This Week @ Bass Edge

Big Results From Small Waters

When questioning the beginnings of anglers, small ponds and streams are common denominators serving as the foundation for most. Memories of walking the bank of a local farm pond with a friend or family member and wading your favorite river with a handful of tackle come to mind.

With the fond memories of time well spent, anglers often forget the times these forgotten treasures were stingy with their offerings. In fact, had a fishing log been kept during those early years of angling, quickly one would realize the similarities of bass behavior and the effect seasonal changes has on smaller waters when compared to their larger cousins.

Tommy Barbaree of Pinckard, Alabama approaches small water with the same techniques employed for large reservoirs or tributaries.

Starting Point

“A popular myth is the smaller amount of water makes bass easier to catch and that is not always the case. Ponds serve many purposes including agriculture and erosion control that cause the water to fluctuate in certain times of the year ultimately effecting the positioning and feeding habits of bass,” said Barbaree. For instance, a lot of ponds are utilized for irrigation purposes causing a major draw down of the ponds during the dry months of the year. In doing so, bass are pulled out of the shallows and out to deeper water.

In establishing a starting point for ponds, Barbaree often relies on search baits just as he does with larger lakes. If the water has color, he will begin with a spinnerbait or crankbait looking for actively feeding bass. “At first glance I will size up the high percentage areas and target those first. If the pond has any wood, grass, or reed lines, those areas provide key ambush points and ample cover for bass,” adds Barbaree.

In addition, changes in contour around the edges are also highly productive. Barbaree notes that points or distinct turns in the waters edge are easy to spot. However, it’s the subtle changes that can frequently go unnoticed and be the sweet spot. In locating such areas, he recommends standing at the waters edge and looking down the shoreline. Any indentions or protrusions sighted should be cast upon as these areas extend into the water and are great staging areas for bass.

The Spillway

Ponds range in size, shape, and depth but the majority of these impoundments have a dam and a spillway. When bass are avoiding the shallow structure, the spillway is a prime spot for holding concentrations of bass.

Normally a spillway is located off to one side of the dam and provides unique topographical features in which bass can relate to. For example, given its close proximity to the dam and deep water, bass can use the subtle slope of the spillway as a flat and easily drop off into deeper water between feeding stages or during weather changes.

“A lot of ponds are used strictly for watering livestock and don’t really have a lot of contour along the shoreline. In such case the spillway may be the only significant difference of depth change in the whole pond,” states Barbaree. He prefers dragging a Carolina-Rig across the spillway to entice bass into biting.

Another added benefit of areas close to the dam is that as the water temperatures of ponds skyrocket in the summer, it usually holds the deepest water. Under these circumstances he uses a Texas-rigged plastic worm or big jig for bass relating to the deeper, cooler water.

In addition, Barbaree will always pick up a buzzbait, frog, or spook type bait during the right conditions. “Some of the best top-water action I’ve experienced has been early in the morning or right before dark just covering water,” adds Barbaree.

Training Ground

Regardless of individual skill-set, ponds are ideal for perfecting a particular technique, a casting motion, or simply convenient for maintaining your “Edge”. Think of it this way, as Dr. Jay McNamara outlines in his book “The Psychology of Exceptional Fishing”, athletes at any level of any sport practice their skill in order to improve. Fishing is no different. Improvement demands practicing the skill under varying conditions. What better way to accomplish this then by spending a few hours per week at a local pond or city lake practicing?

On the surface, ponds seem to offer only small challenges to the average angler. By looking a little deeper and approaching ponds with the same systems used on larger waters, you might suddenly realize the results being elevated to a whole new level. Additionally, reacquainting yourself with memories of fishing past will likely serve as a reminder to invite a young person along on your next outing!