Buzzbaiter Posted September 15, 2024 Posted September 15, 2024 I found a couple of secluded, gin clear ponds today, and blanked at both. I saw some really huge bass at the first pond, and I’m sure there are solid fish in the second one as well. I tried a number of techniques, including wacky rigged stickbaits, Texas rigged craws, grubs, tubes, toads, and live bluegill. I only caught an ouncer bass on the stickbait. I’ve never targeted Florida bass in clear water, so I’m a bit lost. Both ponds are extremely clear, and slightly pressured (about 2-3 other people fishing each pond on a Saturday). Pond 1 is relatively shallow with some deeper pockets along the shallows. There is grass, but it only covers the bottom in some areas. I saw a lot of bass moving around, actively cruising the shallows. The main forage is coppernose bluegill. Pond 2 is a bit deeper, and shoreline grass likely plays a larger role. I didn’t see any bass cruising, so I imagine they tend to tuck up under the shore grasses. There is submerged grass, but it’s spotty and not very developed. The main forage here is also coppernose bluegill. All of the big bass I saw were apathetic to my presentations. Even when I was well out of sight of the fish, they still didn’t want anything to do with me. My guess is that I found them at a bad time. I’ve heard that Florida bass are more temperamental than largemouth, so I might just need to find an active feeding window. Next time, I want to try burning a spinnerbait over the grass and dropshotting plastics if they’re still inactive, but I’m not confident that that’ll solve the fish. Any advice or suggestions? Quote
Super User WRB Posted September 15, 2024 Super User Posted September 15, 2024 Double Z* Magnum 8” T-worm Nuclear Melon use owner 4/0 Cover Shot hook with 3/16 oz painted bullet weight and 12 lb Tatsu FC line. 10” Bull Whip June Bug 5/0 mag cover shot hook. Stand back from the shore line and keep a low profile. Tom * Floating worms 2 Quote
GRiver Posted September 15, 2024 Posted September 15, 2024 @Buzzbaiter I fish a river that is Gin clear with a water temperature of low 70’s. Let me tell ya, it’s tough fishing. I’ve caught little one 2-3 being the biggest, but mostly under 1 pound, way under. the only thing I’ve got them to hit on, is a all black very small square bill. 1/4 ounce I think, and a 7 1/2 ribbon tail June bug color. The river is full of Bluegill and Sunfish, but I’ve tried every pattern of bluegill pattern of bait I’ve got and, that is the only thing I’ve caught fish on. l’ve seen really nice bass, but the ignore my bait. Quote
Super User N Florida Mike Posted September 18, 2024 Super User Posted September 18, 2024 Most of the water I fish is generally clear to slightly stained. I catch nearly all my fish with light mono line, no weight or as little as possible. Watermelon red is one of my favorite colors when the sun is out. Watermelon seed when it’s cloudy…Zoom flukes, uv speed worms, yum dingers, culprit worms, baby brush hogs, speed craws have all worked well for me. I get 75% or more of the fish dead sticking. In other words, slow is better, especially in the summer… fishing at night may help too. 2 Quote
crypt Posted September 18, 2024 Posted September 18, 2024 1 hour ago, N Florida Mike said: Most of the water I fish is generally clear to slightly stained. I catch nearly all my fish with light mono line, no weight or as little as possible. Watermelon red is one of my favorite colors when the sun is out. Watermelon seed when it’s cloudy…Zoom flukes, uv speed worms, yum dingers, culprit worms, baby brush hogs, speed craws have all worked well for me. I get 75% or more of the fish dead sticking. In other words, slow is better, especially in the summer… fishing at night may help too. what he said......red is a color I throw a lot in clear water.sometimes dead sticking can work really good. also try fishing at night. Quote
Alex from GA Posted September 18, 2024 Posted September 18, 2024 IMO if the fish can see you they don't bite. If you know there are fish, back off and wait until the fish normalize. Quote
woolleyfooley Posted October 19, 2024 Posted October 19, 2024 I’ve never seen gin clear water around here. What part of Florida are you guys finding clear water? Quote
Zcoker Posted October 19, 2024 Posted October 19, 2024 Looks spring fed. Go back at night. Worth a try. Quote
Buzzbaiter Posted October 19, 2024 Author Posted October 19, 2024 2 hours ago, woolleyfooley said: I’ve never seen gin clear water around here. What part of Florida are you guys finding clear water? North Florida. There’re also spots on the panhandle with spring fed creeks. As you go south, there seems to be fewer springs and defined creeks, likely because of the flat topography and organic soil. 1 Quote
Super User N Florida Mike Posted October 20, 2024 Super User Posted October 20, 2024 3 hours ago, woolleyfooley said: I’ve never seen gin clear water around here. What part of Florida are you guys finding clear water? My waters aren’t gin clear but fairly clear. It’s hard to describe. Slightly stained is another way to describe it. Many of the lakes around keystone heights are clear. 1 Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted November 17, 2024 Super User Posted November 17, 2024 On 9/14/2024 at 9:31 PM, WRB said: Double Z* Magnum 8” T-worm Nuclear Melon use owner 4/0 Cover Shot hook with 3/16 oz painted bullet weight and 12 lb Tatsu FC line. 10” Bull Whip June Bug 5/0 mag cover shot hook. Stand back from the shore line and keep a low profile. Tom * Floating worms Trout fishermen should do well in this scenario. Quote
Alex from GA Posted November 22, 2024 Posted November 22, 2024 I fish the Rainbow River several times a winter and always catch fish. It's a spring fed river and clear as glass. Long casts with light line, I use 6 lb mono. Most people that fish it regularly fish at night. Quote
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