Went to a new (to us) pond on Cape Cod with a buddy last Thursday.  The weather was as good as you'd want for fishing.  A breeze of varying intensity, skies cloudy with occasional patches of sunlight, and even an occasional sprinkle.  The deck was stacked in our favor.

There was a hatch of small flies, and trout were all over the surface feeding on them.  At times, they looked like a school of mackerel or pogies rippling the surface.  At times, they looked like a pod of dolphins cruising with their backs arching above the surface.

Since we have been catching bass in the grass on other ponds, that is where we targeted our efforts.  It was slow and fruitless going for an hour or more until I caught a small smallmouth on a worm rigged drop shot.  That was to be followed by another two hours of futility.

The plants were found in ten to twelve feet of water with their tendrils reaching to within a few inches of the surface.

We found the six foot shoal which tapered to 30 feet deep around its perimeter.  Set out a buoy for reference and made three or four drifts, up one side and down the other.

Again, nothing to show for our efforts.

As we worked our way through the vegetation toward the sheltered shore, I boated one more small bass.

When we reached the fairly calm water it became apparent why the action was all but non-existant.

Everywhere you looked in the plants were herring from two to three inches long, thousands and thousands of them.

I have a sneaking hunch that once they depart the pond for saltwater, the bass will regain their appetites.

Now, all I have to do is some studying to find out when they begin their seaward migration.

Or get a couple lures that look like the herring.

 That's why it's called fishing and instead of catching ...

skillet

We tried crankbaits that looked like herring and were close in size.  Nothing.

A fluke type bait in a small size might have done it, but I think the bass had eaten their fill.

There was no sign of feeding activity.  

Tom, I've had to deal with an enormous bass hatch this year -thousands of 2inch bass everywhere. The bass wouldn't hit regular sized lures. My friend who fishes this water a lot was in despair. I brought an UL spinning rig, 4lb line, and 1-1/2" Sassy Shad grubs on 1/16oz jig heads. Worked like a charm. Might be with a shot amidst your herring. Would love to know the outcome of that.

Tom, I've had to deal with an enormous bass hatch this year -thousands of 2inch bass everywhere. The bass wouldn't hit regular sized lures. My friend who fishes this water a lot was in despair. I brought an UL spinning rig, 4lb line, and 1-1/2" Sassy Shad grubs on 1/16oz jig heads. Worked like a charm. Might be with a shot amidst your herring. Would love to know the outcome of that.

Sounds interesting, and definitely worth a try.  I've got a fiberglass job making some molds, but I can always take a day to go fishing.

I'll pick up some sassy shad grubs and 1/16th ounce jig heads.  When it looks like a good fishing day, I'll do it.  

Thanks, and I'll definitely post an update.