FISHING KANSAS PONDS FOR BASS

Bass in small ponds usually are very aware of what is going on around the perimeter of their environment. Shadows that may be a threat will cause the bass to seek shelter from the danger that they have learned from experience associated with the movement. In other words, pond bass are weary. You should approach a pond with this in mind and make yourself small and blend into the surroundings. Lures should also be presented quietly. Dawn and dusk gives you a good advantage because the light is defused, shadows are gone and the bass feel more secure, becoming active. Pond bass are usually "looking up" for prey, so surface lures or suspended sub surface lures tend to work best. The jointed floating original Rapala in silver/black back is a good pond lure for example.
If the pond has weed beds, then floating worms, soft jerk baits like a fluke, surface frogs like horny toads, small 1/4 oz spinner baits, slip shot plastic worms all work well. Remember if you see a bass, the bass has seen you and is on the alert.
Tom

One trick I have learned over through the years of pond fishing is that wading will produce you more fish nearly 100% of the time than any other method. Im not quite sure why (I mean I have guesses but no solid proof to validate them) but it seems to for me atleast. However, one of the tricks I have learned to do when wading, and probably the best wading tip I could ever give anyone, is this:

Wade out and get into a good location, try to get as deep as you can. Once there, stop, and do NOT move for about 15 minutes. Dont cast, dont move, dont sneeze... just hang loose, let the water hug you and stand there motionless and dead silent. The fish you just spooked away will slowly return, you will see them doing so even, and some will even swim in and around your legs. Once you see the fish return and act as if you arent there, begin casting. I have had some of the most rewarding days of fishing in my life by doing this. And honestly, if i had to pick one way to catch bass... I'd rather be waste deep in the embrace of the lake hooking hawgs than on the bow of even the finest bass boat, any day of the week