Grassy ponds can be difficult to fish because the grass in ponds is different that the grass in big lakes.
The grass in ponds is usually filamentous algae, ponds scum, slime, and matted weeds.
Most lures are like magnets to these types of grass and are almost unfishable.
It has taken me many years of experimentation to find the best bass fishing lures for grassy ponds.
This is pretty self explanatory, but your bait doesn’t actually have to be completely weedless. Just use lures that are either completely weedless, or easy to keep out of the grass.
Lures that are easy to keep out of weeds are things like top waters and shallow crankbaits.
These lures aren’t exactly “weedless”, but since top waters and crankbaits float you can control their depth and position in the water very easily.
If the grass is a couple feet below the surface, top waters and shallow crankbaits are great options since they can’t even reach the grass.
If the grass reaches the surface, these lures are off the table, and you will need something completely weedless.
Also Read: Best Weedless Bass Lures
I have fished every kind of lure there is, and these 5 are the ones that I have had the most success with when bank fishing across the country.
I’m sure you new this lure would be on the list. Frogs are the most snag proof and weedless lures you can use.
They will not pick up and grass even if you are fishing the thickest scum and matted algae. Frogs will just glide right over the grass.
I like to keep my frog colors simple. It is easy to get shiny object syndrome with all the options out there, so just stick to the classic colors.
The biggest downside of frogs is that they are top water lures, so during mid day and sunny hours they won’t be as effective. Fish frogs in the early morning and evening for best results.
Senko is really just a broad term for soft plastic stick baits. I actually prefer the the Yum Dinger over the Senko.
Texas style hooking a stick bait makes if extremely weedless and the slender profile of the stick bait also glides through all sorts of cover.
Rigging it weightless gives you a lot more control over the depth and location of the bait because it sinks very slowly.
Senko style baits are probably the most popular pond bait in the fishing industry, and for good reason. They are simply one of the best bass lures for pond fishing.
Texas rigs are great for targeting structure. Scan your pond for bridges, stumps, branches, or any type of submerged structure.
This is where Texas rigs shine. Some people prefer fishing bass jigs, but I have found that while jigs are great for not getting hung up or snagged on branches and structure, they are very bulky and will pick up grass.
Especially the grass in ponds which is more matted and sticky. Texas rigs are much sleeker and don’t pick up as much grass.
This is very general, but top water lures are great when the grass does not quite reach the surface.
Other that the frog, my three favorite top waters for grassy ponds are poppers, walking baits, and buzzbaits.
If I had to pick one, it would be the popper because it can be fished very slowly. If there is some structure or points in the pond, you can pause and or slow down the popper to try and trigger bites from finicky bass.
However, my brother prefers a buzzbait and has amazing success with it. You really can’t go wrong with either one.
I hopped on the swim jig band wagon a few years ago and it has served me well. A black and blue or bluegill pattern swim jig catches so many bass in ponds.
They can be straight reeled in or fished with more of a bouncing motion. I catch tons of big bass on swim jigs every summer.
Even the most grassy ponds have areas of open water. The swim jig is my go to lure for the open water areas of a pond.
I suggest fishing swim jigs in ponds that have a bit clearer water. But, if you throw on a trailer that creates a lot of vibration like a rage craw, than you can definitely fish it in murkier water.
You can never really go wrong fishing realistic colors. With that being said, grassy ponds are usually on the muddier side as well, so I mostly fish lures with higher visibility.
These being either brighter colors, or very dark colors that contrast the water making a silhouette.
If it hasn’t rained in a long time and the water is on the clear side, I will go much more natural with my color choices.
When in doubt, use natural colors like bluegill, crawfish, and shad imitations. Just try to stay away from green colors because they will blend right in with all the grass.
The time of year is mostly irrelevant because ponds will only have lots of grass in the summer time.
As for best time of day to fish for bass in a pond, this is actually and advantage of having lots of grass and weeds.
Early morning and evening will always be the best time to fish for bass, but if there is a lot of grass, than bass have shade and cover all day long. This means bass will be more active all day long compared bass in other lakes.
So, ideally the morning and evening are still the best times, but you can certainly have lots of success all throughout the day.
Challenges of Fishing in Grassy Ponds:
Grassy ponds present unique challenges due to filamentous algae, pond scum, slime, and matted weeds.
Conventional lures can be difficult to fish in such environments, often getting caught in the grass.
Weedless Baits for Grassy Ponds:
Use lures that are either completely weedless or easy to keep out of the grass.
Topwater and shallow crankbaits are effective since they can be controlled easily, especially when the grass is below the surface.
Best Bass Lures for Grassy Ponds:
Hollow Body Frog: Snag-proof and weedless, ideal for fishing in thick scum and matted algae.
Weightless Senko: Texas-rigged for weedlessness, with a slow sink for better depth control.
Texas Rig: Sleeker than jigs, suitable for targeting submerged structures in ponds.
Top Water Lures: Poppers, walking baits, and buzzbaits are effective when grass doesn’t reach the surface.
Swim Jigs: Effective in open water areas of ponds, especially in clearer waters.
Choosing Lure Color:
Opt for realistic colors with higher visibility, considering the often murky nature of grassy ponds.
Use brighter or darker colors that contrast the water to create a silhouette effect.
Natural colors like bluegill, crawfish, and shad imitations work well, avoiding green tones that blend with the grass.
When to Fish Grassy Ponds:
Ponds are grassiest during the summer months.
Bass in grassy ponds have shade and cover all day due to the abundant grass, making fishing viable throughout the day.
Early morning and evening remain optimal, but success can be achieved at any time due to the presence of cover.
Conclusion:
Ponds offer a favorite fishing environment without the need for sophisticated equipment.
Use lures that avoid picking up grass and weeds for the best results.
The recommended lures—Hollow Body Frog, Weightless Senko, Texas Rig, Top Water Lures, and Swim Jigs—are proven for success in grassy ponds.
Q1: Can I use regular lures in grassy ponds?
Regular lures are often problematic in grassy ponds due to filamentous algae and matted weeds. It’s recommended to use weedless or easily manageable lures.
Q2: What are the best times to fish in grassy ponds?
Early morning and evening are traditionally the best times, but the presence of grass and weeds provides shade, making bass more active throughout the day.
Q3: Are topwater lures effective in grassy ponds?
Yes, topwater lures like poppers, walking baits, and buzzbaits can be effective when the grass doesn’t reach the surface. They offer versatility in controlling depth and position.
Q4: How do I choose lure colors for grassy ponds?
Opt for realistic colors with higher visibility, such as brighter or darker hues that contrast the water. Natural colors like bluegill and crawfish are effective, while green tones should be avoided.
Q5: Can I fish in grassy ponds during the day?
Yes, the presence of grass provides shade and cover throughout the day, making fishing viable at any time. While morning and evening remain optimal, success can be achieved during daylight hours.
Ponds are actually my favorite bodies of water to fish. You don’t need fancy bass boats, kayaks, or technology to navigate them.
The main take away is to use lures that won’t pick up grass and weeds. If your pond has lots of breaks in the weeds and open water, than you can be more flexible with you lure choices.
The 5 lures on this list are the most surefire baits I have used to catch bass in grassy ponds.
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