Trophy bass are hiding in your local pond – but most anglers fish them wrong. After 15 years of testing, these are the only baits you need (and why weedless is worthless).
Last updated: December 3rd, 2024
Video Overview
Anglers.com Wes Littlefield discusses his favorite pond fishing lures in this YouTube video.
1. Spinnerbaits
Ever wondered why some anglers consistently catch bass in ponds while others strike out? The biggest challenge is enticing cautious pond bass that have seen every lure imaginable. When water warms up and bass move to shallow cover, a properly sized spinnerbait is your secret weapon.
With its lightweight build and great water displacement, the Booyah Pond Magic is one of the best lures for pond fishing.
I have found it to be effective for both smallmouth bass, and striped bass.
Moreover, the color and blade combinations are specially selected to match the conditions in smaller water bodies like ponds. Just make sure that you know how to tie them right.
2. Finesse Jigs
Think pond bass aren’t as picky as their lake cousins? Think again. These pressured fish often ignore traditional presentations, especially in clear water where they’re extra spooky. That’s where the subtle approach of finesse jigs turns the tables in your favor.
Finesse jigs can be used in springs and early summer with great effect. In ponds with clear water, the bass can be somewhat spooky. This is where finesse jigs can be highly effective.
Besides, they can also be used in heavy vegetation or woody cover.
This Z-man Shroomz finesse jig comes with a lifelike action and a slow fall rate that makes it one of the best bass lures for pond fishing.
3. Shallow Crankbaits
What’s the one mistake most anglers make when fishing small ponds? They go too big with their crankbaits, scaring away potential catches. In waters less than 8 feet deep, oversized lures can spook more fish than they attract. That’s why shallow-diving crankbaits are your perfect pond partner
Keep in mind, both casting and retrieving are important aspects of crankbait fishing in ponds. Also, choosing the color of these baits is important.
The natural-colored or translucent crankbaits work well in clear water. In dirty water, use brighter colors.
I started using the Strike King KVD last year. With a thumping action and multiple color choices, it has turned out to be a great lure for pond bass fishing.
In addition, the design also ensures fewer snags and minimum hung-ups.
4. Texas Rigged Soft Plastics
When you get frustrated by thick pond vegetation, there’s one lure that stands out. While most baits get snagged in weeds and cover, there’s a reason why the Texas rig has remained unbeatable for decades in pond fishing.
Since soft plastics are highly versatile they can be used effectively almost anywhere across various conditions depending on how you rig them.
The best time for using this rig is during the prespawn; the period between late winter to early spring. However, you can use it all through the year as well.
Pitching and flipping a Texas rig allows you to target specific areas near a cover. Casting the rig is also effective when you aren’t sure where the bass is lurking.
I have seen plenty of veterans retrieving these lures slowly, often with a jerk and pause motion.
There is a wide variety of high-quality plastic lures in the market. The Zoom Magnum II worm is a good choice for combining with a Texas rig.
Personally, I prefer using the Berkley PowerBait MaxScent. The realistic design and the great scent make it a deadly choice for bass.
5. Wacky Rigged Senko Worms
What if I told you the deadliest pond bass technique barely requires any action at all? When bass seem lockjawed and nothing else works, most anglers make the mistake of working their lures too aggressively. The weightless wacky-rigged Senko proves that sometimes less is more.
Allow the bait to drop slowly. Once it hits the bottom of the pond, give the bass some time. Dead sticking is the best way to let the lethargic bass get attracted to these plastic worms.
I have found that moving the lure after dead sticking is when the strikes occur most. The method also works well in covered areas.
Without a doubt, the 3-inch Senko worm is one of the best baits for pond fishing. Note, a rounded hook with a short shank works best with a Wacky rig.
There is also a weighted version of the Wacky rig. However, the weightless version is more effective as pond fishing bait.
6. Ned Rigs
Overlooked by beginners but revered by pros – why do tournament anglers keep this pond fishing secret so close to their chest? While flashy lures get all the attention, pressured pond bass often need something more subtle.
The Ned rig needs a stand-up jig and a compact stick worm. The jighead is around 1/16 to 1/4 ounces and the worm is threaded into it.
Make sure to use a small hook as a large one will weigh down the worm.
The salt and softness combined with the slow fall, make it a great choice for luring the largemouth bass.
Generally, the strikes are the highest when the bait is falling, or scraping the bottom. The trick is to allow the lure to glide naturally.
Using the Ned rig needs some patience and discipline. But once you get the hang of it, you’re sure to reap rich rewards.
7. Creature Baits
There’s a reason why pond bass explode on certain baits while completely ignoring others. Many anglers miss the fact that ponds have their own unique ecosystem of prey. When you match these natural food sources, particularly around shoreline ambush points, creature baits become absolute dynamite.
Using creature baits in such spots cornered by scum mats or lily pads can be highly effective.
Since hollow-bodied frogs are weedless, they are a great choice for using over heavy vegetation.
Instead of skimming it continuously, let the frog sit still on the matted vegetation or the weed edges.
The Zoom Brush Hog is a favorite creature bait that I have used with a Texas rig as well as a Carolina rig. Its unique shape and great action make it one of the best pond bass lures.
8. Jerkbaits
How do you trigger strikes when pond bass seem to have lockjaw? The challenge intensifies in clear water, where bass can carefully inspect your offering. That’s where the erratic action of a properly worked jerkbait turns window shoppers into aggressive strikers.
Some jerkbaits also have bright colors and internal rattles to attract fish.
But as I mentioned, bass in ponds tends to spook easily. So noisy baits may not be the best choice in some cases.
Jerkbaits work with all types of retrieval.
However, the snap-pause retrieve gives them an erratic action that is often irresistible for bass. It’s best to mix up retrieve styles and see what works best. Slow down the technique in case of cold water.
The Rapala X-Rap jerkbait with its darting action is a popular choice that can be used in a variety of conditions.
9. Trick Worm
What’s the best approach when pond bass have seen every lure in your tackle box? The biggest challenge in small ponds is pressured fish that grow wary of common presentations. That’s when the subtle dance of a trick worm becomes your stealth weapon of choice.
These worms come in a variety of natural colors and are rigged without a weight. While they don’t have a swimming action, they have a dancing movement that works well for largemouth.
I have used these worms with a Texas rig and found them effective in the post-spawn season. You can also add a drop shot and use them for fishing further down the water column.
One of the best options is the Zoom Trick Worm. It comes with a great action and salt content. It is also a super affordable option for a weekend of pond fishing.
10. Chatterbait
The heat of Summer can really slow things down and cause you to pack up early. While most lures get buried in vegetation, there’s a unique bait that combines the best features of multiple lures into one weedless package. The chatterbait’s combination of flash and vibration is often the key to unlocking pressured pond bass.
Besides, the skirt can create the appearance of a colorful baitfish.
You can use it in murky waters and also over weeds and grass beds in ponds. Since the bait is weedless, it can slide effortlessly through underwater vegetation.
Try using it in the open pockets between the weed patches where the bass hides.
The lightweight Z-Man Chatterbait is a great choice for catching big bass in farm ponds. It has the right combination of flash and vibration to attract the bass.
Conclusion
When it comes to pond fishing, I’ve found success boils down to understanding these intimate waters and matching your presentation to the conditions. For early season bass, I’ll typically start with a Texas-rigged soft plastic around cover, while mid-day summer fishing often calls for working a chatterbait through the weeds.
During those prime morning and evening hours, switching to topwater presentations like frogs around lily pads can produce explosive strikes.
Want help dialing in the perfect bait selection for your local pond? Drop a comment below describing your pond’s features – things like water clarity, cover type, and typical conditions. I’ll share specific techniques that have worked for me in similar situations.
I monitor these comments daily and love helping fellow anglers unlock the full potential of pond fishing.
