This weekend the lake I go to is closed, but I'm going to a small pond for practice. I think the bass are limited, but I do know some are in there. The water is fairly shallow (would say most areas are 3-6 ft) and clear. I think the bass are holding in 3 possible areas, so its just getting them to bite. The weather is suppose to be hot, with hit or miss storms. I'll be fishing from the shore, but clear spots to fish from are limited.

From what I read, I believe I want to use natural colors to the pond, with baits the resemble the forge. Is this right?

Any tips?

I'd try swim jigs, and weightless plastics, especially a lizard or craw bait. If it's cloudy, don't forget to try a buzz bait or other topwater. That's how I get them in small ponds.

3/8 oz jig/ Rage Tail Baby Craw

5" Senko

Fat Ika

8-)

3/8 oz jig/ Rage Tail Baby Craw

5" Senko

Fat Ika

8-)

Rigged backwards it is like the flying lure?   I do like the thought of this, not to swipe the conversation, but do you get significant line twist when throwing this?  May have to pick some up, i like the idea. 

No, there is no line twist. You fish the Fat Ika like a Senko.

Moving the bait forward 6-12" lifts the lure, then allow it

to fall on slack line. You do not swim the bait.

8-)

3/8 oz jig/ Rage Tail Baby Craw

5" Senko

Fat Ika

8-)

x10, but add Trick Worms.

This may or may not help...

Things I learned about ponds:

1. They are closer to shore than you think.

2. Spitting poppers are your friend when there's lots of pond scum and weeds in the water. I prefer to keep my rod tip up high (11 o' clock position), and lightly jerk them like I would finesse a shakey head.

3. Hot weather = go for reaction strikes and territory defending strikes.

4. Watch out for goose poo!

The bait suggestions posted are spot-on. The only thing I'd add is to be stealthy in your approach and avoid bright color clothing. There may be a top-water bite, when that dies, make low casts for a soft entry beyond your target. The pond you describe is shallow and clear, if it's pressured at all they may be skittish. Good luck!

Have you ever tried just a nightcrawler on a hook no weight? This works great for me on hot bright days on a small (25acre) clear lake that gets fished a lot. I can throw out 40' and still see the worm 8-10' down.

Put just the first inch of the fat end on the hook let the rest dangle. The bigger the worm the better.

This has caught fish for me when senko and berkley shaky worm werent working.

Have you ever tried just a nightcrawler on a hook no weight? This works great for me on hot bright days on a small (25acre) clear lake that gets fished a lot. I can throw out 40' and still see the worm 8-10' down.

Put just the first inch of the fat end on the hook let the rest dangle. The bigger the worm the better.

This has caught fish for me when senko and berkley shaky worm werent working.

TABOO!!! From what i've seen on these forums, live bait is not widely used. Although i must admit that tecnique works great. ;D

Well its just a tip, a good tip, I use both live & artificial whatever catches them. 8-)

white spinner bait with a red head/eyes has been my number one producer this year on a clear shallow pond i fish

One thing I do is walk a pond first, before I start casting. Make at least one circuit before you start pitching. I often make several.

Since your positioning is limited I find long casts can be important. Max your casting distance.

Ok, I finally get to go to the pond tomorrow morning. The weather tonight is 30% chance of showers/storms from 0100-0300, 74 at sunrise (0635), and partly cloudy. By noon, chance of storms again and 85.

Like I said, it's a shallow clear pond, with some deeper parts that are harder to get to. I think the bass are holding in three possible areas: off a small point in the middle of the pond that is deeper, off the northern shore that is rip-rap with a quick drop off, or a very small pocket cove that has some down timber and over-head cover (which is where my girlfriend hooked a nice bass that shook off).

I'm going to get out to the pond earlier than I have before, probably between 0600-0630 (every other time I was out there around 0730). The plan if the pond is empty, then I'll fish the shoreline hard and all over, fan casting all over with crankbaits; maybe throw some is to throw some top water, buzzbaits, weightless flukes, and spinners. If no luck, then switch to rigs and jigs and try slow fishing.

I really want to catch something, been skunked the last three times out, any tips with my plan?

3/8 oz jig/ Rage Tail Baby Craw

5" Senko

Fat Ika

8-)

x10, but add Trick Worms.

Don't over look the smaller 3'' ika