Me and a buddy have gone out in the last couple days, fishing a small 7 acre or so size pond. The middle areas are 8-15 ft deep, the banks are gentle slopes.

Its literally been snowing and freezing for 3 weeks, and Friday past was the first decent day we've had. It was mid 30's and sunny. The water temp was 32-35. Anyway, we fished the deep sunny spots, no hits. The shallow sunny spots, no hits.

Then he casts up by the bank under some trees, 1-3' of water, in an area that never gets any direct sunlight, and gets a hit. At the end of the day, he ended up with 2 LMB, in the 1-2 lb range, and several good hits.

We went out again today, fished all the sunny deep and shallow spots, no fish, just 2 bites. We go to the same shallow cold shady spot, I caught 2, lost one, and had quite a few bites. He hooked and lost 2, landed one, and had quite a few bites.

Whats up with the bass being bunched up in 1-3' of water, in the shadiest coldest part of the pond? The air temps today were low 30's, and the pond had some skims of ice floating in it, so the water temps were once again, right around freezing. There are no warm water discharges, or any kind of moving water in the pond.  Its been a fun way to start the season.  Not slammin em, but for icy Feb water, its not bad.

Bass - as well as anything in nature - do not adhere to rules well all the time. There must be something attracting them that particular area. Whether it be an underground spring or a specific forage availability, or cover. Something obviously attracts them to the area you've been finding them in.

Don't try to over think it. Just go catch 'em!

Good job just getting out there in those conditions.

Whenever I find the fish someplace strange or doing something really different or unusual it often means I'm fix'in to learn something new.

A-Jay

The over head cover that blocks the sun also blocks the wind which may cause a slight temp difference. If not that, I would think forage or some under water cover. Maybe a steeper bank to access deeper water.

Here in NJ they are in a weird position too, under the ice.

Here in NJ they are in a weird position too, under the ice.

Well I hope they're not over it.

I would think there is a spring or something pushing in water that is maybe 1 or 2 degrees above the rest, and the shaded area helps keep them as if there was surface vegetation.

Maybe there is a slight leak in a drain or waste line that is seeping up slightly in that area causing water temps to be slightly warmer? Have you gone to that area with a thermometer or temp gauge to see if there is a temperature difference?

The over head cover that blocks the sun also blocks the wind which may cause a slight temp difference. If not that, I would think forage or some under water cover. Maybe a steeper bank to access deeper water.

I like this answer, A LOT!!

The previous days weather may have played a part in the wacky location of the fish.  You may have had an area of the pond that was getting direct sunlight for a couple of days straight, and the wind comes along and blows that slightly warmer water over to the bank you were getting your bites.  It always pays to keep up with the weather and recall of the past weather can determine where the fish will be active the most.  Just something to keep in mind.

Thanks fo the replies.  Since then we have gone back 4-5 times, all in 30-40 degree air temps, and have caught probalby 8 bass in the exact same area.  What ever it is, I like it ;D

I would have grabbed some water temperaturwe samples from a few places on the lake and a few depths to see if that was a factor