Do bass in farm ponds behave with the same seasonal patterns as in lakes? I am trying to understand and learn the seasonal movements and thought that it would make sense to do it  in a pond that is about one acre. The thing that I see is that because of the size it will not represent the real "seasonal" movment, Does it make sense? What are your thoughts?

I would say that they usually don't represent a season pattern, but they can at times. With farm ponds the fish will sometimes be unpressured and "stupid" which they then bite anything. Other times the pond will be low on forage so the fish again will eat anything. The last factor I can think of is water depth, with lower water levels you can present nearly every lure to the fish you want.

In my larger ponds, yes they do have seaonal patterns. In the smaller ones they pretty much stay shallow all the time. I fish them often enough so the fishing is not a cake walk. They see pressure. One thing thats great about the smaller ponds is that I can try new lures/techniques, catch a lot of fish, and gain a good "feel" and confidence in them to try out on bigger waters.

One thing about the smaller ponds, I see bass on beds there 2 some times 3 weeks before any of the big ponds or my local public waters. In the hottest parts of summer  the bass in those small ponds all but stop moving untill dark. The water gets quite warm in them, 85+ in really hot years.

In my larger ponds, yes they do have seaonal patterns. In the smaller ones they pretty much stay shallow all the time. I fish them often enough so the fishing is not a cake walk. They see pressure. One thing thats great about the smaller ponds is that I can try new lures/techniques, catch a lot of fish, and gain a good "feel" and confidence in them to try out on bigger waters.

One thing about the smaller ponds, I see bass on beds there 2 some times 3 weeks before any of the big ponds or my local public waters. In the hottest parts of summer  the bass in those small ponds all but stop moving untill dark. The water gets quite warm in them, 85+ in really hot years.

This is what I was thinking, I guess I need to get to some large ponds to learn more about seasonal changes, but it is difficult fishing from the bank. Another thing that i have seen in the small ponds that I if is that the bass are really tight to cover and, like you mention, I can find them under the shade. How big are your bigger ponds? Just to have an idea as to how big I need the ponds needs to be to show this seasonal patterns.

Thanks for the information.

a small pond is alot different physically than a big lake.  ponds tend to warm up and cool down alot faster b/c of the smaller amount of water in them.  and most ponds are more bowl shaped and don't have distinct points or drop offs.  and most don't have alot of cover such as wood or rip rap.  so most of the fish hang around vegetation which is usually in shallow water.  which is why sometimes you can see fish hitting on top in the shallows during the middle of a 95 degree day.

The 2 biger ponds are 8 and 10 acres. The fish in the 10 acre pond deffinatly show seasonal patterns, but in the 8 they don't. The small ponds are all between 1 and 2 acres. These fish are shallow seemingly year round.  I also fish a 150 acre pond, a couple 30-50 acre ponds, an 800 and 1000 acre lake. The 150 acre pond the fish show sesonal patterns but in the 800 acre lake they seem to be much like the bass in the small ponds..........shallow all the time and in obvious spots( laydowns, weeds, under docks) I have caught bass on a 40 degree day from under docks in 3 feet of water there. Where on the 10 acre and 150 acre ponds in the same conditions the shallows are devoid of bass, and my best results were fishing deeper near depth changes or structure. I guess it all depends on whats under the water, not the size of the body of water.

ww2farmer, thanks for the information, I think that it just adds a bit more the puzzle, but yeah, that just means more fishing!  ;D