How to Catch Bass in a Pond: Tackle, Timing and 7 Lures
How to catch bass in a pond? Fish from shore with light tackle, move quietly, and work the pond by depth: the shallows at dawn, the middle depths in mid-morning and the deep water near the dam in the afternoon. Use small, subtle lures, with plastic worms and grubs as the most reliable choices for bigger and finicky bass.
Below: how to approach a pond, a simple tackle setup, the depth-by-time plan, seven lures that work, and FAQs. More bass reading: how to catch largemouth bass and how to Texas rig a worm. Fishing the same pond for whiskers? See how to catch catfish in a pond.
Why fish ponds for bass?
In a Bass Pro Shops guide to pond fishing for bass, the author notes the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service estimate that 80 percent of the population lives within 10 miles of a bass pond, and cites a North Carolina survey in which farm pond anglers took twice as many bass per hour as anglers on big lakes. Because ponds are small, the fish are "basically located for you" if you work the water methodically.
How to catch bass in a pond step by step
1. Fish from shore and stay stealthy
Fishing a pond entirely from shore is the easiest approach and disturbs the water least, which matters most on ponds under an acre where bass are skittish. The guide's advice: behave more like a trout angler than a big-water basser. Wear drab clothing, walk softly and keep a low profile. On larger ponds, careful wading, float tubes, jon boats, canoes or kayaks are options.
2. Go light on tackle
- Rod: medium spinning or baitcasting rod, 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 feet.
- Line: 6 to 12 lb monofilament, or 8 to 30 lb braid depending on bass size and cover.
3. Follow the depth-by-time plan
| Time (late spring to fall) | Where to fish |
|---|---|
| Dawn | Shallows: upper end and feeder arms, inches to 3 or 4 feet deep |
| About 8 or 9 a.m. to near noon | Middle depths in mid-pond |
| Lunch to late afternoon | Deepest water in the lower third, in front of the dam |
In winter, reverse it: fish the deep end first and move shallow later in the day as the sun warms the thin water.
What is the best bait for bass in a pond?
Pick lighter, more compact lures than you would on a big lake, and vary retrieves from fast to slow and erratic to smooth.
- Topwater lures: best on ponds of an acre or more; use small sizes and subtle twitches.
- Thin minnow plugs: the most versatile pond lures, 3 to 5 inches, silver sides and black back.
- Shallow to medium crankbaits: bluegill, crayfish or shiner finishes with tight wiggles. Deep divers hang up.
- Spinners: 1/8 and 1/4 oz spinnerbaits, or compact in-line spinners.
- Weedless spoons: around brush, snags and weeds; silver, gold and black.
- Plastic worms and crayfish: 4 to 6 inch, Texas-rigged. The guide says most of your largest pond bass will likely come on these.
- Grubs: 2 to 3 inch on a light jig head or Carolina rig, the "day-savers" after a cold front.
Where do bass hang out in ponds?
Ponds look uniform, but the guide lists eight covers bass relate to:
- Edge of shoreline: the place to start, if it is not too shallow.
- Water near the dam: normally the deepest part of the pond.
- Inlets: where a creek washes current into the pond.
- Drop-offs: even a foot or two of sharp depth change can hold bass.
- Trees and brush: overhanging branches give shade, cover and food.
- Rocks and logs: they hold crayfish, baitfish and insects.
- Weeds: lily pads, milfoil, bulrushes, arrowhead or cattails.
- Points: they can hold bass in ponds just like on big lakes.
Ponds often hold panfish like bluegill and crappie too, a fun bonus while you fish for bass.
Gear up for the bank
A long sleeve fishing shirt keeps the sun off during a long morning on the bank. The shirts shown here can be personalized with your name; pick your style on the product page. See more in our bass fishing shirts.
FAQ
What is the best bait for bass in a pond?
Plastic worms and crayfish (4 to 6 inch, Texas-rigged) and small grubs, plus thin minnow plugs and small spinners.
Where do bass hang out in ponds?
Shallows at dawn, middle depths mid-morning and the deep water near the dam in the afternoon, always near cover.
How do you catch bass out of a small pond?
Stay on shore, keep a low profile, use light line and compact lures, and work the pond methodically.
What size line for pond bass?
6 to 12 lb monofilament, or 8 to 30 lb braid around heavy cover.
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