profile baits easily with poor water visibility? So far I've thrown mostly spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and chatterbaits and had little success. I've been reluctant to try anything that puts off less vibration and noise. But, I am willing to down size and try other things. Afterall, it can only get better really.

On 4/4/2020 at 8:09 PM, WRB said:

IMO it's to early for a major algea bloom it's more then likely pollen floating on the surface and should blow around opening areas to see the bottom in 2' of water.

If the DFW is planting trout the water water temps are under 65 degrees with descent clarity for servival and the lake has a aeration system, fountain somewhere.

Keep an open mind and try harder to see the bottom, bass don't live on the surface.

Tom

PS, is the lake in the Coyote creek drainage?

No it's not part of the Coyote Creek drainage. Now that I think back, I can recall there being small tubes/holes in the manmade wall built around the water to discourage the ducks from going in and out of the water that are sometimes flowing into the water.

[JustJames]

I would use dropshot with 4” worm, weight 1/16 1/8oz. Fish along shore against those brick wall. Another way is weightless finesse worm, fan casting. You will be surprised the bass stay pretty close to bank in those mad made pond in morning or evening. 

[BASS302]

@CoolestCornet99,

Are you referring to Lakeshore park in Newark? 

Quarry Lakes in Fremont is nearby.  Maybe you should try there.  Check to make sure it is still open before you go. 

You can Google "East Bay Regional Park District".  I think it is something like www.ebparks.org.

[CoolestCornet99]

4 hours ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

I would use dropshot with 4” worm, weight 1/16 1/8oz. Fish along shore against those brick wall. Another way is weightless finesse worm, fan casting. You will be surprised the bass stay pretty close to bank in those mad made pond in morning or evening. 

Okay thanks I'll try that. Another thing I've been wondering about is color. I've tried dark colors like black and blue, but I've seen the best results with whites and chartreuses. Is that generally better?

1 hour ago, BASS302 said:

@CoolestCornet99,

Are you referring to Lakeshore park in Newark? 

Quarry Lakes in Fremont is nearby.  Maybe you should try there.  Check to make sure it is still open before you go. 

You can Google "East Bay Regional Park District".  I think it is something like www.ebparks.org.

Yes, I am referring to Lakeshore Park. I know it isn't the best place, but I have fun catching them there because it's challenging and out of the ordinary. One of the places I go to the most is Grau Pond. The larger pond in the Niles Community park near Shinn Pond. I just enjoy fishing at Lakeshore because no one really knows about it. So, if I can figure it out it'll be a spot a continue going to lol

[Caliyak]

On 4/8/2020 at 1:43 AM, CoolestCornet99 said:

Okay thanks I'll try that. Another thing I've been wondering about is color. I've tried dark colors like black and blue, but I've seen the best results with whites and chartreuses. Is that generally better?

Yes, I am referring to Lakeshore Park. I know it isn't the best place, but I have fun catching them there because it's challenging and out of the ordinary. One of the places I go to the most is Grau Pond. The larger pond in the Niles Community park near Shinn Pond. I just enjoy fishing at Lakeshore because no one really knows about it. So, if I can figure it out it'll be a spot a continue going to lol

can you kayak or tube the pond? Can you get on the water? a fish finder will help to locate bass now, in the summer, fall and winter. I have a similar pond, farm pond. It's not deep but the bass go deep when it's cold and move up to spawn. They still need to eat. Also, have to tried fishing for bluegill or crappie? bass eat the trout, baby cats and anything else. 

I think you will be surprised what is at the bottom of that pond. The locals throw chairs and stuff from parties that get crazy. People getting rid of items. Getting on the water would help a lot. Record it and remember what you see.  

[BASS302]

@CoolestCornet99,

Here's something different you can try (don't know if it will work):

Use a lipless crankbait, walk the bank and cast everywhere, try all depths and try different retrieves.  If the water is all discolored, try chartreuse.  Let us know how you fare, and what works for you.  Good luck. 

I Googled Lakeshore park - can you fish from the island, or is that all private property (people's backyards)?

[CoolestCornet99]

On 4/9/2020 at 10:48 AM, Caliyak said:

can you kayak or tube the pond? Can you get on the water? a fish finder will help to locate bass now, in the summer, fall and winter. I have a similar pond, farm pond. It's not deep but the bass go deep when it's cold and move up to spawn. They still need to eat. Also, have to tried fishing for bluegill or crappie? bass eat the trout, baby cats and anything else. 

I think you will be surprised what is at the bottom of that pond. The locals throw chairs and stuff from parties that get crazy. People getting rid of items. Getting on the water would help a lot. Record it and remember what you see.  

Thanks for the advice. I've thought about it and have read that it offers kayaking, but I've never seen anyone on the water before and I feel like because of the drought and algae bloom from a couple years ago it might not be allowed anymore. But, I will continue looking for someone I can ask.

20 hours ago, BASS302 said:

@CoolestCornet99,

Here's something different you can try (don't know if it will work):

Use a lipless crankbait, walk the bank and cast everywhere, try all depths and try different retrieves.  If the water is all discolored, try chartreuse.  Let us know how you fare, and what works for you.  Good luck. 

I Googled Lakeshore park - can you fish from the island, or is that all private property (people's backyards)?

Yeah that's all off limits to my knowledge. The only access would be from the man made concrete bank. The best luck I've had comes from the rock wall by one of the bridges in shallow shallow water and one of the islands. There are three miniature islands made with trees for the many birds that people come to take pictures of, but only one is really accessible from casting distance. I haven't fished there much and I'm reluctant to go out right now due to the pandemic, but like I said I keep going back to test my luck. After all, I caught my first and largest bass there. Since then, I always have a good feeling there.

[Caliyak]

On 4/10/2020 at 3:55 PM, CoolestCornet99 said:

Thanks for the advice. I've thought about it and have read that it offers kayaking, but I've never seen anyone on the water before and I feel like because of the drought and algae bloom from a couple years ago it might not be allowed anymore. But, I will continue looking for someone I can ask.

If you can squeeze out a few bucks, get a used kayak. Great investment and you are on any water. You can probably find a good kayak in your area on Craigslist. If not, Walmart kayaks. 

[CoolestCornet99]

7 hours ago, Caliyak said:

If you can squeeze out a few bucks, get a used kayak. Great investment and you are on any water. You can probably find a good kayak in your area on Craigslist. If not, Walmart kayaks. 

Sounds good. Thanks for the info!

[Big Hands]

Believe it or not, a lot of times in ponds like that, especially if the shoreline is a wall and there isn't much visibility, bass will hang out right next to the walls. It gives them a barrier to trap prey against, and even though they may be right below you, you'll be casting out away from them and picking your bait out of the water before it even bothers them. You might try either casting parallel into shallow water, or get back and cast into the water near the bank without letting the fish know you're standing right above them. 

 

Bass can be pretty bold when they don't think they're being stalked.

[CoolestCornet99]

50 minutes ago, Big Hands said:

Believe it or not, a lot of times in ponds like that, especially if the shoreline is a wall and there isn't much visibility, bass will hang out right next to the walls. It gives them a barrier to trap prey against, and even though they may be right below you, you'll be casting out away from them and picking your bait out of the water before it even bothers them. You might try either casting parallel into shallow water, or get back and cast into the water near the bank without letting the fish know you're standing right above them. 

 

Bass can be pretty bold when they don't think they're being stalked.

Gotcha. Thanks a lot. I'll do more casting parallel to the bank. Yeah you're right. There's almost no cover in the pond except the two banks. I can't reach the other bank, so parallel casting is definitely the way to go.

[schplurg]

On 4/5/2020 at 3:54 PM, schplurg said:

 

Doesn't sound like it from the description, plus Coyote Creek is closed for fishing every year from November until the last Saturday in April. I just double-checked the sign yesterday. It's because of the "Steelhead Restoration Project". Haha, ya sure - steelhead!

 

I caught my PB at Coyote Creek in Morgan Hill. If they open it at all this year (Covid) it will be a mad house.

 

Anderson Lake is supposed to be completely drained this year as well, which I'd guess will dry up Coyote Creek. Not a good time to be an angler in the South Bay, not at all.

Just to follow up, Coyote Creek is open and NOT a mad house. And it will not dry up when Anderson Lake is drained for dam repair. I was told that enough water will flow to maintain the creek, perhaps at a lower level though.